One of the unexpected highlights for this GoTeam has been the loving and expert care of our WV-assigned trip facilitator, Al Hamanjanji. Al is simply delightful -- intelligent, insightful, funny, responsive and unwaveringly kind. Although he is relatively new to World Vision, he already represents the kind of excellence we have come to know in the organization. We love you, Al!

Day 6: Siazwela School, AIDS, Sponsor Visits

We sat at new desks provided by the support of the LGPC youth group. Although the youth group's building is not completed yet, it is well on its way to becoming like the new building in the picture (funded by a different NGO), only it will be 50 percent larger. Until then, some students are still meeting in classrooms like the other photo.

The teachers and students extend their thanks and their love to LGPC youth, and one parent asked me, "Where is Cherith?" (That’s Cherith MacRitchie, who was with us last year as a youth group rep.)

In the afternoon we visited 3 women with AIDS, at their separate homes. All are receiving anti-retroviral drugs. One, Julia, will not live long, leaving both children and grandchildren as orphans. Stella, on the other hand, looked quite energetic and had a very hopeful outlook. A third woman, Elita, is between the two; she is the third sibling in one family to be weakened by the disease, and her elderly mother appeared quite beaten down. All of these women are visited, assisted and encouraged regularly by World Vision trained home-based caregivers. "Without my caregiver's help," said one, "I would be dead."

We also conducted several more sponsored kids, including Emily Hawkins' Hyde (or Hide, depending on who you ask), seen in the photo. We also visited kids sponsored by the MacMillans, Carol Fay, and Lori Woods.

"For He delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper." - Psalm 72:12

Day 7: Thank God for Partnership

Partnership displayed its value over and over again today.

The day began with time in Siabbeula, first with local pastors for a time of mutual encouragement, and then with the entire community, including headmen of the 5 partnering villages in this food security project. The pastors of half a dozen churches professed their unity and teamwork. We left them Tonga Bibles to distribute. “We are not groveling n the dirt,’ said project chairman Mackswin, “We are looking up, with high hopes and dreams for our children and grandchildren.” This is a terrific partnership between the Zambian villages, World Vision and LGPC.

We also visited the Makonkoto School to see evidence of past partnership. What a transformation has taken place over the last 5 years! Almost all the old buildings have been refurbished and new ones have been added, including “VIPs,” Ventilated Pit Latrines.

Finally, we met with village leaders and pastors from our previous community partners in Siabaswi Village. The 3 headmen proclaimed the health of the now 3 villages Siabaswi has become, although they are worried about running out of food due to recent floods that severely diminished their crops. The pastors are working together to unite their people in reaching out to the needy. “Once we were rivals but thanks to your encouragement, now we are one.” All in all, our former partners are doing well!

So we saw at least 3 times today what a difference healthy, long-term partnerships can make, and we thank God for the progress.

We also visited the sponsored children of Gay Hugus, Kai Knudsen, Barb Mount, Ralph Marconi and Don and Marilyn Kuby, among others. It was a long, tiring day … and very meaningful!

Meeting the World Vision Staff and Visiting Siabbeula Village

"When we arrived, a few minutes late, the World Vision staff had already begun their morning devotional. They were singing hymns and I couldn't help but think what a wonderful way to start each day. We joined them for more hymns and prayer before introducing ourselves." Emily Hawkins

"When we arrived at Siabbeula, we were greeted by a group of women, many of whom were wearing Lake Grove shirts given to them by precious Go Teams, singing and waving palms for us. They walked beside our bus until we were met by children waiting for us, also singing. The children handed us flowers through the bus windows and the singing continued as we made our way into town. Everywhere we went, there was singing!" Scott Fortmann

"The village was decorated with bright red flowers - also some yellow - with an entry arch of blossoms, a blossom-lined road, and even the tree trunk at the meeting place was wrapped in blossom color. It was very festive and it looked like a lot of work had gone into it. We felt welcomed and honored." Pastor Graig

"We spent much of our time here inspecting the food security projects, the heart of our partnership. We met Maina, a widow with two children, who joined the co-op program over a year ago and, with the help of a program-provided treadle pump, has tripled the size of the garden she maintains on her own, to over 1/3 the size of a football field! Her crops, mostly tomatoes, are top-notch ... with her profits, she has been able to build a house and she envisions better lives for her children. Collectively, Maina an the other 180 program members are transforming the 5 partner villages of the Siabbeula Food Security Project." Scott Fortmann

God continues to keep all of the team members healthy and to show us whe He is doing here in Zambia.

