November 4
 God initiated Pr. Mbewe's trip with prayer as visa problems appeared that they might derail the entire trip. Graciously, God responded to the prayer request that was sent out to everyone on the ACU mailing list, and Conrad's visa was granted and his 30+ hour trip was successful.
November 6
 The morning after his safe arrival, Pr. Mbewe addressed a group of regional church leaders regarding the limitation of anything that this world can conjure up to meet man's inner need for a heart that pleases God. Only transformation through Christ can accomplish reconciliation to God. This set the tone for promoting ACU, that it's foundation on the Gospel is what gives it any relevance, any value. Conrad Mbewe preached the Gospel in its full power this morning. There was no doubt why he's considered"The Spurgeon of Africa!"
November 7
 This was Pr. Mbewe's inaugural preaching event for his US tour to promote ACU. It was very appropriate that it was the kick-off for Faith Community Church's Mission Conference. It was largely through the support of FCC with Pr. Tim Juhnke and Matt Greco that Conrad's trip to the USA was made possible. Conrad was clearly under the unction of the Holy Spirit when he preached a powerful Gospel that expressed the core of any mission endeavor. The opportunity for Ken to lay out the need, purpose and plan for ACU was very well received and the response was a great encouragement for starting the tour to announce the grand vision of ACU.
November 7
The Master's Community Church, under the shepherding of Pr. Todd Chipmann, has been supporting the ACU project since the first time they heard about it. The enthusiasm and prayer support for the project has been an ongoing encouragement as ACU-USA has developed to support the Zambian church with ACU. As Pr. Mbewe expressed the cosmic scale of Christ's redemptive work, the global fellowship of the body of Christ became all the more apparent as this American church comes alongside the Zambian church to assist in any way they can to see it brought to fruition.
November 8
We appreciate Mike Bonham, Bible Study Leader at State Street, for expanding the vision of those in the corporate Bible study to God's work around the globe. Pr. Mbewe shared the Gospel with conviction from Ecclesiastes to this global corporate audience through the wonder of intranet video conferencing. He emphasized that any attempt of man to cure the futility of life with anything outside of Christ, including education or the world's riches, is useless. Only redemption through Christ's work on the cross brings everlasting life.
November 9
 The name of this weekly meeting held by New Heights Church and directed by Pr. Lee Epstein was certainly appropriate: Global Vision. I've never experienced a local church that was so intimately involved (not just through distant missionaries) in such a variety of small and big projects across the globe and locally. They were engaging the church members to see their position as part of God's kingdom. There was an enthusiastic response to ACU and I trust there will be ongoing opportunities to work towards its fruition alongside some of those whom Conrad and I were privileged to meet.
November 10
As Pr. Mbewe expressed, "For me, the one place we visited that confirmed our vision was the College of the Ozarks. They have a work study program that enables students to participate in the maintenance and income generating part of the college. This gives students work experience while they are studying and, of course, helps them pay for their studies. It also cuts on the cost of running the college because a lot of the work is being done by the students.
We saw students watering the gardens, producing fruit cakes and sending them to clients, preparing flower bouquets, making stained glass products, working on the extension of their gym, etc.
They even run a hotel, built right outside their campus! If young people who are studying for white collar jobs can learn to do what is culturally perceived as the lowest form of work (e.g. cleaning toilets), you will be producing servant leaders for society."
I was glad to see what an impact our visit to College of the Ozarks made on Conrad. It's difficult to describe and conceive what a student labor program can look like and he saw the productivity and beautifying aspects of it, even without the real discipleship in application of God's Word to student's lives being a component of what we saw.
We are very appreciative of CofO for the example they set and taking the time to personally host our visit, allowing us to see it first-hand.
November 10
Here from a small church in West Plains, MO are a group of men so passionate about the Gospel having global impact that they have personally made trips to Zambia to assist in the effort, and are working towards a church plant in Salt Lake City, UT to be a Gospel witness to Mormons. It was wonderful to talk over lunch and sense their love for Christ while being encouraged in our work with ACU.
November 11
The message that Pr. Mbewe shared regarding a Christian epistemology, or theory of knowledge, from Gal. 6:14 made it perfectly clear that only in the cross of Christ can truth be comprehended. Without this presupposition our searching is meaningless. The response from so many godly brothers in the region of Springfield, MO, made it clear that the vision for ACU resonates in hearts that clearly see and likewise proclaim this truth.
