05 September 2007

We never really know

Greetings from Luanshya!

Sometimes we don't realize how expansive our reach may be when we touch a life. Mwenda Kasonde was one of Sherry's students 12 years ago when she taught Religious Education in the local government schools. Over the course of time Mwenda has been in contact with us through the Source of Light Bible Correspondence School, weekly youth meetings and recently appeared in the Christian Resource Centre during a school break. He is now a student at Copperbelt University and is doing research for one of his courses in Poetic Expression. He uses the medium of illustrative art. Sherry was able to suggest the book "Water From The Well" a devotional book as a basis for further ideas on illustrating biblical truths. His hope is to use this medium as a way of witnessing to his professors at the university as well as to his fellow schoolmates. We never really know what will become of the seeds we plant in the hearts of youngsters. Please pray for Mwenda as he continues his studies as well as for the youngsters with whom we are working today.

Roy Sakahundu has been working through the discipleship program for the past two years. Because of his work situation, he has not been able to meet with me every single week but he has been faithful to complete the assignments and his growth has been phenomenal. Last Sunday he completed the final session which was the end of the survey of 1 Thessalonians. When we finished the hour, he looked at me and said, "This is the end, but it is also the beginning." We are very pleased that he has been able to achieve this accomplishment and that he is using what he has learned. For the next two Wednesday Bible studies, Roy will be the teacher. We look forward to seeing what he can do. Please pray for Roy as he continues to grow.

Good news concerning the building of the Fellowship Chapel sanctuary. Six thousand bricks have been molded and are awaiting the Mobile Missionary Maintenance construction team. I spoke with the project manager this morning and the team should be on site next week. So far the bricks have cost us just over US$2,000. We are the process of negotiating the construction costs of putting up the walls. Pray with us about this project. We would like to see it completed before the end of the year.

School has started! Sadly, it is only the third day term, an exam term at that, and the teachers at the high schools are going on strike. Students are very upset because they are preparing for their end of year exams and they know that the teachers are doing this in order to put the Ministry of Education over a barrel. If the teachers don't teach, the students don't pass. Please pray for the situation and that it does not become volatile. We are fortunate, however, that the children under our care at the Lighthouse Children's Home are all in private school where such activities do not occur.

It has been a marvelous week and we thank you for your prayers.

In His Service,
Patrick & Sherry