What in the World will we be doing in Zambia?

We first met Jerry and Jody Manwaring a number of years ago at our home church in Camden, New York. Little did we know then that we would one day be joining them in the field. (That is Jerry and Jody pictured behind several gals from our congregation).

It was on their most recent trip home and visit to our church when we were having lunch after the service that Jerry overheard me say to another aspiring missionary – “Carol and I submitted our names to World Hope several years ago to serve as photographers and journalists, but we never heard back from them.” Jerry jumped in on the conversation at that point and said, “Are you serious?” I could tell he was being serious, and in fear and trembling I said… “Yes.” (In hindsight, I wondered if my reply sounded more like a question than a statement.) Jerry then revealed one of his and Jody’s assignments while in the States was to search for a couple who might replace another retiring couple who had done photography and reporting for the church in Africa. A short time later, Jerry and Jody and Carol and I were sitting in our home with the sole purpose of exploring the possibility. And the rest, as they say, is history.

What will Carol and I be doing on this preliminary trip to Zambia?

A general description was provided by Jerry when we were introduced via correspondence to national church leadership. What follows is part of that message:

“Gary and Carol VanRiper recently received final release for ministry in Africa. As GP [Global Partners] Africa Area Correspondents the VanRipers will visit Wesleyan work around Africa gathering material to create articles, AV presentations, and the like to enlighten and inspire the North American Church… Gary and Carol will be under the direction of the GP Africa Area Office. They will be coming to Africa for short periods of time to visit targeted Wesleyan works then returning to North America where they will prepare promotional materials. The time they have to dedicate to Africa will be limited as Gary continues his responsibilities as Senior Pastor of the Camden Wesleyan Church.”

From the moment the word was released we were officially approved by Global Partners, the outpouring of warm welcomes via e-mails and the mobilization of what struck us to be a very special family within the Family of God working together to make sure we were smoothly transitioned, was at once amazing and humbling. We look forward to this adventure with this special team of authentic believers and with Him, discovering what those good works are which He has prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.