by Summer Kelley
Zambia
"I've been drinking too much," the young man stammered in broken English. "Treating women bad. Not like you say," he motioned toward ITMI's Johan Leach.
It was clear his message was hitting home.
The men of the remote village in Zambia sat in the shade, listening intently as Johan shared the creation story. He focused on the story's implications for God's intended roles of men and women in His world.
As Johan finished, the young man came forward. His confession that he'd been womanizing and drinking excessively was followed by saying he wanted all that to change - with God's help. He wanted to be what Johan had just taught God wants him to be.
ITMI's Johan Leach
"We then once more emphasised the Word, took him through the repentance process and he himself prayed, confessed, and sought God’s forgiveness recommitting himself to the Lordship of Christ Jesus," says Johan.
They were in a remote Zambian village on the shore of the Zambezi River, called Kanyachi.
[location coordinates="-13.2325,22.779166666666665"]
Johan and his team had brought clothing with them. They used this gift to equip the local church in what Johan calls the "Giving Principle." They shared the words of Matthew 25,"I was hungry and you gave me food, I was naked and you clothed me…"
Their message was well-received. "There was great excitement among these remote and needy people," Johan reported.
The only way to access the many villages West of the Zambezi River is in canoes.
Then the church got to practice the Giving Principle! The local pastor helped organize the church into groups so that the clothing - previously sorted by size by Lesley and a helper - could be handed out in an organized way.
Johan shared, "As the folk swapped out what did and did not fit/suit them they took the extra clothing and immediately sought out their neighbour. There was much joy in the village."
The team made their way through the village, praying for the elderly and the sick.
And as one final indicator that the "Giving Principle" was understood, as the team left, they were given a chicken, a couple of sticks sugarcane as well as some fruit as a gesture of appreciation.
Johan commented, "How humbling to know that out of the very little they have, they give."
Johan on a recent visit to one of the Zambian villages East of the Zambezi River.
About the Author
Summer Kelley is a writer and follower of Jesus living in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and three kids. She’s had the honor and privilege of telling ITMI’s stories since 2006. Summer loves reading, the outdoors and Coca-Cola Classic.