Our time in George comes to an end.

     It was a bittersweet  as we said goodbye to our friends in George today.  It was such an honor to meet and see the wonderful work being by completed by these pastors and their congregations.  Such a talented, yet humble groups of people! As we left the Pastors today, it was evident that they would continue to work with one another in strengthening their community.

     We had the privledge of visiting 2 individuals who were receiving services through home based care.  Although their circumstances were difficult at best, they were gracious, warm and welcoming to a van load of hot, tired Americans. We were also able to visit a church where they are using the skills and knowledge of their congregants to build church additions, as well as raising funds through a variety of ways including offering the purchase of water from their water tank. 

    Finally, I could not help but sneak into yet another Community School run by a church in George. The children, although orphaned and vulnerable, have an indomitable spirit.  In other words, they are as silly and raucous as any children I see in American schools!  Bless them! 

   We will be sorry to see Karen leave for home tomorrow, but know her heart will be with us on our continued travels.

Blessing!

Rhonda 

An Update from Lusaka

The time here has flown, but has felt meaningful and productive! 

On Thursday we were able to introduce our ministry partner Lawrence Temfwe, who works equipping pastors through the Jubilee Centre, with Moyo, the head of Vision Fund - the subsidiary of World Vision that makes micro-loans.  We’re hoping this will be a very fruitful relationship that may open the doors to micro-finance in the slum of Lusaka.

Friday and Saturday we attended the Zambian version of the Willow Creek Leadership Summit 

(GLS) that many of us at CPC have attended at home.  It was astounding to see how the talks from the Summit, shown on video, connected with the 450 leaders gathered here!  They were completely engaged.  Unlike the Summit at home, here there are fewer speakers and there is discussion after each one that was valuable and fascinating for us to take part in. The GLS is clearly a vitally important resource here.

Sunday three of us - Paul, John Mitchell, and me (Laura), had the privilege of preaching in different churches in the slum called George complex.  The worship was amazing - beautiful voices and hands raised in praise…dancing, singing and prayer.  I told them I was going to bring them home with me to teach all of us at CPC.  In the churches here there is an acute awareness of dependence on God and gratitude for every little thing - the very things we take for granted. 

Today we were in George Complex with Paul leading 12 pastors through a process of asset mapping - helping them to discover all the talents and resources they have that can be used to address some of the challenges they face. The pastors were very engaged and generated great ideas. 

For pictures and more reflection, go here: http://wp.me/p52lwk-2A1