Zambie 2014

Lusaka 2014

During 2010, 2011 I traveled to Zambia on a regular base with a friend of mine, Steyn. He was involved with a ministry in the Gwembe valley at the Kariba Lake called Harvest for Christ Ministries. We had amazing times there. Two pastors, Albert and Oliver, led a network of churches in the Kingdom. These men are passionate, on fire soldiers of the Cross and had many stories of hardships and breakthroughs as they went from village to village to preach the Gospel and plant churches. Steyn then withdrew from the ministry as the Lord led him and the outreaches to Zambia stopped, but everyone is still on good foot with each other and no relationships were broken. See, even when paths split because of Gods will or circumstances or whatever, the relationships can still remain. Our Father is a God of relationship!

At the end of 2013 pastors Albert and Oliver were on my mind a lot and I wondered what was happening with our Zambian friends. Sure enough one Sunday afternoon I received a phone call from Albert. They were praying together after church and my name came up. They wanted to know if I was willing to visit them again and minister with them. I was overjoyed with this! However I am a guy who believes in protocol so I contacted Steyn to hear his heart. We had breakfast and it didn't take long for us to realise that we needed to go to Zambia soon.



Steyn had some business he wanted to finish with Harvest for Christ and I wanted to see what God wants us to do in Zambia. So on the 19th of January we got on the plane to meet our old friends who recently moved to Lusaka. It was so special to see these guys again. I quickly remembered why I love them and the absolute commitment they have for Christ. We spend most of the day driving and searching for a place to sleep. The evening Steyn and I went to a nearby hotel for a swim but found the pool empty. We then stayed for dinner and had opportunity to share the Gospel with a very friendly reception lady named Alice. She had light in her and a joy that will cure any depression! We also learned this day that taxis and accommodation in Lusaka is definitely something to be budgeted for and good local knowledge as many people will take advantage of anyone looking like a foreigner. That night I also had one of the worst nights of my life as we had no mosquito nets and we literally became buffets meals for every mosquito in Lusaka. I couldn't sleep at all!

The next day we took to the streets in search of breakfast. Steyn had a burger and I had some sheema (pap) and fresh fish from a nearby river. It was surprisingly nice, considering there must have been a fly farm in the area! Later the day we went to a local mall in Lusaka to meet some people from Steyn's congregation. It was one local Zambian guy and two Chinese missionaries now living in Lusaka. We had drinks together and then left for the Chinese house to have lunch. We talked and fellowshipped for hours with them confessing the importance of intimacy with the Lord. Its Christ in me and me in Christ. After a massive, and even better, late lunch we then started to sing hymns together from their church's hymn books just worshipping our God together. Spending time with these Chinese people again just poured fuel on my desire to visit the underground church in China. Maybe one day! All in all we just had an amazing day with our Zambian friends. Albert and Oliver also now know more people who are sold out for Christ in Lusaka.

After a very good night's rest underneath our long awaited mosquito nets we got up early and eventually got picked up by our taxi. He took us to a very large and very poor part of Lusaka where Albert lives. Apparently there are more than a million people living in this area. We had breakfast with the leaders and thereafter we discussed our hearts and strategy for the church. The Zambian pastors basically want to put more energy into business where each of them can earn his own money to provide for his family and ministry. This is a major challenge for many people in ministry today, finding the balance between working to earn money or just to minister in faith. We need to be very sure of what His plans for are for our lives and everyone should hear for themselves and then obey Jesus. This discussion went on for quite some time but it was very inspiring and uplifting. After lunch the rest of the church came together in Alberts house. They have many small group meetings like these in various homes in Lusaka. Steyn shared a message on mans purpose here on earth and the audience really enjoyed the message and could all relate to it. The day was very long in a sense that we were seated in the same house the entire day having meetings and food there but it was a massive blessing to have heard the people’s testimonies and hearts. I was inspired! We then left for a lady's house on the other side of Lusaka. She stayed in the Gwembe valley where we used to go often but she recently married and moved to Lusaka with her husband. She and Steyn are very good friends. We went to their home and met her neighbour friend and new husband who work at the American embassy. We had a good fun relaxing time there and had opportunity to prophesy over them and ministered to them. Jesus did amazing things and poured out His love in an awesome way!

