Transforming Lives Through Faith and Community in Zambia

Summary

In the past 12 to 14 years, our journey in Zambia has been a testament to the transformative power of faith and community. Raised in homes without a Christian foundation, Lizzie and I found our path to Jesus through the influence of a teacher. This personal transformation ignited a passion to bring the gospel to unreached areas, particularly in Zambia, a nation with deep spiritual needs and a history of witchcraft. Our mission began with a challenging journey to the western part of Zambia, where we faced difficult roads and spiritual opposition. Yet, the soil was ready for planting, and with the help of Pastor Fred, Esther, and a dedicated team, we established a base on the Zambezi River.

Our outreach started under a tree, gathering children and teaching them about Jesus. The response was overwhelming, with hundreds of children attending, even crossing dangerous rivers to join us. The local witch doctor, intrigued by our work, began bringing his grandchildren to our gatherings, highlighting the impact of our mission. However, the journey was not without challenges. We faced the tragic loss of a child to a crocodile, which underscored the urgent need for safe water sources. This led us to partner with Joyce Meyer Ministries to drill wells, providing fresh water and reducing the risk of crocodile attacks.

As we drilled over 400 wells, we planted children's churches, bringing the gospel to remote villages. Yet, we encountered the heartbreaking practice of child marriage, prompting us to build homes for girls to keep them in school and safe from early marriage. Despite setbacks, including government intervention, we persevered, knowing that Jesus is more than enough to guide us.

Our work extends beyond Zambia. In South Africa, we established a college to train young leaders and planted a local church in Mokopani, a town with immense potential. We launched initiatives like a teenage pregnancy center, offering free ultrasounds to draw young women into our community. Our vision is to start a Christian university, empowering the next generation to change the world.

Your support has been instrumental in this journey. The seeds you've sown have enabled us to reach unreached areas and transform lives across Southern Africa. Together, we are making a difference, bringing hope and the love of Jesus to those who need it most.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Faith in Unreached Areas: Our journey in Zambia highlights the profound impact of bringing the gospel to places steeped in spiritual darkness. The transformation of communities begins with the courage to plant seeds of faith, even in the most challenging environments. [05:44]

2. Overcoming Challenges with God's Guidance: Facing obstacles like dangerous roads and spiritual opposition, we learned that perseverance and reliance on God's guidance can lead to breakthroughs. The journey may be difficult, but faith provides the strength to endure and overcome. [07:08]

3. Addressing Practical Needs as Ministry: Providing safe water through well drilling not only met a critical need but also opened doors for sharing the gospel. Sometimes, addressing practical needs is a powerful way to demonstrate God's love and lead people to repentance. [12:59]

4. Empowering the Next Generation: By investing in young leaders and providing safe spaces for girls, we are equipping the next generation to carry the torch of faith. Empowerment through education and discipleship is key to sustainable transformation. [18:08]

5. The Global Impact of Local Actions: Our work in Zambia and South Africa shows that local actions can have a global impact. By planting life-giving churches and training leaders, we are contributing to a movement that can change the world, one community at a time. [24:09]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:00] - Introduction to Zambia Mission
- [02:30] - Spiritual Needs in Zambia
- [05:44] - Encountering Witchcraft
- [07:08] - Establishing a Base
- [08:36] - Community Needs Assessment
- [10:01] - Children's Church Growth
- [11:29] - Tragic Loss and Response
- [12:59] - Drilling Wells for Safety
- [14:20] - Challenges in Well Drilling
- [15:34] - Success in Well Drilling
- [16:50] - Impact of Wells on Villages
- [18:08] - Addressing Child Marriage
- [19:27] - Building Homes for Girls
- [24:09] - Vision for the Future

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1. Romans 2:4 - "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?"
2. Matthew 28:19-20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
3. James 1:27 - "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

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Observation Questions:

