Wint 2 Africa: July 2011

Shangombo

The pictures in the next many blog entries are from Mark's recent trip to Shangombo. He and Given traveled together on July 5th, meeting up with teammate Jeff Lowe and his Lozi friend Venice in the far western district of Shangombo, which is adjacent to Angola. They camped out for three days there, visiting four churches in the area and teaching local church leaders in the afternoons. It was COLD, most especially at night! But Mark says it was wonderful. There used to be 20 churches out there in the villages not so long ago...but the number has dwindled to 10 now. These bodies of Christ just need encouragement and to know they are connected to a larger body of believers. Even though there is a Baptist fellowship that gathers annually and these churches are invited to attend these meetings in Lusaka, the cost of transportation makes this too expensive for these church leaders to be able to participate. Please join us in prayer for these churches, that God will encourage their leaders and church members and continue to grow His body. Please also pray that a partnership can begin between these churches and other Baptist churches that are a little closer so that they can be mutually encouraged!!

Given was so blessed to be able to attend. He learned a lot from the Shangombo pastors and church leaders, and was even able to preach some! Now he sees the urgency of planting churches in and around Sesheke. Please pray for him as he is in the 11th grade of high school and still has one more year to go before graduation- pray he will finish well and continue to follow the call of God on his life, which he fully believes is pastoring a church.

Enjoy the pictures! We sure thank God the internet is fast enough to post them right now! And also thank you to all of you who prayed for Mark and all the guys as they traveled and taught, and for Madylanne, Matthew and I as we were at home for the first time without Mark for four days. God is faithful and our trust in Him grew as we knew we had to depend on him completely. Thank you for lifting us all up!

This is Given, trying to keep warm by the campfire. Mark and Jeff are doing the same...cold cold cold but warm by the fire!

teaching time

These are the church leaders meeting together for encouragement and training inside one of the Baptist churches. Thank You God for these faithful men seeking to serve and shepherd.

This is one of the churches where they met together for teaching everyday.

Nalunkunda Baptist Church

These are all photos of Nalakunda Baptist Church, (except the one of the well outside of the church, where the name of the church is written), pastored by Pastor Ponisa, who helped set up this teaching/encouragement trip. Thank You Father for the body of believers who gather here to worship You and thank You for Pastor Ponisa!

Sikumba Baptist Church

This is one of the churches Mark and Jeff visited- Sikumba Baptist Church. It is made of reeds with a thatched grass roof. Praise You Lord for the body of believers gathering here to worship you!! And praise you for Pastor Webby who is shepherding this flock!

a Shangombo sunrise

Isn't this a breathtaking masterpiece created by the Maker Himself? We stand in awe of You, Father God!

praising Jesus

Around the campfire every night the guys would share stories from the Bible. All kinds of people would come out to listen in the cold darkness...children included. This man joyfully dancing around the warm fire is one of the men who gave his life to Jesus during these evenings. Yeah!!