Zambia Go-Team Returns with Stories of Progress

          Back Row - Bob Sanders, LuAnn Yocky, Diane Savage, Beth Olen, Brian Craker, Michael Fashana, Graig Flach

                                       Front Row - Russ Brown, Gina Chandler, Becca Sanders, Sheri Brown

The 2006 Team of travelers to Sinazongwe, Zambia, spent 10 days in southern Africa and returned safely at the end of July. The team will make a public report here at the church on Sunday evening, September 17. For now, here are some highlights:

Becca Sanders - In effect, the Go-Team started its work in Sinazongwe at the beginning of June when team member Becca Sanders started her World Vision internship at the Sinazongwe Area Development Program’s office (“ADP”). Her presence on the ADP staff of over 25 was an encouragement to them all, and she paved the way for the rest of the Go-Team that arrived July 14. All of the team was amazed to see the way Becca had integrated herself into the ministry at Sinazongwe. Her compassion, sensitivity and maturity were constant, and the respect and love she earned from the World Vision staff were evident for us all to see.

New Leadership at the Sinazongwe ADP – Since our last visit, World Vision had shuffled some of its managers from ADP to ADP, trying to optimize the benefits of the managers’ various strengths. That meant that our old friend Grephan Chindongo was no longer in Sinazongwe (although we managed to rendezvous with him for a brief, joyous visit on our way to Livingstone from Sinazongwe). The new manager in Sinazongwe is Lutangu Lubasi, who made an immediate and strong impression on us, quickly winning our confidence that Sinazongwe ADP is in good hands. We hope to have Lutangu visit LGPC in the future.

  Lutangu Lubasi & Pastor Bob Sanders             LuAnn Yocky Greets Grephan in Choma

In the middle of the week (Wednesday) we experienced 3 unforgettable milestones on one day:

Makonkoto School – Since last year’s visit, the $250,000 Makonkoto School project had been at the forefront of our efforts. Just over 40% of the funds had been raised, and the Zambia Partnership team decided to make it priority. With the help of several generous donors and the remarkable “Songs for Zambia” benefit concert by the Sanctuary Choir, we were able to travel to Sinazongwe with the exciting news that the funding was complete. Wednesday morning we toured the school, watched the first new building being constructed brick-by-brick, and shared in a celebration that included all 9 grades of school children in uniform, all 11 teachers, the school principal, headmen from local villages, the project manager and representatives of the PTA. Energy and joy were at high levels as we thanked God together for making this project happen through the generous efforts of God’s people, mostly from LGPC.

      Pastor Bob Sanders & Pastor Graig Flach               Pastor Graig Helps With Construction

Chimonselo Water Wells – In the afternoon, the Go-Team was feeling disappointment at the 3rd failed attempt to find water for the projected new school at Chimonselo, a disappointment shared by the members of the Rumanian drilling company. We wondered how we could break the news to Cameron Bays and the West Linn seniors from last year, who largely funded this borehole effort. As we finished lunch in Siabaswi Village, someone arrived on motorbike, telling us that the drillers had decided to drill beyond their typical limit of 50 meters (c. 160 ft.). They thought they were about to strike water at 220 feet, and they were holding up drilling for one hour so that we could hurry back and experience the “coming in” of the well. Several of us hurried to the sight and watched the water and mud shoot into the air as the Chimonselo School borehole reached success. The drillers told us that “the well came in because of your prayers”. They had watched more than one group of us pray for success on this 3rd (and generally final) attempt. I think our fervor inspired them to go beyond their standard policy, and to drill deeper. Whatever the earthly reasons, we know that God provides that water!

