We continue to slug away at this vegetable cooperative here in Zambia. As difficult as it is to accomplish what would be basic tasks in the West, opportunities continue to present themselves that make us press on. I can’t tell you how exciting it is when we look at what can be: a sustainable business venture that offers consistent cash flow for our farmers and their families, advanced Ag training that increases efficiency-allowing them to wholly steward their land, and a culture of servant leadership perpetuated by a hunger for God’s Word.
Every Thursday we meet with our “zone coordinators”. These are the guys who have shown
amazing initiative and performed the monumental feat of gathering rural farmers from all over the show and disseminating all things necessary for this business to run. Last Thursday we found out that these four zone coordinators take what they learn from our training sessions and pass it on to 65 other farmers between them all. That’s the Ag training and Bible studies. From this small group of four guys we are able to influence a total of 70 men and women who already hold positions of leadership in their community. It’s this type of multiplier effect that Jesus had in mind when he poured his time and energy into 12 rag tag youths. He spoke to crowds and spent time with strangers, but he entrusted his disciples with the most important task in human history: to spread the Gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus himself. And it worked. The core group of disciples that Jesus spent more time with than any other group established the Church. What other body of people has had greater influence in human history? And it all started with a few key individuals and a lot of faith.
The Great Commission in Matthew 28 tells us to make “disciples” of all nations. Discipleship is about relationship, and that takes time, patience, and courage. And faith above all else- faith in the power of grace and redemption found in Jesus to transform anyone into a person that loves people like God himself.
So get to it!
