Catching Up

It's been awhile since an update. A lot has happened- AMT ended with a success, I spent a week in England visiting with friends and supporters, flew to Florida to catch up with the Overland staff in our offices, and am now in Chicago with my family for the holidays. One main thing that's happened since leaving africa, I've been constantly cold. ;-) It's weird to leave summer one day and be in the middle of winter the next.

I'm looking forward to returning to Zambia at the end of April. Until then I will be working on support raising, as well as visiting with family and friends.

I would like to personally invite each of you to our upcoming One Tribe conference. It will be held in Tampa, FL on Jan 6-8. For more information and registration, please go to www.overlandmissions.com

Merry Christmas!

Impromptu Road Trip

Two weeks ago, my friend and co-worker, JD, received notice that his vehicle was ready to clear after 3 months of waiting. Later that night (at about 9:30 pm), we were talking about whether he wanted a ride in the morning to the bus station to travel the 600 km where the vehicle was waiting. As we talked, we decided that we could just take my vehicle instead of having him battle Zambia's public transport. It was instantly decided that JD, Matt (our intern), and I would leave at 4 am for the Kariba border at the north end of Lake Kariba. Gotta love last minute road trips! It took us 8 hours to make it to the border post (through beautiful mountains) where JD's vehicle was waiting. Along the way I did have the unfortunate experience of accidently mooning a zambian man when doing a toilet stop along the side of the road. Whoops! He had the biggest grin on his face... I think I made his day. ;-)

It was our hope that everything would be ready for us to just pick up the vehicle and maybe even get to spend the night in Lusaka and see a movie in a real movie theatre. However, Africa is as it is and we found ourselves sitting for hours waiting on one form to be completed. Eventually it was time for the office to close and the form wouldn't be ready until the next day. Thus began an adventure of finding a decent, and affordable, place to stay for the night and dinner. We found ourselves in a little lodge run by a couple from Myanmar and sleeping in a room that had to be at least 90 degrees all night. I made the unfortunate mistake of only having a pair of jeans to sleep in... rookie error.

The next morning, we planted ourselves back at the border post until the vehicle finally cleared. By lunch time we were back on the road to Livingstone, battling crazy truck drivers, cow crossings, and the fact that you cannot find a bag of ice anywhere to save your life. In one small town, I found the only Cherry Coke I've ever seen in Zambia. The 150 ml can was $2 but it was well worth it. What was even more bizarre was that it was canned in Switzerland. Random!

We made it back to the base and crashed into bed. What a great African adventure!

An Outing with the AMT

So the first week of classes with Advanced Mission Training are over and the next is starting. JD and I definitely threw the students into the deep end and we've already seen such amazing growth and hunger for God. Their first classes were theology, gps navigation, and bush cooking. In theology we taught on everything from creation, redemption, holy spirit, and even healing. Lots of information packed into 1 week! In GPS the students learned how to navigate the bush of africa with handheld gps systems. Bush cooking was a great time where they all cooked dinner for the group over the campfire, doing everything from collecting firewood to even baking bread.

By the time the weekend came, everyone was anxious for some time off of the base. On saturday we visited victoria falls and on sunday we went to church in one of the nearby villages and then swimming at the 3 star lodge in town. It's so hot here now that swimming is the top activity on everyone's weekend plans.

It's been a great start to amt and I look forward to continuing to see God at work in and through every student's life.

Photo Caption: Part of the AMT class @ vic falls

AMT Begins

On Wednesday, the majority of our september advanced mission training (aka AMT) arrived. Usually I'm not too involved with the 3 month training program, but for this class I'll actually be co-leading. I did this back in 2008 and really enjoyed it. I love how I get to be ministering to the same team for 3 months compared to the 2 or 3 weeks I usually have with the expedition teams.

The team looks like they're going to be a great group. There's a great mix of ages, backgrounds, and experiences that every single person has something to offer and something to gain from their time here. I'm excited to see what the Lord is going to do not only in their lives but mine also during these next 3 months.

Tomorrow we're heading out to the villages for a week of ministry. It'll be challenging in every way possible, especially since hot season has begun and we're back in the 90's and getting hotter each day. Please keep us in your prayers and I look forward to sharing the testimonies when we get back on the 10th.

Blessings!

To read more about AMT, please go to www.overlandmissions.com

In Honor of A Friend...

I have this beautiful friend named Joy. She had just recently moved to Malaysia to work with an orphanage there. However this morning God called her home. The other day Joy was in the hospital with a 4cm blood clot in her brain.

Joy had a smile that would light up a room. You couldn't help but be in a good mood when she was around. The joy of the Lord just naturally flowed out of her and was contagious. She loved people and cherished her friends and family. She also knew how to show love to other. Sometimes it was a word of encouragement, a card or gift, or even a hug. Her heart was for the nations and by 26 years old, she had preached the Gospel in 20 countries. During times of worship, I would see Joy dancing and singing her heart out for the Lord. You could see her love for Him in everything she did. Now we can take joy in knowing that she is dancing with the King of Kings, Lord of Lords.