Team Arrives in Sinazongwe

Day 3: Breakdown and breakthrough
Saturday we headed south toward Sinazongwe, with a stop along the way to see the new World Vision water drill rig in action. Unfortunately, we hit a bump and tore off our trailer hitch ... but God is good! We were in a town with a good welder. We waited in a pizza shop for the welding to be completed. But our next stop was a THRILL: we watched as water was struck by the new drilling team in Magoye ADP. Super! But by the time we started driving, it was too late to make it to Sinazongwe. So we overnighted at "The Golden Pillow" in Monze. Early start tomorrow to make it to worship in Sinazongwe. All is well here.

Day 4: Arrived in Sinazongwe and at Lakeview Lodge. Eating scrambled eggs before church. Jane, the chicken, has 3 kids who are also laying! We will worship at Betty and Charity's church, then work on sponsorship bags like a well-oiled machine. Keith and Leanne (the managers of the lodge) look good. More improvements have been made. Glad to hear our video was shown in church on Sunday.

Zambian Presbyterians and Shopping Presbyterians

In the morning we focused on relationships with fellow Presbyterians, while the afternoon was focused on sponsorship.

We started the day at the Justo Mwale Theological University, where we met the new PC(USA) liaison in the region, Nancy Collins. Nancy resides in Lusaka but also covers Rwanda, Kenya and Malawi, facilitating relationships that strengthen the church. She had arranged for us to meet with senior leadership from the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Synod of Zambia, which traces its roots back to the 1870s, when it was founded in memory of the famous missionary/explorer, David Livingston.

What a thrill it was to hear of this church's recent growth and to hear about their strategies for coping with it. The discussion ranged from training pastors to helping ex-convicts re-integrate into society. The CCAP is more closely linked with the rural poor, so their strategies for training pastors always include practical "sustainability" work, teaching pastors a trade or was of generating income to sustain themselves in ministry. On a 5 acre plot of land we saw the beginnings of a brand new synod office and a training center for people recently released from prison. We also met the Reverend Erin Raska, who recently came to Zambia with her husband Brent. Princeton grads, they have connections with Bob Sanders' daughter Becca. Sometimes the world seems small!

(Note the photo of the Reverend Dr. Victor Chilenje and the Reverend Maleka Rabson Kabandama sharing their dreams and plans for new construction on synod property.)

After a delicious lunch with our new CCAP friends, we headed to the Arcades shopping center to purchase staple foods and gifts for the 25 sponsored children we will be visiting in a few days. The total bill came to about SIX MILLION Zambian kwacha - or about $1200. (Note photo of Bettirae selecting cooking oil.) While most of us were doing this, LuAnn & Alan of World Vision accompanied Scott Fortmann to visit his sponsored child, about one hour outside Lusaka. They also touched base with people from a couple villages with ties to our church, as well as the Chitentabunga School. The visit was a highlight for Scott, who is still frustrated by the failure of South African Airways to locate and deliver his luggage!

Evening came and we were pleased to share our meal with Mrs. Foster Lubasi, who visited LGPC in 2007, and water specialist Chim Maseka and his wife Anne. Chim surprised and delighted the group with a gift of "World Vision Zambia" shirts. Tomorrow Chim hopes to arrange for us to see the new WVZ drill rig in action, hard at work bringing clean water to the rural poor.

We tumble into bed exhausted but happy after a successful day of ministry connections and preparation for our sponsorship time in Sinazongwe, where we

head tomorrow. As we said aloud with our Zambia Presbyterian brothers and sisters today: "God is good, all the time... All the time, God is good."

Greetings for Sunday Worship, one mission team to another

The GoTeam pepared a video message for the congregation and the Youth Mission Team, with the help of World Vision water specialist Chim Maseka, who visited Lake Grove last April. (If not attached, will find another way to post!)

Day 1: World Vision Zambia and more...

The morning meeting time was earlier than any of us would have preferred, but all the jet-lagged GoTeamers were in good moods. On our agenda today: World Vision National office, money exchange, buying Bibles, and a city tour.

