Blog Archive› Staff Blog
The Why
Why do we pray? Why do read the Bible? Why do we go to church? Why do we sing worship before the service instead of after? Why do our worship songs start fast, and then gradually turn slow? Why don't we know the answer to some of Christianity's most basic questions? When my unsaved friends would come to church, many times they would not be so concerned about what our denominational beliefs are, and how they differ from the Methodist church down the road. Many times, they'd simply ask...read more
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Providing Clean Water
In the fall of 2011 Overland Missions launched our Water Division. Through this division we endeavor to provide neglected communities in rural Zambia with access to clean water. A Fresh Approach Overland Missions' approach to providing water is unique in that we have an established a long-term sustainability component in the region. Through our Sector Management strategy, we have Overland Missions staff in place developing relationships with the local Chiefs and elders. After ministering among the locals, we can bring our water division to compliment our existing work to provide...read more
Posted in: Staff Blog Videos
Getting Ready
As I sit here writing this, I am realizing that my weeks, days, hours, and minutes are becoming very limited before it will be time to leave! I know this last little portion of waiting will vanish all too quickly. I don't want to waste this time. Still there is much to be done before heading out. Some of these things include- finding a replacement nanny for the twinnies I care for during the week; getting the ball really rolling on the young adults ministry I am aiding in starting...read more
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A look back…
Advanced Missions Training - Journal entry 5/13/2010 It is Wednesday and breakfast this morning was oatmeal and fruit. Lunch was prepared for us to take with us. It was planned that we would take the rest of the morning and 1/2 of the afternoon to visit the surrounding families and villages. My team was Paul, Nick, Josh, and Charles, our guide. We visited: - Fanwell family and encouraged them - Chenda village - headman and son both involved in polygamy. We had an extensive conversation and prayed for salvation with...read more
Posted in: Staff Blog Advanced Mission Training Personal
Messengers
Last night, one of my colleagues attended a goodbye dinner party for a couple who has been working in southern Africa for quite some time. For about 60 years, this Canadian husband and wife have been ministers of the Gospel in several countries including Angola, Tanzania, Kenya, and most recently Zambia, and they have finally decided to retire and leave Africa. I first set foot on African soil in 2008. If my information is correct, these Canadians probably arrived sometime in the 1950s. David Livingstone saw Victoria Falls for the...read more
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Maibwe Village
Today we ministered in Maibwe village. It was an amazing time of loving on the people. Whinnie, my interpreter, and I teamed up while Kenneth, our tour guide led the way. Here’s one story that I hope touches your heart as it did mine: Chikuni, a mom of ten children, with only three still alive has lived alone for the past five years. She has lived in Maibwe for many years and could not remember how old she wasJ I would guess she was in her 80’s. I spent some...read more
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A New Sector
Last September my husband, daughter, and I ventured down the rough dirt roads in southern Zambia to begin our assignment in the remote villages of the Sekute Chiefdom. We traveled to many villages, meeting leaders and pastors, preaching the Word, and praying for the sick wherever we went. We found churches, but many different denominations. And as you would expect, these churches were at odds with each other, so much so that they would not even attend a non-religious meeting at a church of another denomination. Very few people owned...read more
Posted in: Staff Blog Sector Blog Stories From the Field
The Money Point
There’s a fundamental stumbling block in the lives of most Christians when it comes to wholeheartedly serving the Lord. It manifests itself under a number of guises, but a little digging usually exposes the same root. Means, funds, capital, finances, lucre, currency, dough, support, bucks, moola, dinero, wealth, riches, fortune, assets, resource, pay, funding. Call it what you like, money finds it’s way to the top of the decision making list more often than we may be willing to admit. A missions search engine we use at Overland Missions recently...read more
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Overland Missions Cambodia
In February, Jason, JD, and I toured Cambodia and Indonesia on a fact-finding mission for Overland Missions. We soon hope to have a couple on the ground long term in either of those nations. For my first trip in that part of the world I was astounded by the cultural and religious diversity! Cambodia is 90% Buddhist, Bali (Indonesia) is 90% Hindu, Makassar (Indo) is 90% Muslim, and Manado (Indo) is 90% Christian (officially Indonesia is 90% Muslim, Bali and Manado are enclaves of Hinduism and Christianity). Throughout Cambodia and...read more
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Malaria? Pregnancy? Early Labour?
Picture for a moment ladies: you're pregnant and driving through southern-central Africa. What happens to your mind when you see a poster like this one (posted left)? ... Does fear grip you? Do thoughts start racing through your mind, "What happens if I get malaria while I'm pregnant?" or "What happens if my child gets malaria after she's born?" Fear tried to consume me in my first pregnancy with Elly. Everyday I would wake up and say, "Lord I trust that I will not get malaria during this pregnancy." I...read more
Posted in: Staff Blog Personal News
