15 September 2010

News from Zambia - 15th September 2010 A

15th September 2010

 

Greetings from Luanshya!

 

Dickson, one of the wards in the Lighthouse Children's Home, visited with Sherry in her office on Monday to share with her some of the things that were going through his mind while in his "dungeon experience (jail cell)" almost two weeks ago. He said that he was reminded of the series of lessons last year in youth group on The Life of Joseph – being wrongfully accused and yet maintaining his testimony and trying to see how God's hand was in the situation. He considered the privileged life he has led over the last 10 years and the personal advances made...a hope for the future...knowledge that there were those who truly cared for him, a chance to be someone, life with purpose. With so much time to sit and think, this young man has come to realize the importance of being committed to the Lord, healthy friendships, studies and much more. Please continue to pray for Dickson as he goes through this period of remembrance and that he may continue to see God's hand in each and every event and that bitterness over circumstances will not take over.

 

With these thoughts in mind, Sherry's Youth lesson last week is “Being Big Enough to Forgive” – 2 Samuel 16:5-13; 19:16-23. We all know that forgiveness is costly. So much of the hurt we experience in our lives would be on the way to healing if we would choose the simple but difficult road toward forgiveness. As always in matters of forgiveness, the offended – the forgiver – must pay the cost in full. That takes an awfully big person to pull off. David filled those shoes. The question to the young people: “Can you?”

 

She explained “We often try to get away without offering full forgiveness, and when we resist like that, we can expect to see a downward plunge in our relationship with the offender and God. David stood in the midst of a storm resulting from the consequences of his sin with Bathsheba when a "nobody" in the kingdom insulted David publicly. However, David treated the offender with grace and respect and refused to take the man's life. As you seek to improve in the area of offering forgiveness, cultivate a thicker layer of skin, try to understand where the offender is coming from, recall times in your life when you have needed forgiveness, and verbalize your forgiveness...” Next weeks' lesson: A Song of Triumph--2 Samuel 22

 

I shared these thoughts from Sherry because she is a vital part of this ministry. We complement each other and work side-by-side in the work here. We accomplish what we do because we are both determined to spend our lives in service to our lord and Saviour. Thank you for making this possible by your prayers and faithful support.

 

In His Service,

Patrick & Sherry

 

Dr. Patrick & Sherry Coleman

P.O. Box 90010

Luanshya, Zambia Africa

 

www.colemanministry.info

tel: (h) 260-21-2510033

(w) 260-21-2512359

(w) 260-21-2512539

(fax) 260-21-2510718

cell: (Sherry) 260-96-6780112

cell: (Patrick) 260-96-6780113

Skype: patrick.g.coleman / sherry.i.coleman