Barotse Plains Vision Trip – June 2025
Renée, Caleb, and I went on another vision trip to Mongu in June 2025. This time we had a particular focus on the plains West of the Zambezi River. Wow! The need for encouraging and equipping Bible teachers in rural Western Zambia is great. This vision trip has shown us that the doors are wide open and huge for ministry in Mongu and the rural villages amid the Barotseland floodplains.
During our previous vision trip to Mongu in February 2025, Bishop Alick Kalonga extended a warm invitation for me to join him on his next mission trip to the rural plains in June. He was planning a series of leadership seminars with church leaders across several districts and invited me to travel with him and take part in the teaching. He specifically asked me to prepare to speak on the topic of leadership—a request I took to heart as I looked ahead to this opportunity for encouragement and training.
An early start
We woke up at 03h30 to get an early start on our journey to Mongu on Monday 9 June. The plan was to leave Renée and Caleb in Mongu town for the week while I would head out on the plains with bishop Alick Kalonga to visit the church leaders there. This meant that we would need to do some shopping for supplies in Mongu before the shops close in the evening. This was the reason for our early departure. We arrived in Mongu at 15h00.
Woman with fire on her head!
As we left Lusaka in the morning darkness, a surreal scene unfolded before us. We saw a lady walking in the dark on the side of the road towards us balancing a pot on her head – with a small charcoal fire burning on top. It was surreal. Tin shacks lined the litter-strewn road. Our vehicle headlights were cutting through the city smog as we tried to dodge the potholes and unmarked speed humps. The sparse oncoming traffic’s headlights made it more difficult to make confindent headway towards Mongu.
That’s when I saw this woman come walking towards us on the side of the road. She was confidently striding towards Lusaka and her daily morning routine of selling breakfast to those heading off to their various workplaces. What a picture of quiet resilience and determination!
I wasn’t able to get a photo of that moment, but I asked ChatGPT to create an image of it. This is not too far off from what I saw.
Caleb was a champ on the road
The road between Lusaka and the Kafue Game Park is quite ‘good’. However, there is a stretch of road between the Park and Kaoma that is really bad. Fortunately, there are repairs being done to that section of road which should hopefully be completed by 2026.
We stopped at Roy’s Camp for a leg stretch and for breakfast of boerewors rolls which Renée had prepared. It seemed like Caleb was keen to get back on the road and head on to Mongu because that is what he was pointing to. He was actually quite adamant that I listen to him. Though his vocabulary is sparse, he still knows how to make himself understood.
The trip from Lusaka to Mongu was un eventful and peaceful. Caleb was a real champ! He managed the 10hour drive in the car so well! I am super proud of him. We stopped for a quick coffee at the Olive Grove in Mumbwa just as the sun was rising. The only other stop we made before arriving in Mongu was for fuel at Kaoma. So Caleb was super keen to stretch his legs when we arrived in Mongu.
Since Cindylou is on home assignment, she made her home available for us to stay in for the two weeks we were in Mongu. Caleb had to take a few moments to get to know Cindylou’s big Alsatian dog, Shamar. At first he was hesitant and somewhat afraid. However, after a few days, they both got on quite well.
Bishop Alick Kalonga and his dear wife, Vicky, welcomed us to their home to share a meal on the first night we arrived. We had a wonderful time of getting to know them a little better. He said to me, “You don’t need to make an appointment to come to my home for a meal or to stay the night. You just arrive and you will be welcome and there will always be space for you and food to share”. They are such hospitable people.
Mongu to Senanga to Shangombo
The next day, Tuesday 10 June, our goal was to reach Shangombo before nightfall. We left Mongu at around 09h00 and arrived in Shangombo at 18h15. Our route took us the long way around the floodplains since they were still flooded. That meant we headed South towards Senanga where we picked up elder Fred Kanyungulu. From Senanga we continued South towards the bridge across the Zambezi River at Ngonye Falls. After crossing the River, we headed North up the West Bank of the river through the town of Sioma and then we travelled due West towards Shangombo.
In Senanga, we were joined by Elder Fred Kanyungulu, who serves faithfully at Senanga Central Evangelical Church. He took on much of the translation work during our time in Shangombo, and having him as part of the team was a real blessing. His deep love for the Lord’s work is both evident and inspiring.
When we reached the village of Natukoma, we picked up five more passengers. They were the leaders from the Natukoma ECZ church and were attending the leadership seminar we were travelling to. I was grateful that I had installed roof-racks to our vehicle just before departing on this mission journey. They came in super useful for the extra luggage and passengers.
If these five passengers had to walk from Natukoma to Shangombo, it would have taken them a full day and a half to get there. I was glad we could help them get there a bit faster.
The ‘good-bumpy’ road
As we bounced along the road, I was pleasantly surprised—it wasn’t as bad as I had expected. Still, it was rough and bumpy enough that, at times, the ox-cart tracks beside the road offered a smoother ride than the road itself. At one point I remarked, “This is quite a bumpy road!” Bishop Kalonga laughed and replied, “This is a very good road!” He then described just how bad the route used to be on his earlier trips to Shangombo. From that moment on, we jokingly dubbed it “the good-bumpy road.”
Arrival in Shangombo
We arrived at Shangombo after sunset at 18h15 to the welcome team from the church singing songs of praise and welcome.
