Surely, I can't just leave you hanging without some closure on this "Africa deal". In all honesty, I created this blog about our Malawi trip with other intentions; it was my way of transitioning into a blog about our future. And what a perfect introduction. This trip was enlightening on so many levels.
Before we go on, you'll probably want to catch up. Then, let me say this: Before we left for this trip to Malawi, Chandler and I had no idea what the Lord had in store for us. We definitely did not expect to be so blessed and encouraged and challenged.
So, Africa is divided and subdivided, through the IMB (International Mission Board - imb.org). The missionaries in Angola, Zambia, Mozambique, and Malawi are part of the Zambezi River Cluster; there are many other "clusters" in Africa. Follow? Okay. There is a cluster leader, David, and his wife. Below him are team strategy leaders who oversee a specific area in their country. I can't go into any more depth than that because I'm not quite clear on all of the details.
While in Malawi, we talked to many missionary families. We also sat down with two team leaders who presented us with two opportunities: The first opportunity is in Solwezi, Zambia; northwest Zambia about 12 miles from the Zambia/Congo border. Solwezi, itself, is a reached town with evangelical churches already planted. The need is in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The missionary unit that serves here will live in Solwezi with the purpose of discipling and mobilizing the evangelical churches to cross the border and reach the people group in the D.R.Congo. It is the same people group, just 12 miles away, and they are lost as can be. Fascinating, huh?
The second opportunity is in Gwembe, Zambia; southwest Zambia. There was a missionary unit there until just this year. Actually, they announced at the cluster meeting that they are resigning from the IMB. They felt a fresh call on their life to start an orphanage a few hours north of Gwembe. The strategy leader for this area is wanting to replace them. The only catch with this opportunity is that there hasn't been a job written or submitted for this yet. The leader, and the couple leaving Gwembe, pitched the idea to us, wanting to request us (yes, Chandler and I) specifically for this job. It is a big deal to be requested, especially since the IMB has tightened the financial belt and is sending fewer missionaries than in the past.
We also understand that there is a desperate need for missionary units in the northern half of Mozambique. Currently, there is one family up that way and the IMB is wanting to put more units there. This area is mainly Muslim and 18 hours from the capitol city, Maputo. It would be a little more isolated, with fewer opportunities to "run into" other missionaries.
Okay, so every year jobs are posted. There are many needs in each cluster and it is the cluster leader's responsibility to rank the needs with the most important needs at the top of the list. The jobs are then posted for the upcoming career missionaries, or apprentices, to choose from.
Chandler and I have a leg up because of this trip. Talking with David, we have a better idea of what his top priorities will be when the 2011 jobs are posted.
In a nutshell, that's where we are right now. In July, we are headed to Memphis for four days for Expo. This is an opportunity to meet IMB staff, work with other candidates in small groups, research job details (!!!), and, lucky us, be interviewed. This is step two of a four step process. If we "pass", we move on to step three.
Yes, I'm going to leave you hanging for now. You're exhausted, I'm exhausted.
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