Straight from the Field

This article was originally published in the August 2018 edition of ITMI Monthly. 

The trip began with an airplane fire over the ocean and a vehicle robbery. Not exactly how you’d choose to begin a 4 week trek through South Africa and Zambia.

That was Kent’s first taste of Zambia. Kent has already cut his teeth on traveling with Steve when they were almost arrested in South Sudan earlier this year. After that, what could phase him!?

ITMI’s Kent Reisenauer and Steve Evers are well into their travels in Zambia. By the time you read this, the two-man team will have spent time at 7 Rivers and met with the Smiths, including our newest partner, Fifi Smith.

Rondovals on a hill in Zulu Natal, South Africa near 7 Rivers.

From there, it’s on to the Northern Cape area for time with the le Roux family at Onseepkans Mission. Then it’s back to Cape Town to see the van Wyks and Mark and Cindy Parris, including a trip outside the city to Stone Hill. The guys will get to visit the new Medical Clinic, Tutoring Center and see the old church building recently acquired by the Stone Hill ministry.   

Stone Hill, the informal settlement outside Cape Town.

This is all after visiting the new village school being constructed by Eugene Kalunga outside Kabwe, Zambia, and meeting with Ruben, a village leader working with ITMI’s Timothy Keller.

Eugene at the construction site of the new village school earlier this year.

It was after parking for their meeting with Ruben in Lusaka that their vehicle was robbed. As they walked away from the car, in broad daylight, the thieves stayed low on the opposite side of the car and held the handle to keep it from locking.

Although valuable electronics and documents were in the vehicle, only a couple tools were taken. A bystander ran after our guys, who hustled back and were able to get their tools returned!

Next, Kent, Steve and Tim Keller traveled up to Chavuma, where Johan Leach took the three of them to visit a village across the Zambezi River. 

While the northern hemisphere swelters in the heat of summer, the southern hemisphere is shivering in the cold of winter. When the sun goes down, it gets really cold in the bush!

Steve and Kent took great joy in blessing villagers with knitted winter hats, hand-made by an amazing group of ladies.

Johan reported the visit was a blessing.

Which brings me to the main point.

The amazing ITMI community has come together to support, supply, send and pray this trip into delivering the maximum blessing for our partners.

Fires, thieves and physical viruses are held at bay for our teams by the Spirit of the Lord through your prayers. 

Thanks for “going with them” in prayer. Keep praying!