The Most Pressured Time of the Year

"When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

The order in which we pick up items on our grocery list really doesn't matter. But the order is important when it comes to our Christian faith. Our obedience will never save us, nor will it enable us to trust. Instead, our vain attempts at obedience will only bring frustration. But when trust comes first, obedience follows out of love.

Early this week one of the young people from the Friday afternoon youth meeting came in to the library with a look of concern. She had a question for Sherry about one of the lessons recently taught on "Facts About Christians." This young lady has been faithfully attending church, youth meetings and is a member of Scripture Union at school and yet something wasn't quite right. She was frustrated with her life. When questioned further, Sherry learned that though she has been active in Christian
programs much of her life, she had not put her trust in Christ and Him alone. She was desperately trying to fill her life but there was no vessel (herself) to fill. Obedience to the Word was empty because trust was missing. Knowing about God and His expectations of those who call Him Lord was insufficient because she realized that she did not belong to Him. She had the head knowledge but lacked the heart commitment. By the conclusion of the session, this young lady made a commitment for Christ and can now go forward in her life with trust leading the way, obedience following and good works providing the active ingredient to faithful Christian living. Pray that many more lives will be affected through this vital youth ministry.

One of the greatest joys I have is talking to church leaders in and around Luanshya. It is not that these men have no problems that is so encouraging, but that they are willing to bring their problems to me so we can pray together. One of these men is brother Katandula. In the last three months he has been in hospital twice and has buried one of his daughters. When asked, "How are you doing?" he responds, "God is blessing." The church in which he is involved is slowly building a permanent structure. In spite of his grief and health situation, he continues to go out and do what he can to be a part of this building project. Brother Katandula is 72 years old. He is an example, to those of us who are younger, that life does not end at
retirement. Please pray for brother Katandula and the Buntungwa church building project.

We have moved into the most pressured time of the year. Temperatures are soaring to well over 100 F every day and almost none of the homes have anything remotely resembling air conditioning. In fact, most of them have tin roofs which makes the inside of the house more like a solar oven. Add to that the fact that children in grade 7, 9 and 12 are preparing for end of the year exams which will determine whether they progress in their education or not. October is referred to as "suicide month" because of the high increase in self-inflicted deaths in our area. Please pray for our young people - including Colin - as they prepare for their final exams. Colin will be taking 13 hour long exams covering four subjects beginning next Monday and continuing through the end of November.

We appreciate, deeply, the fact that you are part of this ministry through your prayer and financial support.

In His Service,
Patrick & Sherry