Churches built up. Sunsets over the Zambezi. Healings and deliverances. Cars breaking down. Getting soaked at Vic Falls. Healthy doctrine. Walks along Lake Kariba. Eternal friendships formed. Lives changed forever. The trip to Zambia had it all…all, that is, except any boring moments!
Our team of six enthusiastic ‘Oxygen Lifers’ landed in Livingstone, Zambia, slightly surprised by the warm, winter weather. But there was no time to enjoy it too much as we hurried to join the Joshua Generation team who had arrived earlier in the week, and together we started the weekend with a conference hosted by our Four12 partners, Signs and Wonders Ministries. The Holy Spirit carefully guided the messages shared by various speakers on the same path to strengthen the local churches for God’s glory with Jesus as the cornerstone!
On the Tuesday, our Oxygen Life team crammed luggage and people into and on top of Peter Chanda’s willing Prado, and we headed down to villages in the Sinazongwe area, close to Lake Kariba. After setting up our tents and enjoying a supper of ‘Kariba Bream’(a local fish specialty), we had our first meeting with some of the local churches. As we preached on the vast topic of ‘the Kingdom’, we saw displays of it as we prayed. At least ten people were healed and one lady was delivered from demonic oppression by our powerful God. Chest pains, foot injuries, sore legs, all gone in a moment!
If there was ever evidence needed that church is not a building made of bricks and cement, but rather the ‘living stones’ of people…this is it!
Two days later, we visited a month-old church about an hour’s drive further up the lake. A young lady had been asked by her aunt to come help in the shop in this village. She had found no healthy, authentic church in the area and started talking to people about Jesus and church. Soon, more and more people started gathering and suddenly there was a church plant! Along with church leaders from other areas, they found a pastor and started meeting under the trees! If there was ever evidence needed that church is not a building made of bricks and cement, but rather the ‘living stones’ of people (1 Peter 2:5), this is it! Together, we explored God’s blueprint for the church and relationship with Him. We were so encouraged by the church’s enthusiastic faith and left fired up for the rest of our trip.
With the Prado hoisting the white flag, despite some careful attention from a travelling mechanic, we jumped on a bus to Lusaka to join up with the Joshua Generation team again. After a couple of nights’ camping, we lapped up Four12 partners’ Arnold and Gisela Nel’s generous hosting in the capital! Saturday was spent at a leadership conference with some partnering churches in Lusaka, hosted by Cephas Mbewe and Arnold Nel at Dynamic Worship Church. The focus was on building leaders to equip the saints, and many new friendships were formed! We loved the church’s desire to take the Gospel to other parts of Zambia and Africa!
It was an amazing privilege to be part of this trip and to see the Master-Builder and some other builders work in and with the church, equipping the saints. We’re looking forward to our next visit to see a growing church displaying more of God’s glory!