1. What were some of the challenges faced by the mission team in Zambia, and how did they overcome them? [07:08]
2. How did the local witch doctor respond to the children's church gatherings, and what does this indicate about the impact of the mission? [10:01]
3. What practical needs did the mission address in Zambia, and how did these efforts open doors for sharing the gospel? [12:59]
4. What steps were taken to address the issue of child marriage in the communities served by the mission? [18:08]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the mission's approach to addressing practical needs, such as drilling wells, reflect the principle found in Romans 2:4 about God's kindness leading to repentance? [12:59]
2. In what ways does the mission in Zambia and South Africa embody the Great Commission as described in Matthew 28:19-20? [24:09]
3. How does the mission's work with vulnerable children and young leaders align with the biblical call to care for orphans and widows in James 1:27? [19:27]
4. What can be learned from the mission's perseverance in the face of government intervention and other setbacks? [19:27]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you faced a significant challenge in your faith journey. How did you rely on God's guidance to overcome it? [07:08]
2. Consider the practical needs in your own community. How can addressing these needs open opportunities for sharing the gospel?
3. How can you contribute to empowering the next generation in your community, similar to the mission's efforts in Zambia and South Africa? [18:08]
4. What steps can you take to support global missions, either through prayer, financial support, or active involvement?
5. How can you apply the principle of God's kindness leading to repentance in your daily interactions with others? [12:59]
6. Identify a local issue that aligns with the biblical call to care for orphans and widows. What action can you take to make a difference?
7. How can you cultivate a heart for missions and be more intentional about making disciples in your everyday life? [24:09]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: Planting Seeds of Faith in Spiritual Darkness
In regions where spiritual darkness prevails, the introduction of faith can transform entire communities. The journey in Zambia exemplifies how courage and dedication to spreading the gospel can lead to profound change. Despite the challenges of navigating difficult terrains and facing spiritual opposition, the commitment to planting seeds of faith has resulted in a significant impact. The story of gathering children under a tree to teach them about Jesus, even attracting the attention of a local witch doctor, illustrates the power of faith to penetrate even the most resistant environments. [05:44]

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a place or situation in your life that feels spiritually dark. How can you begin to plant seeds of faith there today?

Day 2: Perseverance Through Divine Guidance
The journey to bring the gospel to unreached areas is fraught with obstacles, from treacherous roads to spiritual resistance. Yet, the story from Zambia teaches that perseverance, coupled with reliance on God's guidance, can lead to breakthroughs. The mission faced numerous challenges, including the tragic loss of a child, but through faith and determination, they continued their work. This narrative encourages believers to trust in God's strength and guidance, knowing that He provides the resilience needed to overcome any adversity. [07:08]

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a challenge you are currently facing. How can you lean on God's guidance to persevere through it?

Day 3: Meeting Practical Needs as a Ministry
Addressing practical needs can be a powerful ministry tool, as demonstrated by the drilling of wells in Zambia. Providing safe water not only met a critical need but also opened doors for sharing the gospel. This approach shows that sometimes, meeting physical needs can be a profound way to demonstrate God's love and lead people to spiritual transformation. The partnership with Joyce Meyer Ministries to drill over 400 wells highlights the importance of integrating practical solutions with spiritual outreach. [12:59]

"If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?" (James 2:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a practical need in your community that you can help meet. How can this act of service open doors for sharing your faith?

Day 4: Empowering Future Generations
Investing in young leaders and providing safe spaces for vulnerable individuals is crucial for sustainable transformation. The mission in Zambia and South Africa emphasizes the importance of empowering the next generation through education and discipleship. By building homes for girls to protect them from early marriage and establishing a college to train young leaders, the mission is equipping future generations to carry the torch of faith and effect change in their communities. [18:08]

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: Who is a young person in your life that you can mentor or support? What steps can you take to empower them in their faith journey?

Day 5: Local Actions with Global Impact
The work in Zambia and South Africa demonstrates that local actions can have a global impact. By planting churches and training leaders, the mission is contributing to a movement that can change the world, one community at a time. This narrative encourages believers to recognize the potential of their local efforts to create ripples of change that extend far beyond their immediate surroundings. [24:09]

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a local action you can take that might have a broader impact. How can you contribute to a movement of change in your community and beyond?

