Dreaming Big...Aug. 17th update

Dreaming Big...Aug. 17^th update

We’ve decided to dream big… Originally, we were going to work on building the two church buildings over the next 3 months and do what we could.  But the churches got together and told Harrison that he needed to build his house first (which will be on the same plot as the church/school/Bible college here in Chipata).  The Banda’s have had to move a couple of different times already and our currently house sitting (free rent) for another missionary couple.  In February, they will have to find someplace else to go.  By the end of October, we hope to have the exterior of their house built (foundation, walls, and roof), before the rainy season sets in (making it impossible to build until February).  The reasoning behind this madness is cost.  It costs a white person a bare minimum of $500 for rent out here (and that’s not for a very nice house).  For a couple of years’ worth of rent, a property can be obtained and a house be built.  But many things will need to fall into place for this to happen.

1.       We have to hit water in the well.  We’re at 10 meters and haven’t hit water so far.  Fortunately, we have gotten through the hard rock.  The dirt we have been pulling out is damp with moisture.  We were told we should hit within the next two meters.

2.       We have to get a pump and something that will increase the output of the generator we have.  We were able to find water about 1 meter down in a dried up stream somewhere off our plot, but that means having to shoot the water 10 meters up a ravine and another 100 laterally, to where we need to make brick.  The location of this water source makes it next to impossible to carry.

3.       We have to make brick…and lots of it.  Our goal is 20,000 bricks in 20 days.  When we’ve been making brick in the village, it takes 6-8 men (and women helping get the water) 6 hours or so to make 1,000 brick.  We have 3 guys, no women, and a water source that is currently much more difficult to reach.

4.       We have to get the plot graded.  The only land the Banda’s were able to get was land on the side of a mountain (it’s a beautiful setting, but extremely difficult to build on out here with limited resources and funds).

5.       If all this goes well, we’ll have dig our own rock to mix with cement (by hand) to make our foundation, dig our own sand, make mortar, build the walls, and slap on a roof by October 25^th.

While these projects go on, we will continue to carry on the other ministries already established by the Banda’s as well.  We’re grateful we have had a couple of men volunteer this next month to work with us.  Two of the young adults will be working with me making brick while one of the elderly men from the church will be focusing on hitting water in the well.

This project has surfaced over the past couple of days, so we’ll be trusting God provides the necessary funds, as well as the energy, for us to get this done.  For those of you who don’t know the Banda’s, they are an incredible couple with a desire to serve the people here, no matter the cost to themselves.  Many missionaries live very comfortable lives here and worldwide (nice tv’s and satellite packages, the best cars, living in nice missionary compounds, shipping large containers of furniture/goods from the states, eat well, and have nice tool workshops).  Right now, though they consider themselves blessed, the Banda’s are living and working off 80% support.  Even though their 100% is much lower than most missionaries 100% to start with, much of this still goes into their ministry.  We eat staple foods off plastic plates and are very grateful when the truck will start.  I’ve lost count of how many times Harrison has said he’s not hungry so someone else can eat (when I have been around him the whole day and I know he’s not eaten).  There is one (broken) knife in the kitchen.  The gas tank is filled up $10 at a time (which if I did my math right gets you about a 1 ½ gallons here).  When they go back for furlough, they go back for 6 months instead of a year (and even then Harrison still tries to come back at least once).

I don’t write these things because I want you to feel sorry, because the Banda’s (or myself) wouldn’t change the conditions.  You learn what you truly need and what you don’t, and you learn to trust more fully in God to provide day to day.  I write these things for two purposes.  First, for those of you who know and support the Banda’s, know that they are doing exactly what they promised you they would. Churches are being planted, people are coming to know Christ, and believers are being discipled.   Secondly, I know there are different methodologies on how to do missions (I guess each missionary has to follow his or her own convictions, knowing he or she will be held responsible for how they used the Lord’s resources).  Know that Harrison and Michelle are pouring their lives out like a drink offering to this field every day.  They understand every dollar they spend on themselves is a dollar they can’t spend on someone else.  They have a heart for serving the people here, no matter what that means.  And God is blessing their ministries in big ways…it’s incredible just to witness it. 

It would be a huge blessing to their family if we are able to get this house done for them.  It would allow them not to have to pay rent or a water bill, which means the more money they will be able to put into their ministry.  The work itself, and much of the materials we will be able to get naturally.  For $5,000, much of this project can be completed (plot graded, cement, wood for the roof, and the necessary tools).

God has continued to astound us as He’s answered prayer after prayer this summer.  Please continue to be praying for us as we take on this next challenge.

Pray that…

1.       God will burden the hearts of the people He wishes to use to help this project be accomplished (financially and with physical laborers*)

2.       We have wisdom and use good discernment as we build (things aren’t done the same way they are in the states)…things often have to be adjusted on the spot.

3.       We get the equipment we need…a good water pump, hose, something to increase the power of the generator (or a bigger generator), some hoes and shovels, and some masonry tools.

4.       We have the energy to accomplish this, but to also not allow the other ministries to slack off.

5.       We’ll be running some children/teen camps coming up soon in the village.

Feel free to pass this on to anyone you wish.

