Expedition 2-Part 1

Last Sunday we left on our second expedition. This time we went to the Mukuni kingdom. (Each “city” is called a kingdom. Within the kingdom there are “villages”, which basically means a group of huts.  Each kingdom has a chief or headman.) Mukuni was only about 2 hours away, so a lot closer than the last place we went to.

The church that we worked with there was so excited about us coming. When we arrived in the truck people came out to meet us. We set up camp right down the road from the church and the headman’s hut.  The church had a “bathroom” that the girls were allowed to use so we had a “long drop” instead of a field like last time. So we were very thankful for that.

The first day of ministry most of the girls stayed back at the campsite and had a women’s Bible study while the guys did hut to hut ministry nearby. We probably had around 20 women come. We opened by asking if they knew Jesus and most of them said they did so we started sharing scripture with them. We asked if any of them had questions and one of the women spoke up and said "you asked us if we know who Jesus is and we said yes, but if someone were to ask me to tell them who he is I don’t know." So basically what she was saying was that she had heard the name Jesus but she didn’t really know who he was. So one of the girls from our team started with creation and went through until Jesus rose from the dead and how we can be saved. We asked if anyone else had questions about the Bible. There were several women who went to church that had questions for us. It was so awesome being able to share Truth with them. They are so hungry for the Word of God. One lady asked about the woman in the Bible caught in adultery. She said Jesus told them whoever has no sin to cast the first stone. One of the big problems here in Zambia is unfaithfulness in marriage. Many husbands and wives commit adultery. We explained to the lady that Jesus also told the woman to go and sin no more. Once we are saved we should turn away from sin and start following the Lord. It was a great time of ministry.

On Monday morning Tim and I were asked to preach that same night. I’m not going to lie, I was so nervous! I usually prepare for a while before I speak. A few weeks before, I felt like God had given me a word but I wasn’t sure when or where I should share it. So God knew long before what I needed. I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit! He gives us what we need to say. It is His Word, we are just the vessels He uses to communicate it. We were scheduled to start at 7pm. However in Africa this means we will start about 8 or 8:30pm. About 60 people from the area gathered at our campsite around the fire. Our translators that we brought with us led us in some Zambian praise songs. Then Tim preached the Gospel from the beginning and led the majority of the crowd in the prayer of salvation. It was so wonderful! Then I got up and shared about our new life in Christ. Once we are saved, that’s not the end of the story. We don’t pray a prayer then go live our lives out like we would have before. I talked about 2 Corinthians 5:17-we are now a completely new creation. The old has passed away and all things have become new.

Eph. 4:21-24 “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.  Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.  Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”

I explained that when we are saved, God changes us on the inside, our hearts. However, our minds are still the same which is why we must renew our minds with the word of God. We must choose to put on the new nature or walk out the new nature that God has given us when we are saved. Just like in America, hypocrisy is everywhere. So many people say they are Christians, but do not live it out.

I read 1 John 3:7-9 to them “Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.”

I told them that Jesus has set them free from sin. We no longer have to sin.

Philippians 2:13 “For it is God who is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”

 How awesome is that? God changes us we don’t have to do it on our own. He gives believers the desire to please him and the power to do what it takes. He is a good, wonderful, loving Father!

Colossians 2:6-7 “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”   

Ephesians 3:17 “Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”

I explained that as they trusted the Lord and made the commitment to put their hope in Him every day, that their spiritual roots would anchor them to the Lord. Even when temptation or trails come they would not fall because they would be grounded in the Lord. 

It was definitely one of those moments when I could feel God stretching me. I was totally out of my comfort zone. But come to think of it, I’ve had a lot of those moments lately! It’s a good thing though. We will never grow if we are never stretched. Being stretched is never comfortable. It was a wonderful first night. I really feel like the people were blessed and strengthened.

I know we are learning and growing so much. We are excited about what God is doing!