28 November 2007

Fair Service

Greetings from Luanshya!



ZAMNET has been having "issues" again. This time the electricity went out at a relay station 50 miles north of Lusaka (150 miles south of us) so email was out. The electricity kept going on and off for several days so email was out of order and Internet access (and SKYPE) was intermittent. They tell me it is working... We'll see!

Last Saturday we were given the opportunity to attend the graduation ceremony of the Mobile Missionary Maintenance Vocational Training School.

The MMM teams have assisted us several times over the years on various construction projects. It was started by missionaries from Australia and was placed entirely into Zambian leadership a few years ago. They still receive support from outside Zambia, but the day to day administration rests squarely with the local Zambians. As I sat and watched the graduation, I was impressed by the quality and testimonies of those who had gone through the program. They had trained carpenters, bricklayers and tailors but the outstanding facet of the education was the Christ-centered curriculum.

Students talked about loving the Lord and being prepared to serve Him through their vocation. It is good to know that we had a small part in sending these young people into the fields to harvest.

Speaking of MMM, one team of carpenters is currently on site at the Fellowship Chapel grounds to place the roof on the building. Due to illnesses and the graduation ceremony, the building is four weeks behind schedule and, of course, we have the additional challenge of almost daily rain storms. The one this afternoon lasted twenty minutes and dropped nearly four inches of rain and hail. The students quickly covered the timer, gathered all their tools and waited under shelter until the rain passed.

Immediately after the storm, they returned to the site and resumed work. We are excited about the prospect of having this building enclosed in a few days time. Please pray for the MMM team as they endeavor to complete this task.

During my discipleship session with Mr. Siwale we were discussing the lordship of Christ. As we looked at Romans 12:1, it struck home to him that being a living sacrifice-giving everything you have to the Lord Jesus Christ-is reasonable service. The "fairness" of being a living sacrifice became real as we talked about other things being fair. Go into the market to buy vegetables and paying for them is fair. Going into a shop to buy shoes and paying for them is fair. Enjoying electricity in your home and paying the monthly bill is fair. Giving our lives back to Christ because He paid for it with His blood on the cross is fair. The realization brought a smile to his face. He said, "This is why obedient Christians are happier than disobedient Christians." This is a profound statement. Please pray for brother Siwale as he continues to grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The Christian Resource Centre continues to be a valuable ministry. There have been a number of new enrollments in the Bible correspondence school while new faces have been appearing every day to use the resources offered.

This afternoon a long time student came in to have Sherry work on his computer straightening out a Bible resource program. The work among the youth of the community continues. With school almost at an end for the year, we expect many new young people to attend the special meetings set up for them. Friday evenings we continue with various films. We are currently watching the Chronicles of Narnia. Thank you for praying for the various ministries that fall under the Christian Resource Centre.

In His Service,

Patrick & Sherry