From team 1 in Ndola!

Today was a wonderful day....our first full day here in Ndola.Wow...we had great devotions with Frances, Felix and about a dozen Zambians involved in the project. An amazing woman named Masey did the devotion from John, I believe chapter 15 about the vine and the brances. It was so powerful and precious to be sharing our hearts and love with these amazing people, as they so freely share theirs w/us. Of course we all have an instant bonding because of our love for Jesus.
We went to Mapalo today to see the progress of the work. It's quite amazing. The walls are about 4' high. We also experienced shopping at the market for 9 people. WOW...the stores are very full and busy and very expensive.
The team is great. We're all healthy and excited to be here. It's hot here, but was cold in Joberg. Nice to feel the heat again. We've had 2 lost bags and also 2 team members have lost their cameras, so keep us in prayer for retrieving those items.
Victoria Falls was beyond words in beauty. I can't even imagine how incredible heaven will be after seeing the hand of God in His works. Also, we went to Botswana for a full day safari. That was incredible. We were 2 feet from a crocodile in a little 18' boat, and about 20 feet from towering elephants as we floating just under them on the shore of the Zambezi River. We also saw zebras, elephants, a leapord, and a ton of other wild African animals just running free. It was beautiful....a great start for our team.
So, we're here now in Ndola for the next week and a half. We've bonded well and really seeking God for our time and relationships here. We're really encouraged about how He's opening all of our hearts, and also for the work here. There's lots to do and we're prepared to work. The team is so diverse in giftings, it's great to see each person just settling in and pro-actively just doing what comes so naturally.

It's eyeopening...the poverty, but also the love of this church for others.We feel really blessed to be here serving and continuing to build relationships through the Vineyard church and in the name of Jesus.

We love you and are so excited & praying for Team 2 to be here. Oh yeah..the 11 hour bus ride yesterday across central Zambia was truly an experience of it's own :) Something everyone should do at least once :) Yer gonna love it :)