Trusting in Him,
Josh

*We are hoping more people will be burdened to help us from this side, but we would also love it if more people came from stateside as well.  If you know of anyone who would like to come out and help, send them our way and we’ll pick them up from the airport when they arrive.  Any skill set can be put to good use.   For those interested,  we can promise working long hours out in the sun for no pay, nshima and a relish for meals (sometimes just a piece of bread), with knowledge that safety cannot be guaranteed nor will there be any earthly rewards received.

**If God has burdened your heart to give, support can be sent to:

Heather Hills Baptist Church-Zambia Fund

1421 N. German Church Rd.

Indianapolis, IN 46229

update from Chipata...I"m still here...

 A few days ago, Harrison was joking with me about staying around for awhile longer.  We played around with the idea, but then we started really considering it.  Because of the missionary travel agent I used, there were restrictions on my ticket.  Yesterday, we drove into the capital of Malawi to speak directly with Ethiopian Airlines.  The lady we worked with was a huge blessing and helped us out in ways she wouldn’t have had to.  Eventually, we were able to get my ticket extended until October 25^th (I’ll be landing in the states the 26^th).  We were also able to get everything worked out with immigrations as well, so they extended my visa for 90 more days.

There are a few things I will have to miss, but I’m sure you understand.  Lance and Shelby:  I love you guys…best wishes on your wedding.  Camp friends:  I won’t be able to attend the closing meeting like I said…you are in the final sprint of the marathon now…push through til the end.  Lawlor RA’s:  You’ll have to do Lawlorpalooza without me L

Harrison and Michelle’s Ministry: For those of you who don’t know, Harrison is a national pastor/missionary, who has been a part of ministry for over half his life.  Michelle first came to Zambia in 2001.  They were married in 2008 and now have two children.  Since coming back from deputation, they have planted two churches (Bethlehem Baptist Church) in the Chipata area (one in town and one in a village).  We had a meeting tonight about starting a third church plant.  Two nights a week, he has men over for Bible Institute.  Harrison also has a soccer ministry.  The unique thing about the Banda’s ministry is that nationals are always welcome at their house, so people are always coming in and out of the house.

Past two weeks:  Right now, Harrison has several things going on at once.  He’s working on building two different churches. Every Saturday, the men from the church and us get together to make bricks.  The church plot Harrison got in town is beautiful.  It’s on the side of a mountain, where you will be able to see the church from all over the city.  We spent two days clearing all the trees from the property.  Soon we will be grading it.  We’re also digging a borehole well on church plot here in town.  Currently, we’re approaching 10 meters down and have been in solid rock the past couple of meters.  We have also had to spend a great deal of time at the mechanics so some work could be done on Harrison’s truck.  Lastly, we have spent some time scouting out locations for two different camps (that we hope to build in the future)

On Sundays, we preach at both churches.  There is also a Bible study on Wednesday nights in the homes of nationals.  Last week, we were allowed to have it in the house of a Muslim.  Monday and Friday nights we have Bible Institute classes.  We have also been running some leadership/teambuilding camps for the members of the two churches

Things to come/prayer requests:

-Beth, Jake, and Mary (the three interns I worked with this summer are currently making their way back to the states.

-We will be going to Lusaka tomorrow and Thursday for the Baptist Mid-Missions annual Zambia Conference.  There’s been discussion that Harrison will at least be nominated for president of the missions.  Be praying for the elections and the meetings that take place there.

-Last time I told you guys about a child named Junior who had 2^nd degree burns on 63% of his body that Mrs. Chambers and myself were asked to treat.  I found out that after suffering for 10 days, he passed away.  Be in prayer for Mrs. Chambers (as I’m sure she took it hard) and for the family.

-For the building projects coming up:  finishing up the blueprints and getting them back from the city council, bricks need to be burned, we only have two days left with the jackhammer (and we really need to hit water soon), that we can find a bulldozer to grade the church plot (for a reasonable cost).

-We are trying to schedule a meeting with the chief of Chipata (think governor of a state, except with the capabilities of military power...he considers his land to be his own little nation rather than a true part of Zambia). 

-Now that we have 3 more months, we’ll be making plans on running some youth camps and other types of programming.

Closing Remarks:  God’s truly been blessing us and taking great care of us.  A couple of us got malaria, but have gotten over it quickly.  Falls that have happened or accidents that have occurred that could have been bad, have amounted to know injuries. Even the smallest of prayers are being answered.   I was able to hook my computer up to a screen to get my sermons and the camp manual off of it.  This field here is ripe for the harvest.  People are coming to know Christ…disciples are being made…churches are growing.  It’s amazing to get to have a part in it.

When we were driving into Malawi to work on the tickets, I saw a sign on the back of a truck I wanted to encourage you with.  It read, “Let God be God.”   Sometimes we spend so much time trying to control everything (trying to stay safe…figuring out the loopholes in the clauses of the tickets), rather than giving up the driver’s seat and allowing God to work.  God is good…and is plans are far better than ours.  Dwelling in His plan and His safety are much fuller of peace and joy then we could provide on our own.

With Love,

Josh