Strength in numbers!

GTN Colleagues in Livingstone, Zambia (L to R): Gary, Doug, Carl & Patsy, Abby & Doug and Joel

When we heard that two other Global Training Network teams would be in Livingstone, Zambia at the same time we were, we couldn't believe it! But, sure enough, the Carl Green and Doug Dorman teams did come and we had a great time connecting and relaxing over a couple of dinners and a river cruise. It was very, very encouraging to be together.

Percy, Abby & I were especially interested in observing the Carl Green team during its two day Year 1 training. They offered three tracks for: pastors & leaders, pastors' wives, and teachers. Subjects covered included Discipleship, Old Testament Survey, Inductive Bible Study and Developing Men's Ministries. The teaching was excellent and will be followed up with Year 2 & 3 training to the same groups in 2017 & 2018.

Students pray during closing worship over prayer requests posted on the discipleship cross.

Even though our approaches are different, we learned a lot. In fact, Abby & I just used the discipleship content taught by Joel Madson (Vice President of GTN) in a subsequent day of training in Sesheke, Zambia, but that's the subject for another blog!

We're very grateful that Carl & his team invited us to sit in. It was great to spend time together, compare notes and mutually encourage one another.

Doug Dorman and we agreed to get together this fall and compare Zambia notes; it was his first trip here. Since he and his wife, Joan, and their family live in Myrtle Beach, it'll be easy to connect.

Another great thing that happened was that Percy connected with other GTN staff. It has opened the door for the possibility of Percy joining Abby & me at other GTN training opportunities outside Zambia. Countries such as Rwanda, Ethiopia, Nepal and Cambodia were discussed as future possibilities.

Please pray for GTN especially the Carl Green & Doug Dorman teams who have headed home. And, pray for us as we look to the future possibilities outside Zambia, trusting God to order our steps.

Who built you?

Some of our students (L to R): Paul, John, Doug & Ezi

One of the blessings of the way we teach is that it affords the opportunity to get to know our students. We teach small classes, allowing for interaction, discussion and relationship building. Abby & I both teach daily with our distinctive styles which tends to keep things interesting. For the past two weeks, we've been teaching a group of students in Livingstone, Zambia and it's been great!

Abby focused on family and church systems, encouraging the students to reflect on the relationship between their family of origin and the ministry to which the Lord has called them, and to think carefully about their church families. She then spent time helping them understand God's plan for our walk with Jesus from the book of Titus, building a pyramid of being in Christ, becoming with Christ and doing through Christ, in that order. She then taught them how to use Psalms as a prayer book to deepen their walk and ministry, and finished by leading them in a reflection on the question, "Who built you?" In other words, who built your walk with Jesus and what do you remember most about them? Abby always amazes me when she teaches because she makes it easy for students to open up, even while she's teaching such key content.

I spent the entire time on understanding the Bible, teaching them the biblical basis for Bible study, the Bible as revelation, the structure, subjects, story & world of the Bible, characteristics of healthy Bible study, general guidelines & practical rules of biblical interpretation and ending with tools for Bible study, both written and online.

Throughout our time, many local issues came up and we had serious discussions about their personal experiences and what's happening in their churches. It was exciting to work with students who care so very deeply about honoring Jesus in their ministries and who want to build healthy churches!

As to the impact of our training, one student commented, "Where have you been all these years? If I had had this training when I was younger I would have avoided so many mistakes!"

We're grateful that the Lord has allowed us to do this, and grateful that you have joined us in our mission. Thank you!

Please pray for our students as they continue in their ministries, and for us as we turn our attention to the coming shipment of supplies from the U.S., followed by a visit by two GTN teams who will come on the 27th to do two days of training in Livingstone.

Awesome God!

Our Australian friends and guide (L to R): Emily, Annette, Abby, Isaac, Doug, Megan & Kevin

We had a lull in our training schedule, so Abby & I decided to take a trip to Chobe National Park, something we hadn't done in some time. What a great decision!

In addition to seeing God's magnificent creation in all its grandeur, we also met some amazing Christians from Australia and the Netherlands. What a refreshing and encouraging time this trip turned out to be!

Hope you enjoy the photos!

Sunset at Chobe

Cape Buffalo in the Early Morning

Greater Kudu at Chobe River

Fish Eagle

Baboon Mother and Baby

Flying Zebra

Giraffe

Impala Fleeing African Lioness

African Lioness on the Move

Sable & Giraffe

Spotted Hyena

Magnificent Male African Lion with Black Mane

Cape Buffalo (notoriously poor eyesight) and African Lion

Redbilled Hornbills

Elephant All Tied Up after Crossing Chobe River

Giraffe

Elephant Enjoying Lunch after A Roll in the Dirt

Maribou Stork at Sunset Overlooking the Chobe River

"Let the little children come to me..."

Lemmi, Live School graduate and pre-school teacher!

As we drove up, I traveled back to 2011, to teaching under the trees outside the Sooka UCZ Church, using a white board hanging by rope from tree branches, and enjoying eager students sitting on benches in the sun while I stood in the shade. It was a serious class, a good class and it was further confirmation at the time that we were on the right track.

Entering the church compound, I saw the familiar faces of several of our former students, including Lemmi who was standing outside with his pre-school class. He's the teacher of a class of twenty or so students drawn from the surrounding villages. At a cost of K15 ($1.40) per month, it's a serious investment for parents and Lemmi has worked hard to help them understand the benefit of early education. It has not been easy and has required many home visits and lots of follow-up.

Lemmi is an unlikely teacher for this age group in Zambia where young children are typically taught by women, just like in the States. But, as we were to see, he's a natural and the kids love him. Abby dove right in with the kids, of course, singing songs and enjoying the class, and Lemmi introduced each of them with a song highlighting their names. The Lozi culture is a musical culture so this was no surprise.

Live School is designed to multiply church planting and mission through its graduates and we have certainly seen many great examples of this, and Lemmi is certainly one of them.

"I guess you could say, maybe I could say, it's my calling," Lemmi offered quietly. We enthusiastically agreed, affirming the legitimacy of his call and strongly encouraging him.

Lemmi and some of his children, the future leaders of Zambia!

We also heard about the level of sacrifice his call has required of his family. His wife and kids live in Mwanamatuku, a bush village which is a five hours walk away. They stay there because that is where their farm is. Every Friday, Lemmi walks home to spend the weekend with his family, work the farm and worship in his home church, and every Sunday afternoon he walks back to Sooka to teach.

As we looked into the faces of the children, we couldn't help wondering what the impact will be in their lives because Lemmi has answered God's call. Imagine the possibilities!

Please pray for Lemmi, his family and the kids. Pray for their parents who sacrifice financially so they can attend pre-school. And, pray for us that we are faithful to God's call in our lives while we are here in Zambia!