Breakfast in America

Friends,

Crocs at Kalimba Farm

I am back in the U.S. of A., mostly. Without the strength of God, I might tear apart trying to straddle the oceans as I long for the "home" I find in different places. Everyone seems to be curious about the reverse culture shock (a common phenomenon for travelers abroad, especially in missions) I may be experiencing. Aside from the barrage of red, white, and blue merchandise found at Washington Dulles Airport, I have found myself adjusting back to this country with relative ease.

Thankfully, our travels remained true to the script. John's health has rapidly improved, and his time at home should be much more enjoyable than his last few days in Zambia. The last week there was difficult as we wrestled with thoughts of home and the things which await us. However, this week may be just as trying as I bounce between two worlds. So far, things seem to be going well. In my first day back, I have eaten several breakfasts (though not necessarily at breakfast hours) along with a boxful of homemade cookies. I am grateful for great friends like Steven Berube.

I hope to publish a web album through Google Photos before the end of the week. Keep an eye out for it in the coming days. For those of you whom I will see soon, I also will be working on a few video presentations. Pray for me as I rest (something that ironically requires diligence) and prepare for the coming semester. The excitement is definitely growing for this year!

By His Grace,
Jon Chen

Sunny Skies, Sad Goodbyes

Friends,

Your commitment to walking alongside the ZamFam through the last two months will never be forgotten. It is saying little of the reality of this experience, but God has answered our prayers in ways I had not anticipated and in ways I have yet to understand. Our time in Zambia has been a swirl of frustration and confused delight, failing to submit to our petty expectations and demolishing the barriers of our heart.

John has been recovering remarkably from Malaria. In a mere four days, his health has stabilized, in time for a grueling trip back to the U.S. It may not have been the way we wanted this trip to end for John, but it is certainly a testament to the faithfulness of our Provider.

I am at peace with returning today. A part of me may never leave, but I have no regrets about our time here. It is my prayer that I may one day return. The things I have seen I shall describe once I have settled down in West Lafayette. Until then, remain strong in prayer. I am 30 hours away. :)

By His Grace,
Jon Chen

Let Them Eat Cake (Just Kidding)

Friends,

The excitement of the last few days has come and begun to subside as the reality of our imminent departure grows heavier with each farewell. However, I am confident in the purposefulness of the remaining time the ZamFam has here. Just as our plane steadily builds speed as it rolls down the runway, I believe our ministry among Zambians has steadily gained momentum. It is my hope that, as our plane lifts off the tarmac, it will be equally true that the fruits of our labor take flight by the time we reach the end of our seven week runway. We must trust that the Spirit will provide lift to their wings.

Metaphor aside, orientation week concluded at a much slower pace than it began, but the relationships which developed are dear to me. Phinias and Jonas are incoming student at UNZA who have been visiting the tent and inviting me into conversation. They are sincere in their faith, ambitious in their vision, and humble in receiving counsel. I give God glory and thanks for the things I have witnessed in our time at UNZA this week. Pray for the students we have met and the students to whom the Navigators of UNZA will continue to reach out in the coming week.

"But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also."
~  2 Corinthians 8:7

Last night, the Scripture Union Fellowship of David Kaunda Secondary Boarding School invited our students at Ridgeway and I to introduce The Navigators and to present the gospel. To my astonishment, the room was packed! Over two hundred students squeezed into rows of benches in a dimly lit room to hear our message. Several students at this school for the gifted have gone on to join The Navigators, including our very own Gershom. I sensed they attended without knowing what would be shared and left hungry for more of the saddest and most triumphant narrative ever lived. I had been praying for the salvation of five students, but now that I have seen them, I ask you to pray with me for fifteen.

Away from the campus, the ZamFam had the privilege of sending home a team from the States who have been laboring in Malawi and Zambia with YouthHope for the last seven weeks. One of the members of the team is a Navigators student at Purdue (Amy Schafermeyer). It was good to meet the team and share our experiences in southern Africa from the last couple of months.

This evening, the students and staff of the ZamNavs bid us farewell through sharing, eating, dancing, and gifting. I have shared my favorite image of the celebration. The impact of God's word upon their lives through our time together is an encouragement to me as I prepare to leave, entrusting the lives over which we have labored and poured our hearts, to God.

I have few details regarding this last prayer request. John has fallen ill with something that resembles Malaria. I have been informed that Malaria may require four days to recover. Please pray for his rest and recovery, even as we begin traveling back to the States.

By His Grace,
Jon Chen

Orienting towards Eternity, Recruiting for Christ

Friends,

Some have told me in the past that I have a tendency to ask hard questions. This week has not been an exception thus far. Can anyone blame me though? Hundreds of students from all over Zambia have descended upon UNZA for the first time in their young lives. They are beginning a brief season of life which will likely define/redefine their passions, social circles, vocations, and habits for the rest of their productive lives. Some know what they want and what they expect from their time at UNZA. Others are hoping someone will draw them a clearer picture and point them in the right direction.