November 11
"It was wonderful to see an enthusiastic group of young men gathered to hear testimony of what God is doing in Zambia! May God continue to raise up and equip God-honoring, humble men to lead His church into the coming generations."
The opportunity to address a group of alumni of the Perspectives Course on Global Missions at the US Center for World Missions was a real treat. As Pr. Mbewe shared the history of the Zambian Baptists and we answered questions about ACU, the passion within the group for seeing Christ and His Gospel proclaimed was exhilarating. We pray for their ongoing impact and stirring of those who desire to be used of God to proclaim His Good News.
November 12
 The opportunity to hear Pr. Mbewe tell the history of the development of the Reformed Baptist church planting movement in Zambia made clear that God was doing a phenomenal work unheard of in Africa ... perhaps anywhere! It made clear that ACU is simply the next step in what God has been doing for over 20 years in Zambia.
November 12
 As Kevin McCollum (Executive Director of Lightbearers) expressed, "Psalm 2 has just become my favorite Psalm." Pr. Mbewe's dramatic presentation of this Psalm in an environment meant to express what it is like for those who don't have the freedom to openly meet and fellowship in Christ was electrifying. Afterwards, this group of young, zealous servants of Christ gathered around us to pray for God's work, protection and will to be accomplished through the development of ACU. Fantastic!
November 13
 Wayne is a valued part of the ACU-USA Board of Directors and we appreciate his wisdom, expertise, commitment to Christ's exaltation (He has been a member of the Gideons for over 40 yrs!) and the encouragement he offers to this immense endeavor.
November 14
Pr. Mbewe can contextualize the heart of the Gospel in endless ways. His focus throughout this tour was that founding ACU on the Gospel is the key to any educational success. Without redemption in Christ life is meaningless. Through the blood of Christ, the door is open to Life with a capital "L". Only then can eternal hope, peace and joy be known and experienced.
Trinity Grace Church (Pr. Chris Miller) was our first chance to make the vision of ACU known to a denomination (the Presbyterian Church of America) that has the most virile history of seeing higher education as Christian grounds for making God's glory known to the world in the power of the Gospel and the pursuit of knowing God through His Word and through His creation. To experience their response in seeking to help in any way they can was a tremendous blessing to myself and Conrad!
November 14
 Pr Bill Ascol - The Reformed Baptist church in Zambia is a truly unique work of God. Check out their amazing work developing ACU.
Pr. Bill Ascol is a close personal friend of Pr. Mbewe, so he intimately understood the unique capacity of the Zambian church to handle a project of the magnitude of ACU. It was great to hear his complete support and faith that ACU was clearly a vision meant for this church. We whole-heartedly agree!
November 15
It was encouraging to hear someone who examines the purpose of thousands of mission organizations in consideration of funding opportunities to express such enthusiastic support for the holistic, Christ-centered ACU vision even at first hearing.
November 15
It was great to end Conrad's visit at our home church in Kansas City, Christ Fellowship, with Pr. Jim Elliff, all the church elders and many of the men in attendance. Materialism is obviously the curse of the West, but it's pull is no less relevant to Africa.
Pr. Mbewe's focus on the deceptiveness of riches is critical to the Zambian churches and ACU's protection as the warning goes out to be on guard against such attacks from within and outside the church.
Devoting our material blessings to God's kingdom purpose will assure our obedience in righteousness and the churches (and ACU's) holiness through the Spirit's sanctifying work.
November 16
 Travelling with Conrad so many hours was the greatest blessing of his visit for me and my wife, Lisa. We learned a great deal about Zambia, the culture, Conrad and his family, and especially the amazing church Christ is building there. The "whole-body ministry" is a truly unique aspect of the Zambian church. It is hard to grasp the difference without seeing it personally, but their is a living passion for the Gospel that I haven't seen in any church, anywhere. It is this foundation that will assure ACU's stability and longevity on God's power in the Gospel and His Word.
November 16
Tim Challies support for the ACU endeavor has been phenomenal. He is really helping us to get the word out. We trust it is getting to those who will be most sympathetic of the need and supportive of the effort.
November 16
Praise God for the ministry of Pr Conrad Mbewe. - Thank you Kabwata Baptist Church. Pray for Pastor Mbewe as he returns home.
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