21 December 2011

News from Zambia - 21 December 2011

21 December 2011

Greetings from Luanshya!

Two men died this past weekend from heart attacks. One was a tyrant - Kim Jung Il... The other was a saint - Goodson Matanda.

The dictator of North Korea was known for his immorality, cruelty and bizarre behaviour. His name was mentioned on every international news channel. The world is worried that his death will cause chaos in his country as well as in neighboring countries.

The church leader in Kafubu Block is known for his kindness, dedication to the Lord and consistent lifestyle of service and Biblical teaching. His name was not mentioned by any news reporters, but he was met at the gates of Heaven by the Lord. The entire community of the Kafubu Farming Block came to his funeral to say goodbye to this man of God. Nobody is concerned that his death will cause anything disruptive, but filling his place in the local church will not be easy. He was one of the men I have been teaching every Wednesday for the past two years. He was the one who always had questions at the end of the class. Constantly learning, he was a good friend and colleague.

At the same time, a new life was started as Alexious called on the Lord to be his Lord and Saviour last week. He has been attending the youth meeting and church services for several weeks. When he came to see me on Friday afternoon we began talking about his spiritual life and what he had been hearing in class and during the messages. I asked him if he knew that he would go to Heaven when he died he answered "No, but I want to." From there we opened the Bible and I was able to show him, from God's Word, how to know the Lord Jesus Christ as his Lord, Saviour and Messiah. The angels rejoiced!

This week we will celebrate the birth of the Christ child as much of the world will be contemplating either events surrounding political and economic turbulence or advanced commercialization of the "holiday." Goodman Matanda is celebrating his new home. Alexious is celebrating his new life in Christ. Because of you we are able to continue to be  part of the lives of senior saints and new believers in Zambia. We appreciate your prayers and support as we remain...

Sincerely in His Service,
Patrick & Sherry

Patrick & Sherry Coleman
P O Box 90010
Luanshya, 
Zambia

Off:   260 212 512359/512539
Res: 260 212 510033
Cell (P): 260 966 780113
Cell (S): 260 966 780112

15 December 2011

News from Zambia - 15 December 2011

15 December 2011

Greetings from Luanshya!

On a small piece of paper on the wall in my office are the words: "The smallest good deed is better than all the good intentions." It reminds me that even the "small" things that God allows us to do are part of God's plan for His Kingdom and our service to Him. I received a note from a man in Alaska thanking me for praying for his 30-something year old son who suffered a stroke earlier this week. His son, Nathan, is in Albany, New York. As a father with two "30-something" year old children who live a two-day flight from us, this was a more poignant prayer request. I remembered the dark days in 1991 when Christopher was seriously ill in the midst of our evacuation from Zaire. We were staying with friends in Zambia two hours away from home along with several other familes. I was making trips back into Zaire in hope that we could return home as well as taking Christopher to the hospital in a town one hour away every few days in hope of finding something that would allow his body to begin to heal. As I read my friend's appeal for prayer I remembered our situation 20 years ago.

My friend sent me another note:

"I don't know if you even remember but in the early '80's when you were in Bloomington, IN and we were at the church there for  a meeting presenting our ministry that we were starting at that time in Scottsburg.  Well that afternoon, Nathan about 2 at the time fell and hurt his knee.  You scooped him up made over him and took him in the office to fix up his 'ouchie' with a band-aid.  He came back out with you all cheery.  I remember he had on little red shorts and a white jacket that day and he was proud of his first band-aid.  You were his hero that day, and if he were awake I'd tell him that hero is praying for him tonight on the other side of the world!  Thank you for praying and knowing my heart felt twinges."

I have to admit that over the past 35 years there have been many little boys and girls with scratched knees and elbows. As a teacher, I have applied a lot of antiseptic cream and bandages to "ouchies." I never really considered myself to be a "hero" for doing it. However, to a little boy and his parents this "small deed" was memorable. Please remember Nathan Shoultz in your prayers today. Pray for his parents as well. As of this writing they are on the way to their son's side from Alaska to New York.

As we come to this particular season of the year we remember an event that took place in a small town in Israel about 2,000 years ago. Most of the political and religious leaders of that day were unaware that the world was about to change. They went about their lives with the same careless and egocentric attitudes and we see in many leaders today. "Stuff" was more important than the Saviour. Personal power and prestige was their ambition. The coming of the Messiah was not even on their minds. Yet there were the few - Zechariah & Elizabeth, an old man named Simeon, an 84-year old widow named Anna and a young couple named Joseph and Mary who knew that this "small event" would change their world... and ours. In God's plan there is no "small deed."

