Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Zambia Short-term Mission Trip 2007
I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to Zambia from December 1 - 13 with 15 strangers/now family. God granted each of us this experience to see His work globally. In earthly and tactical terms, we helped our brothers and sisters in Christ plant corn, pull weeds from their gardens, lay bricks for a piggery and facilitate focus groups centered around HIV/AIDS among teens. But our purpose was much bigger. We were able to experience, contribute, and gain exposure and education to the work God is doing in Africa. We do indeed serve a global God.
There were times when I felt the experience was very dark. HIV/AIDS is everywhere and the #1 fear of most. At the same time, many people in Zambia have found hope in God.
It's true that the government, political and social systems can do much to educate and fight the war against HIV/AIDS. But our team walked away knowing that the only winning approach to fight this disease is by sharing the gospel of Jesus. He is the only way - only Jesus can change hearts to change behavior, and ultimately save souls.
I invite you to watch the 8-minute video below to witness a glimpse of our trip. The first song that is on the video became our team's theme song at our team retreat. The words are below.
The song for us before leaving the U.S. became a prayer to be individually consumed by God so that the closer each of us was to God as individuals - the more impact we could have in Zambia as a team. In-country, the song became even more relevant and special. There is a line in the song that says, "Your light will shine when all else fades." Many of the people we met in Zambia are living out this line - they are infected with HIV/AIDS, but Christ is the light that shines.
Thanks for being part of this experience. For your prayers and financial support, I can not thank you enough.
To my fellow 15 companions, you have each impacted my life in ways you'll never know. I love each of you. To Chimuka, Richman and the entire staff at World Hope Zambia, thanks for blessing our lives. You became great friends, and know your work will be rewarded.
Mark
"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:21 - 23 (NIV)
Song: From The Inside Out
Artist: Hillsong United
Album: United We Stand (2006)
A thousand times I've failed
Still Your mercy remains And should I stumble again
I'm caught in Your grace
Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame
Your will above all else
My purpose remains
The art of losing myself
In bringing You praise
Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart and my soul
Lord I give You control
Consume me from the inside out
Lord let justice and praise
Become my embrace
To love you from the inside out
Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart
Is to bring You praise
From the inside out
Lord my soul cries out
There were times when I felt the experience was very dark. HIV/AIDS is everywhere and the #1 fear of most. At the same time, many people in Zambia have found hope in God.
It's true that the government, political and social systems can do much to educate and fight the war against HIV/AIDS. But our team walked away knowing that the only winning approach to fight this disease is by sharing the gospel of Jesus. He is the only way - only Jesus can change hearts to change behavior, and ultimately save souls.
I invite you to watch the 8-minute video below to witness a glimpse of our trip. The first song that is on the video became our team's theme song at our team retreat. The words are below.
The song for us before leaving the U.S. became a prayer to be individually consumed by God so that the closer each of us was to God as individuals - the more impact we could have in Zambia as a team. In-country, the song became even more relevant and special. There is a line in the song that says, "Your light will shine when all else fades." Many of the people we met in Zambia are living out this line - they are infected with HIV/AIDS, but Christ is the light that shines.
Thanks for being part of this experience. For your prayers and financial support, I can not thank you enough.
To my fellow 15 companions, you have each impacted my life in ways you'll never know. I love each of you. To Chimuka, Richman and the entire staff at World Hope Zambia, thanks for blessing our lives. You became great friends, and know your work will be rewarded.
Mark
"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:21 - 23 (NIV)
Song: From The Inside Out
Artist: Hillsong United
Album: United We Stand (2006)
A thousand times I've failed
Still Your mercy remains And should I stumble again
I'm caught in Your grace
Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame
Your will above all else
My purpose remains
The art of losing myself
In bringing You praise
Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart and my soul
Lord I give You control
Consume me from the inside out
Lord let justice and praise
Become my embrace
To love you from the inside out
Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart
Is to bring You praise
From the inside out
Lord my soul cries out
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Frontline :: 9/23/07
Here's a taste of what my church is like - it's the opening song at Frontline - McLean Bible Church.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Eagleman 2007
This past weekend I went to Cambridge, Maryland to watch the Eagleman 2007 triathlon. Philip - congrats on the race - thanks for a great weekend - enjoy the memories!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Easter in Bluefields, Nicaragua
As many of you know, I was one of 10 people who traveled to Bluefields, Nicaragua last September for a short-term mission trip. A few weeks ago over Easter weekend, three of us from the original team had the opportunity to return to Bluefields to visit this great community, engage with the locals and build stronger friendships.
To Shireen - the ultimate GIVER - thanks for participating in every way possible, from fasting to preparing Easter baskets for us and driving us to/from the airport at the worst times of day (4:00 a.m. on Saturday and midnight the following Tuesday).
To Rithy and Richard - I could not ask for two better traveling companions.
To Josh - thanks for helping with the flights/hotel arrangements. You've become a great friend, and I look forward to seeing you in the near future.
To everyone reading this post - I invite you to view the brief video below to experience our memories.
Enjoy - Mark
To Shireen - the ultimate GIVER - thanks for participating in every way possible, from fasting to preparing Easter baskets for us and driving us to/from the airport at the worst times of day (4:00 a.m. on Saturday and midnight the following Tuesday).
To Rithy and Richard - I could not ask for two better traveling companions.
To Josh - thanks for helping with the flights/hotel arrangements. You've become a great friend, and I look forward to seeing you in the near future.
To everyone reading this post - I invite you to view the brief video below to experience our memories.
Enjoy - Mark
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