Yes, God answers prayer - but not always the way we expect!

Greetings from Luanshya!
Last Sunday morning at the “Caddie Chapel” there was another golf
tournament. When I arrived there at 8:00 am several of the caddies were
already out on the course with their golfers. The nine men who were
there and waiting were eager to listen so we went forward. One man even
brought his three young children because “they need to be in church.” At
the end of the brief message I asked them if they had any questions. The
man who brought his children asked a very poignant question – and one
that has been asked often and regularly by people since Adam and Eve
first lost their son: “When I ask God to help me why doesn’t He answer?”
He went on to ask me why God allowed bad things to happen. I spent
nearly 30 minutes talking about Joseph. He experienced incredibly bad
situations, but God knew the final outcome of his life. As I spoke the
man soaked in what he was hearing about God’s sovereignty (even thought
that word was not used). After I finished he thanked me and said nobody
ever explained it to him, but he now was beginning to understand. Please
pray for this small group of men – and their families – as I continue to
reach out to them.
School holidays are here and the Christian Resource Centre is full every
day. Colin has been sitting in the library to help because of the
increase in traffic. On Tuesdays and Thursdays we are showing children’s
films so the youngsters have a safe place to come during the break.
Colin works the projector which allows Sherry and me to continue our
routine. Colin enjoys having a part in this particular task. During the
holiday the children of the Lighthouse home are also receiving a bit of
additional tutoring in their mathematics studies. John and Sara Bwalya
are in from their rural post and are lending a hand with this. We are so
proud of this great couple! Please continue to remember them in prayer.
We need for them to be transferred back to Luanshya.
This afternoon Sherry and I began to intensive counselling of a young
couple who are planning to be married in November. I have known both of
these young people for over 10 years and have watched them mature
physically, emotionally and spiritually. He is completing his studies in
electronics and she is a school teacher. They want to serve the Lord in
their local church and want their marriage to be founded on the
principles of the Word of God. He lives in Lusaka now and they will me
moving there after the wedding so another member of the church is
leaving, but we always see this as an expansion of our ministry. Please
pray for Claude and Petronella as they prepare to share their lives and
ministries with each other.
On Friday I will be making a trip to Lusaka (four hours away) for Colin
to have a medical review of his leg and to have the minivan from the
Lighthouse Home serviced. Please pray for us as we travel. There is a
diesel shortage in Zambia so I have to carry all my fuel for the round
trip with me. We will be back in time for the service on Sunday. John
Bwalya is preaching and I want to hear my protégé speak.
Thank you for the part you have in this ministry. We are here because
you are there!
In His Service,
Patrick & Sherry