29th December 2010
Greetings from Luanshya!
It seems like just a few weeks ago that we were welcoming 2010 and here we are wishing it good-bye. This year has been filled with blessings and challenges; victories and “near-misses” and fulfilled dreams as well as surprises.
In the past few weeks we have seen the Lord work in the lives of His children in amazing ways. One young man who demonstrated a rebellious attitude last year has done a complete about face and decided that “enough was enough” and he was tired of playing with God. He said that 2010 was his year of transformation. Not only did he follow the Lord in baptism last week on Christmas Eve, but he is involved in daily devotions with several young men here in town. At the age of 19 he is entering grade nine, but he has decided that his past is his incentive to give his life to Christ’s service. We are proud of Johnny’s new-found dedication and ask you to pray for him. Decisions like this always meet with opposition from the devil.
The atmosphere was almost electric last Sunday as we recognised the newly baptised believers at the church. At the close of the service two more people came to us and said they wanted to follow the Lord in baptism as well. On Tuesday another young man told me he wanted to be baptised. They will all be baptised on Friday – New Year’s Eve. As I talked about this at the mid-week Bible study in the rural church questions were asked about why some of the believers there had not been baptised. The more we talked, the more evident that there was a need to explain the “why’s and wherefore’s” of baptism. At the end of the class two of the participants said they “needed” to follow the Lord in baptism. On Sunday the church will walk the mile from the church to the river and baptise these two believers.
Why is this so important? Because when believers identify with the Lord Jesus Christ in believer’s baptism their testimony speaks volumes and presents more opportunities to share the Gospel. It also encourages them to get involved in discipleship and that strengthens both the individual Christian as well as the church family. We are looking forward to a great 2011 – Challenges and all!
We cannot end this year without mentioning the fantastic expansion of Sherry’s youth class. The young people have been inviting their friends to the recreation centre and Bible study. Some of them have found it difficult to come early for the games, but show up just in time for the Bible study. She doesn’t have to “guard the door” when the Bible study begins. Often she has to get more chairs. We are including a few pictures of last week’s class.
As we said, 2010 has flown by. God has continued to open doors and shower the work here with His blessings. We deeply appreciate your prayers on our behalf. As we start 2011 we look forward to what God has in store for us.
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