I remember my first days at Purdue. It was all too easy to lose all that excitement and energy in the vastness of the college world. When everyone vies for your attention, even the most ambitious grows weary of it all, like a ray of light diffracting in every direction. When it comes time to orient the disoriented, I would rather not be another predator scanning the herd for prey.

"When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things."

~  Mark 6:34

Compassion. Christ understood the needs of the hearts of each individual, and He shepherded them. He embraced the people of the crowd and welcomed them to eternity with Him. This is my hope for the orientation process here and at Purdue (as I think ahead to the fast-approaching Fall semester). I have been encouraged by the sincerity of the men and women with whom I have interacted. The delights of their faith are as real as their frustrations. Surprisingly, they have received and answered my invitations to deeper investigations of purpose, discipline, and legacy. Many embrace the principles integrity and Christlike living. They give me hope for Zambia who has struggled and suffered through years of poor leadership and rampant corruption.


The ZamFam goes out fighting these last few days, despite being worn out and hard-pressed on several fronts. The things which pull our hearts away from these students will have to wait until after our work is done. The things which pull our hearts away from Christ will know defeat. Persist and have faith! Please pray for perseverance and courage.

By His Grace,
Jon Chen

Won't Back Down

Friends,

With nine days remaining until the ZamFam departs, determining how best to invest our time is a growing dilemma. The question becomes more difficult to answer as we encounter unexpected success and unexpected disappointment. It is a reminder that God's work requires persistence and patience of His laborers. It is a reminder that our hope is ultimately in the sovereign LORD.

"Wait for the LORD;
               Be strong and let your heart take courage;
                              Yes, wait for the LORD."
                                             ~ Psalm 27:14

Since our first Manifeastion on Tuesday night, we have not met to listen to and discuss Wild at Heart. Several unanticipated circumstances have contributed to this sudden halt, despite the momentum we gained four days ago. A couple of the young men have had emergencies; others lacked motivation without the encouragement of key leaders. I have a feeling we are opposed by unseen forces, but I remain confident in God's plans for these guys. They still want to meet with me, and I have not left yet!

The ZamFam took the opportunity to spend the day at Ridgeway today. Despite concerns that many students would be absent due to recent graduation ceremonies, five students responded to our invitations to lunch and soccer. I enjoyed the rich conversation we shared on discipleship, spiritual generations, and legacies. An area in which the Ridgeway ministry struggles is student leadership. Pray for these men and others, that they may be filled with compassion for their peers, and that they may respond to Christ's call to make disciples.

Beginning tomorrow, the ministry at UNZA will be welcoming first-year students as they arrive during orientation week. We will be engaging the students with the gospel and an invitation into fellowship with The Navigators at UNZA. Pray that God would lead us to receptive students. We are hoping for many seeds to be sown this week!

By His Grace,
Jon Chen

ManiFeastations of God in Our Hearts

Friends,

Manifeastation has come to Zambia! For those of you who do not know the term manifeastation (man-i-feast-ation), I can briefly describe it as the uncompromising gathering of men looking to sharpen one another towards godliness, to share in life, and to partake of a feast. The men of the UNZA Pacers basketball B-squad will be coming this evening to meet, as they did last night, to listen to an audio version of the book by John Eldredge Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul. Our first evening together was exciting, filled with dynamic discussion. These guys can barely wait to hang out tonight! I know many of you have been praying real-time for this, and God has answered mightily. We meet tonight at 1 p.m. Eastern Time, 7 p.m. local.

The ZamFam will be preparing for a transition from our focus at Ridgeway, to a crucial orientation week for incoming students at UNZA. Our struggles have partially been a result of the distance to the Ridgeway campus. I am praying our zeal will remain steadfast as we leave the Ridgeway ministry with as much momentum as God will provide, and as we jump into an unfamiliar environment at the larger UNZA main campus. I have been convicted of my lack of faith, doubting our heart for these students and believing that our labor may actually be done in vain. Now is a great time, as the summer trip careens (in a good way) to an end, to meditate and to pray:

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."
~  1 Corinthians 15:58

Personally, the last few days have been a great blessing despite great trials. Even as I recover from fatigue, I am experiencing God in my life and in my observation of others. I will expound on these things as I have opportunity. Now, I cook spaghetti for a crowd! Mulungu aku dalise!

By His Grace,
Jon Chen

"Without Christ, Not One Step..."

Friends,

The ZamFam has returned from its adventures in Livingstone, Zambia, with many stories to tell. Before all is said, I am grateful to God for safe travels and the magnificence of His creations.

"Without Christ, not one step; with Him, anywhere!"
~ Dr. David Livingstone

Early Wednesday, the ZamFam, the GAPers, Nelson, and Okike departed from Lusaka down the Livingstone-Zimba Road south to Livingstone. The journey was long and tiring, but we made it safely. Strangely, our first meal in Livingstone, a land of wildlife parks and natural beauty, was at Debonairs Pizza. However, we would soon experience all that makes Livingstone so famous. Instead of describing what we saw (a task I could never imagine to perform successfully), I shall endure the upload of select highlights from our image collection (which sadly also do not fully capture the wonder of the works of His hands). I hope you enjoy them.

