Zimbabwe is Post-Poned :(

Well I had posted in this month's newsletter that we were planning on holding a pastors conference in Zimbabwe. I just received an email from our contact in the area we were traveling to. He said that they need a few months to plan for the conference so May is no longer an option. :( I'm pretty bummed. Looking at my schedule, May is the only free time I have so it might be delayed until next year. I love Zimbabwe; the people there are fantastic. Every time I look across the gorge and see that beautiful country, I pray for the pastors and churches there. They are the representation of God's love in a country that has been kicked down and spit on by the government. I look forward to the opportunity to go back and minister to these leaders, but only when God opens that door.

4/28/09

My Morning Workout

I love Africa. I love when reality sets in and I rediscover this beautiful contintent. One thing I hate in Africa are babboons. When my teams come in, we have a rule concerning these creatures... don't go near them. This morning I was walking from the shower to my tent, when I stopped to chat with Bev, one of our new volunteers. Suddenly a troop of babboons come up from the gorge behind my tent and start walking to the main center. Without even a second thought, I dropped my shower supplies, grabbed a rock, and took off running after these things. They took off running and went back down the gorge. It wasn't until that point that I realized what exactly I had done. Do as I say, not as I do, right? Not! I just have to shake my head and thank God they didn't feel like attacking back. Where was our mighty babboon killer dog, Scooby? In the village visiting his dog girlfriends. The lemon! ;-)

In regards to the rural pastors conference we had over the weekend- it was a huge success! My newsletter will be going out in a few days with the testimonies and photos from the conference. Subscribe on the website if you don't receive them, or send me an email! Blessings!

Anticipating the work of God

So these past two weeks seemed to fly by. I'm completely readjusted to Zambian life, which isn't hard once you've been working here for the past 3 years. 3 years... wow. I still can't believe how fast it's all flown by. God is doing such amazing things each day of my life and it just keeps getting better and better. I had a great talk with Jack, my expedition intern. Jack is from the western province of Zambia and has been working with us for almost 2 years. We were driving back from town and just sharing with each other what the Lord has been speaking to us about for this year. Jack has started a youth movement within the area called Youth On Fire. He holds meetings in the villages in the area and just completely opens up the the youth about the love of the Father. Such awesome things are happening in these meetings. Jack and I are both in agreement that this year is just going to blow us all away. I don't know what exactly God is going to do but I'm sitting on the front of my seat in complete anticipation of the heavens opening up and God's love, mercy, grace, and power falling and hitting each area we minister in this year. Please keep the ministry in prayer for this year as we watch God use us in awesome ways.

Back in Zambia!

Thanks for your prayers, everyone! I made it to the base safe and sound, with all of my luggage. What a great feeling! As the plane landed I was greeted by the sight of villages tucked into the green landscape of Zambia. It's so beautiful at this time of year, with the trees full of leaves, grass is tall and green, riverbeds flowing with water. I've already begun unpacking and sorting all of my belongings. I had to kill the spiders that moved in and chase away the lizard that was clinging to the inside wall of my tent. I think I'm critter free now and look forward to falling asleep to the sound of the Zambezi rapids echoing in the gorge. I'll take some photos of the property and post them for you all soon!

Greetings from the UK!

Hello! I'm writing to you from Portsmouth, England where I have been for a week now. I can't believe how quickly it's gone by, but I've loved every minute of it. I was representing Overland Missions at Family Church's Empower Conference. There were over 300 people attending the conference and it was a great opportunity to share with people about missions.

Tomorrow I am flying to Africa and will arrive in Zambia on Saturday. I am very excited about going back and seeing what the Lord is going to do this year. Please keep my travels in your prayers, and that none of my luggage gets lost or stolen (a common occurrence traveling through Johannesburg).

My monthly newsletter will be going out once I get settled in Zambia. If you do not currently receive it, please sign up on the main page of my website.

Last Post from the USA

So this is my last post from the USA for at least 6 months, if not more. The last two days are so hectic with running around, multiple Wal-Mart trips, meeting with as many friends as possible, calling everyone and their Mom. The best feeling in the world is the moment you step on the plane, find your seat, get your carry-ons stowed, and just sit. I just like to take a deep breath and relax into my seat. The weight of stress just seems to melt off. You can no longer worry about anything you forgot to pack, if there was anything you missed at the office. All you can do is sit back and enjoy the ride!

Well, I'm not at the moment yet. I'm still in the midst of hectic packing and finishing projects. This is probably my last day I'm spending in our offices here in Florida. Tommorrow I'll devote myself to getting packed as early as possible so I can enjoy the evening with friends. My next post will be coming from Portsmouth, England!

Google Earth: Key Tool For Missionaries

As I was sitting here wondering what I should blog about, I decided I wanted to share more about the planning that goes into leading an expedition. I've been asked countless times about how Overland Missions finds rural villages. Aside from local guides, we use Google Earth. Yes, there is more to this program then just finding your house! :)

When planning for a expedition in the southern province of Zambia, I often start by locating our base. Here is a screen shot of where we're located.

From there I can look at the villages we've already been to in the different sectors we have running. If you're not sure what I mean by sectors, I can explain. "We divided sections of the world into 10,000 sq. mile sectors and made a focused strategy that uses each one of Overland Missions departments to recon, plan and execute the task at hand. Each sector is managed by a missionary couple that make a five-year commitment to the area." (taken from www.overlandmissions.com). These sector managers are in charge of running every project within our organizations, from evangelism, to discipleship, to humanitarian aid. They are aided by our expedition teams, staff, and volunteers.

Back on subject! :) Once I've determined where teams have already gone in, and projects are already actively running, I can find villages in the areas that we have yet to go to. Believe me when I say there are millions! I can actually find the dirt trails that we would take with trucks using Google Earth to map out our route to these places.

On the left is an image of an unknown village. This image is incredibly clear. This village is in the western province of Zambia. The western province is the most remote and unexplored area in Zambia. It's also set in the middle of the floodplains. During rainy season this entire area is underwater because of the Zambezi River. This village is semi-nomadic because of this. They move their homes when the river rises, and move back when the river is low. To get to this village, we would use our zodiac rafts and travel by river to them. There are not many who travel to these villages because of the fact that it is very challenging. I'll be leading a team in this area in late June, where we will be utilizing the river, as well as roads to get to these neglected areas. We partner with local pastors who desire to church plant among these people.

Not every village is this clear in Google Earth. In all actuality, most of them aren't. On the right is another image of unknown villages. These villages are in the southern province, and are unknown to us, as of this moment. We have done work in the surrounding areas and will probably visit these areas this year. All of the tan areas you see are homes of the locals. Huts can be located here, as well as plowed fields. This area is largely populated, especially compared to the nomadic village shown above. Each area presents it's own challenges and advantages. These aren't know until a recon is done before the team arrives. I usually go out on my motorcycle where I meet with the village leaders to assess if Overland Missions is needed in their area. The farther you get into the rural areas, the more neglected and isolated these villages are. God gave us this technology so that none can remain unreached. The Apostle Paul could never have dreamt of doing what we are now able to accomplish for the Kingdom.

Please pray for our teams as they begin to fill. If you're interested in joining a team this year, please sign up on www.overlandmissions.com. See you in Africa!