Today is Sherry's birthday so I have given her the afternoon off and I am typing this letter myself. This means three four things:
- It will take longer to type
- My spell check will be working overtime
- I am four hours late typing it because I made supper for her tonight
- My spell check has already found four errors in the first six lines (fat fingers!)
Last Sunday was one of those days that started off rough and got better! In the morning I went out to the golf course for the weekly "Caddy Chapel" only to find that there was a tournament scheduled. By 8:00 all the caddies were either on the course or waiting for their golfers to tee off. One of the caddies apologised and said, "Will we see you next week?" Of course!
After missing that opportunity to teach I went back to the Chapel to prepare for the morning service. It seemed that half the congregation was either out of town, working or sick. However, we had a young man come as a visitor so I felt encouraged. That afternoon I went wto visit Sidney at his home. We had a good visit. When I asked Sidney why he came he said he "just happened to walk by and heard the music." We do not believe in coincidence. Sidney enjoyed the service, though it was unlike any he had every attended before last Sunday. He told me he had already shared his experience with his sister and mother about the church and they were planning to come next week. Please pray for Sidney and his family. Seeds have been planted. Now we seek a harvest for the Kingdom
On Sunday night I received a telephone call. Late night calls are almost never good news. Robert had fallen and badly hurt himself. He is an 83 year-old gentleman who came to Zambia (then Northern Rhodesia) in 1947 and stayed. He took Zambian citizenship in 1964 when Zambia became an independent nation. His wife died 13 years ago and his children have all moved away. Several years ago he gave me a set of his house keys "just in case" he ever needed some help. The call came and I went. Robert's left arm was broken and he has badly bruised his hip – which was broken two years ago in another fall. He has been in the hospital for three days and may be there for another three.
I have told you all of this because I want you to pray for Robert. He has seen a lot of missionaries over the past 59 years. Most have disappointed him because their lifestyles do not match their words. I have spoken to him on several occasions about his eternity, but he has put me off. Today as I visited him in the hospital he began to talk about God and the future. This is the first time he has brought up the subject. Please pray that God will give us the time and privacy to continue our conversation.
Thank you for being a part of our lives and ministry. You might want to send a note to Sherry wishing her a happy 21st birthday! Again!!
In His Service,
Patrick & Sherry
