I have been extremely blessed this week! I've had the opportunity to speak with each of the global youth workers that I'll be communicating with over the next 9 months or so.
Wednesday, I caught up with Lloyd Ng'ambi from Zambia. We had a great conversation about the internship experience and he is excited to move forward with another team next year! God is working wonderful things in Zambia and the youth there are full of vigor and a passion to do the work of the Lord. General elections are coming up and Zambia has had peace throughout its 47 years of independence, so please pray that the elections would go smoothly. Also, pray for Lloyd, as he travels all over the country and does not have a vehicle so he is forced to take public transportation, which is expensive and much more time consuming. Pray that God would provide a reliable vehicle so that he can be more effective in the ministry throughout Zambia. I am looking forward to working with Lloyd and to be able to come along side the ministry God is doing there.
Then, today, I had the opportunity to speak with Rutherford Banda, in Malawi, and Ellen and Elijah, in Kenya. Talk about people with passion and joy for the Lord! I was so glad to hear from Rutherford that everyone we were blessed to meet this summer was doing well. They are building a dorm for girls who want to go to secondary school away from home and need somewhere safe to live. The project was delayed for a bit, but is back on track now and they are moving forward. It will be a great blessing to these girls and a wonderful opportunity to show them the love of Christ! Please pray for the family and for all of Malawi. There has been some unrest and there are fuel shortages and other economic/political issues. Like Zambia, Malawi has been at peace since independence was gained 47 years ago, so please pray for renewed peace. We are excited to partner with them once again next summer and look forward to planning and dreaming with them about how the team will be able to bless the youth of that nation.
Lastly, I "met" Ellen and Elijah Ombati from Kenya over Skype today. I had not had the privilege of talking with this great couple yet and am very excited to have made the connection! They are wonderful workers for Christ and are very excited about what God is leading them to do in Kenya to empower the youth. They have a desire to see the lives of the youth and, by extension, the community transformed by the power of God's love and grace. I could hear the passion and joy in their voices as we spoke and was encouraged by the way that they are following Christ's call in their lives. Please pray as they recover from Malaria and as they prepare to move forward in training youth workers in the area.
I hope that as you hear what God is doing throughout Africa, through these faithful followers, that you are encouraged and challenged. I hope that you will press into the Lord, ask him to open doors for you to share your faith, to share His love. God is awakening a generation...youth throughout the world are rising up and stepping forward in faith. Young people, are you with them? For those who are more tested warriors of the faith, who have been in the trenches for many years, who have the scars and wisdom that come only through the trials and victories of life...we need your wisdom, experience and prayers. There is unimaginable power when the church is united in purpose and living in unity in Christ! Let's band together, young and old(er)...no matter your age or place in life, God is calling forth:
"'You are my witnesses,' declares the Lord, 'and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed--I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,' declares the Lord, 'that I am God.'" Isaiah 43:10-12 (NIV).
Let's stand up and be God's witnesses, whatever age, nationality, gender...together (yes, even you Yankees and Red Sox fans, together!)
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