Please lift up her family in prayer during this time. Thanks

"It's a great day to be alive! Don't blink cause the days go to quickly! So much love God has given you... so get off here and go share! :)" Joy Bausum from her Facebook on August 12th, 2010.

My New House

After 4 years of living in tents of various sizes, I can finally say I live in a house that has solid walls. :) Late last month, one of our staff homes (we call chalets) opened up and while I was on expedition, it was decided that I would move in. I came back to the base to find my bed and belongings had been relocated. What a great surprise! I've never had a problem with living in a tent but it is very nice to finally have a place that feels a bit more permenant and "homey". Here's what it looks like. This is part of the inside. It's set up basically like s studio where the living room, bedroom, and kitchen are all in the same place. My roommate and I have our beds at the far end and the living room and kitchen closer to the front door.

I'll be updating the blog more often now that I'll be around the base more as I prepare to co-lead the fall advanced mission training course.

Blessings from Zambia!

The Joy of the Lord

I have recently been in a funk. Not just a bad mood but one of those slimy, impatient, pessimistic moods that just suck you in. I was questioning the call of God upon my life, my role in the Overland team, and just everything about myself. During our morning worship the other day, I couldn't even get my thoughts together long enough to even worship God. It was then that I realized I was under attack. None of the thoughts and feelings I had been feeling were accurate but just an attack from the devil. My guard hadn't been raised up and since I was tired from the expedition, there was an opening for him to move in. I could almost feel like claws in my back as this thing latched on. So I started praying and I glanced up to see one of our staff members walking towards me. She put her arms around me and just started praying for a tidal wave of the Lord's presence and strength to fill me. Suddenly this burning joy erupted within me and all I could do was laugh. The heaviness and "dark cloud" was gone and God's love and joy just poured over me. It wasn't like water but like a thick oil that saturated every pore and surface from the inside out. In Nehemiah 8:10 it says that the joy of the Lord is our strength. With Him we can do all things and He is the source of our strength. Praise God!

My Visitor

In africa, every day seems to be an adventure. Sometimes this can be good and sometimes bad. On saturday I was in my tent preparing to go to town and meet some friends for dinner. I was there, trying to get myself to look a bit less "bush-like" and heard this rustling outside my tent. We have lizards on the base so I had assumed that it was one of those crawling around. After walking outside my tent, I caught sight of a spitting cobra, reared and ready to attack, just a couple feet away. In the years I've lived here in Africa, I've never come face to face with a cobra that was alive. I wish I could have kept it that way. I always wondered what my reaction would be if I came face to face with one. I had hoped I'd remain cool and collected and then with amazing, Indiana Jones type skill and kill the snake. However, I seem to have this inner girl that screams and runs. :) I ran for the guys to kill the snake but when we went back, it was gone. The adventure doesn't end there though, my friends. I had this feeling it was still in the area and when I went back into my tent, I stepped on it. The cobra had crawled under the tent. I had the perfect opportunity to regain some self respect as a hardcore african missionary. However, I screamed and ran again. This time, the snake didn't move and the guys were able to kill it. However, now snake jokes seem to be coming up more often. TIA! (This is Africa!)

Note: Photo is not of the actual snake but same type of cobra

The Vision at a Glance

My first expedition of the year ended a few days ago and I've been reflecting a lot on the amazing difference a short term team can make for long term ministry. My team spent a week in a rural village where we lived amongst the people, spent every day ministering and just developing relationships. Sometimes it was through village meetings, sitting at someones home, playing a game of soccer, or even just teaching new games and songs to the children. It can be easy to think that after you leave, there might not be any change. Sure some people who gave their lives to Christ can just easily go back to the way they were living before. However the work that was started was just a first step. Our teams are used as the front line of an advance for the Kingdom. We go and set up the initial relationships in the villages and preach the Gospel. After the team leaves, the sector manager then establishes discipleship and bible studies. Once strong believers are raised up in the area, our humanitarian projects then move in to address the physical needs of the people. If we had just gone to preach and then left, what good would it do? Yes, the people would hear the name of Jesus but there would be no further teaching for the new believers. Matt 28:19 says" go and make disciples of all nations..." We do not make converts but we raise up disciples that are empowered to go and preach the word in their own areas and continue the work. Praise God for such an awesome vision and responsibility He's entrusted to us!

Women On Fire

This past Sunday I went with several of our women staff to a "Women on Fire" meeting in Nsongwe Village. Nsongwe is just about 4 km away from our base and we have a great relationship there with the people and churches. During the rainy season, several groups sprung up including Women On Fire, where women from every denomination gather together to worship the Lord and share about Christ. I found myself in a hot classroom as the african sun was setting immersed in the local worship. All I could do was praise God for that very moment and how amazing it was to be in His presence with such an amazing group of women. You could see the desire for the Lord in them and they grew in their revelation of who He is. So many times the women in churches are looked over as the local churches are led by the men. These women have been encouraged to stand up and serve God with everything they have and are. It's amazing to see such passion and I am encouraged by all that God is doing in this place.