We know that the birth of the Christ Child was probably not on 25 December. Nevertheless, we celebrate that event in 10 days with special services at church, singing Christmas carols and watching children re-inact the manger scene. Christians will commit small deeds of kindness in their neighbourhoods. We will be taking small toys to children in the local hospital and sharing with their parents the love that only God can demonstrate through the sending of His only Son - our Messiah - to bring "peace on Earth and goodwill toward men."

So, as we are "decking the halls" and "a-wasailing among the leaves so green" (we have green leaves here in Zambia!), we want to thank you for your support during the past year. Your part in the ministry here is not "small" by any definition. Every prayer, every dollar is significant and we appreciate your faithfulness.

Sincerely in His Service,
Patrick & Sherry

Patrick & Sherry Coleman
P O Box 90010
Luanshya, 
Zambia

Off:   260 212 512359/512539
Res: 260 212 510033
Cell (P): 260 966 780113
Cell (S): 260 966 780112

07 December 2011

News from Zambia - 7 December 2011 A

7 December 2011

Greetings from Luanshya!

"It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas..." Zambian style, that is: Rain, mud and more rain. As we walk through the grocery store "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" comes over the PA system while we walk through a maze of Chinese decorations, plastic Chinese toy trucks and yellow Chinese dolls. Yep! "commercialism" has arrived in the heart of Africa!

Last Friday during our weekly dinner with the Lighthouse family the kids helped me decorate the Christmas tree. Sherry took pictures, but later found that the memory card in her camera was corrupted so we don't have those pictures. However, the kids had a great time and enjoyed the Christmas film as well.

At the request of the youth class members, Sherry's class will continue through the end of the year school holiday. They are continuing their study Romans 14 this Friday - "Putting Grace Into Action." The discussion of "weaker brother/stronger brother" promises to create some interesting comments.

The roads to the village churches are getting worse as the rains intensify. The 20-minute drive now takes 30 minutes. By January this will increase to 40 minutes. Last week I had to repair a shock absorber (and order a new one). One of the challenges of living here is getting from place to place. Thankfully, we have an "army" of supporters praying for us!

Thanks to a few special friends who have given us special gifts, we will be able to give the Lighthouse boys bicycles this Christmas. These will give them better transport to school and church and given them a sense of freedom as they grow older. Sherry is preparing to give Nancy something "just for her" since a bicycle isn't exactly something she  wants.

As we prepare to come to the end of another year we want you to know how much we appreciate your prayers and support on our behalf.

Together in His Service,
Patrick & Sherry


Patrick & Sherry Coleman
P O Box 90010
Luanshya, 
Zambia

Off:   260 212 512359/512539
Res: 260 212 510033
Cell (P): 260 966 780113
Cell (S): 260 966 780112

30 November 2011

News from Zambia - 30 November 2011 A

30 November 2011

Greetings from Luanshya!

We can hardly believe that this year is coming to an end in just 31 days! Last week we celebrated Thanksgiving (complete with a turkey and cranberry sauce) with the last four remaining wards of the Lighthouse Children's Home. We thanked the Lord for the victories and challenges of the past year. Then we enjoyed the feast and topped it off with pecan pie! The children were thankful for the changes in their lives during the past year. Due to some unfortunate circumstances, they are now living closer to us and we have contact with them several times a day instead of once a day. Had we realised the situation was as bad as it was, we would have made the changes long ago. The attitude of the youngsters has taken an incredible upswing. They are thankful and so are we. We appreciate your prayers and support for the Lighthouse ministry.

The rains are "officially" here and severe winds have accompanied them. Last week the wind was so strong that one corner of the roof of the Chapel was lifted up. We were able to call the staff at Mobile Mission Maintenance Vocational Training Centre (MMMVTC) and they sent two students over to fix the problem within a few hours. It was then my privilege to participate in the graduation ceremony of MMMVTC on Saturday. It is truly exciting to see Christian institutions of learning administered by godly Zambian leaders continue to grow. One of the graduates was honoured as first place in a competition sponsored by the government. His award was presented in front of the other 123 graduates, their parents and the press. Please remember MMMVTC in your prayers as they train the leaders of tomorrow.

Last Thursday I was on the way to the newest church for the mid-week Bible study and was flagged down by Mrs Matanda, the wife of one of the church leaders in the village half way to Mukolwe. She was talking so fast that I could not understand anything she was saying except that her husband was ill. I went to the home of the deacon and together we went to Brother Matanda's house - on a road that had not had a vehicle on it for several years. After a brief stop at the village medical clinic, we were referred to the hospital back in Luanshya. The doctor there said his blood pressure was dangerously low. He was admitted to the hospital and is now under observation and treatment. Please pray for Brother Matanda. He has been a faithful servant of the Lord for many years and is eager to get back to church.

