Well Thursday was a day of a couple of really beautiful appointments. It is fun when man's efforts and God's provision intersect and something fun and encouraging happens...sometimes expected, sometimes unexpected and sometimes even delayed.
We had 2 important things on our schedule for Thursday. First, the Zambia 5 with an assist from Dr. Youngs were able to get our entourage onto the calendar of the Minister of Agriculture for the entire country of Zambia. If that sounds like something impressive, it honestly is. Dr. Youngs had met the Minister in Iowa a year ago at the World Food Prize Expo in Des Moines; and the two greeted each other with smiles and hugs at the reunion. Dr. Youngs had actually been trying to get us on the schedule for a few months, without any results to show for his efforts. And so only a couple of weeks ago I asked Pastor N'Guni to go ahead and make the contact and get us on that calendar. Based on Pastor's response, you would've thought I'd asked him to grow maize on the moon. That is something that no Zambian would ever think possible. It would be like me setting up some visiting Zambians for a meeting with the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture in DC. It didn't seem possible, especially with only a few days before our team arrived.
But Pastor N'Guni and his team were successful, and so we were marched into the Minister's office yesterday. The Honorable Reuben R. Phiri Mtolo MP is clearly a good man who loves his people - that was obvious from our opening greetings and introductions. I did have the expectation we might get 5-10 minutes of the busy dignitary's time. But the dialogue flowed very naturally. Dr. Youngs technical expertise was clear to see by everyone in the room, as he is one of the top Animal Scientists in the world. He did Iowa State University very proud. It was noticeable by his note taking that Minister Mtolo was impressed...as I continue to be with my new friend.
And as I had the opportunity to introduce the Minister to the efforts of S2S over the past 5 years in Zambia, it seemed that really got his attention as well. He spoke of the difficult challenges that he faces in trying to execute national programming through diverse local and regional organizations and commitees. He seemed very interested in our Church based network that focuses on delivering assistance through pastors, deacons and local churches, as we at S2S believe Jesus and the Apostle Paul intended. You could see his mind searching for some possible exciting connection between the entities sharing his office that day. As an aside, it was a pleasure to be able to speak openly of God and the Bible in this government office. Without separation of church and state, if really did feel like something of a Christian nation inviting the assistance of God's ambassadors from another nation. I am going to ponder that line of thinking a bit more over the coming weeks and months.
We didn't depart that office for nearly 75 minutes, with each of us brainstorming possible ways that ZIAP and S2S could partner with the Minister's office to leverage the strengths of everyone in the room. Please pray for the Minister. There is much pressure on a man in charge of farm to table food production in a country where nearly 25% of the population is experiencing some level of food insecurity. Pray that we (that is a "we" that includes you, if you are reading this blog) can be led by the Holy Spirit to offer assistance to the Minister that allows all of us to share surplus with God's saints in the nation of Zambia. It is an exciting vision, please pray that God will also guide and direct our leadership as we seek to follow Him in serving all of these people.
I hate to say it, but our second appointment might have been even more important...at least to a couple of us on the S2S team. As we were following God's leading in that government office, Lisa Wheeler and Kim Ponds were following God's leading on a series of plane rides from the States to join us. As you can imagine, Frank and I were thrilled to welcome our wives into the country. Unfortunately, the airlines didn't cooperate, connections were missed, and a 2:00 p.m. arrival turned into a 2:00 a.m. arrival. But it was worth the wait! I am so happy to have Lisa with me now - the worst thing about this travel is being away from her. And Frank is excited for Kim to join him on this journey of discovery for their family.
The team departed for the Eastern Region early this morning, as Frank and I kept our wives behind to let them sleep a bit...and hopefully figure out where their lost luggage has been hiding. If all goes well, the four of us will get on a plane for a quick 1 hour flight to meet them in Mambwe Saturday around noon, and then we will continue our tour of community celebration, pastors' meetings, church gatherings and feasts. Mambwe saturday (where we just drilled a new borehole on Thursday, check out Matthew 10:42...thanks Colorado partners!) and Chipata Sunday. Please pray for the Zambia 5, as they have already been hosting us for 7 days, and now they have to leave the capital city and be away from their families for 3 nights. Their weary-meters are pretty high. Pray that God lifts them up like eagles...
Anyway, with all of that said, I'm so happy my wife is here...God is so good to me...here we go!
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