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: PRAYER

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Commissioning our Team

The ancient practice of ordination through the laying on of hands is something one can't describe adequately. The awareness of affirmation and support of ministry through the leadership of a congregation makes one feel humbled, empowered, set apart, and responsible. Indeed, whenever God calls someone to ministry, it is an awesome responsibility. To feel those hands of ordination and to hear the prayers of God's people is a very moving experience. And so it was this weekend when our Zambia team was commissioned in our church services on Saturday night and Sunday morning.

All along, we have said that the team is not just those going, but all those praying, sponsoring, and encouraging us as well.

Paul encouraged his young cohort Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God that was bestowed in the laying on of hands. With just a few short days before departure, when it would be easy to get side-tracked on packing, shopping and all the other necessary details, our team was reminded once again that God has gifted us through the prayers and encouragement of our church family.

In a way, we head off into unknown territory. That is part of what makes this trip exciting. But the one thing we can be sure of is that God has gone there before us and will lead the way for us. "Lo I am with you unto the end of the age." I have this great confidence that things will not go as I have planned them. I am even more confident that this trip will unfold before us in just the way the Lord wants it to. I can rest easy in that and that allows me to "go with the flow." (I pray it will anyway)

That confidence also helps me take my eyes and worry off self and points me toward the children, teachers, staff and families that we will be minsitering to and with in Zambia. I need to remind myself each day, I am not going for myself. I am going because the love of Christ compels me to share it with others. May God's Spirit so bless and help our team that this would be each member's experience as well.

Just as the hands and prayers of God's people fell across us this weekend, so may God's Spirit fall afresh on us. The great words of a familiar chorus are applicable here:

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me

Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me,

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me

Thanks to all for continued prayers and support

Mission Team at commissioning service (06/21)

Team picture taken 3 days prior to departure

Comissioning Prayers

6/21/2008 : permalink : comments