Remembering

So im back in Chingola...after a week camping in the bush in Zambia. OK, i find camping in the UK challenging at times, so you can imagine how i was feeling about a week camping in the Zambian bush. Its incredibly dirty just about everywhere, its very difficult to find any shelter from the burning sun and then to top it all, on Wednesay, i woke up in my tent to find a rather large, very poisonous spider in my tent. I was starting to wonder what on earth i was doing out here...it felt a very long way from home!!!

Then i had a conversation with one of the pastors out here, a guy called Joel..a truly inspirational guy! He gave me a very similar prophetic word to one i had recieved several months ago at my church back in Manchester. It brought me sharply back to God and exactly why i had bothered to come all this way. It was about responding to what God had put on my heart, faithfulness, responding and obeying him, and the promise that he would use me!

I have preached 4 days this week....yes 4 DAYS....to various churches in the bush areas outside Chingola. The teaching has all been very simple, on prayer, but the people have really responded. It has been hugely encouraging for me to see God working so visibily. The people have really engaged, and have made some very small steps towards transforming their communities through the power of Jesus!

On a personal note, God seems to be opening up so much at the moment. Up until about 12 months ago, i had always thought my sense of calling related to practical work, using my finance skills maybe. Over the last 12 months, another avenue has opened up as well. Teaching, preaching, Gods word....we can help people with practical skills, but we can set them free with his Word. These two parts of my ministry have really started to come together as one ...its exciting!

What else has been happening. Well the president of Zambia, Levy Mwanawasa has died this week. He was widely regarded as a strong leader, very much anti-corruption. This presents a big challenge for the Zambians? They are rightly proud of their peace and development since gaining independence. When you think of their neighbours, places like the Congo, Angola, Mozambique and Zimababwe, you can see why. Those countries conjure up images of violence, war, poverty, and insecurity.

Zambia has 73 different tribes, all living together peacefully. There is a lot of interest in who will take on the mantle as the new leader and when the elections will be. There is some concern at the moment that there are no suitable candiates...we shall see!!!