Little Did We Know

Several months ago, ACTION Zambia bade farewell to the Hiltys. Tim had served as AZ's Director for over seven years. This past Saturday Derek Dearth picked up the reins of the directorship at his installation. His appointment was nothing short of a "God thing."

As a team we thought our search for a new director would take at least a year to complete. But God. Don't you just love that? From within our own ranks, God raised up a director. 

We first met Derek in 2004 on a short-term missions trip to Zambia. He had just arrived on the field for a several year stint. Little did we know that he would one day be our director on the field. Of course, we didn't know when we held Tim Hilty as a baby 30+ years ago that he would supervise our mission field! Life with God is so interesting!

Saturday the entire team and three board members filled our house with laughter and chatter. Tracy's barbecue skills (called a braai here) wowed us once again and were complemented with missionary wives' culinary genius.

After filling our tummies we gathered on the veranda and officially recognized Derek as AZ's Director. Nelson Reed, ACTION's International Director, gave words of 
encouragement from the epistles of Timothy and Titus. What an honor to have Nelson with us for this special occasion. 

AZ's board chairman, Charles Bota, then led the team in a time of prayer as we laid hands on Derek and his wife Kristin. I like how their son's hand is resting on Tracy's in this last picture. Charlie was definitely joining in!

How fitting to conclude this special time with the singing of "O God Our Help in Ages Past"~a recognition of God's faithfulness in the past, and a promise of His guidance for the future. Also fitting was to polish off a chocolate cake in honor of the Dearths' installation! 

Please pray for Derek and Kristin as he assumes this vital role as AZ's director. May God bless ACTION Zambia with our new director at the helm!