For some time now we have talked about the Zambezi cluster. We continue to live in Zambia, but my job has changed where I am now the CSL (Cluster Strategy Leader) for the Zambezi Cluster. I thought I would take some time to write and explain exactly what that is.
The Zambezi Cluster is made up of about 212 indigenous people groups with their own language, culture and customs. These peoples are primarily found in Angola, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, but some of them spill over into other neighboring countries including DRC, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. The cluster takes its name from the river that runs through these four main countries and ties them together both geographically and historically. The total population of these peoples is approximately 74,000,654 but they are dispersed in a land mass that is over 3,182,760 square kilometers in size (about 5 times the size of Texas) with a limited infrastructure. There is a wide spectrum of cul-tural and historical backgrounds with some people coming from a British Colonial perspective and others from a com-pletely different Portuguese colonial perspective (not to mention the few groups in DRC who have been influenced by Belgium). While all these tribes are Bantu peoples and share a similar affinity, they each present their own unique chal-lenges, which make a comprehensive strategy difficult at best.
My job as the CSL is to lead the 90 IMB missionaries who serve in all those countries and to make sure that we are get-ting the gospel to those 74 million people that make up our cluster. As you can imagine it is a pretty big task and in-volves a lot of supervision, administration, mentoring and travel. In addition, I am continually searching for new strate-gies, partners and means of getting the gospel to the people groups in our cluster that are still unreached and have no missionary. We still live in the heart of Zambia, but my vision has to extend to multiple countries, tribes and languages and I would covet your prayers as I engage in this work. Over the months to come I will take you on a tour of our cluster and familiarize you with what we do and who we serve. Stay tuned for next month’s installment.
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