12 January 2005

News from Zambia - 12th January 2005

Greetings from Luanshya!

Schools have opened for the 2005 school year. Children are walking back
and forth to classes in their brand new, yet to be torn uniforms.
Teachers are in class. Everything looks bright. All of our children from
the Lighthouse Home are settling into their new classes. We anticipate a
good year for them. Please pray for all of our children as they continue
in their academic studies.

With the New Year we are starting a new ministry at the chapel. Sherry
will begin a College and Career evening discussion group on Friday from
5:30 to 6:30. It will be a time of fellowship as well as a focused Bible
study for young adults. One of the young ladies at the local grocery
store stopped me a couple days ago and asked, "Can anybody come?" I
said, "Certainly." She said that she would be there if she could get
off. Sherry has had a big influence with the young people in Luanshya
since she has been here a decade and a half. Many of the children that
she taught during her first years in Zambia are now grown and have
families of their own. Please pray for this new class and that Sherry
will be able to continue to reach into the hearts and lives of the young
people.

Many years ago an older man named Mr. Silungwe came to know Christ
through our ministry. He was baptized and began discipleship classes
with me. Brother Silungwe became very ill and was transported out of
town by members of his family to a better hospital. He has been away for
over a year. Just before Christmas he returned home to Luanshya looking
quite fit especially for a man in his upper sixties who has had a
relatively difficult life. The first Sunday he was here he said, "I
really need to complete the discipleship course started so very long
ago." Last Monday we began our concentrated study in 1 Thessalonians. It
is always exciting to see an older adult get excited about Bible study.
Please pray for Mr. Silungwe as he continues his studies. He may never
be a preacher but he does want to know about his Lord and Saviour.

Last Sunday our puppet ministry team was back in action. The two stars
of the day were Levi and Lily. The children always enjoy the puppet
presentations especially now that we have puppets with dark brown skin
thanks to a very generous church. We plan to have a puppet presentation
the first Sunday of every month. We trust this will continue to draw
more children into the Sunday School program. Pray for this ministry.

Bible Institute classes continue. It is somewhat more difficult with men
who are working because their work schedules often take them out of town
for several days and weeks at a time. I find myself teaching several
classes that are just a few lessons away from each other as one student
comes more often than others. Still, the men are keen to learn. Please
pray that their work schedules and family responsibilities will not
hinder their progress in their studies.

It has been a busy first week of the year. This month seems to be going
faster but we cannot stop the calendar from flipping over. We appreciate
your prayers on our behalf as we continue...

In His Service,
Patrick & Sherry