31 May 2006

Very Unusual Experiences

Greetings from Luanshya!

One of the young men we have been working with over the years, Augustine, came back to visit us this week. Two years ago he moved to Livingstone, hoping to find work. He has had some small success at that, but he misses being with us. He mentioned that if there was any possibility of finding work in Luanshya he would immediately move back. Unfortunately, that is not the situation we find ourselves in this small town. It was an encouragement to, specifically, as he sat in her office for 30 minutes sharing his desires and dreams. He returns to Livingstone next Wednesday. We will be providing him with a number of books for his growing personal library. Please continue to pray for Augustine as he continues preparing for his life and ministry.

Last Saturday we had a very unusual experience. We were about to show the film, "The Bible vs. The Book of Mormon". We had advertised it at the Christian Resource Centre and a couple of schools in town. Three young people came in to the chapel and sat in the back row just about the time the film was to start. One of the young people has come into the library to ask questions about what the Mormon church really teaches. Suddenly one of the young people that the Mormon church is grooming for leadership walked into the room and forcefully tried to drag these young people out. When I confronted him he said, "we are leaving". I escorted him to the door and said, "you are quite welcome to leave but you are not going to force anyone else to do what they do not want to do." Unfortunately, the young people he came to retrieve were embarrassed and left with him. There were still 30 people in the room who remained to watch the film. Some of them were amazed at the obvious fabrications of Joseph Smith's imagination. A couple of the visitors asked if we were going to show it again so they can bring their friends. We will, of course, at a later date and we will advertise it as the film the Mormon's do not want you to watch. Please continue to pray for the young people of Zambia. They are drawn to anything new and especially those things that come from America, even the cults.

Last Sunday was fantastic. I was out at the Kafubu Block church. They had their "harvest offering" at the conclusion of the service. Families were bringing in bags of corn, peanuts, sweet potatoes, beans and one man even brought in a bag of charcoal. All these things will be sold to help with their building program. As a special gift to me, they gave me some of the sweet potatoes, peanuts and the bag of charcoal as a form of thank you for coming out to them to preach the Word of God. It is very humbling when people who have so little generously give. We will use this gift to help others in our community.

There are so many facets to this ministry. We feel blessed to be used of God in this manner. The Christian Resource Centre will be hosting a series on "Equal Yet Different - The Biblical Perspective on Gender Issues". We would appreciate your prayers as we embark on this politically sensitive discussion.

In His Service,
Patrick & Sherry

25 May 2006

Consider the Alternative!

Greetings from Luanshya!

Sometimes God just sends somebody along to encourage us. This week I met Henry. He is a Zambian who teaches in a university in Texas. He married an American girl a few years ago and brought her to Luanshya to meet his family. They were walking by the front of the Christian Resource Centre and saw the window display. It says: Things You Will Not Find in Hell. In the window I have placed a number of items. There will be no light - it is called "outer darkness" in Matthew 8:12. There will be no water - even Lazarus could not dip his finger to comfort the rich man in Luke 16:24. There will be no clock - it is everlasting punishment according to Matthew 25:46. There are another dozen items in the window that portray the emptiness of hell. We were closed that evening so Henry came by to see us the next day. He told me that he went to the United States to go to university and was hired to teach after he completed his masters degree. Henry and his wife attend a small Baptist church in College Station, Texas, and he wanted to come in and see just what we were doing. It was an encouragement to see this young Zambian Christian come in and visit with me for over an hour. God has been using him both in his church and in his profession. He thanked me for sharing the Gospel with his countrymen and we prayed together that God would bless him in his life and ministry in the States. He did mention the fact that his wife had fallen in love with Zambia after only an few short weeks here on her first visit, so who knows what God has in store for this young couple. Please pray for Henry and his wife (I cannot recall her name) as they continue to grow together in Christ.

This week we will be showing the documentary film: "The Bible Versus The Book of Mormon" at the Chapel. The film goes step-by-step through the proofs that the Bible is historically and archaeologically true while the Book of Mormon has not one shred of evidence that it is anything but a collection of fabricated stories. It is amazing that a book like this can be presented as "the most correct book on earth" (according to Joseph Smith) when it is literally filled with errors and unsubstantiated fiction. One example in the book of Mormon is that Joseph Smith says Jesus was born in Jerusalem instead of Bethlehem. The film is one-hour long and should help to initiate questions from the community about the fact that the Mormon church is simply a man-made cult. Please pray with us that people will come with open minds so we can show them the truth of the Bible and the one and only Word of God.

