To Every Tongue and Tribe

Recently a team of five men spent three and a half days ministering in the rural areas of Zambia’s Southern Province. Three local pastors (Anderson Jere, Patson Sakala, and Bryan Zulu), and two AZM missionaries (Luke Whitfield and Steve Allen), showed the Jesus film in partnership with Campus Crusade for Christ in the region of Chikankhata, (chi-ka-n-kata). Made possible through the permission and invitation of Chieftanness Mwenda, this venture allowed the showing of the film to her people, many of whom were hearing about the life of Christ for the first time. Even though they may have heard the name of Jesus, the majority of over 98,000 Tongas have no understanding that salvation through Jesus Christ is personally available to them.

Traveling in a convoy led by the Chieftanness herself, the team arrived in Ngangula. A group of women in traditional costume performed a dance, the usual greeting for a visiting chief. After arriving, the team began to set up for the movie’s showing as loudspeakers began to alert those in the outlying areas of the morning’s event. In a room that could not have been larger than 20 ft. x 30 ft., approximately 200 people began to assemble to view the film in their native tongue. Even as the film neared its conclusion, people were still streaming out of the surrounding bush. Afterwards, viewers were directed to a local soccer field where they were given an opportunity to give their lives to Christ. Many people came to be prayed over to receive deliverance from sickness, demonic oppression, and fear. A highlight during this time was the opportunity to pray for a little boy on crutches. Having a right leg that was significantly shorter than his left, the boy is not valued in typical Zambian culture. The true miracle was to see the peoples’ faces as they witnessed the love and acceptance shown to this young boy from the team. For these special visitors to affirm “the least of these” spoke volumes to the authenticity of the Gospel.

Over the next three days the Jesus film was shown five more times in three different rural communities to roughly somewhere around 400 – 500 people, who for the most part had never even seen a motion picture before. Many made an indication of needing to change their current way of living through putting their trust in God. All were exposed to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ all for the cost of what many would spend for a weekend getaway.

There is much more to share and praise God about surrounding Action Zambia Ministry’s recent exploratory trip to the Southern Province. The Apostle Paul reminds us in II Timothy 4:2, “Preach the Word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.”(NLT) There were many occasions to put this verse into practice on this venture, and the team was amazed to see God provide opportunities to glorify and advance His Kingdom. There is no doubt that the spiritual need of rural  peoples is enormous. This work will take time and will not be accomplished with a few, quick evangelistic trips. Please pray for the people in Chikankhata, Ngangula, and Simwambwa, that God would visit these regions with His Spirit and saving power.