Grasping the Concepts

Greetings from Luanshya!

Half of the children at the Lighthouse Children's Home are in grade seven and are facing a pivotal exam at the end of this academic year (November). After looking at their math scores, it is apparent that all three of them needed some additional help. During the school holiday, this month, I have been working with them for about an hour to an hour and a half a day in their math studies. These children are not stupid, but they are lacking in basic mathematical skills which should have been taught at their school. Unfortunately, when there are 30 students in the classroom and their teacher also doubles as the school principal, a lot of things fall through the cracks. It is amazing to watch them light up when they grasp a concept. As I said, they are not stupid children; they just need to be taught. They are grasping many concepts while working with Sherry and myself, not only in math but in biblical truths. Please pray for them as they continue their studies both in school and in church.

Last Sunday Mr. Siwale stopped me after the service. I had preached from Matthew 6 and the message got a hold of his heart. He said, "Brother Coleman, I need to speak with you about being baptized." Later this afternoon he will be coming to the chapel early and we will go through the biblical teachings about assurance of salvation and baptism. Mr. Siwale is a university educated businessman. He is making his decisions slowly and carefully. Please pray for him as he makes this important step in the faith.

Over the last several weeks there has been a grade 12 student coming into the Resource Centre whenever he has a spare moment between school and home responsibilities. Sam was a student of the Source of Light Bible Correspondence School a few years ago but left to attend high school in a different town. He has been relocated back to Luanshya and has resumed his studies in the correspondence school. He also has an incredible thirst for biblical knowledge. Two weeks ago he began studying a book entitled "30 Days to Understanding The Bible". When he finished this, he began studying another book "The Bible in 12 Lessons". This afternoon he began a comparative study of Genesis and Acts – both books of beginnings. Yesterday he came into Sherry's office and said, "Aunty, I have a question from the Bible. My friends say..." Sherry immediately opened a Bible in front of her and together they found the answer. She then told Sam that our friends may say lots of things but the moment he said, "Question from the Bible", she reached for her Bible. Sam, like so many other young people, puts a lot of faith in what his "friends" say. Peer pressure is the same the world over. Pray for Sam as he continues to seek truth.

This coming Sunday I will be returning to the Buntungwa Chapel. Brother Katandula and brother Chomba have asked me to begin a series of lessons on Evangelism. They were supposed to go to an evangelism conference in Northern Province but transportation is very expensive. When they came and told me about this particular conference, hoping I would pay for them to go, I asked them why they would spend the money to go all the way to Northern Province when I could come and teach all the church members how to tell others about the Lord Jesus Christ? They were quick to accept the offer and they have already begun to translate the outline into Bemba.

Because of your support of this ministry, we continue to share the good news of the Messiah.

In His Service,
Patrick & Sherry