MISSION TRIP TO LUSAKA, ZAMBIA - Mission Trip 2008: Proclaiming, Worshiping, Serving, Transforming. June 25 - July 9 to Balm of Gilead School in Lusaka Zambia

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MISSION TRIP TO LUSAKA, ZAMBIA

Mission Trip 2008: Proclaiming, Worshiping, Serving, Transforming. June 25 - July 9 to Balm of Gilead School in Lusaka Zambia

On June 25, 2008, 27 people ranging in age from 17 - 70+ leave on the trip of a life time. In August of 2007 leadership from Calvary Presbyterian Church began dreaming and praying about taking a multi-generational group to Africa. Meetings were held to see who might be interested and over the course of the next three months, over 40 people expressed serious interest in being a part of the trip. In September, after having heard personal stories from Ken and Suzanne Popp whose Village Steps organization had funded the Balm of Gilead School in Lusaka, the group decided to make this school the focus of the trip. From that moment on, serious planning, budget estimating, personal commitments and lots of prayer began in earnest in order for this trip to become reality.

To raise money to fund the trip, group members sold pumpkins and gourds, cookbooks, gourmet coffee, Christmas Trees, and personal items. A dessert auction and spaghetti dinner were held, a benefit concert featuring several musical groups from around Enumclaw, and Calvary's annual Mission Auction raised over 20,000.00 to help fund this trip. In addition team members prayerfully asked sponsors to pray for and financially support their individual participation.

The Rotary Club of Enumclaw also adopted this project as its International Project for 2007/2008. The $3,500.00 contribution the club made will be used to purchase building supplies to help us construct an additional classroom, a latrine and the foundations for a security wall at The Balm of Gilead School.

Today, just over a week away from departure, I am reminded of an old adage that I would like to rephrase with apologies to the original author and intent. It says, "It takes a village to raise a child." I would say, it takes a village to make a difference in the lives of 230 some children impacted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa.

Several people have asked me why we would spend the money to go when that much money could be used to purchase food, supplies, and other relief goods for those same children. The truth is that these children are often forgotten victims of the AIDS problem. By going in person and sharing the love of Jesus with them while making a visible, lasting contribution to their education, the tide of human tragedy wreaked by this terrible disease can be turned. We believe that the mandate of the Christian is not just to give but to go.

So many people have helped this trip become a reality that we understand all too clearly our team consists not just of the 27 participants actually going but all those who have contributed, prayed, encouraged, and supported us. To all we are truly grateful.

Selected Tag: CONFIDENCE!

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8 days and counting

What to pack? What to leave behind? Do I have the right clothes? What extras should I put in my bag? Will my bag be over the 50 pound limit? What should I take in carry on just in case my bags are lost in the 4 transfers necessary to get to Lusaka from Seattle? These are all questions I am pondering over with only 8 days left before our departure.

More importantly, I am asking myself whether I will be patient and flexible enough to deal with the different customs and conditions that we will experience in Lusaka? Will the children be as excited to have us there at their school as we are to go and be there? Will we really be able to make a difference? Will I be up to the tasks?

All the months of planning and preparation have come down to these questions. We will find out soon enough. One week from tomorrow night (Wednesday June 25) we will pull away from the Calvary Parking Lot and begin this journey.

I am reminded of the Apostle Paul's words when he said, "This one thing I do, forgetting what is behind I press on toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." What it all boils down to for me is whether we are doing what God has called us to do and be. Is my heart ready to be used? Will I be an adequate reflection of Jesus in the lives of the 230 or so students at the school? Will I be a patient leader and a good pastor to our team? I pray so.

I often pray a prayer that a friend of mine in AA uses all the time: "Lord, help me to change the things I can, accept the things I cannot change and the wisdom to know the difference."

More later as time gets closer for departure.

Balm of Gilead School

Packing supplies

6/17/2008 : permalink : comments