Faithful Servants!

Bob & Jody Hayton are among God's faithful servants. What a blessing to partner with them in the ministry of the Gospel in Zambia. Their steadfast faithfulness was evident as we went from village to village and church to church in the various areas surrounding Livingstone. The reception was always with joy. These precious tribal people were so appreciative of help both spiritually, physically brought by Bob Hayton and Joe Hadden.
We recieved the following word of thanks from them since returning to Lima: "You all were such a blessing to us here. Thank you for coming and helping in the work. Thank you for the generous gifts send BIO and given to us here. We are so blessed by your partnership with us in the Lord's work." Thanks agains for Praying! To God Be the Glory Great Things He Has Done!

Home & Rested Somewhat!

Praise the Lord! We made it back to Lima. We were in route for some 30 hours. What a trip God gave us. We are so thankful that you prayed for us. We left Zambia on Wednesday at 1:15 P.M. Zambian time. We arrived in Lima at approxamately 3:00pm Thursday. You add in the 6 hours of time difference and you have a lot of time in traveling. Suzanne and I were tired to say the least. We were thankful to be home, to see 4 our our grandchildren, and be treated to a evening meal by Pastor and Mrs. Moreland. We found our beds shortly after 9pm and died to the world until this morning. The verse that comes to my mind is found in Psalm 127:2 "He giveth his beloved sleep!" Looking forward to Sunday and fellowshiping with God's people. Glory to God, Great Things He Has Done!

Victoria Falls - God's Amazing Creation

Our last full day here was spent enjoying God's beautiful creation with a visit at Victoria Falls.

What a great God we have! We leave tomorrow with hearts full of Praise and Thanks Giving!

Wow! Amazing Grace Among the Lozi People

Monday, August 17, 2009 Wow! Amazing Grace among the Lozi Peoples in Western Province
We headed out of Livingstone toward the Western Province and the Lozi people. We had a full team for this last scheduled trip. Our anticipated 2 hour trip turned into a 5 hour trip with several stops along the way. The first was to pick up Pastor Mulengwani & Ken Mate to be our translators for the Lozi language. Just shortly out of town we came to a police checkpoint and there found two officers receptive to our mission of taking Bibles and the gospel to the Mangumwi village. He stated there are no Baptist churches out there. He requested two Bibles in the Lozi language and also took some John & Romans in English.
We traveled on to roadside gathering. We stopped and found much interest and so spent a good amount of time witnessing and passing out tracts. Two people accepted the gospel and prayed for salvation. Praise the Lord!
We continued on our journey, leaving the modern highway and turning off onto a and road that most of the time looked like a sand trail. Our first stop on this trail was at Chief Yeta Nyama’s village. Brother Hayton had been through this village several times without any good reception. Today we stopped and talked to the head man who invited us to share with the people of the village. After some brief introductions and every one sharing when they trusted Christ, Prudy Long gave a brief presentation of the Wordless Book. Pastor Mulengwani then invited those who understood and wanted to ask God’s forgiveness and Christ to come into their life to pray with Him. What a great blessing, 38 prayed to receive Jesus and we gave them Bibles and portions of Scripture. They were so excited to have Bibles! The Chief was not present today, he was in Lusoka working on a new Zambian Constitution. We left a Bible for him along with some food stuffs for the village.
Our next stop was a family dwelling where they had left an English Bible on an earlier trip. They came out to the Land Rover and asked for a Lozi Bible, so they could read it and understand it. Pastor Mulengwani took the opportunity to share Jesus Christ with them and 5 of the family asked the Lord to Save them.
We continued on our journey and stopped at another village where there was a White Flag flying. The flag indicates there is a witchdoctor in the village. Brother Hayton wanted to leave some gospel tracts. As God would have it, they were open to a brief meeting. They gathered under large tree and listened as the Wordless Book was presented. Then 26 of the adults and children prayed asking the Lord to save them. Included in those listening to the Gospel was the witchdoctor. Brother Hayton took the opportunity to speak specifically to the witchdoctor. He started by saying he knew that the witchdoctor was concerned about the people and wanted to help them, but that things don’t always work out. He said, Jesus never fails and He is available to give Help for He has all power. LIGHT came into the DARKNESS TODAY. See the Joy as they Hold Up their Bibles!
We finally made it to our destination. There we were met a small gathering of believers and worshipped with them. We preached and gave assurance to those who were gathered. We left them with Bibles, literature and several bags of meal and beans to help them.
We began our trip back at 5pm and found ourselves back in Livingstone by 8pm. What a long and glorious day God gave us! We Praise Him for the opportunity to have a part in this fruitful field.
Tomorrow we will rest and prepare to leave on Wednesday. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYER!

God is Doing Great Things!