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Quotes

1) "So once you got into that area, you saw the deep spiritual need because of generations of people that have never seen Jesus or followed him. And I remember your team came to help us and assist us in Zambia, and Pastor Fred and Esther came, and we didn't really know what to expect. And they brought some people in that were intercessors and praying with us. And so we started out to the western part of Zambia. The roads were terrible, and there was really no paved road. So there was this gravel road, and if you drove on it, it made this big dust cloud. So if you got caught behind a truck, God bless you. It was one of those faith moments because you couldn't see when you drove, and you hoped that there wasn't another car coming from the front. But we endured, went through that." [05:44] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "And we saw that the soil was ready for planting, and it was really ready. There was such a need for the gospel in that part of the world. So after they left, the first time, we established a base on the river of the Zambia Sea, and then Pastor Fred came back with Esther, and they helped us with some vehicles to be able to assist us in starting up the work there. I remember going into those areas when we first started building the base on the river and I would use up every cent in my credit card and then I'd go home and we'd save up again and months later we'll come back and we would continue to build. And eventually we established this base and now we were ready to start working." [07:08] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "And so then we started seeing this vehicle drive up. And there was this man who brought children to our children's church. And very soon after that, we realized this was the local witch doctor. He would actually come and transport his kids, his grandchildren at the time. And he would bring them to our children's church because in the Western part of Zambia, where there's nothing, there's no nothing but just villages and rural areas. This is like the talk of the town. We would like to show. I mean, it was amazing. Nobody had done anything for children. And suddenly all of this was happening there. So everybody started flocking there, including the witch doctor with his grandchildren. He would sit in the car and the kids would come and they got saved." [10:01] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "And then we can continue to, to work with these villages. But in the middle of this, we realized the desperate need of, uh, wells and water in that area. And now I've been in ministry over 30 years, and I wish I could tell you that I'm very smart, but I'm not. I wish I could tell you that I'm the best strategist there is, but I'm not. But I am smart enough sometimes just to see when there's a need in the room. And I think sometimes what God does is Romans two verse four says, it is the goodness of God that leads men to repentance. So when we're called to bring change to a community, sometimes it looks a little bit different than just speaking to somebody about Jesus. It could be drilling a well away from the river so that you have fresh water and in the process, protecting people who are caught by crocodiles." [12:59] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "So we realized bringing the gospel of Jesus to people who are in that environment really means for us to start drilling wells. I don't know if you've ever drilled a well. I haven't at that stage. It's not as easy as it looks. we went to Joyce Meyer Ministries, who was part of our partners, and we asked them to help us to buy a rig. And we thought we would get one of these little trailer units that you get behind the vehicle. And we'd go in there and we would just bump them out like, I mean, it's going to be amazing, I tell you. So they asked me how many wells would I drill? I said to them, I think I can do 10 in a month. And the director of Joyce Meyer Ministries, he's a friend of mine, his name is Brad. He said, Jacques, let's start with five. I said, okay, five. I think I can do five in a month." [14:20] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "And then finally, when we started drilling these wells, we started planting more kids' churches. And for every three wells we would drill, we would have one children's church where children would gather and we would be able to lead people to the Lord. So we continued to work up and down the river and then into the bush of Zambia. And we drilled over 400 wells to date. And I want to tell you about one story where I was sitting in a village where we were opening the well and there were a bunch of people sitting there. So I asked them, would you give money for us to be able to drill a well for somebody else in another village? Because we're going to give you this well today. And I asked them, put up your hand if you'll give us some money. And they said, yeah, we're going to do it. And I said, yeah, we're going to do it. Nobody put their hand up. And I said to them, so why do you think other people who don't know you should give money so that you can have this well if you're not willing to do it? And then I said, you know what the difference is? It's Jesus. Let me tell you about him." [15:34] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "So then as these children's churches grew and we started planting more of these children's churches along the river as we were drilling these wells, we started losing some of the girls to child marriage. We realized we didn't really know what was going on. The very girl that wrote down the reason what our best day and worst day was, we actually, she wasn't coming to children's church anymore. So our leader, I asked Simba to go follow up. And when he got to the house, they would hide this girl at first. And then later on, we found out she was married off to a man in Mongu, which is a city a little bit north of us. And she was his third or fourth bride. And he was 50, 60 years old. And then we realized there was a practice to marry off children as part of child brides." [18:08] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8) "What I'm sharing with you is a snapshot of what's happened. In Zambia since you've been there and the seed that you've put in the ground has helped us to be able to go far and do a lot. And the most amazing thing is when you realize that you're not alone, that sometimes when you go into some of these places that are hard, you find out that there are other people who are with you, even though it's a half a world away, we're nine hours difference in our time zones. And it's amazing that we can actually be in another part of the world in a day's time. With our technology we have in our in the world today." [19:27] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?