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Of the 10 million people in Zambia, 76% consider themselves Christians, but the influence of Animism is still quite strong. For many, Christian practices have been melded into their animistic customs rather than a true transformation through the Holy Spirit. Cultural habits promote the spread of AIDS, just as in many other countries of east, central and south Africa.
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Liebenzell began work in Malawi in 1992, at the invitation of the EBCM (Evangelical Baptist Churches of Malawi). Although two-thirds of the country’s 11 million people claim to be Christians, they have little Bible knowledge and connection with any type of church. Traditional religions and superstitions tend to dominate everyday life. About 16% are Muslims.
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In spite of possessing Africa's largest oil reserves, Nigeria remains one of the continent's poorest countries. It's international debt of 30 billion dollars (US) is roughly equal to the estimated amount of wealth stolen from the country by corrupt leaders. About one-third of the population lives in poverty and one out of every four workers is unemployed.
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The Episcopalian Church invited Liebenzell to join their ministry efforts in 1992. They were concerned that an aging church leadership could not prepare young pastors to continue ministry within the church. One year later, civil war broke out and has only recently come to a peaceful resolution. Seventy-five percent of the country’s 6.3 million people are Catholic and there is a growing influence of Islam.
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Niger's large land mass (slightly less than twice the size of Texas) is mostly desert; thus, its roughly 12 million people live primarily in the southwest and in a narrow strip of savannah grassland along the border with Nigeria. Independent from France since 1960, democracy has been rare, but the country has mostly avoided the religious and ethnic strife that has plagued some of its neighbors.
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Botswana / Tanzania / Kenya |
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Working in cooperation with partner missions, Liebenzell fills various roles in these African countries. A mission pilot has been serving in Botswana since 1995. Another pilot was assigned to Tanzania in 1997. In 2003, a third pilot was sent to Kenya. They transport passengers and cargo, airlift critical patients and are a tremendous help for the mission work in remote, hard to reach areas.
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