Today we ministered in a village that was a three hour drive from Livingstone. God blessed with several trusting Christ. Pastor Johashaphat has been able to start six churches in area villages. They came together to praise the Lord and worship together today.














Kim shared her testimony and met another nurse in the gathering. She helped with the soul-winning work at the invitation. Praise the Lord for His continued Grace. Your Prayers are being answered! Please pray for us as we have one more scheduled meeting on Monday.

God’s Appointment at Jackwanamapa!

Our team, minus Suzanne and Glenda, left this morning at 10:15 AM for Malumoni village for another meetings with a couple churches. This village is located one hour and a half from Livingstone. We were only about a half hour from the Livingstone going through Jackwanamapa when we came upon a funeral that was about to begin. The villagers and family were gathering to sit with the body and the widow. Brother Hayton stopped the Landrover and indicated that we would see if we could bring some comfort and share the gospel. Pastor Lawrence who was with us to interpret for the day went to see if it would be allowed for us to speak to the group. We received permission. After some preparation, and gathering the men together, we found that a father with 6 children had died. The children were called to come and listen. We Brother Hayton opened the Word and shared concern for them. He then asked Prudy to share the Wordless book gospel presentation. She shared with great compassion. Then Pastor Lawrence gave an invitation to come and receive Christ. THIS WAS GOD’S APPOINTMENT FOR THE DAY! It was not in our plan; it was not the normal way that Brother Hayton travels to Malumoni, his custom was to go another way most of the time. Today God had a plan for these precious children. All six of them trusted Christ as their Savior. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

We went on to Malumoni Village where many had gathered waiting for us. Today we enjoyed their singing and then Miss Kim was asked to share a story she had prepared. The story was about a missionary in Haiti and a little girl whose father was a witchdoctor. Following her story Mrs. Long shared the gospel with the Wordless Book. The children were given the opportunity to trust Christ. Praise the Lord for a great host of children which came to Christ for salvation today. After a song and the dismissing of the children to another location, I was asked to preach. I brought a message from Proverbs 1:22 on Three Steps from God. God blessed with many receiving Christ and several being delivered from demonic oppression. This was the most intense spiritual warfare so far this trip. Please CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR US! Tomorrow Sunday we will be going to Njobalomi for another meeting.

The Light Has Overcome the Darkness!

Friday, August 14, 2009
This morning our team left for Siandavu Village for special meetings with a couple churches. We left Livingstone after picking up Seangoma a pastor who would interpret for us at this meeting. The village is located to the south out in the bush. We traveled by paved road, then to dirt road then to foot path and over the river and out in the middle of the wilderness is this village and the Siandavu Baptist Church. The church was gathering and excited to see us come.

Pastor Seangoma set the schedule which included two different church choirs who brought special music for us. Then Dr. Long shared his testimony of salvation. Another choir brought a selection of songs. Then Suzanne was asked to teach a Bible lesson. She taught on the woman at the well. There was another song and then I was asked to preach. I brought a message on the broad road and the narrow road from Matthew 7.

Pastor Seangoma gave the invitation and the people began to sing. An older man that had come in during the earlier music got up and walked out. This man had come in, shook our hands and sat with the preachers. I thought he was one of the preachers who had just come late. Actually he was a witchdoctor that had never set through a gospel service. When he left the service Pastor Clifford followed him out, then Brother Hayton also went out.

No one was coming during the invitation. Then Brother Hayton came back into the service with Mr. Siandavu, the witchdoctor and head man of the village. He came desiring to trust Christ. I had the privilege of praying with him as he renounced the devil and put his faith in Jesus Christ. Following this man another came asking to be saved. He too was a witchdoctor. What a glory to see the Light overcome the Darkness. This turned the invitation into a great harvest. Many came and received Christ. GLORY TO GOD! What a privilege to see God work.

Blessings in Muchinga Village

This morning we took two vehicles and made our way to Muchinga Village, which is about 45 minutes from town out in the bush. A ladies meeting had been scheduled with 9 area churches, and a pastor’s fellowship was planned for us to be able to teach the pastors. Our team sang to start out the meeting after the appropriate introductions. Then the pastors and other men were dismissed to a tree outside where we sat and shared the Word for the next two hours. Dr. Long taught from John 10 about the Shepherd’s responsibility. I gave instruction on how to overcome our enemy, who manifest himself in the world, the flesh, and the devil. God has answers in His Word. He tell us to resist the devil, love not the world, and crucify the flesh.
Dr. Long also shared a testimony about handling the trials of life and death. He told about the struggles encountered when Prudy was diagnosed with cancer. He shared how God had answered prayer on her behalf. When his testimony was finished Brother Bob asked those men to stand who had lost a loved one in the last 7 years. Nearly every one stood up. We realized that many have faced the loss of a loved one. Before we closed the meeting an opportunity to ask questions was given. The one question we had time to answer was about Pentecost and speaking in tongues. They are dealing with this issue as false teachers come into the area and try to infiltrate their churches. To close these pastors came around us and prayed for us. What a blessing to have these men of god pray for us. God IS SO GOOD!

