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Offering physical hope and spiritual help... Zambia 2024In July, 2024, Tim had the opportunity to join GFA's Medical Mission Team to Zambia in order to assist in evangelistic outreach. Under the leadership of Todd Beaman (GFA Missionary to Zambia) and Jack Mitchell (GFA Medical Mission Team Director), a much-needed medical clinic was held in the village of Muma, about an hour's drive from the city of Chipata, a city about 30 minutes from the Malawi border. The clinic treated approximately 1,100 patients over the course of seven days, and the team attempted to give the Gospel to each patient multiple times during the day they visited the clinic. Every morning began with a gospel presentation for the large crowd of people waiting to see a medical professional. Throughout the day, while patients were being attended to, Tim and others would then seek opportunities to give the gospel again, either in groups or individualized conversations. Illiteracy is widespread, and opportunities for advanced education in the village are limited. Many cannot read. For this reason, object lessons are ideal for sharing the gospel. GFA missionary Todd Beaman is especially adept at this! Tim borrowed one of his rubber snakes one day in order to speak on the lifting up of the bronze serpent. On another occasion, Tim borrowed a nearby wooden ladder and leaned it against an outbuilding in order to illustrate the bringing of the paralytic whose sins Christ had the authority to forgive. Most Zambians would profess to be Christian--in 1996, Zambia's president declared the country a Christian nation--but the majority attend church only sporadically and are members of churches that teach a works-oriented gospel. In addition, beneath the Christian veneer is a healthy respect for and trust in the local witch doctor, whose help seems more immediate and more accessible than a God who cannot be seen! In spite of this, the openness of people to hearing the gospel is moving. Virtually no one refuses a gospel tract. In fact, once they realize "papers" (as they call them) are being distributed, they are eager to acquire them. The literate will often stop where they are and read it immediately. Meeting both the physical and spiritual needs of these 1,100 villagers brought to the mind Matthew 11:5: "The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them" (NKJV). More laborers for Zambia's Eastern province are needed. The people are willing to listen. The government is willing to let missionaries in. Who will go and lend a hand? Who will pray for laborers for this needy harvest field? Discover GFA's Medical Mission Teams and upcoming trips.
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Tim and LauraTimothy and Laura Berrey are missionaries with Gospel Fellowship Association. They share a passion for missions which has taken them to several countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Tim currently serves as the Director for Recruitment for GFA Missions. 
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