We're Back!

We are so sorry that it has taken so long to post a blog; however, we have just gone through nearly one full week without Zesco (electricity) and of course it happened during Easter weekend. You can tell Jessi and I have been here for nearly a year now because without hesitation we grab our pots and head out to the fire pit as soon as Zesco goes off. One night Jessi made a nice traditional Zambian meal of nshima, rape, and sausage. Another night i decided i was going to learn how to kill, de-feather, cut up and cook a chicken. That morning a man was walking by our farm entrance with two chickens on sale for 30,000 kwacha (roughly $7.50) so i bought them both and that night we feasted on chicken, nshima and green beans with some of our Zambian friends. I must say that it's going to take some getting used to slaughtering chickens, but i'm managing.
With Zesco being out every night, Jessi and I have gotten used to eating "candle-lit dinners" though the romance of it all seems to go away when you know you can't switch on the lights! I do want to say though that we praise God for it all! When it all comes down to it - we can survive without electricity, air con's, carpeted floor, etc. God really can become your all in all at a place like this. It's almost forced upon you at times, but praise God that we've had a chance to grab ahold of Him and say "i don't know what i'm doing or how i'm going to get through this, but i'm not letting go..." He NEVER fails us! He's always there. Always helping us up when we fall and leading us on that "straight and narrow road."
Jessi and I are so excited to get back home and begin to share the vision God has put on our hearts. We will be returning May 31st and probably remaining in the States for 4-5 months as we prepare for this next phase of ministry. We will be remaining with Sons of Thunder, but entering into a whole new facet of ministry. Upon returning to Zambia we will begin pitching a tent and living for one month at a time out in different areas of the bush in Zambia. The burden of our heart is that many Zambians have been "evangelized", but so few have been discipled. We believe that it is essential for us to live with them in order to truly reveal Jesus Christ to them. We will also be trained in bucket drip irrigation so that we can teach the people better ways of gardening so that they can have year-round gardens. A ministry in Florida called ECHO will be equipping us with the proper training, irrigation kits and drought resistant seed so that we can really start feeding Africa. We will also be placing good, clean water (wells with hand pumps) at each of these bush villages so that they can have good drinking water and a way to properly irrigate. Rotary International has shown a big interest in sponsoring the cost of the wells. Paul says that he so loved the people he was with that he not only shared the gospel with them, but his very life. That is what Jess and I feel God has called us to do. Through walking alongside these people; working with them, eating with them, playing with them and loving them - we believe that God is going to change not only their outward circumstances, but the inward condition of their hearts (which is what TRULY matters). On returning to Zambia we will be building a home for us to live in and purchasing a ministry vehicle that will be adequate for all of our travels across Zambia so we have some very large tasks ahead of us. We ask for your prayers that God would open doors no man can shut and shut doors no man can open so that we are led just as He would have us to be. We love you all so much and we feel so priveledged that all of you have partnered with our heart and God's heart in this vision to spiritually and physically feed Africa! We'll keep you posted as best we can! God bless...