If you missed this past Sunday morning, you missed the intro of our "margins" teaching / conversation emphasis. You also missed Zack and Jamie, two of our Westpoint dads and Vision Team members, sharing about what they sense the Spirit leading them to do in Zambia. And they are inviting along with them whoever wants to serve and partner with the leaders there in Zambia. You can listen to this last Sunday's podcast by CLICKING HERE.

I asked Zack to share a few specific reflections about his and Jamie's recent trip there. Here is what he shared:

:: When you travel to a poverty-stricken, third-world country such as Zambia, you expect to encounter the poorest of the poor.  We observed dire material poverty as expected, but also were refreshed to observe spiritual wealth.  As a middle-class American, and therefore statistically "rich", it's natural to default to wealth and money being solution to the third-world problems.  Zambia instantly reminded me that poverty is not the problem, and money is not the solution.  Rich and poor alike, we all need to know the way, the truth, and the life.  We all need to know true love; that is the solution. - John 14:6

:: When we are compelled by the love of Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit, the only response is to think eternal, not temporal.  You begin to look at possessions differently - as a tool to share Christ's love, rather than a barometer for temporal success.  Your thought process transforms from investing in the here and now, to investing in God's Kingdom, both here and forever.  We observed a 1,500 square foot cinder block building, with dirt floors, that served as a school to educate 150 - 200 students, many of whom would arrive daily after a 3-4 mile walk.  Standing beside a local who works in the construction industry, I inquired as to how much such a structure would cost.  His reply: "$3,000 - $4,000 - about what many people pay for a watch".  You may or may not pay $4,000 for a watch, but the point is not lost.  This new friend was certainly wrestling with the choice... - Matthew 6: 19-21; I Timothy 6: 17-19

:: One of my favorite, if not my favorite, praise song contains the lyrics:  "no guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me".  I left for Zambia expecting to feel guilt, but it never showed its head.  Rather, Christ has freed me from the guilt that so easily entangles, and given me the freedom to find joy in all circumstances, even trials.  Much of our time in Zambia centered around strategy to continue to bring relief to the poor and stricken, but equally as much time was dedicated to sharing our mutual joy in Jesus Christ - just praising God for who He is and what He has done, for rich and poor alike.  He is alive indeed, and it was particularity exciting to see how His love permeates communities and changes lives.  - Romans 3: 19-26

>> Great words, Zack. So grateful for you and the leadership our Vision Team is providing as we follow Jesus and love first and invite others along with us to give that love TOGETHER to neighbors and nations.

PS _ this past week, Jamie and Zack shared about a need on their heart to help with via Lifesongs for Orphans in Zambia, and that there was a person with the Westpoint Church family willing to offer a $12,500 match gift if we give TOGETHER the other $12,500. Well, just to encourage you to jump in on it, as of today, I know of over $5000 committed toward that other half. And through the course of this "margins" emphasis, we will offer several very specific opportunities that you will want to be aware of. Grateful!!!