We had a very relaxing morning the following day and late morning headed to EHC (Every Home for Christ) national head office. There we met with Richard. He is EHC Zambia director as well as director over the region which includes Tanzania, Malawi, Madagascar Zimbabwe and Congo if I remember correctly. They work with many churches all over Zambia with over 4000 voluntary missionaries who spread the Gospel into every home connecting the people with the local church. Richard is an amazing humble guy. One can easily see who is in ministry for business and who has heart. Richard has heart! We spend the morning in his office talking and also prayed over each other.

We then rushed to Arcade mall where we met our Chinese friends. We arranged to have lunch with them and settled in at a Mikes Kitchen in Zambia! We had an amazing time again with them. The Zambian brother that was with them had severe tongue ache. The Chinese then took out their needles and stuck a needle in his right hand. If you have pain in one part of your body, they will stick a needle in a total different place in your body. They do this with amazing success! Scientifically it’s amazing as they connect the different body parts with your blood flow. And sure enough a minute later our friend's tongue ache was completely gone! They use these needles for healing but also as a tool for evangelism. They have great success with it!

Steyn went with the Chinese to the university where he joined them in the work they do there. They had a cell meeting with the students that apparently went very well as they shared about Gods goodness together. I went opposite the road to the governments international conference centre. It's a very beautiful place! Amazing gardens with a variety of game walking around, mostly antelopes. Here I was to meet Harriet. A friend in South Africa asked me to pay her a visit before the time and we agreed. She is a pastor at Capital Christian Ministries International. She showed me around and introduced me to their team. Everybody was very friendly and looked really happy there. The church also has a media department as they broadcast their church services on Zambian TV. We then sat down in their boardroom. This is one amazing lady I discovered! Extremely wise and talented. She is true forerunner. Besides being a wife, mother and grandmother, she is an international and local business women and a fulltime pastor at her church. Their congregation is about 800 people strong and they meet at the conference centre every week. The Lord also provided them with land where they can build a church and also develop some land for agriculture or however the Lord leads them. Her company's name is OLA International and their business is mainly with China. What I loved about her is that she also told me her failures. This showed me maturity and humbleness. We encouraged each other greatly in the Lord as we shared stories. We truly serve one God and His body is a global body. People all over the world speaking with one voice.Jesus. God is breaking down fences all over the world as He unifies His body. We had an amazing time with the Lord and His presence brought new life to both of us. I left there revived! Being just across the mall and assuming Steyn will still be with his friends, I went to the wimpy to enjoy a nice dinner and their free Wi-Fi internet. I enjoyed a nice relaxed evening by myself and had some quite time where it was just me and Jesus. We also went for a movie before heading back to the lodge where Steyn was already waiting. A real enjoyable and effective day in Lusaka!

Again we started the new day very relaxed. Steyn stayed at home as Albert and his team visited him at our guesthouse where we stayed. I was asked to meet with a young pastor (Emmanuel) that used to live in Pretoria and be part of our pastors’ network. He moved to Lusaka and he started a church. Pastor Jan asked me to pay Emmanuel a visit and bring back a report on Emmanuel's do bouts so that we can see what his situation and circumstances are. I met Emmanuel at a shopping mall near his house. He took me to his house and there we spend the rest of the afternoon talking and getting to know each other better. He also cooked me lunch and showed great hospitality. He is a young man and is open for new opportunities to earn an income. Many pastors are now also turning to business in order to support themselves and their families. For too long the church has been begging. It’s a time where the church must be able to give and support those in need. Matt 6:33 plays a significant role in this, as pastors also tend to focus too much on the physical, they neglect the things of the Spirit. But Gods grace and Spirit is with us to guide us all on the path He has chosen for us. After a hole day of fellowshipping we went back to the mall to meet two of his friends who owns a magazine and are two upcoming business women/entrepreneurs' in Zambia. Ladies who aren't afraid to do a new thing. And be the first to create a market for it. It was a very interesting day as all our discussions painted me a clearer picture of Zambia and its people. Some things were very positive, but others turned on the warning lights. My prayer for this week is still that God will show us His plans He has for us here in Zambia. I went home early and had time to reflect on everything and meditate on what it is that God wants.

The last day we left for the Chinese' house again. We were to spend the day with them before we left for South Africa again the following day. Steyn was really sick with fever and spend the whole day in bed. I had a very good day there with our new friends, but couldn't help but to feel very disappointed in how the trip ended. I came with the idea to spend as much as possible time with Albert and Oliver and pray with them over Zambia and the future for us there. We were very low on cash as Zambia became very expensive over night, and our budget was seriously in the red. Albert and the team also had church at their home and was unable to come to us. So the week ended with us not being able to greet our friends who were the actual reason we went there. The other meetings in my eyes were not the main priority. But it turned out this way and there's nothing we could do about it except to keep our attitude positive and give all preconceived plans to the Lord and hear what is on His agenda.