ZamFam Harnessed for Action

Bungee Jumping at the Victoria Falls Bridge

Cautiously Posing Next to the Rhinoceros

Bank of the Zambezi

Baboon and Baby

Bird Searching for Fish

Lazy Hippopotami

Dinner Tradition at the Pub & Grill

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls Bridge

Zebra & Impala

Giraffe, God's Gift to Some Friends of Mine

I am praying about spending the coming week reaching out to students and residents in the Copperbelt in northern Zambia. If the ZamFam ends up going, we will be preaching and initiating relationships for incoming staff, namely the Masonas to build and from which to revive a collegiate ministry at Cobberbelt University. It is also becoming increasingly clear how limited we are by the remaining weeks. We are still recovering from the busy week, but we are also eager to continue where we left off. My relationship with the UNZA basketball players continues to deepen, and Richard has responded well to thoughts of a team Bible discussion. We have decided that, if other players agree to invest time and a little money, I would acquire copies of John Eldredge's book Wild at Heart. The book made a significant impact in Richard's life, and he desires to see that transformation in his teammates. However, my time with the team may be limited in the coming weeks. Please pray for discernment and God's providence for this ministry. In my total insufficiency, God is totally sufficient!

On a brief note about my health, I am experiencing signs of physical fatigue. I have observed these signs before, and I hope my recovery will be swift. Please pray for healing and rest before the coming week commences.

By His Grace,
Jon Chen

I should name my future son Okike - National Conference Summary

Friends,

The Navigators of Zambia held their Annual National Conference this last weekend at the Twin Palm Baptist Seminary. Okike Offia of The Navigators of Nigeria taught a series on the featured theme of the ministry, the truth and sufficiency of the Scriptures for the whole of life, centered around 2 Timothy 3:16-17. In short, the case he made regarding Scripture was thought-provoking and challenging. I am especially convicted by a statement he made during one of our sessions: "Your attitude towards the Scriptures reflects your attitude towards God". It is extremely sobering, as someone who preaches the word, to evaluate my heart towards the word and my heart towards God. I have to ask myself and affirm, "Is my study and knowledge of the word translating to a knowledge of the Holy Lord?"

The National Conference brought together over eighty people from all over Zambia, Nigeria, Namibia, and the U.S. Fellowship was genuine and deep as we joined in study, discussion, and song. I pray that those who had not yet known Christ when they attended might be drawn closer to Him. I have some criticisms of the event, not to pass judgment, but to encourage progress, and to remind myself of my own tendencies. I observed that the laborers were indeed too few. Unfortunately, they lacked not human resources, but incorporation in planning and execution. As I personally experienced, this led to a level of exhaustion and frustration that dulled (though, by the grace of God, not nullified) the intended encouragement of the Scriptures and fellowship. I find that I too ignore the divine blueprint for laboring in Christ laid out in 1 Corinthians 12. It is good to have partners in this work, and I am thankful for all of you in your diligence to read these updates and pray for this team.

Yesterday, the team, Nelson, and Okike made a visit to what is informally being dubbed "NavLand" (It has a ring to it). The story behind it is amazing, but long. God provided, as only He can, a piece of property of a little over 27 acres. It is fertile, flat, and now has an electricity receiving station! The vision is to develop the land into a conference grounds, equipped with offices, lodging, recreation, meeting halls, and even crop-producing plots. The idea is exciting to me, and I hope to learn more about it and how others, including myself, might get involved. The place is huge blessing and has great potential as a tool for discipleship.

Our trip to Livingstone was postponed until tomorrow. We will be enjoying the area from Wednesday until Friday. Pray for safety, transforming experiences, and great memories! I might be too excited about this. I woke up at 2:30 a.m. this morning, and thus the blog post. Pray also for rest as we recharge before going back to campus ministry.

By His Grace,
Jon Chen

P.S.  Thank you for the birthday wishes! The greatest thing about waking up that day was the retrospection of God revealing Himself mightily and compassionately through the previous year, and knowing that I can trust Him even with the lives of those around me!

Gearing Up for ZamNatCon'11

Friends,

Weeks of preparations and recruiting will yield its fruits this weekend at The Navigators of Zambia Annual National Conference! Zambian Navs will be arriving from all over the country to worship and grow in faith, discipleship, and fellowship at the Twin Palm Baptist Seminary in Lusaka. Gershom, Mutinta, and Nelson will be teaching workshops and seminars at the Conference. The ZamFam will be manning the registration table, bookstore, and physical details for the weekend. Please pray for our speaker Okike Offia from The Navigators of Nigeria, for our staff and organizers, and for all those attending.

"But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied."
~ Acts 12:24

Following the Conference, the ZamFam and friends will be going to Livingstone to take some time seeing some of Zambia's natural beauty, including the Victoria Falls! Pray for our travels and for our hearts to be deeply drawn toward God as we take time to rest.

By His Grace,
Jon Chen