Sherry's Youth Class last Friday concentrated on Romans 13:8-10 - "Legal Tender and Loving Care." Don't owe money, love your neighbour, don't commit sin and the only debt we owe is to God for sending His only begotten Son as we share Christ with others. This week's lesson is titled "Wake up and get dressed" - Romans 13:11-14. "Be prepared for service and ready for battle against the evil one." Even with the torrential rains of the past week the young people come with their friends and to learn more about practical Christian living. Please pray for Sherry and her class as they continue to study verse by verse through Romans.

We deeply appreciate your prayers and support. Because of you we can remain...

In His Service,

Patrick & Sherry


Patrick & Sherry Coleman
P O Box 90010
Luanshya, 
Zambia

Off:   260 212 512359/512539
Res: 260 212 510033
Cell (P): 260 966 780113
Cell (S): 260 966 780112

09 November 2011

News from Zambia - 9 November 2011 A

9 November 2011

Greetings from Luanshya!

October was traditionally hot and November is getting wetter. The good news is that the October heat and dust from six months of no rain is gone for another year. The "bad" news is that we get to start mowing the lawns at home and the church property every week.

Last Sunday we had a dedication service for Faith Bwalya, the one-month-old daughter of John and Sarah, our adopted son and daughter-in-law. It is so encouraging to see the next generation of believers in Zambia dedicate "their" next generation. Faith slept through the whole service, but the dedication was more for her parents than for her. Please pray for the Bwalya family as they raise their four daughters in the nurture and admonition of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our Lighthouse Children's Home wards are maturing incredibly. All three of the boys are spending their free time working odd jobs making a bit of money for their "fun" stuff. They have realised that "stuff" costs money and if they want it, they have to work for it.Nancy has been helping Sherry with a few special tasks for the same reason. The three older children (Nancy, Dickson and Shadreck) are about to start their final year of high school in January. Pray for them. This is traditionally a stressful year for grade 12 students because the end-of-year exam will determine their future occupational possibilities. Please remember these young people especially in your prayers!

This week's youth lesson finishes Romans 12:14, 17-21- "They've Gone Done Me Wrong." Sherry asked the young people if they wanted to take a break during the school holiday which starts in three weeks. They decided that they really want to continue the weekly classes and are inviting more and more of the friends to the Friday afternoon class. Sherry has her outlines sketched out for several weeks into the new year. The will be surveying the books of Ezra to Malachi. For many believers these books are a real mystery, but the history of Israel leads up to the coming of the Messiah.

Tomorrow the Women's Fellowship will study Ruth chapter 2. They meet in the home of one of the ladies for tea and snacks. The atmosphere is more "homey" and the ladies are encouraged to invite their friends to come.

This afternoon Sherry had a visitor from the Central Statistics Office wanting to know about our "business." They are doing a survey of local business enterprises asking about employees, products and income. when she explained that we have no employees, sell no products and do not charge for anything he became intrigued. and began asking more questions than were on his form. He lives in Kitwe (35 miles away) and asked if we would come and speak to his youth group about the Gospel and the things of God so they could understand how to know the Lord. We will be arranging a time within the next week or so. Please pray for this new opportunity!

As God opens doors, we walk through them! We appreciate your prayers!

In His Service,
Patrick & Sherry

Patrick & Sherry Coleman
P O Box 90010
Luanshya, 
Zambia

Off:   260 212 512359/512539
Res: 260 212 510033
Cell (P): 260 966 780113
Cell (S): 260 966 780112


13 October 2011

News from Zambia - 12 October 2011

12 October 2011

Greetings from Luanshya!

The rains are here! For the past 18 years that I have been in Zambia the rains have not come before November, but we have had several strong storms already this year causing damage to houses and shops in Luanshya. It has taken the community by surprise and residents are busy finishing their building projects and repairing the damage caused by these early storms. Plans made by men are always subject to God's plans. 

The Youth Fellowship on Friday has been "packed" for the past few weeks. Several of the young people have invited their friends to hear something more than they hear elsewhere. Some of the young people have asked for time with Sherry to talk about their family situations. In some homes children are raising children and parental input is simply non-existent. Please pray for these young people and for Sherry as she counsels them.

The building of the Sunday School "nsaka" is progressing. The frame is up, the roof will be on this week and the walls will be completed next week. It will be dedicated the last Sunday of October when the church will have a "Fellowship Day" after church with music, lunch and volleyball. These fellowship events have been great ways of reaching into the community and sharing our faith with our neighbours.

