6th October 2010
Greetings from Luanshya!
September proved to be one of the busiest months we have had for a while – and we tend to have busy months! Not only did classes begin for the school children again, but the Christian Resource Centre and outreach ministries have kept us involved in our church and community lives.
The five people taking the Design for Discipleship Course continue their studies. All five of them are at different stages in the study so it keeps me on my toes remembering who is where and when we meet. I certainly appreciate the calendar on my telephone to remind me where I am to be... and when! Two more have expressed an interest in beginning the course.
Sherry has closed her series of youth lessons on the life of David and will begin a new series from the First Epistle of John this week entitled “Living Right in a Wrong World.”
The Wednesday Bible Study in the rural farming block has been studying “God’s Timetable” for the world. There has been a huge interest lately concerning prophecy and even some “date setting” among some of the believers. While Christians know that the Second Coming of the Messiah is imminent, it is also important to explain to young believers that we are not to “sit and wait” for the Lord to come. I remember hearing in September 1975 that the Lord was coming and sincere believers stopped working in anticipation. In 1988 I received a book entitled 88 Reasons the Lord Will Come in 1988. Apparently a sequel was written in 1989 with an “update”. We are studying the end times with an emphasis to “occupy until He comes.” Over 800 gospel tracts in the local language have been distributed throughout the farming block. Please pray for this rural church body as they reach out to their “Jerusalem” for Christ.
We are extremely happy to let you know that the last two of our Lighthouse Children’s Home wards have asked to be baptised. Dickson and Shadreck came to “Aunt Sherry” a few weeks ago and said they had something they wanted to ask her. Actually, they knew the answer, but wanted her to encourage them. Last night they confirmed that they wanted to follow the Lord in Scriptural baptism. Both of the boys came to know The Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour several years ago, but pressure from an unexpected source caused them to delay this decision. Sometimes even “well-meaning” adults can hinder a young person from doing what they know is the right thing to do. In addition to these young people another one of Sherry’s youths will be baptised as well. The baptism will be conducted this Friday at the closing of the Youth Lesson. The young people will be inviting their friends from school to witness this testimony of their faith.
In addition to these exciting events we have been instrumental in the distribution of 60 wheelchairs to disabled people in our community as well as providing water for several schools in the Luanshya School District. Every community outreach is an opportunity to share the love of God and the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and we take full advantage of these opportunities!
A few weeks ago we asked you to pray about an area where there is no church, but several bars. We have had some opposition to going there (as you might expect) but Bro Simwanza is determined that a Gospel witness be established there. At 67 years old he has a burning desire to reach these men who are (as he says) where he was a few years ago – “lost and drunk.” Keep praying! We have not given up!
Regardless of how busy we get, we remember our faithful prayer partners in service.
Together in His Service,
Patrick & Sherry
Dr. Patrick & Sherry Coleman
P.O. Box 90010
Luanshya, Zambia Africa
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