Chobe National Park

Yesturday we left Livingstone about 7AM and headed to Chobe National Game Park in Botswana. This is a great expereince for anyone coming from the USA. We went for a one day Safari to experience God's great creation and wonder at the variety of creatures. From the very small birds to the very large Elephants. We were able to see the crocks up close and personal as we went down the Chobe river. The elephants came out to great us as well. The giraffe's showed thier curiousity and the wart hogs seemed to be kneeling in prayer as they ate.

Our experience became especially exciting as we were on the hunt for lions. Our guide did his best to find us the coveted view of a lion. He was able to locate the area where he thought we might be able to see them. With a little coaxing from Tammy Haden and Jody Hayton he continued the hunt. Then we saw a sign that one may be near. He chose to go off the road and into the bush where he thought we might be able to see a lion. Wow! Did we see a lion, not just one but several. The male lion was under a tree in front of us.... we could not see him to well because of the brush... but then to our right we saw a dead elephant carcase and just beyond that a mother lion and two young cubs. Then someone said look to the left. There on the left was another lion about 30 feet away under another tree. Now it was time to move ..... back the truck up ... get out of there we were surrounded by lions... in front of us and on both sides. Just as our guide was about to back the truck up the young lion came over to the carcase of the elephant and began to eat. I tried to take a picture of him before his head went down but was un able to succeed. The two pictures at the close of this article were actual photos take yesturday. What a great God we have!

THANKS FOR PRAYING!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009 THANKS FOR PRAYING!
Yesterday we went to the Tonga Valley for two different village meetings. The first was a meeting that had been arranged for Sunday and Monday. Since we did not make the Sunday meeting, some had already gone back to their homes. This was a regional meeting with several churches participating. There were still over 60 people present including several of the village pastors. Many children and ladies also present. After some wonderful singing and appropriate introductions Dr. Long gave a testimony and told a story that he had prepared. I was given the opportunity to preach with Brother Friday being my interpreter. Brother Friday is the area national church planter that has been trained by Brother Hayton. I preached from Matthew 7 using the illustration of our airport experience to explain that not everyone who thinks they are going to Heaven will get there. They will be denied if they do not have the appropriate identification with Jesus Christ. Jesus said to some “depart from me I never knew you”. God blessed in this service in spite of obvious opposition. Just as the invitation was being given, out there in the middle of the bush comes this loud speaker and sirens… an obvious distraction. We later learned that is was a political promotion being given over a mobile unit.
THANKS for PRAYING as God overruled in the hearts of men and women. Fifteen, including men and women came to Christ for Salvation! Praise the LORD!

After distributing Bibles and song books to the pastors for their churches, we headed to the next village. We pulled into this remote village just as it was turning dark. The people greeted us with great enthusiasm and began to sing. We quickly set up our tents and prepare to get the meeting under way. The meeting began in earnest at 8:30pm and went until 10:30pm when the first invitation was given. Dr. Along and I spoke, Brother Friday gave the invitation. There were about 200 people that had gathered under a tree and a shelter of tin for this meeting. God blessed once again – THANK YOU FOR PRAYING! There were 15 children who received Christ as Savior in the first invitation and as many Adults again in the second invitation. We then dealt with those who had special needs, praying with them individually. During the two hour service several others came in, making it necessary to have another service. After some more singing, Brother Joe Haden preached, while he was preaching there was opposition from the area “cults” who are not accepting of the TRUTH! Nevertheless God blessed and others encouraged in the Lord. We officially closed this meeting at about 12 midnight. Many of these people had walked a great distance to be part of this gathering. They continued to sing and fellowship into the night. We made our way to our tents and tried to sleep midst the strange sounds of the night. Dogs barking and howling, some of God’s creatures making some very strange noises that I have never heard before.