This coming Sunday I'll be returning to the Kafubu Block church 20 miles from Luanshya. The rains have stopped (though we did have a surprise shower on Monday) so we can remove the grass roof of the chapel there and put on the metal roof that has been so generously provided by a church in Southern California. I'll take pictures of the progress and send them in the weeks ahead. The congregation made their own bricks and built the chapel using their own resources, but the roof is out of their reach financially so we are going to help. This church had all but died a few years ago, but Bro Katandula has been working with them over the past year and a half and they have found a new energy and purpose in this rural community. Pray for the
service on Sunday and for the labour as we begin this work.

It has been a great week and God has blessed in so many ways. We certainly appreciate your prayers on our behalf as we remain...

In His Service,
Patrick & Sherry

PS: I celebrated my 52nd birthday last Sunday. Thank you to all who sent cards. My father says getting old isn't too tough when you consider the alternative! - PC

24 May 2006

Simple Encouragement

Greetings from Luanshya!

Sometimes God just sends somebody along to encourage us. This week I met Henry. He is a Zambian who teaches in a university in Texas. He married an American girl a few years ago and brought her to Luanshya to meet his family. They were walking by the front of the Christian Resource Centre and saw the window display. It says: Things You Will Not Find in Hell. In the window I have placed a number of items. There will be no light - it is called "outer darkness" in Matthew 8:12. There will be no water - even Lazarus could not dip his finger to comfort the rich man in Luke 16:24. There will be no clock - it is everlasting punishment according to Matthew 25:46. There are another dozen items in the window that portray the emptiness of hell. We were closed that evening so Henry came by to see us the next day. He told me that he went to the United States to go to university and was hired to teach after he completed his masters degree. Henry and his wife attend a small Baptist church in College Station, Texas, and he wanted to come in and see just what we were doing. It was an encouragement to see this young Zambian Christian come in and visit with me for over an hour. God has been using him both in his church and in his profession. He thanked me for sharing the Gospel with his countrymen and we prayed together that God would bless him in his life and ministry in the States. He did mention the fact that his wife had fallen in love with Zambia after only an few short weeks here on her first visit, so who knows what God has in store for this young couple. Lease pray for Henry and his wife (I cannot recall her name) as they continue to grow together in Christ.

This week we will be showing the documentary film: "The Bible Versus The Book of Mormon" at the Chapel. The film goes step-by-step through the proofs that the Bible is historically and archaeologically true while the Book of Mormon has not one shred of evidence that it is anything but a collection of fabricated stories. It is amazing that a book like this can be presented as "the most correct book on earth" (according to Joseph Smith) when it is literally filled with errors and unsubstantiated fiction. One example in the book of Mormon is that Joseph Smith says Jesus was born in Jerusalem instead of Bethlehem. The film is one-hour long and should help to initiate questions from the community about the fact that the Mormon church is simply a man-made cult. Please pray with us that people will come with open minds so we can show them the truth of the Bible and the one and only Word of God.

This coming Sunday I'll be returning to the Kafubu Block church 20 miles from Luanshya. The rains have stopped (though we did have a surprise shower on Monday) so we can remove the grass roof of the chapel there and put on the metal roof that has been so generously provided by a church in Southern California. I'll take pictures of the progress and send them in the weeks ahead. The congregation made their own bricks and built the chapel using their own resources, but the roof is out of their reach financially so we are going to help. This church had all but died a few years ago, but Bro Katandula has been working with them over the past year and a half and they have found a new energy and purpose in this rural community. Pray for the service on Sunday and for the labour as we begin this work.

It has been a great week and God has blessed in so many ways. We certainly appreciate your prayers on our behalf as we remain...

In His Service,
Patrick & Sherry

17 May 2006

A Good Report

The Zambian summer is officially past and temperatures are dropping into the 60's at night. We know it is cold when we have to break out the sweaters to go out in the evenings. This may not sound like cold to many of our friends North America, but after two decades in Africa anything below 70 degrees is considered cold.

