Newsletter November 2014

I promised to have a different format this month, and I want to keep my promise. I asked for input into the name our place/project. There was almost complete consensus by all who replied. And we feel at peace with the name too. So, we are planning to name this place Nongo Farms. But….

 

We serve a faithful God! We sent the request that people should tell us what they think, thinking it was our own ideas. But God came to confirm that it was much more. While on the ladies retreat I wrote about last month, a lady told me that she believes God will give us the ‘strategy for ministry’- she told me three times. I forgot. Then when I came home, I send out the e-mail, and the responses started to roll in. At the exact same time, separately, it clicked for Carl and me. Nongo Farms, is our strategy. We received a copy of what the lady said, and Carl heard it for the first time. The next morning, what she said, and what we received from the Holy Spirit, was confirmed by two men visiting our church. They prayed for me and Carl separately, since I was in the Sunday school. Their words were completely in line with what has been said, and what started to grow in our Spirits.

 

The picture is not completely clear, but slowly a picture is starting to emerge, of little farms all over Zambia. Farms that are focused on providing- like widow’s claypots, not running dry until there is no need. It sounds beautiful, at least it does to me. But it is hard to imagine, as we are standing in a spot now, where things are small, and failure seems to follow close behind us. We just have so much to learn, so much to grow, so much, so big…. I guess that is where faith comes in. Not in ourselves, that would be VERY pointless, but in a Faithful God.

On the farming side, it seems to be a constant fight- against diseases, against mice, against even the cute guinea fowls. Things just don’t always turn out as you expect. So, we keep fighting. We hope to get our first layers before the end of the week. I might wait to get you a photo of them. We have big plans for all our eggs;)

Anyway, I was suppose to answer questions.

 

How do people react to us: are they open and friendly?

That’s a really easy question. They are some of the friendliest people you will ever meet. I could literally stop anyone on the street and they would smile and start a conversation.

 

Are they open to the gospel? Carl firmly feels that evangelism has been thoroughly done in Zambia. Most people have heard the gospel, and you can find churches almost everywhere. Mostly Seventh day Adventists (I mention this first, since in our area it is most prevalent), Catholic churches, Baptists, Anglicans and most Pentecostal churches. How clear the gospel message is? Uhm, more difficult to say. I think the fact that you need to believe in Jesus, and that He has died for our sins, that part has been conveyed, what is lacking, is how do I live this out in my everyday life- discipleship.

 

Because people are so open, it is very easy to do. People also like to talk. Carl, especially, spends long hours discussing whatever people come to ask. Because we are in a SDA area, we often have to answer to not celebrating the Saturday as Sabbath. But truth be told, it gives us a lovely launching plate for discussions about having a relationship with God instead of just following rules.

 

 

A maize shelter

Do you preach?

No (not yet). As I’ve mentioned we live in a SDA area. So, people are trying to convert us! We are careful not to step on toes, and yet speak up for what we find in the Bible. Mostly, currently we are working on a more personal basis- getting people to trust us. The other big stumbling block is the language. Many people just do not speak English. This is not really a problem in churches, because you can use a translator, but makes things like children’s clubs (which we would love to do) much harder. Almost none of the small children speak a word of English. So, we wait. Sow seeds- showing the Jesus film, becoming part of the community, praying for people, and focusing more on personal discipleship. The organization we work for also strongly believe more in indigenous missions. Equiping the saints to reach out to their own people. It allows people to choose Christ for the right reasons.

 

What does the culture look like?

There is a lot of diversity, but in general people are always welcoming. Modest in some ways, but very immoral in other ways. Your body needs to be covered, yet you can have as many girlfriends as you would like. Polygamy is fairly common.We have learned to count the amounts of huts in a clearing. Weddings come when you have the money Funerals take precedent over all else. People come from far and wide, and stay for four days, expecting the bereaved family to feed them, and very often have no idea what the person died of. Children are treasured until they can start working, and then they learn to work!  People in general work very hard- there is no way I can keep up with them. All those stories about lazy Africans, were not written here, that I can promise you. But they are indeed always late, and never worried. We love it! I’m not sure how to filter what the children take on.

 

 

Witchcraft and animism?

Lots, mixed right in with Christianity. And it is very real. There is an explanation for everything that happens. And it is very seldom scientifically sound. We just had a lady die because demons (in the form of small children) locked her mouth.

 

Future plans for traveling?

To be honest, we don’t know. Anyone that knows us for a while, know that financially we trust God in the big and the small things. We do not safe up for it. The budget does not quite allow that. Ilne and the children are trying our best to get to South Africa in December. But will probably just make it to Pretoria. Carl is too busy then, and is looking forward to getting things done without us bothering himJ The Netherlands and America is another story, since our car will probably not like to take us over the Mediterranean/Pacific, but who knows…

 

OK, that was a lot of reading. I’m trying to think if there was more urgent news:

Our president passed away today, which is always a good time to pray. He’s been sick for a while, so it is not unexpected. So, we are waiting to see what happens. (the flag on the picture in half-mast, but you need a magnifying glass to see that).

 

Our children just had their 44^th cousin born. Congratulations to my sister and husband- we praise the Lord for one more South African/Turkish/American. How beautiful is new life!!!!!

 

Also, a big thank you to all those supporting us in so many different ways. There have been parcels, gifts from people’s weddings, people doing different fundraisers for us. It is hard to convey the feeling in our hearts. So, please take the thank you, and know it comes from deep in our hearts!! May God bless you for your faithfulness.  

 

If there are more questions, keep them coming- it makes for very easy writing ;)

 

Blessings to all

Elephants on the shores of the Zambezi