 BEFORE                                                                     AFTER

Interdenominational Worship – It was with hearts almost bursting with thanks that we gathered in the tiny Brethren in Christ church in Siabaswi for worship with Siabaswi church leaders. 13 churches were represented as we praised the Lord and focused on “unity” in the Body of Christ. A Zambian choir from multiple churches sang, as did our Go-Team, under Becca’s and Pastor Bob’s leadership. The Word was proclaimed by Pastor Bbuna, president of the Interdenominational Fellowship, and by myself (Pastor Graig). Bob and I had the privilege of serving communion. Becca and Lutangu sang a closing song. And it was pitch black when we finished – no electricity and not even candles. On the surface of it, it was a beautiful image of Christ’s Body unified at the table, believers from opposite sides of the world, different cultures and different races. But the real miracle was the unity of the African pastors and elders – 13 “rival” churches at the foot of the cross together, striving for a unity enhanced by the redemptive body and blood of our Lord. The progress made in the realm of Christian unity among very different denominational traditions is exciting to watch, and their unity will speed up their progress in the battle against HIV-AIDS, as well as all the dimensions of transformational development (water, food, health care, education, economic development). There was something profound and unforgettable about the overlapping of “water” images that evening: having experienced God’s provision of clean water at Chimonselo, we received God’s provision of Living Water at the Lord’s Table and watched the seeds of church unity beginning to sprout in Siabaswi, watered by the wonderworking power of the blood of Jesus Christ.

       Making A Joyful Noise Unto the Lord                      Sharing the Lord's Supper

Sponsored Children and their Families – As a group, we visited over 40 children sponsored by church members and their friends, bringing them the good news of God’s love for them as expressed by their sponsors from 10,000 miles away. Each child received gifts and school supplies, a canvas bag that says “God Loves You and So Do We”, with a map of where our respective homes are and the Bible reference “John 3:16”. And in each bag was a Bible in their native language, Tonga. Often this gift was the highlight, at least for the parents who were present, almost none of whom possessed a Bible for their family before. In addition, each family received staple foods later (flour, oil, sugar, salt, dried fish… as well as some other essentials). For my own sponsored child, Lister, I was happy to see that the red-tinge to her hair that I noticed last year – a sign of protein deficiency – was gone. She looked healthier. And she welcomed a new baby brother in April, whom the family christened, “Graig” – what an honor!

      It's a LONG Way from Oregon to Zambia!                      What a Delight to Share God's Word

             Thank You LGPC Men's Group                                    A Bible for You and Your Family

                       for Sponsoring Me!

Micro-Enterprise – the program for development of small businesses through low-interest loans has been going for just a year now in Sinazongwe. Over 400 loans have been made, most under $100. More than half the loan recipients are women, and the payback rate is 100% !  We saw many new tiny shops in Sinazongwe. Let us pray that the new businesses will survive and thrive, and that the level of prosperity has taken a permanent turn for the better. The investment of these many individuals is definitely a sign of the growing hope in the region!

        A Successful Roadside Store and Owner              OVC Tailors whose Profits Benefit Orphans

                                                                                                                & Vulnerable Children

Siabaswi Village Partnership Committee – On our last day in Siabaswi, we sat down with the Community Partnership Committee to review their plans and hear about what they are proud of. It was encouraging to watch and listen to their clear and thoughtful plans, and to see their obvious unity. The chair, a lady named Universe, along with treasurer Violet and secretary Emily, are joined by 3 pastors and a former headman who cares for 23 children, most of them the orphans of family members he has lost. Listening to them, I was cheered by the fact that the village has stronger leadership than in previous years. It will be fun to see what they accomplish this coming year.

                Receiving Gifts in Siabaswi                                        Giving Gifts in Return

It was hard to say Goodbye this year, as usual. The farewell ceremony in Siabaswi was more elaborate than prior years, and our celebration dinner with the World Vision staff was bitter-sweet. We aimed to celebrate their good work and their faithfulness to God and God’s people. I hope we did that. But we left feeling their encouragement, feeling stronger because of our time with them, thinking that perhaps we had received far more from them than we could possibly have given to them. That’s the precious mystery of God’s love: In Jesus Christ we have an inexhaustible wellspring of Love, and the more we give away, the more it seems that we receive.

  LuAnn Yocky Encouraging Chikalamba          Ready for our ADP Farewell Banquet

2006 offered a remarkable visit, one during which we experienced the culmination of several years of effort. But God is not done with this Partnership yet. Let’s press on expectantly, anticipating with joy the things God wants to do in Zambia.

Alumbwe Leza! – Praise God!

Pastor Graig.