Bangweulu Fisherman

I just landed back into the States yesterday, after an amazing trip to be with our team on the ground in Ndola. We were able to get so much accomplished administratively and time with the team and the kids we serve was such fun!  It was also so nice to be in Zamia during the rainy season!  More on the trip next week…

But while I was gone, we released a 7-Day Devotional that I wrote, based on the night fishermen of Lake Bangweulu.  Bangweulu means “where the water meets the sky” and its a massive lake in Zambia’s Luapula Province.  The fishermen here are tough, committed, humble, and awesome!  Fishermen’s stories have always captured me.  They’re out on the edge kinds of guys and their lives are an adventure!  Often, when I’ve talked to them about this though, they view it more like business as usual.  They’re simply doing a job, and showing up consistently.  

If you’ve ever watched the Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch, you know this is more than a job!  The Bering Sea bites back.  

If you’ve ever seen the Wagenya people of the Congo River, who dive off rickety scaffolding they’ve built high above the rapids of Kisangani, you know this is not your typical day at the office.

I once traded a few fishing hooks to a fisherman on the Lower Zambezi River, for some bait fish to use for tiger fishing.  We had seen and given wide berth to literally hundreds of hippo and crocs.  Even in our high-sided boat, I was feeling some nerves.  This guy was in a dugout canoe, barely off the water!  I asked him if he was ever afraid of the beasts that he shares the river with and he said, “What beasts?  I know this place…these animals.  And they know me.  This is what I have done for more than 40 years.  I’m at home here.”  That’s a titanium backbone!

We have spent lots of time on and around Lake Bangweulu, and though it’s not Bering Sea cold or Congo River rapid, there are dangers of depths and weather…and crocodiles!   The story of the night fishermen is a special one.  

I’m so excited to share this devotional with you as a small thank you gift for following and supporting us all this time.  Please click the linked cover photo below to navigate to Orchard’s website and receive your free download of Life Lessons from the Night Fishermen of Lake Bangweulu.

I pray that it will inspire you to live on adventure with Jesus, and shine brightly for Him!  

Write in and tell us how it goes.  Please also forward this to some friends. Our hope is that many more this year, will be encouraged toward Lion Living!  

And be on the lookout for more Orchard releases this year!  We are putting out new content throughout 2025…

We can’t wait to share all this with you!

Roar your life this week, and thank you again!