Adventures in Town

I've been back at the base now for about 4 days now and there's really never a dull moment here. Mainly I've been working on servicing my truck and getting it ready for the "roads" to the villages. The new tires I got in South Africa are fantastic and a complete oil change was done. I did manage to get to town (Livingstone) on Tuesday to do some errands with a few of the staff. Let's just say there's never a dull moment in town. However, Tuesday was extra challenging. While loading some mattresses into my truck, a drunk man decided to try and climb in the back seat to see what he could steal. After we got him out of the truck and locked all the doors, he proceeded to try and pick pocket myself and my friends. He did manage to get away with a handful of my business cards but while trying to steal a friends pocket knife, we chased him off. As if the day was exciting enough, a tourist almost backed into my truck while we stopped to pick up some auto parts for one of the base vehicles. Let's just say I was very happy to make it back to the base without any other incidents. :) There truly is never a dull moment on the missions field!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

All my bags are packed but a few errands left to run this morning. I'm headed this afternoon to washington dc and then on to johannesburg, south africa. I'm very excited to be heading back to africa and be back in the villages sharing the love of God. Please be praying for safe travels, no lost luggage, and a smooth pick up for my new vehicle that I will be picking up in south africa and then a fellow staff member and I will drive it up to the base in zambia. I will update as soon as I can with photos and testimonies of the journey. Thank you all for your love, prayers, and support.

God's Timing Is Perfect

Today I got a glimpse at why God has set my depature date for Africa in April. As some one you might know, Zambia's rainy season is usually from the end of November through the beginning of April. Now every year seems to be different and this year is not exempt. It is now mid march and the heaviest part of the rainy season seems to just have started. It's late for the season and making it impossible for our staff that are on the ground to make it from the base to town (only 20 km away) much less to the villages. I was planning on being back in Zambia next week but if I was, I'd be on the base unable to plan out the ministry for the upcoming expeditions. God's will is always good and perfect! So instead I'm in sunny Florida, continuing to support raise and work on manual and procedure updates for the department. The photo here is of the road to our base so you can get an idea of how difficult travel is during rainy season.

What Are You Willing to Give?

I had a strange dream a few nights ago. I was back in Zambia but things there had changed. The country was now persecuting Christians and there was a warrant out for my arrest. I knew it but I was also supposed to be preaching in a village that day. I felt the turmoil and I tried to make my decision. The dream grew stranger as my mom showed up and had a way to smuggle me out of the country without getting caught so I wouldn't be killed. There it was. I was faced with a life or death situation. I could feel myself agonize over the decision. Did I want to die? No. Would I sacrifice God's calling? Thankfully not. I made the decision to go preach despite knowing that it would be the last time I would see friends and family. I woke up and all I could do was lay there and reflect on what had happened. If it wasn't a dream, would I have made the same decision? I pray that I would and if ever the time ever comes, then I pray that I will. It is my heart's desire to see the lost reach. I'm thankful for the dream because it gave me a look into my heart that I am indeed willing to sacrifice my own life for the love of God. Are you?

Living on Support

I'm in Chicago at the moment working on finishing up support raising. That's right. I said finishing up. I'm 35% away and God is doing awesome things. In this lifelong journey called support raising, I've decided one time. I think that every believer needs to live off of support for at least 6 months of their lives. I'm not saying this to prove how "hard" living on support it because it's not hard. What it is is faith building. At first, it's scary. Not Freddy Kruger in your dreams scary but it's definately "stomach in knots", "life is out of control" scary. Once you get past the fear though, you then have people speaking unbelief in your life and you HAVE TO stand against it. Once you get past these, you then get to see God do amazing things in your life. The big thing is how much your faith grows. You suddenly start finding yourself believing for the "impossible" and seeing God do the "impossible". I've been told more then once that "it's a shame that your organization or church can't just cover all of your finances." I've disagreed then and completely disagree now. Raising up my support team has been once of the most amazing and life changing experiences of my life. I couldn't ask for a better team to come around me and above all I now know that God truly does provide for every need in our lives despite whatever outside circumstances we come up against. Just believe and trust in Him!

Don't Be Wise, Be Fools!

I don't want to be wise. You may think that's a ridiculous statement but it's true. I don't want to be logical, smart, sensible, or rational. If I were these things, I'd be home in the States, not beleiving God to be fully funded during an "economic crisis," not living in a tent in Zambia driving 12 hours into the middle of nowhere to people I don't even know or are even the same culture. There's too much risk. If I was wise, I'd know that I could get hurt, sick, go bankrupt, or even worse. However, I'm not wise. I'm a fool. A big fool at that. I'm a fool for Christ and each day I want to become more and more of a fool. I am raising my full support in an "economic crisis" and I love my tent in the villages. I dream of the villages and search Google Earth to find the footpaths that will take my truck to them. Stick that in your logical pipe and smoke it! In 1 Corinthians 4:10-13 Paul talks about the foolish things the apostles do in view of the world. They don't make sense. Why, when you seemingly have nothing, would you give it away? Why, when someone is threatening to kill you for preaching, would you proclaim the Gospel from every corner of every nation? IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE!!! Thus, it's foolishness. I want to be foolish with every breath, word, action, decision of my life. Foolish for Christ is a million times greater then wise in the world.