Even though we've been in Zambia for a while, our partner church hadn't held our Induction Service where we were formally inducted as mission co-workers with the Church of Central Africa, Presbyterian Synod of Zambia. It was a big event, with the Synod leadership traveling from Lusaka to Lundazi, along with our PCUSA supervisor, andother pastors from both Zambia and Malawi.

Here are some pictures from the service.

Here we're visiting with our good friend and language teacher, Judith Mwanza, before the service.
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Our friend, Frank Mwale, leads the children's choir at the beginning of the service.
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Another choir, the Kanale Prayer House Praise Choir learned and sang one of our favorites, Marching in the Light of God (Siyahamba).
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After we responded to the questions, affirming our vows as mission co-workers with CCAP Zambia, we were greeted by the visiting Synod leaders, pastors and other guests.
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Then the gift gift giving began.
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We presented hand carved crosses made locally from mukwa wood. A cross like this hangs in our home church, Northwood Presbyterian, in San Antonio. Here I'm describing the Christian symbols (alpha and omega, chi-rho, and fish), in Tumbuka. We presented one to the Synod for their new offices, and one to our church in Lundazi.
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When the service was over, folks wanted their photos with us. Here we're laughing with the kids before posing for a group photo.
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We had the opportunity to showcase our sweet dance moves at the end of the service, with our friend, Frank Mwale.
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One of Melissa's gifts was her CCAP Zambia Christian Women's Guild uniform.
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Here's a YouTube link to a video showing the different choirs.

Was that goat alive? And is it alive now?

Busted.

You were checking TexAgs during church.



Honestly, thanks for being such a good ambassador for your faith, your country, your alma mater, and for us.