The new congregation in Mukolwe is looking forward to their first baptism on 30 October. (It was originally scheduled last month, but "election activities" interfered.) This past week a group of us visited the "Head Man" of the village to ask for a plot of land for a building where they can build a small chapel of their own instead of meeting in the school. The men in this village have built their own homes and are not novices at building with mud brick and grass roofs. It is exciting to see and hear them make plans for their own chapel. We are planning a visit to the "Senior Chief" in two weeks to confirm the land allocation. We met the chief last year and received his permission to stat the church, but this meeting will be specifically for the land. It is a procedural matter and we expect no problems. The chief is a Christian and was very pleased to know that we wanted to start a new church to share the Gospel in his kingdom. Please pray for his meeting.

Please know that we appreciate your prayers for us as we remain...

In His Service,
Patrick & Sherry

Patrick & Sherry Coleman
P O Box 90010
Luanshya, 
Zambia

Off:   260 212 512359/512539
Res: 260 212 510033
Cell (P): 260 966 780113
Cell (S): 260 966 780112

05 October 2011

News from Zambia - 5 October 2011 A

5 October 2011

Greetings from Luanshya!

Spring has come in like a lion! The official rainy season does not begin until November, but yesterday we had a violent storm in Luanshya that tore to roofs off of several houses and businesses in town. I was working on a Sunday School building when the storm came upon us and watched as portions of a neighbour's galvanised steel roof simply lifted into the air and flew into the church property. There was some minor damage to the fence, but nothing serious. Fortunately, the people standing near the house were not in the path of the flying roofing sheets. The pieces of the roof were gathered and taken to another neighbour's house for safe keeping until the owner (who was not home at the time) can collect them and repair his roof. The wind was so strong that the front door of the Christian Resource Centre flew open and shattered the glass in the door. This morning I replaced the glass with wood - both cheaper and safer than glass. It promises to be a looooong rainy season!

Today was an exciting day for our youngest ward in the Lighthouse Children's Home, Andrew Silungwe. Yesterday was his 16th birthday, but today Sherry took him to get his National Registration Card. He is now an "official" Zambian citizen - and he is proudly Zambian! He is looking forward to finishing his high school education in 2 1/2 year and then studying computer science. He is also our "Mr Fix-it" who asks for broken appliances from friends and neighbours so he can take them apart and try to repair them. Your support of the LCH has made it possible for Andrew and the rest of the Lighthouse family to grow physically, emotionally and spiritually. Keep praying. They are still with us and have a few years to go!

A few weeks ago we mentioned the fire that destroyed the grass roof and all the personal goods of a man in the Kafubu Block farming community. Because of a gift from a friend in California, the "Shikulu" (grandfather) now has a new grass roof, a bed and several new kitchen items. Even though he is over 80 years old, when I went to his house this afternoon he as sitting on homemade scaffolding made of bamboo putting a small roof over his front door. He thanks us and his unknown friend for helping to make his modest mud-brick home into a "mansion."

Over the past few weeks there have been many changes in Zambia. After a rather tumultuous week following the national elections, there is a new president in Zambia. the ultimate handover of power was generally peaceful and a real example to neighbouring countries in the region. We appreciate your prayers for Zambia and her new leaders.

Thank you for your prayers and support on our behalf. Because of you we remain...

Together in His Service,
Patrick & Sherry

Patrick & Sherry Coleman

P O Box 90010
Luanshya, 
Zambia

Off:   260 212 512359/512539
Res: 260 212 510033
Cell (P): 260 966 780113
Cell (S): 260 966 780112

14 September 2011

News from Zambia - 14 September 2011 A

14 September 2011

Greetings from Luanshya!

Election fever has struck Zambia. Almost every wall, tree and fencepost has been covered with some kind of political poster encouraging voters to mark their ballot next Tuesday in favour of some candidate or another. Loudspeakers blare through the streets of Luanshya until late at night singing the praises of various parties and television advertisements promote the qualities of the current president of Zambia - the party with access to the State-owned and operated television station. In many ways this reminds us of the campaigns in the States. This is not a big surprise since the larger political parties are using publicity agents with bases in New York. There are 14 candidates for president, but really only three viable parties with the rest being mostly regional or tribal in content.

Fortunately, the situation is nothing like campaigns in neighbouring countries of Zimbabwe or Malawi or in Northern Africa where campaigns are carried out with guns and riots. There have been very few incidents of violence and all candidates have expressed their desires that their "cadres" (supporters) refrain from throwing stones or breaking things. There have even been songs written declaring that Zambia wants peaceful elections. Please pray with us that the elections will be free, fair and peaceful.