Last Friday representatives from the Ministry of Community Affairs (Social Welfare) came to visit the Lighthouse Children's Home for an official inspection. They examined every room, every bed and every kitchen appliance to make sure all was in order. They were very pleased that each of the children had a comfortable bed but also an insecticide treated mosquito net to cover each sleeping child. The fact that there was running water, 24 hours a day 7 days a week and that electricity was available on demand was an "added bonus" to the report. When they left the facility, they were "very happy" with what they had seen. We strive to maintain "model status" for the Lighthouse Children's Home. We appreciate those who have designated gifts to this ministry.

On Sunday I travelled to the village of Kasongo, about 25 km. from Luanshya. This was my first time to speak in this rural church on a Sunday morning. I have been to the village several times and have met with church leaders and members, but conflicting schedules have prohibited me from being there on a Sunday morning. Witchcraft plays a big part in Kasongo village life so I stressed the fact that believers are not bound by witchcraft and have been delivered from the power of Satan by knowing Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. After the meeting, I spoke to several of the men who asked me to come back and speak again. I will be going out there in the next few days with my calendar to set up future meetings. Please pray for this small rural congregation as they share the Light with their neighbours.

This morning Mr. Kamanga came to see me. He has been a long time student in the Source of Light Bible Correspondence program. He has completed nearly every book printed. We will be starting a series of comprehensive studies to equip this brother so his ministry (borders) can be expanded. Please pray for brother Kamanga as he begins this series.

We were shocked early this week when fuel prices jumped drastically around the country. We were paying over US$5 a gallon. Now we are paying US$6.90 per gallon. This means that it costs US$93 to fill my fuel tank. We pray for two things, that the dollar will grow in strength again the Kwacha and that the price of oil goes down. Neither seems likely in the near future. This is a major concern for us as rising travel costs determine the extent of ministry in remote areas.

Thank you for your prayers as we continue...

In His Service,
Patrick & Sherry

10 May 2006

Impacting Lives

Greetings from Luanshya!

It has been a few weeks since we had an opportunity to sit and jot our notes. This is due, in part, to the fact that our internet service has been absolutely awful and also to the fact that Sherry a few days away from home and drove down to visit friends in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

The work has continued to be challenging. During the school holidays there was an increase in the number of school children who attended the programs at the Christian Resource Centre. One young man stopped me today and apologized for not coming into the library to continue reading the book called "The Godmakers" (an exposé of Latter Day Saints). He has recently found a job and does not get off work until 5 p.m. I suggested that he talk to his boss about either taking early or late lunch so he can continue reading the book. He thought that was a great idea and promised to try. It is encouraging to know that we are having an impact on the lives of not only children but young adults in Luanshya.

One of our young men, Moyo, has recently moved to Chipata. Chipata on the eastern border of Zambia which is 12 1/2 hours away from us over some very poorly paved roads. He phones me once a week just to see how we are doing. He is continuing his discipleship course "by extension" because the distance is too far to sit with me on a regular basis. He is just about to finish the third book of seven and phoned last night to let me know that he is preparing to send it back for correction. While we are happy that he has found a vocation in which he can be of service, it is a loss to the local church to have this vibrant young man move so far away. Please pray for Moyo as he prepares for his life and service to the Lord.

Sarah Bwalya is expecting her second child any day now. Her husband, John, came in to tell us that she had just spent three days in hospital with a serious case of malaria. As we have mentioned before, malaria is the number one killer of children and pregnant women in Zambia. She is feeling better but is currently staying with her parents, here in town, until after the baby is born since the nearest health clinic near their village, where they teach, is 45 minutes away by bicycle. Not the best mode of transport for a woman in labor. Please pray for Sarah and John as they prepare for this newest member of the family. Also pray that John will have his request for a transfer back to Luanshya honored by the Ministry of Education. He really wants to be back with us in the English speaking work.

This coming Sunday I will have the opportunity to go to the village of Kasongo, about 16 miles from Luanshya through the bush (jungle). I have been looking forward to this meeting for two months. Witchcraft is prevalent in this village and we have been informed by reliable sources that it has even crept into the church. Please pray that God will give me wisdom and the right words to say and that the members of the church will be honest when confronted with the problem. I have personally dealt with witchdoctors in the past and if necessary will do so again.

Your prayers are always appreciated.

Together in His Service,
Patrick & Sherry