Welcome
to the Archive Pages for the Scruples Business and
Missions Web Site. Please visit
www.scruples.net for more current
resources.
Welcome
to the Archive Pages for the Scruples Business and
Missions Web Site. Please visit
www.scruples.net for more current
resources.
by Mike McLoughlin
mm@scruples.net
Back to Scruples Business & Missions Page
Here are some Success Factors for our Mission Experience in Zambia. If you would like to read the full report please visit http://www.scruples.org/web/moreinfo/zambia/zamrevw.htm
God was in it.
In the two years we were in Zambia I planned to conduct only six business seminars and train about 150 entrepreneurs. I actually conducted 15 seminars and trained over 1,000 people. Even much more than that was accomplished. However, in contrast we were aware of missionaries who required two years to just make the transition into a foreign culture before they could begin ministry. God blessed the ministry and made a way for its success.
Zambian Hosts
We were hosted by a Zambian Christian family: the Mutungu’s. Because of our prior relationship with them and because they had established relationships in the community we were immediately accepted into the local church and community. We could begin ministry much sooner than if we had to develop a lot of new relationships.
YWAM Covering
We were covered by a mission agency that was flexible and willing to take risks on pioneering initiatives.
Prior Short Term Mission Experience in Africa
We had a prior short term experience in Zaire in 1984. Thus we were better prepared to face the cultural challenges and living conditions in Africa.
Two Year Preparation Period
We had spent two years in preparation for our trip. In 1992, we wound down our business activity and prepared for the move from our home in Kelowna. In 1993, we did a Crossroads DTS in Kona Hawaii and a Missions Outreach in Okinawa and the Philippines
Such as I have
We ministered in arenas that were familiar to us: Mike in business and Sue in medicine. We had to adapt to the different circumstances but were able to use that which God had already put into our hands instead of attempting a new unfamiliar activity. I was able to invest in ministry all of my business education, and experiences in small business rather than abandoning it to attempt something totally different. As Peter said to the lame beggar, "Gold & Silver I do not have, such as I have I give to you." (Acts 3:6)
Prayer Shield
We were covered by a prayer shield. We had over 100 intercessors praying for us. We communicated regularly with them concerning our prayer needs (6 newsletters in two years.)
Maturity in the Faith
We had a measure of maturity in our Christian faith. Sue had been a Christian all of her adult life and Mike had been a Christian for 11 years. We were steadier on our feet when it came to the ups and downs of life on the mission field trusting God without the normal supports of family and friends.
Local Church Involvement
We were commissioned by our church in Kelowna, sponsored by our old church in Vancouver, Granville Chapel and involved in a local church in Ndola, River of Life.
Flexible & Teachable
We were flexible in our ministry activity and able to adapt it to local constraints and cultural considerations. We were teachable and willing to learn from our mistakes.
Game Plan & Budget
We had a game plan and a budget and a limited time frame. We had a track to run on that we had envisioned but that was also adaptable to the local situation.
Established Mission Values
We had a list of mission values that we would uphold in our relationships with our Zambian friends. We respected and honored their input into our lives and readily submitted to their counsel.