When I travel from Ndola in the North of Zambia to Lusaka in the middle of the country, I always have the same reaction - "I didn't think poverty could get worse."

The churches we partner with in Ndola serve areas of extensive poverty. No roads, sewage, or water. Huts with leaky roofs (if there is a roof), disease, and addiction are the norm. The hospital in Ndola has windows that are broken out and they have been that way for all the years I have been coming here. I am shocked when I get to Ndola - no one should have to live as they are forced to.

Then I come to Lusaka and to the community of George. The sheer people density takes my breath away. The air pollution makes my eyes water and my throat hurt. They hand dig wells and scoop the water out to wash, eat and drink - it is brown and thick. The smell is overwhelming. The piles of trash are as tall as I am in places and the children play on them as our kids play on the sand dunes. HIV/AIDS is rampant and cholera is far worse. This year, they are thankful they are getting less rain than normal and the sewage and trash is not washing into their homes. Because of these inhumane conditions, violence is growing and the pastors are beginning to fear civil unrest.

We started our pastor's training in George today. These men and women made their way to the conference site from the place I described above and sang and danced and praised and worshipped and thanked God for His love and grace. I just sat with tears in my eyes. I was convicted of my selfishness and shallowness. The fact that I ever complain or am discontent with ALL the blessings I have is embarrassing. I again was humbled to be in the presence of these people of faith.

Keep us in your prayers. Tomorrow, we continue to study how Jesus teaches us to lead change and we will begin to develop plans for each church to be used by God to intentionally reach lost people and lead them to full life in Jesus.

These leaders are on the front line of a disaster - ecologically, socially, physically, and politically and they believe God will use them to fix it all. I believe that too.

They told me to tell Ridge Point that the leaders of George say, "Thank you and we love you." When they say they love you they mean it - I'll bring you the hugs!

I love you and miss you all - you are here with me!