Just returned from another visit to Zambia...

Friends,
many of you may know that I was able to return to see our beloved friends in Zambia, and just got back to Seattle a few weeks ago. Friends that I have seen since I have been back ask me: "So, how was your trip?" Well, let me tell you.

First, the purpose of going back before I go in January for the year:
* To be with Nick and Jim Tosti who were going to see the state of the new school construction and prepare for next year
* To spend time with the mentors and school headmistress whom we will be working very closely with
* To prepare for next year by looking at possible rental houses, getting more info on internet, transportation, etc.

The time was fantastic! Jim, Nick, and I were able to see the new school site and meet many of the laborers, contractors, school inspector, and others who were all very helpful in giving us information on how to best proceed. I think all of these meetings were very enlightening.

I have described personally my time with Mbuyiana and the mentors as very encouraging. I feel as though Jesus was really bubbling up out of me and scripture was really fresh. We spent time together talking about what "the ministry" is and looking at 2 Corinthians 5:17-20. I have been excited to realize that every human being, African, American, whatever, is connected by this same principle. We are all in need of reconciliation with God and this is THE ministry. Whatever giftings we have, we are all a part of His ministry, which comes down to reconciliation. Reconciliation with God, with ourselves, with our neighbor, and with the world. Wow! If you are feeding the hungry, praying for the sick, visiting someone in need, discipling someone, completing your responsibilities to the glory of God, the common denominator is RECONCILIATION! Religion is our attempt to reach God, Jesus is God's attempt to reach us! Grab ahold of Jesus!

I was able to sit down for breakfast with the Ambassador from Zambia a few weeks ago in Seattle. I asked her this question: " What is the most important thing we need to keep in mind while working with these young people in Limulunga, Zambia?" She replied: " The most important thing is that they know they are important and beautiful. Children in Africa have grown up to think that Westerners are better, that their own culture and history is not that important. Build self-esteem and let them share their stories, listen and encourage. " What an important principle. This concept can be so hard to implement. Naturally we want to preach our culture. Capitalism, internet, cell phones, productivity the list goes on and on. While we were there we saw how cell phones are changing their world. Kids even in remote villages have cell phones now. We know how technology has changed the way we communicate for the good and for the bad. Yes, we may be more connected to the rest of the world, but it can be argued that we are actually less connected to relationships. This is the age of facebook, text messaging, and really impersonal communications. The youth of our culture is beginning to lose the commitment that "real" relationships demand. I may have 80,000 facebook friends, but does anyone really know me? My point being that African children are running to catch up to this communication technology that is so common in Western society now, but is beginning to make a huge impact on the rich cultural relational culture that is so beautiful.

John and I have decided that we want to be about empowering the youth in Zambia; not in a sense of we are better and so on but rather in a sense of encouraging, mentoring, and loving. My friend Fred Stephens is convinced that a true mentor does not recreate himself but rather sees something in the mentee that he or she does not see yet. We prepare for our departure on January 15th. Thank you for all of your encouragement and prayer!