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!