We were greeted at the World Vision office by people who know Lake Grove: Wampembe Lukonde, Fordson Kafweku, and Chim Maseka. Soon the new national director joined us, Mike Veizenhans (pictured putting on a Lake Grove cap), from the state of Washington. Overviews were shared and mutual encouragement occurred, and we were later also able to visit the partnership department, through which all our letters to sponsored children are processed.

Money exchanged and lunch consumed, we went to "Bible House" where the International Bible Society is housed, to purchase over 200 Bibles for distribution in Sinazongwe.
As we drove through Lusaka, our WV facilitator (and Tongan) Alfonsius pointed out places of interest. He and our driver Francis are taking good good care of us. Our final visit today was to a home for orphans and widows called Chikumbuso or "remembrance." The women of this cooperative community support themselves and over 300 children by making items from single-use plastic bags and items that they sew. Remarkable women. (See photograph of a handbag handle being made.)On the way back to our hotel we stopped to pay our respects at the tomb of Levy Mwanawasa, president of Zambia until he died a couple years ago. He is looked at with growing fondness as dissatisfaction in current government mounts. A filling dinner helped prepare us for bed and hopefully a full and restorative night's sle

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS.

One of the quotes of the day:

(During meeting with World Vision Zambia leaders)
"Even though this is my first trip to Zambia, through the stories I've heard and the depth of relationship I can feel, this seems like coming home." - Alan Shiffer

Zambia Team Arrives Safely in Lusaka

The Zambia Team arrived safely in Lusaka. The luggage of two team members did not arrive, so pray that the luggage will turn up soon. Zambia is approximately nine hours ahead of Portland time, so our team is now appreciating some much needed sleep after over 30 hours of travel.

Zambia Team Still in Transit

The Zambia Team was delayed in Johannesburg but all were transfered onto another flight and should arrive in Lusaka soon.

Zambia GoTeam On Their Way

The Team left bright and early this morning from PDX and will travel through Atlanta, Johannesburg, arriving in Lusaka on July 21. Everyone was excited and ready to begin their "Journey of Hope." Please keep them in your prayers for travel mercies as they endure the rigors of travel and for good health along the way. Pray also for the World Vision Staff in Lusaka and Sinazongwe, that they will be ready to receive our Team and for all to be effective witnesses for Christ.

Final Preparations, Pre-Trip Gathering, Commissioning

The GoTeam gathered Saturday in Newberg at the beautiful home of SendTeam Leader, Melinda Gordon. The purpose of the gathering was to allow team members and family members a time to relax together over a meal, answer any final questions, and help put everyone at ease before the big trip. We also divided up many gifts for our Zambian partners; each GoTeam member takes one personal suitcase and one for the Zambians. Summer weather was perfect and the meal and meeting were held outside on Melinda's patio. Assisting Melinda were Joan and Marty Klinkhammer (Joan traveled to Zambia last year) and Sheri Brown, the church staff member who supports the Zambia Partnership so well. After a delicious meal of barbecued pork and salads, team members talked through nuts & bolts for the flight from PDX to Atlanta and from there 16 hours nonstop to Johannesburg, followed by the final leg to Lusaka, Zambia. The itinerary for the two weeks was covered an reminders of our tasks as ambassadors and encouragers were shared. The GoTeam devotional booklet, designed and produced by Sheri Brown and Pastor Griag, was reviewed. It has become an indispensable tool for many GoTeamers, with daily devotions, journaling space and useful information from World Vision as well as everyday phrases in Tonga, the language of Sinazongwe, and songs for worship and sharing with Zambians. As the gathering drew to a close with prayer, it seemed like team members and loved ones alike are ready for the trip. Travelers took the items already divided up for them by the SendTeam and headed home, only to meet again Sunday morning in worship, when they were commissioned at all three services. Laura Flach described the focus of the trip for the congregation, and then Pastor Graig asked team members and congregation to renew their commitment to the Partnership in Zambia. LuAnn Yocky draped handmade crosses, crafted from the wood of one of the old sanctuary pews by Tom Moore, over the heads of the team members, and the congregation prayed for the team.

Duly prepared and commissioned, most team members just have a bit of packing to complete before meeting Tuesday morning at 4:30 AM at the Portland airport, for a 6:10 AM departure and about 30 hours total time enroute. If you are reading this, thanks for your interest, and thanks even more for your prayers! We will try to post at least every other day, and daily when we can. Your comments will be noted with joy!