Teams Travel

We enjoy more sunshine, more "sh'ma" (the Zambian favorite cornmeal dish) and plenty African smiles.
(Following are personal greetings from a few team members.) Brian Shaw is a great leader! We've accomplished more this year than previous years, and we are all keeping up and motivated, too!

The Ndola orphanage team departed Thursday and the teachers team met up with them Friday.
The rest of us are in Lusaka making a series of several day tours into remote villages.

The outreach team spent three full days in the first village of Chilamwe. On the third day Brian Karrick braved the cold water (despite leeches) and baptized 12 new believers in the river. Beth, Liz and Roxann taught the women the gospel and about prayer. Beth commented, "These women were such good listeners almost to the point that we didn't think they were understanding up, but they returned the next day for the baptism. Our interpreter said that is common for the women that they just stare blank faced at you." For Roxann the encounter was "awesome"!

A separate event for the outreach team went to a soccer clinic at a nearby school playground (partnering with Athletes In Action). While half the team played soccer with some 250+ youth, the rest of the team walked in and out of classrooms talking to the teachers and children. The highlight happened when the team reunited on the playground field where everyone gathered and Ashley shared the gospel to 300+.

Kristy, Amy, Marilynn, Sheryl, and Dave lead a highly successful conference for 100+ teachers grades K-12 in downtown Lusaka last week. Many of the teachers of K-10 never finish high school. The teachers liaised with Gavin Brennery from South Africa whose aim is to create a teacher certification program throughout Africa. The OPC team paved the way for officials to associate with the conference and for future collaboration with this kind of certification. This was a remarkable endeavor which proved the teachers conference more effective and production that even planned for.

Fred accomplished a successful training conference. The majority of church leaders and pastor's wives have zero training in the Bible whatsoever. The closing assignment Fred gave were for pastors to present some examples of preaching following the training. One exuberant pastor had us all laughing when he grabbed the microphone
and began preaching exercise so charismatically that pastors had to remind him, "Brother, we are already pastors!" We both agree this kind of training is especially beneficial because so few church leaders and pastors are actually ever trained. As for microphones, well, the saying goes:
"Give an American coffee
Give an Englishman tea
and give an African ... a microphone!"

Diane lead a two day women's and pastor's wives seminar on Bible Study Method. We were able to distribute Bibles for every participant, which was truly an exuberant moment when they realized the gift for them. I almost went deaf when burst out a shrill sort of yelling sound between their tongues and roof of their mouths.The word is out that we passed out Bibles and more people are asking for one. One grateful pastor's wife told me that she never felt excited to read her Bible until now after she has received this kind of Bible insight and training.

The outreach team finish the second village outreach today. The first day there were countless drunk adults, even some pastors, but the team pressed on and shared the gospel. The second day the team formed separate groups one for women, another for men, and another for children, and Brian Shaw taught the pastors. All encounters were much more positive and receptive. Today Fred, Diane and Marilyn will join the team. Fred is leading a one day pastor's seminar and Brandon is helping reach the pastors.

Liz: Please pray for endurance to keep up the pace of the busy schedule. Rod, I hope you get the oven fixed. Don't let the kids starve.

Beth: Thanks for praying for me and continue to pray for me and the team. I cannot wait to share the stories.
I love you and miss you, Joe!

Roxann: Family & Friends, We are at the orphanage [in Ndola]. All is well here. The sun shines everyday. Miss you.

Kristie Reeves: We are very excited. Please pray that the kids are as excited as we are and we can share together. Please pray for good times sharing and encouraging the Lord together.

Sheryl: We are doing great. We've been blessed with good health, energy and much happiness!! My specific prayer is that my bag would arrive. I am getting by with donations from team members. See you soon. Love, Sheryl