Before the flight back to South Africa I had the feeling to not take my usual hand luggage with me as it won't be necessary. And surely enough, on the flight back, I ended up sitting next to a pastor from the Cape, Johan. We started talking and very soon it became clear that this was a God appointment. He told me about the missionary work he does in Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania. It is massive and the way he does his outreaches was the same way that we also believe it should be done. By not taking ownership away from the locals but to support them in their work; and to work together on a relationship basis. These are but two key strategies that I believe is Gods way for us forward.

To summarise the week, I have met with six different church/ministry groups that operate in Lusaka and the rest of Zambia. Why? That's what I pray that God will show us. Its pieces of a bigger puzzle that God is putting together. The week turned out different than what I originally thought, but God knew from the start. Many ministry and business opportunities crossed my path throughout the week. I believe He also wanted to see our hearts and teach us a few things. I also had many dreams and throughout the entire week God was speaking with me. Intimacy with Him and to be guided by the Spirit is the only way forward! To be IN Jesus, the Name above all names!

Zimbabwe November 2013

Zimbabwe November 2013

2013 started off with an outreach to the Masvingo region in Zimbabwe and when the opportunity came to end the year with the same outreach, I just couldn't resist! To end the year like this and see the people again; to witness what happened with the people since the beginning of the year was something that felt just right! I believe Africa plays a big role in my calling that God has for me and outreaches does something to me that words just cannot explain.

We departed in two 4x4's on the 1st of November to a village named Rungai near Masvingo and arrived there after sunset. The previous night I was ministering right through the night and literally had no sleep before we departed. I tried to sleep for most of the way there but my body was exhausted. I battled to keep focus and get my heart ready for the outreach. I also made the mistake to think that I will remember everything when I am typing this so I didn't make any notes. Big mistake! It is very sad, but very true, that we forget what God did for us and through us. I almost feel embarrassed in front of the Lord to stand before Him and tell Him that I forgot His good works and miracles but I remember very well what to moan about and what to nag Him for. This reminds me of the Israelites in the Bible and about their complaining; then I realise nothing has changed much!

But then I look to My Lord and He looks back at me with eyes that overflow with love, and my heart just melts before Him. He knows my weaknesses. He knows my past. He knows everything! And when He saw me at my weakest moment and He saw the entire world with all its people and our mistakes, He decided to send His only begotten Son to come and die on a cross to defeat death and hell once and for all. The resurrection of Jesus defined everything that exists, whether in this world or any other. Jesus is King! Jesus came so that we may live. Who so ever chooses to believe in Him, will not perish, but receive eternal life. Jesus became the only door back home for us. His grace is more than enough! I love Him with everything in me, and I realise that when we mess up, we do not have to feel shameful, but we can boldly go to the throne of Grace and receive His love, goodness and kindness. His love wins me over every time!

The first village, Rungai, where we stayed, was located quite a distance from any modern civilisation and the people live almost completely from the land. They gave us a house to sleep in and the men slept on the floor in the living room and the two ladies received the beds in the one room. The first night it rained and rained. Apparently it was their first rain after a long drought. It was very special! The leaking roof directly on top of my "bed" was not such a big problem anymore! We went on this outreach with a friend of mine, Chris Albany. He is working intensely on a long term basis with brother pastors Jefree and Jimmy Farai. The church in Zimbabwe is on the grow and it is an absolute honour to witness and partake in what God is doing in Zimbabwe. 

During the services in Rungai many of us had opportunity to share the Word and the presence of the Holy Spirit was in the meetings all the time. The fire of the Lord fell on us as we worshipped and enjoyed His presence. Many got healed and delivered. We also were privileged enough to bless two pastors with brand new bicycles and  many toys and clothes were donated to the community. We literally covered the one room with clothes! I love it when Jesus comes and He spoils!

What was interesting and amazing with the church services here is that the preaching was very relevant and practical to the community. I saw in India and Pakistan what role the spiritual realm plays in our daily lives and it is no different here in Africa. What God revealed to us is that there were two families in that village years ago that picked up scrap and that their offspring even till today hates each other.

Our actions in the realm of the spirit has a direct impact on nature around us! Genesis 1:26 say that we have dominion over this planet. This is for believers and unbelievers! This revelation also made me think in my own life where do I have unforgiveness and hatred inside of me. 
Mark 11:25 says: "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."

