Mission Trip to Zambia April 14-24 2009

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the lord;.. Rom 12:10

The purpose of the trip was not only to ?reach and strengthen servants worldwide for Christ? but focuses on building into the life and ministry of pastors with EQUIP conferences and selecting the next church plant as part of the vision to plant at least one church in every nation who will in turn plant churches, reach the lost for Christ, connect new believers to a church home and provide holistic care.

 After a two night trip across the Atlantic, connecting in London, England and onto southern Africa we arrived to a warm welcome from our local hosts led by Pastor Joseph Mumba of Church on the Rock, Zambia. Our four person team of short term missionaries led by Senior Pastor, Dr.Will Langstaff was joined by the team of eleven from Africa Christian Medical Mission Inc. (ACMMI) of Houston Texas. There were excited about this partnership as their focus was on the physical needs and the Servant House team met the spiritual needs of the participants.

Day one was consumed with obtaining vital documents needed for the medical aspects of the mission and repacking of medical supplies and literature. We left later that evening on a 10 hour drive to Ukwimi, Petauke Distinct in the Eastern Province of Zambia.

Day two started late morning after a very short night of rest at the local school in the Riverside Community of Ukwimi. We found out after our three night stay that the orphans at this school were very gracious to give up their foam mattresses for their visitors from America to sleep. On a sunny noon- time celebration of songs from the two local churches and speeches from the District Commissioner and local chief. There was a deep sense of expectancy in the air as we were introduced individually and their role explained to the community of about 200 men, women and children a few seated on chairs but many on the ground and under any shaded area they could find. We started the medical/evangelical outreach that afternoon and continued seeing individuals as they lined up in long lines to go through the five stations.

After the fist night in Ukwimi, God woke Pastor Langstaff that morning to see the need for beds, blankets and shoes for thirty orphans living in the local school cared for by the church.

Sunday morning worship service was filled with vibrant praise both in Nyanja (local dialect) and English. Pastor Langstaff was invited to preach to congregation in a packed church building of mud and a thatched roof. He encouraged all to love, live and forgive like Jesus from Rom.12:9. Sis Tina Cummings spoke on behalf of the group and thanked God for divine connections to do His work.  Rev.Phil gave a musical rendition with his guitar that he later donated to the church.

After a light Sunday lunch we continued seeing participants after 1-2 hour waiting time for an opportunity to be seen by the medical team. All missionaries worked with a local interpreter, except for the pastors EQUIP conference that was done in English. The days were long and busy as Min David Catalan and Rev. Phil Rogers rotated presentations at the EQUIP conference and did spiritual counseling by giving individual gospel presentations and giving all an opportunity to accept Jesus Christ or rededicate their lives.

The pastors? conference was repeated in Kafue near Lusaka on days 5 and 6 led by Pastor Langstaff with Min David Catalan covering making of a vision and Rev. Phil Rogers spoke on improving communications for effective ministry.  A total of 200 pastors benefited from it at the two sites. The goal was to support one church plant in Zambia; however the Church on the Rock in the Riverside community of Ukwime had the greatest need and potential to impact many lives. Pastors Mumba and Langstaff agreed to partner and move forward the ministry of 11 churches ranging from 15-80m worshippers. The Lusaka branch meets in an old YMCA building that is now being offered for sale. The church has a desire to buy it or any potential site but lack the funds for this or their other church plants.

There were outreach opportunities on the plane, at the airport terminal and hotel as the team journeyed back. God provided people in London to help us financially and confirm the ministry.

The Servant House team departed after 6 fulfilled working days and Sis Tina Cummings stayed with the ACMMI team to do additional days of medical ministry and concluded the mission by visiting the Victoria Falls (one of the seven natural wonders on the planet) described by locals as Mosi-oa Tunya: ?the smoke that thunders?. It definitely depicts the awesome power of God which is honored by the Zambians. There is very minimal Muslim influence here but other religions such as Jehovah?s witnesses and Mormons have a strong presence.

Zambians are very warm and gracious people. Zambia was a British colony and there is a strong British influence in all areas of the country?s infrastructure.

Please join us as we pray for new believers and others to be strengthened in their walk.

As we move forward with the Zambia mission and for us to meet and exceed our Golf Tournament goal of $10, 0000 for our new churches. For the entire local pastors that labor in this field with minimal resources especially those who worked with us on this mission. Zambians consider their country to be Christian nation, for its churches to be steadfast in their walk and be an example for the nation. For God to maintain the nation?s peace as a country that has never experienced war. For the partnerships of The Servant House and Church on the Rock, Zambia and all our knee-travelers may they be refreshed as they have refreshed others.