Greetings from Luanshya!
It is always good to get away for a while, see things from a different perspective and observe not only your world but the world around you. It is both refreshing and invigorating. However, there is nothing better than returning home, unpacking suitcases, sitting in your favourite chair and sleeping in your own bed. Whoever said it said it best: “Be it ever so humble, there is no place like home!”
While we were away two people died. I am not thinking of the people whose names have been spread across the news networks. These were not famous people, but they were friends. At the same time, they were completely different from each other. Mr Simwanza was a leader in a rural church about 45 minutes from Luanshya. He lived in a small, mud-brick house with his wife and children. He had a small piece of land from which he scratched out enough of a living to feed his family and he served the Lord by preaching and teaching in the little chapel in his village. Mr Mbewe was a businessman in Luanshya. He owned several houses and lived in a large house near the English-speaking church I had just finished building. He watched the building go up and told me on several occasions, “I will visit you one day.” He never did. He left his wife, children and earthly wealth behind and slipped into eternity having never kept his promise. Members of the church went to both funerals. They were as different as two funerals could be. One was filled with hope – the other with despair. We are sad to have lost both friends, but sadder that one was lost forever. Please pray for the families. I will be going out to the village on Sunday to preach and pay my respects to Mrs Simwanza.
In America the Fourth of July is celebrated with fireworks, picnics and baseball. We basically spent the day doing laundry, catching up with correspondence and resting. In Zambia there is a two-day holiday which is celebrated on the first weekend of July called “Heroes and Unity Days.” The International Trade Fair in Ndola (25 miles away) is always conducted over this four-day weekend, but it is a more subdued atmosphere and there are no fireworks. Still, I used the “Heroes” theme for my message on Sunday and preached from Hebrews 11. As I examined the heroes of the faith I talked about what made them “heroes.” For example, Abel and Enoch pleased God, but their departures from earth were quite different; Noah and Abraham were both asked to do something completely contrary to “conventional wisdom”, but God blessed them for their obedience. All of these heroes were able to claim that title because they obeyed. We are not all asked to do the same thing, but we are all asked to obey. I ended my message with this sentence: “There is a history waiting to be written: Yours!” When we come to the end of our earthly sojourn those left will remember our life. I remember both of my friends – one with hope… the other without.
By way of an update on the web site, Hosting Matters is not being very cooperative. Arguing with them from this distance is both expensive and futile. We are making plans to change the name slightly and re-open the site soon. I appreciate the expertise of our oldest son, Christopher, as he puts everything together. Be on the lookout for…
Coming soon to a computer near you!
Thank you for your prayer on our behalf!
Together in His Service,
Patrick & Sherry
Dr. Patrick & Sherry Coleman