Matt 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

The way I read the above Scripture is that we as the church (people, not buildings), have been keeping the world in bondage because of our ability to judge the wounded and our unwillingness to love and forgive. This is also a big reason the body of Christ is not healthy as we should be. The spiritual realm around us affects everything in life! And as God revealed to us what was happening in the spirit over this village, my mind couldn't avoid looking into my own life for areas where I might improve or grow spiritually.

One of the pastors' wife was from the one family that was hated and the rest of the church was from the other family. As we discussed what God was showing us, the people confirmed that they understand and agree that this is real and that it has a direct effect on their lives. It was a very interactive service. The lady from the one family stood in front of the church and then reconciliation began. Everybody repented in front of God for the sins that was committed not only by them, but by their forefathers also. Then they turned to the lady and she to them, and they forgave each other. They blessed each other and their communities. This was amazing to witness and it just confirmed again to me the absolute power of forgiveness.

One evening Henk (Another Henk, not from Aflame Ministries) and I went with Jimmy to another house not too far from there. The rest of the team stayed behind and ministered. We had an amazing church service with them at the other place. Henk first preached and I preached after him. We had such an amazing time to worship with them, pray with them and just enjoy a good meal and fellowship with them. I went back feeling extremely blessed with our visit here tonight

           

After two days in Rungai, we left for another village. What impressed me most about this village was the neatness of everything. The cages for the livestock, the toilets, the houses, the land, everything in its place. One could immediately sense in the spirit that there was a Godly order present here. Everybody worked and did their part and everything was in its place. Again we slept on our mattresses in one of the houses they emptied for us.

Early the next morning we walked bright and very early towards the mountains close by the village. It almost looked like one very very very massive piece of rock. On top of the mountain we sat separately and spent some time with the Lord. We then gathered together where France shared his heart. The Lord showed up extremely tangible this morning on the mountain and all of us with everything in us, experienced our Creator King. I don't know what, but there is something about praying in the morning and on a mountain. It was a very special and it made the waking up early and walk very worthwhile!

On the lighter side, I witnessed something for the very first time! We showered out of buckets through the entire trip and the toilets are mostly situated a few meters away from the houses. The don't have flushing toilets, but in most cases not even a long drop by definition, they only have drops! What was very nice was the open air concept. While bathing or visiting the loo, one can enjoy the spectacular beauty of Zimbabwe. A truly beautiful country! Now at this village the "drops" were also situated quite a distance from the houses. It was two smallish cubicles next to each other with no roof what so ever. The stars are amazing at night! But what I witnessed for the very first time was the maggots in these drops. Now it wasn't a pretty picture at all but truly beautiful! It is amazing to see how God created everything. Nothing was forgotten in creation! Every practical detail our Lord thought, dreamed and planned when He created everything. These maggots included! Not to get to visual about the whole ordeal, but these guys do a brilliant job! They finish what you feed them in record time! I later caught some insects and threw them into the drop. The maggots had a feast! The details I will leave to your imagination, but it was really something special for me to witness creation like this. Jesus is awesome!!!

In the evening we had church in one of the houses. I saw a vision in worship. I was standing and I saw some sort of crawling insect (almost like a centipedes), but I was smaller than the insect and I looked up to it. We were facing each other. It was scary to see this thing in front of you looking this big! So I started praying and worshipping and then I grew in size and then I saw the insect in actual life size way below my feet. I worshipped some more and I grew even more. I saw a dog looking up to me and the insect was now too small to see. I worshipped some more and this continued happening till I saw the whole world underneath me. God showed me perspective. That our problems and situations may look very big, but when we change our view point, our perspective on life will change. How will our life, our problems, our situations look, when we view it through the eyes of heaven?

Ephesians 1:19-21

"and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might that He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come."

Ephesians 2:5-7

"even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

The children also worshipped with us. This was truly something as the Lord also enjoyed this very much! We could tell by His presence that He was extremely pleased with these children! I preached and shared my vision after the kids. Chris also felt this same message on his heart and he preached on our perspectives in life. I love it when one person receives something from the Lord and then someone else, or other people hear, feel, see exactly the same thing! It's when Jesus just comes and confirm in your heart that you still hear His voice.

