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
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