Final Days

Keeping up with the events of each day has been very difficult. Our last day of ministry before we headed to Livingstone for three nights and two days at Victoria Falls (one of the world's 7 natural wonders) was truly eventful. The Medical & Outreach teams were able to conclude their day in Makenzie a little early after treating and meeting with all the people who came out to the clinic. I had been with the teams at the clinic during the afternoon after spending the morning running errands. The day was typical of our ministry: many lives were truly saved as people received treatment for malaria and other illnesses. There are more deaths in Africa from Malaria than AIDS. Many of those who came to the clinic also entrusted their lives to Jesus Christ for eternal life also and at about noon approximately 10 people were baptized.

That evening we had a celebration banquet with our Zambian brothers and sisters who worked with us to have an effective ministry. The celebration was heightened by some unpredictable circumstances. Kathy called me about 6:30 to let me know that the orphanage team had yet to leave for the hotel (the banquet was to begin at 7:00). After talking with Kathy, I took a quick shower. As I stepped out of the shower, my phone was ringing. Dripping water across my hotel-room floor, I answered to hear Kathy's tearful voice telling me someone had thrown a rock at their vehicle and that it had struck Lee Davis in the shoulder before bloodying Trina Davis' eye.

What a blessing to have a medical team ready to respond to such situations. Dr. Dan Urbine, Dr. Casey Rice and Greg Brown, P.A. were immediately ready to assess the situation. Fortunately, Trina suffered only a small cut and some bruising while Lee was left with a sore shoulder. The event was a great reminder that while Ndola is very safe (this was the first incident of this type in Oak Pointe's ten years of ministry in Zambia), we must be wary and cautious just as we would in a large city in the U.S. But we must also be wary and cautious spiritually. We must continue to trust God to protect us as we minister in Zambia this summer (our youth team goes in July) and in future years.

It could not have been more timely than to have reflected on 1 Peter 3:8-17 during our team devotional time that morning: " Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

We could not control the behavior of one (or more) rock thrower(s) nor could we know their motivation. We don't know if we were targeted because of our ministry or if the act was completely random. Either way, we can control our response and our hope is that those who attacked our team members would realize their sin, repent and experience Christ's love. God bless you all for your prayers throughout this mission. I have no doubt that God has protected us from start to finish and your prayers have played no small part in this. I will write more concluding thoughts soon.