I have written many times on my blog about how the thing that drives us over here in Zambia is our passion and commitment to train leaders who train leaders who train leaders. In essence, we want to work ourselves out of a job. We are not about buildings and programs. We are about building people. And the pastors here that we work with get it. The other day I was talking to one of our pastors involved in ACTION Pastor’s College who was speaking of his future plans. He said that after he starts his own Bible College using the material and training that he has received, “you won’t be needed anymore!” What a great compliment and encouragement to us. May it be so!

Well, last Friday we took a big, experimental, step towards this transition. All the Fridays in May I put on a three hour morning conference at a church in a local compound to teach pastors how to preach. I have taught a lot of conferences here in Zambia, but the difference with this one was my desire to get “our” pastors teaching other pastors in their local compounds. So I asked five pastors, Patson, Martin, Alfred, Peter and Joseph, who live in the same general area to help me teach the pastors in their compound how to preach. The plan was for me to spend the first hour teaching the structures and skills of preaching and then for the next two hours to have our pastors preach. This not only gave them the opportunity to encourage these pastors and leaders with timely words and experienced truth, but also it enabled them to show how to preach what I just taught. Week after week, my pastors preached their hearts out and they connected with the church leaders in a way that touched the heart and the head. The experiment was an overwhelming success, even more than I could have imagined. Pastors were encouraged and moved to tears by the powerful, culturally relevant teaching from their friends. They were able to see how a simple, helpful sermon structure that is culturally crafted for Zambian pastors actually works. They were given hope that preaching can be a joy again and maybe even fun.

Over the course of the month, I grew increasingly delighted as my pastors were the ones reviewing the sermon structure each week to the leaders, explaining principles, answering questions, sharing about Bible Reading Plan and how important daily bible reading is, and even passing out the certificates of achievment during the graduation ceremony! It was as if I wasn’t even there, and it made my month. During the last hour on the last class, one of our pastors shared about a class that he would be starting for any pastor who wanted to learn how to study and interpret the Bible.

So, I am encouraged. Encouraged to see Zambian pastors who understand the plights and difficulties and sufferings of life in Zambia encouraging their fellow Zambian pastors in a way only they can do. Encouraged that our huge investment in a small number of pastors is beginning to pay off. Encouraged that they are getting it that the training they are receiving is just a means to an end to train others. Encouraged they they understand deeply the responsibility that they have before God to train up the next generation and equip their own generation. Indeed, it is just the beginning, but I am encouraged. Now, may I encourage you to keep praying for us so that we may equip and train these pastors in a way that prepares them to help train the next generation of pastors in Zambia.

Contributed by: Steve Allen (ACTION Zambia Pastoral Training Instructor)

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.

Derek and Kristin both grew up in the Midwest~Derek in Neenah, WI, and Kristin in Mt. Pleasant, MI. During what was supposed to be their college years, they instead chose to be nonconformists and spend one and a half years with ACTION in Lusaka, Zambia, which is where they met. Both of them spent time working primarily with street kids and the HIV crisis. It was in Zambia that God gave Derek the desire to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies and Kristin the desire to become a Registered Nurse.

After returning to the Midwest and getting married, they soon realized that their hearts were back in Africa. They pursued various opportunities to work with HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa, but none excited them like the unexpected request from Tim Hilty, AZM’s field director, to return to Zambia and lead the C.R.O.S.S. Project. Because Derek and Kristin were pursuing career missions, they wanted overwhelming confirmation that this was the right fit, which God graciously and repeatedly displayed through hours of conversation with the Hiltys and through a visit to Zambia in August 2009.

Currently, Derek is looking forward to graduating from Moody Bible Institute in May 2010, and Kristin happily finished nursing school, passing her Boards Exam in May/June of this year. They are soaking up biblical teaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, MN, and are focusing on raising support to be in Zambia by the summer or fall of 2010.

They are delighted that God’s good providence would send them back to Zambia and are excited to join such a stellar team.

Kelly and Tricia Huckaby

Kelly and Tricia met in    Bellingham, Washington, in 1995. After Tricia graduated with a BA in English in 1999 from Western Washington University, they were married and moved to Portland, Oregon where Kelly planned to pursue a degree in culinary arts. Their first year of marriage, out on their own in a new city, was extremely challenging and it was those challenges coupled with persistent anxiety issues that drove Tricia to call out to the Lord and submit her life to Him. Kelly and Tricia decided to move back to Bellingham to attend Cornwall Church so Kelly could complete his BA in U.S. history, social studies and political science. After seeing first-hand how God was transforming his wife, Kelly also gave his life to the Lord in 2002.

The Huckabys served at their church as well as volunteered in the community at an adult family home for people living with HIV/AIDS. At that time God gave Kelly and Tricia a heart for Africa, the people who were living and dying with HIV/AIDS, and the children being orphaned because of the disease.

God eventually led Kelly and Tricia into high school ministry. While Kelly pursued his Master’s in teaching and Tricia coordinated a sexual abstinence program for teens, they served as high school leaders at their church. Kelly and Tricia continue to enjoy mentoring high school and college-age students. To this day they cannot resist pizza and board games.

Early in 2007 Kelly and Tricia spent four months in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where Kelly completed his student teaching requirements. This was an exciting and valuable cross-cultural experience and Kelly and Tricia both felt that God was possibly preparing them for life outside of the U.S. Upon completion of student teaching, Kelly and Tricia returned to Bellingham where Tricia gave birth to their son, Lucas, in August of 2007. After the joy of adding Lucas to the family, Kelly and Tricia began discussing and researching adoption. Through that process God reoriented their hearts and minds towards serving as missionaries in another country.

After many months of studying and praying, Kelly and Tricia sat excitedly in their seats at Oikos Fellowship in Bellingham where an Action Zambia missionary was preaching. It was as if the speaker’s words were a message for the Huckabys! Kelly and Tricia could not contain their joy after the service as they shared their hearts’ desire. At that time they learned of an opportunity Ciyanjano, Action Zambia’s Ministry Centre. (For more information, check out “Ministry Areas” on AZM’s website.)

Just weeks later Kelly and Tricia were in Zambia to meet the team and there was no doubt that God was calling them to serve in Lusaka. In early May the Huckabys completed their orientation with Action International and began their deputation.

Kelly and Tricia are living in Bellingham, Washington where they are raising the necessary funds to head to Zambia.  If you would like to contact the Huckabys click here.

Because the theme of the retreat was God’s grace, all Scripture, songs, and messages fell under that umbrella. In order to cope with stress as missionaries, grace is needed. Especially interesting was a stress chart which gives point values to certain life situations. If a person’s stress level is above 300 points, there is usually a breakdown in one’s health. Several missionaries measured their lives during the sessions and came up with scores of 449 to over 500. Missionaries definitely need God’s grace!

AZM’s team is very thankful for the Armes’ traveling from South Africa to share their lives and wisdom. May the Lord bless them as they minister to others.