Our truck, Abraham, got some extra scars on this trip. Some of the sections of the road to Shangombo were pretty narrow and the bushes left their marks on the paintwork.
I found out that I am the MAIN speaker!
When we arrived in Shangombo, we were welcomed with joyful singing by Daniel Kapanda and a team from the church. They stood by the roadside near the lodge, lifting their voices in praise as we stepped out of the vehicle—a moving and humbling welcome. We were then guided into the lodge, still accompanied by their heartfelt songs.
Later that evening, Alick Kalonga introduced me as a special guest, expressing the church’s gratitude for our visit. It was only then that I learned I would be the main speaker for the Leadership Training! It was a surprise, but one I received with joy and a deep sense of dependence on the Lord.
Our Comfortable Accommodation in Shangombo
Shangombo District Church leadership seminar
At the Shangombo ECZ, local church leaders from five congregations across the district—Natukoma, Siwelele, Myumbo, Shandambi, and Shangombo—gathered for the training. In total, 57 leaders came together. It was a great privilege to meet these men and women who are faithfully serving Christ in one of the most rural and least-reached regions of Zambia.
I was eager to connect with them and begin building relationships, but I quickly realised this trip wouldn’t give me the time needed for that depth of engagement. I knew then that I would need to return—regularly. If I was to offer any meaningful support, I first needed to truly know these brothers and sisters, to understand their context, and to walk alongside them with love and care.
I was quite shocked to discover that, among all the church leaders present, only one had a physical Bible, and just four others were able to access the Scriptures on their phones. This moment exposed a deeply concerning reality. If these are the men and women entrusted with teaching God’s Word to others, then at the very least, they must each have a copy of the Bible. It was a sobering reminder of just how critical—and urgent—the need is for equipping leaders with even the most basic tools for ministry.
Between sessions, we stepped outside for a short Bible knowledge game. It offered a fun way for participants to stretch their legs and re-energise, but more than that, it underscored the importance of knowing Scripture well. The activity brought both laughter and learning, reminding us that a deep familiarity with God’s Word is essential for those who lead His people.
Daniel Kapanda is the ECZ Shangombo District Overseer who organised the leadership seminar with his team. They really looked after us well. I look forward to working with Daniel more in the years ahead.
Threaded Connections, Strong Resolve
I was pleasantly surprised by the creativity and resourcefulness of the people in this rural area when it comes to keeping their cell phones charged. One setup in particular caught my eye: a small solar panel with no plugs or connectors—just bare copper wires. Instead of proper terminals, the wires were carefully secured to the battery’s contact points using fine thread, wrapped with precision. It was a simple yet ingenious solution, a testament to how necessity often inspires innovation.
Shangombo to Berea
Early in the morning at 05:00 on Thursday we left Shangombo and headed on the ‘good-bumpy road’ to Berea District. Again, we carried the 5 leaders from Natukoma back to their village which was on our way.
Wheels seem to be a rare sight in this region. I noticed that many people use sleds instead of ox-carts, and I found myself wondering why. Perhaps it’s due to limited economic means, making carts unaffordable. Or maybe the choice is practical—sleds may simply move more easily through the thick, sandy terrain of the floodplains. Either way, it was a striking reminder of how daily life here is shaped by both environment and circumstance.
As we drew closer to the Berea District, wheels became a more common sight. Ox-carts appeared frequently along the roadside, clearly a popular and practical means of transport in this area. The contrast with the more remote regions was noticeable and gave a small but telling glimpse into the varying levels of access and infrastructure across the floodplains.
Berea District Church
We arrived at the Nazareth ECZ Church of the Berea District at around 10h30. The leaders of the district were all waiting for us to arrive and we started the leadership seminar at 11h00.
These church leaders had noticeably greater access to Bibles and showed a clear familiarity with Scripture. As we referenced various passages, they were able to find and read them with confidence. It reminded me of the believers in Berea, described in Acts 17 as “more noble than the Thessalonians,” because they eagerly received the Word and examined the Scriptures daily. It was encouraging to see that same eagerness and engagement reflected here in the Berea District.
Beautiful Faces of Berea District
Sioma District – Nangweshi Local Church
People of Nangweshi
May God bless and watch over each of these beautiful people that I have had the wonderful privilege to meet in Nangweshi. May He provide for them and help them to thrive in their faith and in their love for Jesus. May they be a source of light and love to those around them.
Lueti District – Senanga Central ECZ
Liko ECZ
Back in Mongu
We arrived back in Mongu at around 16:00, just in time to watch the sun begin its descent over the plains—a beautiful and peaceful end to a long journey. But as the light faded, one thing filled my mind: how much I had missed my family. The reunion with Renée and Caleb was full of joy—Caleb’s huge smile and big hugs, Renée’s warm embrace, and the deep sense of home that comes with being together again. What a gift. I thank God for my family.
Observing the Bible Translation at work
One of my main goals during this vision trip to Mongu was to visit the Bible translation consultants working alongside local teams who are translating the Scriptures into five different languages spoken across Barotseland. These consultants come for three weeks each term to guide and oversee the translation process, ensuring accuracy and faithfulness to the original text. It was a privilege to witness this vital work that brings God’s Word closer to the heart language of so many people.
Meeting other Pastors and ministry leaders in Mongu
Interesting Vehicles
Rest and Reflection at Roy’s Camp