The following day we left for Bikita. En route there we stopped over at the same lodge where we stopped during Easter. This was really special for me, as Bikita and this lodge, were both places we visited the previous time. The lodge belongs to one of the congregation members and family of the one pastor. The place expanded since we were there earlier the year as the added new rooms and other features to their lodge. They have a picture beautiful view over a smallish lake surrounded by mountains. I also love the architecture of the place as it is build in the mountains with some of the huge rocks forming part of the buildings, especially the showers and bathrooms. We just had a stopover here and the departed to my old friends in Bikita.

At Bikita the greeting was joyous! To see all the familiar faces was so special! We put up our tents, and that evening we had a church service where France preached. When France preach, the fire of the Holy Spirit always shows up! He is such a humble and anointed guy. Truly a privilege to work with him!

As the sun rose over Bikita the following morning, again we head to the mountains. The previous time I was also late and rushed up the mountain to catch up with the others. This time I was not the only one who was late, and we could walk up the mountain together getting to know each other a bit better. We go on these outreaches, sometimes in groups where we do not know each other. And I for one, have the ability to be in a group like this and go home without knowing the persons that were in my group! I get focussed on the job at hand and then forget about the people around me. Other people again will leave a outreach like this and they will know everything of everyone and they will still be focused on the task at hand. How? I don't know! :)

And again, once we reached the top, we had such an amazing time in the Lord. We prayed over Bikita and our time there and we shared our hearts. If I remember correctly, we also had communion up the mountain. To view the earth from up a mountain while with Jesus, is a must for every believer! I can understand a bit better now why Jesus always went up the mountain to pray! Chris on the other hand, had it a bit more like Jesus than us; he had the wrong shoes and decided to go bare foot. Not the best choice for a white guy living in the city! They had armies of large ants all over the mountain! As your foot touches the soil, the ants will jump you and attack you! Luckily Chris made it back down the mountain alive! He also had some kind of pain in his body (I can't remember what exactly), but God healed him just there as we prayed for him while still walking! Healing is easy! We can pray any where any time! Jesus does the rest!

To bath takes some time especially if only one at a time can go and warm water comes only from boiling water on top of the fire. I bathed last, and by the time it was my turn to bath, church already started. So when I was finished, I didn't feel like joining the church service. There under the tree outside, the women was having Sunday school with the children. I joined them! Tanya (a good friend who always takes care of the children), was not part of this outreach, so somebody had to fill her part! I was up for the challenge and I joined their class. The teachers talked to them and we played and ate. The children are amazing! What they have, they share! They play together and share their sweets. This was way better than the adult service!

I later had opportunity to share with the kids about Jesus. We closed our eyes and imagined Jesus and then asked Him some questions. Jesus answered every child and told each and every one of them personally how much He loves them! The way these kids answered, I just know that it is impossible for them to make up such statements. Earlier on they didn't even know the bare basics of our Faith! And now they are all talking to Jesus! Some even had visions where Jesus took them and showed them places and played with them! This was another key moment in my life! It is easy to have relationship with Jesus! I mean, He gave His everything to be with us, why will He make it hard for us to know Him personally?

In the afternoon we had another meeting where we shared with the community. Again very relevant to that village and a very interactive service. Afterwards we called for prayer. A very old lady came walking forward. Her back was bent almost ninety degrees as she came to the front. She had no emotion on her face as she struggled to the front. I felt sorry for her. I know God wants to heal people and He loves doing it, but for some reason, when old people come for healing my faith kind of disappears. I believe somehow that because they're old, healing escapes them and there's nothing we can do about it. It is life! But again, God luckily is not bound by my beliefs, and He is still God and can do what He wants how He wants. And when He wants to heal, my faith is not going to stop Him! And this lady was no different! After Chris prayed for her, she popped up and stood up straight without her walking stick! Her face was covered in wrinkles, but now every wrinkle was shining with a overwhelming joy! This started a race! Suddenly every old lady with a walking stick came "rushing" towards the front for prayer! And Jesus loved each and every one of them by touching them. His presence brought healing and everlasting joy!

We left the following day back to Rungai. A family member of our pastors were busy dying with aids and she was so weak she couldn't eat or walk, but was lying in a room waiting for death or a miracle. We prayed for her and Chris and France went into the room with her. Later she stood up, walked to the toilet (about hundred meters from the house!) and back! She then enjoyed some food and drink! We believed Jesus healed her! This was truly a blessing to witness and end our journey with. The following day we returned to SA with great joy in our hearts, but also agreat excitement for the holiday season that laid before us. This truly was a blessing to end the best year of my life up to date! Thank You Jesus!!!