Like many in his day, David Livingstone assumed that the interior of Africa was desolate and unpopulated. It wasn’t worth his consideration as a place for a missionary to be. Until Robert Moffat remarked to him, “I have seen, at different times, the smoke of a thousand villages-villages whose people are without Christ, without God, and without hope in this world.”
Robert Moffat’s comment became the fulcrum upon which leveraged the great and historic work of David Livingstone.
Perceptions about Africa and Africa’s needs still create a lack of authentic assistance. While church organizations have accomplished much in Africa, the situations brought about by AIDS, poverty, drought and oppression have too often brought about responses that deepened the problem by creating reliance.
On July 23, I will be travelling to Zambia with World Vision to see what they are doing in Africa. Stephen Pramme, our Student Ministries Director, will be travelling with me, too. We are going to see what God may be saying to us about long-term support toward the amazing work being done in Hamaundu, Zambia.
What work? Helping villages discover their own path from poverty to self-sustainability. How? Through the relational and intentional avenues of:
- building trust
- mobilizing a community
- assessing needs and developing a plan of action
- designing solutions that tap into the innate knowledge of their surroundings and abilities
- assuming full ownership of the communities progress
In what specific areas is this applied?
- Water
- Health and hygiene
- Food and agriculture
- Education and literacy
- Economic development
Word Vision believes spiritual transformation begins in deeds done as witness. A life lived before a community with integrity is part of building trust. This leads to sharing the word about the love and compassion of Jesus Christ and offers the only real hope for “shalom” – living at peace and right relationship to God in Christ.
Scott’s Perspective:
I have been praying about a global outward focus that can more directly involve the congregation of SRPC. While we support global missions through our church budget, I have sensed a need to more directly connect the various ministries and ages at SRPC to a specific call of grace.
About this time, Pastor Shawn Robinson from Clayton Community Church (CCC) called me and asked if I would go on this trip with him. CCC had already committed to this part of Africa and thought we might be interested. Two slots were set apart for us to go.
Through the gracious offer of some in the church and the missions committee, both Stephen and I are able to go and see what God will say to us.
Honestly, at first I wanted to commit resources because the need is obvious and the cause so tremendous. It really means saving lives. One such example is the sustainability of fresh water supply through a well. Infant mortality rates alone can be reduced almost 50% just by this one addition to a village. Can you imagine our children’s or youth ministry raising funds to put a well into a village? Can you imagine the life of a child and the joy of a mother and father to see that child thrive because of clean water?
As real as is the need, World Vision encourages me to wait – to come and see. To be in the specific place and meet the real people that would be impacted should we make a decision to respond.
Scanning the channels at home, I came across a documentary called Where the Water Meets the Sky. It was the story of AIDS orphans in Zambia. Young girls forced into prostitution in order to survive – until they themselves contracted AIDS.
World Vision responds to such crisis with clinics, counseling, training and stocking medical supplies to help turn the tide.
Ultimately, the work of World Vision is not reactionary – but proactive. Moving a village from hopelessness to hope and healing – to create a community of meaning and life.
What will God say to us? I anticipate, but must wait to make sure. I need your prayers to help me hear and obey. I am listening for a church, not just myself.
Stephen’s Perspective
The decision to go on this trip to Africa has been an adventure in itself for me. When the opportunity was first presented to me I turned it down for a couple reasons. One was the tight schedule that this trip would fit into for me (squished between junior high houseboats and Spirit West Coast), but more importantly than that was an issue of motive. I did want to go, but seemingly at first for all of the wrong reasons. As I began to pray through the issues and think more about the trip it became clear to me that these dates on my calendar were open for a reason. My selfish motives started to change over time to where the trip was no longer just about me going to Africa. It was at that time that I got back to Scott that if the spot was still open for the trip that I was ready. God seems to be teaching me more and more about His justice, righteousness, and holiness all in preparation of this trip. As I began to experience things through an event with Invisible Children, our own mission trip to Philadelphia, and even the houseboat curriculum for this year, my heart has begun a transformation to attempt to see things the way God sees them. This is clearly a journey and I fully recognize that I am in process. I believe that we are going to Zambia in order to see where God is already at work and to see if there is an opportunity for us (personally, and/or corporately as a church) to get involved with at this time.
There are so many ways to come alongside me in prayer for this trip. For the team in general I know that safety, health, and travel mercies are among the concerns. For me personally, I know that this trip is going to be difficult. As it is a vision trip, we are not being asked to do any physical work. I know that I will want to bring my western thought and just start digging in to help where I can. I pray that God would break me of the mentality that I have all the answers; that I would be able to truly listen and hear those we meet. With all of this being said, I pray that God would invade my preconceived notions of why we are there and show me His intentions of why we are there. I pray that I could see people how God sees them. I pray that my heart would break for the very things that break God’s heart. I pray that it would only be by relying on God’s strength that I physically would make it through these 3 weeks of travel. Thank you for all of your support, encouragement and prayers.
