Hello Friends and Family! February 12th, 2015
Many of you know this and some of you don’t, but life has been sweet for Rachel and I since we arrived in Cincinnati two years ago. As a Pastor at Christ Fellowship Church, God has blessed us with purpose, vision, mission, and focus; just to name a few of the words that help describe it.
Amongst raising Reuben, Nolan, and Kaylor and pastoring a wonderful church, Rachel and I have also become involved in helping the church in Lusaka, Zambia.
This past summer, Rachel and I went on a summer mission trip to see the state of and needs of several congregations in this area. We were invited by a native Zambian man named Kalengule Kaoma who was educated here in America. Kalengula and his wife Nsama live and work out of Zambia and are aware of the churches there, but are not fully immersed in their local congregations due to their massive responsibilities that span much of the continent of Africa.
Kalengule invited us for one primary reason; come discern how God might have the church in America be involved in the work in Zambia. What we found was four congregations, two meet in churches with full-time pastors, one meets in a tent with a part time pastor.
The state of these churches looks bleak to the naked eye. The congregations of the three that were active have an attendance between 40 and 70 people, but the character of the people in these churches was exceptional.
Much of Africa is very corrupt, Zambia is no different. There are churches all over Lusaka, but the teaching is very manipulative. Due to poverty (and whatever else), many of the churches promote forms of “deliverance” if people will come and pay the price. The big “if” is disturbing in and of itself, but what they espouse is even worse. In a nutshell they say; “give us money and ‘God’ will give you healing from disease, financial prosperity and good relationships.” To the naked eye these churches look very impressive! The problem is they are doing anything but the “will of God,” that is if you believe the will of God is to love people and serve them. The promises that are offered by the churches are the promises of men and not of God, so this only leaves people disillusioned and even more fearful than if the corrupt church was not even there.
The churches we visited are holding their ground against fierce political, economical, and spiritual opposition. The pastors, elders, and many of the members of these churches are holding to the belief in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as a God of unconditional love who lives with and among the suffering of this world. This is the good news that we found in Africa! There are stalwart, independent minded people, willing to give their lives for the Truth of the Gospel apart from any search for monetary gain! Their ministry and lives are built on their relationship with the Word of God, written in Scripture and alive among them.
Rachel and I discovered that we cannot do anything to add to the ministry that the Holy Spirit is already doing in Zambia. But we do confident that we are called this summer, July 13th- 26th to participate in a ministry in Africa. And we want to ask, Will you participate with us?
The calling before us was somewhat difficult to discern, but now that we have clarity, it is very easy for us to explain to you. The “Central Church” that meets in Lusaka,Zambia, and works in collaboration with the other three congregations, needs a church building as they currently meet in a tent. Not only do they need a building, they need a boost in moral. A little over a year ago, their pastor fell prey to immorality and left the congregation. They have a part-time pastor filling in for now. The government can take away their meeting privileges at any point as they do not recognize congregations that meet without a buildings as churches. If that were not enough, another church has built a building right next to where they meet, competing with how loud and entertaining they can be, luring in nearly all potential guests.
The elders in Zambia made it clear to me that they see the churches in Zambia going on strong, if the Central congregation is able to go on strong. A building in Zambia represents “strong.” It also means outreaches and activities throughout the week that would otherwise be very difficult. In light of this, I asked the Zambian elder’s: “Would you rather us send money or have some Christian men and women come over from America and help you in construction.” The group of approximately 15 people burst into laughter. I wondered if I had broccoli in my teeth or if I said something very stupid! After a couple of minutes, I found out. The laughter was laughter of joy. They were overjoyed at even the idea of more of us coming over and working alongside them. They didn’t even seem to hear that I had mentioned the other option of potentially sending money for the project!
Since last summer, I have been working diligently to increase awareness of the need in Zambia and I have been praying for a team of people to go along with Rachel and I this summer. At this point, it looks as if 5 to 10 people may accompany us to Africa depending on the support they and us are able to raise.
These four churches in Zambia are truly a light in the dark…
We ask that you prayerfully consider sharing with us on the spiritual burden of this trip. Your thoughts, prayers, and even financial gifts are requested as God would lead you to participate. The task is only possible if many of you will help launch us few in this mission of God.
Servants and companions on the journey,
Dustin and Rachel Lampe