This morning I was awakened by beautiful singing as those who had stayed began to fellowship together. It was 6 A.M. – Rise and Shine and give God the glory. After a cup of hot coffee and a can of peaches (breakfast in the bush) I was asked to teach the preacher boys something. What a blessing to add to the Bible knowledge of these young pastors. They were eager to receive and God gave a blessed time as we talked about the importance of Meditating on the Word and Walking in the Spirit as we war against our enemy in the form of the world, the flesh, and the devil. The focus was on the importance of winning the war of our words – James 3 & 4.
We were on our way back to Livingstone, by 10 AM. This 4 to 5 hour trip was filled with excitement as well. You never know what is come in a day. About 10 miles from home we lost power in the Landrover. We were stranded on the side of the road with no cell phone and no knowledge of how to fix the truck. Praise the Lord for His Provision and Your Prayers. I was able to use the global internet with my computer and send an email to Mrs. Hayton letting her know that we were in need of help. As a follow up we used Skype, which was a brand new program I had down loaded before leaving the states, to make a phone call. Because I had not used it yet, I was allowed one free phone call. That phone call reached Jody with three words before it was cut off and I was unable to make further contact. “Help! Stranded, Check-point,” was all she heard. She just happen to look at the email and get the rest of the information. While all of this drama was going on, Brother Hayton began walking in hopes of finding someone with a phone. In the mean time God sent along some help in the form of passers-by who offered a cell phone we could use and they went back to pick up Brother Hayton. The call confirmed that Jody was on her way to pick us up.
When there are great victories we can expect difficulties that will try to bring us down. We refused to let that Happen! We Praised the LORD and Prayed! Pray that the vehicle will be fixed today so that the schedule for tomorrow will be kept. SERVING A GREAT GOD WHO ANSWERS PRAYER!

Tonga Valley

Just a quick note to let you know that we are on our way to the Tonga Valley north east of Livingstone. We will be there overnight. The Lord willing we will send some pictures. We will be meeting with Brother Friday and preaching to the preacher-boys that will be there. This promises to be a great time. Ladies are staying in Livingstone as we go to this meeting.

We arrived in Livingstone, Zambia. Praise the LORD!

Still In South Africa - Saturday August 8th

Wow! We never expected this one. We arrived at the airport in plenty of time and followed some bad information that resulted in our being at the gate to board with our tickets only to find out that we needed boarding passes and that the airlines would not allow us to board the plane. We have learned a great lesson, be very careful about the information that you receive. You may miss a very important piece that could keep you from making your desired destination. The Application is powerful. There are a lot of people giving information about how to get to Heaven, but there is only one way! You may come to the gate and be turned away with out a boarding pass.... Jesus Christ said "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life!" We have had a very interesting day. More details will follow. Several other things have happened today to remind us that the battle is real and that we must Trust In The Lord at all times! We covet your prayers. Pictures and more to come after we arrive in Livingstone.

Zambia - Hear We Come - Mission 2009

Mission Trip – Journal!
Thursday, August 06, 2009 we left Lima at 12:40pm and headed to the Detroit Metro Airport. After a pleasant trip we arrived around 2:15pm. Checking went very smoothly and we had time to pick up some food at the concourse Max & Erma’s. The flight was delayed by 15 minutes and we were running behind. When getting ready to board our first challenge to our attitude and character came. We were told that there was not enough room for our carry-on luggage and that we would have to check it. This did not seem to be an appropriate option, since we had only 30 minutes to make our connecting flight in Atlanta. We agreed with the assurance that our luggage would be waiting for us along with the baby strollers etc.
The flight was a little turbulent and our time continued to be lessened as we continued our journey. When we arrived it was as we had expected. No luggage! We asked for help from the porter. He informed us that our luggage would have to be picked up at the luggage claim…. impossible for us to do and make our connecting flight to Jo-Berg. I made an appeal to the flight attendant that had promised us that it would be just fine. Our pilot heard my appeal and saw my concern . Here stood Suzanne, Kim, and myself along with another lady all needing our luggage. The pilot said he would see what he could do. He left the plane and was gone for a rather lengthy time while most passengers went on their way. What would we do?
Suzanne looked out the window and exclaimed he has them, he is coming! Up the stairs he came carrying all three of our black bags. We began to thank him and bless him… He said, no need, just go and catch our flight.
Off to the races we went. We had to find our way to the train that took us to the concourse where our plane was ready to leave. We found through the helpful local employee that we would need to move very quickly as our plane was at the very end of the concourse. We got our exercise in for this day. I am sure our hearts were beating much more vigorously than normal. When we arrived it appeared that all were already on the plane. Alas, we were not the last and we are now at 9:10pm, having a comfortable flight. Glenda and Kim are in seats behind us, Dr. Long and Prudy are way up in the front…just shy of the business class. All are well and praying that we will be able to get some sleep during the 15 hour flight. WE ARE PRAISING THE LORD! HE IS GOOD! Nahum 1:7
Friday, August 07, 2009
8:15 AM Looking forward to some food. We had dinner shortly after getting into flight. We have all tried to get some sleep. The emphasis is TRIED! This is ONE LONG FLIGHT! Had good devotional thoughts from Psalm 37, I am so thankful for the promise that we Can COMMIT our way unto the Lord and He Will BRING it to Pass. What a blessing to know that all our ways are in His Care. WILL KEEP you posted as we have opportunity. REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS!

3:00PM your time 9pm South African time. We arrived safe and we are in our motel for the night. The picture was taken after 24 of travel as we waited for a bus to take us to our The Grand Airport Hotel. We expect to have much needed sleep and head for Livingstone, Zambia in the morning.