From May 19 through 31 we had a Life Change Team from the USA join us here in Zim for a time of learning and equipping for cross-cultural life and ministry. The team was comprised of Greg Virkler, Betsy Slate, Ginger Price and Nathan Chambers. All of these guys had taken our prerequisite training before arriving here. It was very apparent, as they arrived with the attitude of being learners. This attitude is absolutely critical if we are serious about becoming ‘insiders’ in our new adopted culture. This attitude has great immediate pay offs. When we make a cultural faux pas, which will invariably happen, we are able to say, “ I am just learning the culture here. Please be patient with me and teach me.” I believe the Life Change Team truly modeled this attitude.
Marlene and I really did not try to orchestrate any special events for the LCT to participate in; rather we simply included them into what we already were planning to do. It did seem to us that the timing was very good for a wide range of exposure to the culture here.
On May 21-22 we were all involved in a time of prayer and fasting with key leaders from Newfrontiers Churches in the entire region. This was an amazing time of hearing from the leaders of the movement here and the vision that is pumping in their hearts. We also had great times of prayer with lots of prophetic revelation flowing among us.
On May 23-25 the LCT was able to see first hand the work we have been involved with at Crossroads Church in Kezi, which is in a very rural setting. They visited The Ebenezer Agricultural Training Center also in Kezi. They were given a great tour of the whole site led by one of the graduates named Brilliant who is also in training for leadership at Crossroads Church. Brilliant is full of vision for transforming his nation through Foundations for Farming, Chronological Bible Storying and church planting.
From May 26-30 we traveled to Mashonaland in Northern Zim where we held some CBS training sessions for rural leaders there. We did the training at two different sites. The teaching team was Marlene and I, along with Renee Cunningham who is playing a vital part in our CBS team here. It was great to share stories with these wonderful men and women who have committed their lives in very tangible ways to the purposes of God’s Kingdom. There was not only teaching given, but also times of refreshing from God’s Spirit as we entered his presence in worship and prayer.
On Sunday, May 30, we had the privilege of being at River of Life Westgate in Harare. I was invited to preach, and did feel God’s help in bringing a word that seemed timely for the church. What a joy it was to see our friends, Alan and Deb Norton, and Brian and Cath Oldrieve. Brian has recently come through heart surgery and experienced a real miracle. We thank God that his life has been spared to see some of the amazing things that are happening now in the nation involving Foundations for Farming. It was Brian’s vision for what God can do through the churches, coming together to feed the nation. We’ll be saying more about that in the near future!
On May 31 we said our goodbyes to the LCT as they returned to their home churches. It was great to have them with us!