In the Youth Fellowship on Friday Sherry's class has been studying Romans chapters 9-11 - Paul's concern for his people, Israel. Sherry has a particular interest in this portion of Scripture because she, like the Apostle Paul, is a Jew who came to the saving knowledge of her Messiah and Saviour Jesus Christ. So many religions today are still trying to come to God by their good works instead of through saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Many of the young people who attend these Friday fellowships are not able to come to church on Sunday so the only contact they have with "what the Bible says" about salvation is through Sherry's class. Please continue to pray that the seeds being planted will bring fruit in the future.

The discipleship courses continue with several students at various levels. John Bwalya and I are going through leadership training. John has realised that leadership is not just preaching on Sunday and conducting a Bible study during the week. He is now being called to help with family issues by young believers in the Chapel. This afternoon we will study guarding ourselves and the protecting the "flock" from those who would do harm to the believers. He has been recognised for his leadership abilities not only at church, but in the Ministry of Education as well as with the Electoral Commission of Zambia. Because of this, he has realised that his family time and service to the Lord can be threatened by being "too busy doing good things" that will take him away from doing the best things. Please pray for John and his wife Sarah who is about to give birth to their third child.

God has blessed in so many ways. We appreciate your faithfulness to pray and support His work here in Zambia.

Together in His Service,
Patrick & Sherry



Patrick & Sherry Coleman
P O Box 90010
Luanshya, 
Zambia

Off:   260 212 512359/512539
Res: 260 212 510033
Cell (P): 260 966 780113
Cell (S): 260 966 780112

31 August 2011

News from Zambia - 31 August 2011 A

31 August 2011

Greetings from Luanshya!

Carol Mulebais is 32 years old, is married and has three children. As a girl she grew up attending the United Church of Zambia (UCZ). This church is a compilation of four protestant denominations in an effort by former President Kenneth Kaunda to create an ecumenical denomination with its headquarters in Lusaka. Carol was sprinkled as a small child per request of parents, but she accepted Lord as Saviour age 22 during a Youth Program at church. After marriage she attended a number of Baptist churches with husband, Maybin Mwewa, and later Kitwe Chapel, but she was never Scripturally baptised. When Carol came to Luanshya she attended UCZ then followed husband to Fellowship Chapel. She spent an hour with Sherry on Tuesday and has a clear grasp of the gospel and Christ's sacrifice for her. She understands that infant baptism was meaningless and desires to be scripturally baptised. She has also expressed a desire to enter the discipleship program with Sherry and to participate in Women's Bible Fellowship by extension until after completion of school in Bio-Medics next year.

Agness Bwalya is 10 years old and accepted Christ as Saviour a few months ago through Sunday School lesson taught by Nancy Chanda (our ward in the Lighthouse Children's Home). Agness was convicted of her sin and the need to change her behaviour by giving her life to Christ. This morning she spent an hour with "grandma" (Agness' father is John Bwalya, our "adopted" Zambian son). Agness has a very clear understanding of salvation, baptism and the Lord's Supper and wants to give to God and knows that by helping do things at church, this is a form of giving (Romans 12:1-2). She also understands that by obeying her parents, this is also good for her and gives glory to God.

Both Carol and Agness will be baptised on 18 September. It is exciting to see the Lord work in the lives of both the adults and the children!

Ben Sangande is one of my Discipleship students. He attends classes at a tiny Bible college in Luanshya with 7 students (only 2 in his class) and is in his final book in the Design for Discipleship Course that I use. He has met a girl who is a Seventh Day Adventist so he wanted to study about Seventh Day Adventism. He is watching video on the movement at Christian Resource Centre. Ben asks lots of questions and wants to know the facts before going any further in his relationship. Because we have the resources, Ben has come to us for answers. Again, it is exciting to has the opportunity to help people find the answers to "What the Bible Says!"

At the Youth Fellowship last Friday Sherry led the young people in a "Minute to Win It" competition with precursor lesson on Romans 8:31-39 which will be completed this week. Everyone was having a great time running through the various games. Sherry will be using the games in her examples this Friday.

Dickson and Shadreck (two of our older wards at the Lighthouse Children's Home) received their National Registration Cards last week which allows them all the rights and privileges of other Zambian citizens. The paperwork had been "misplaced" by the local office of Social Welfare, but we were able to find a copy. Andrew will receive his on his 16th birthday, 4 October. Our "little boys" are growing up!

So much has happened over this pass week that it is hard to know what to put on this limited note, but we are grateful for your support and prayers on our behalf. Because of your faithfulness we are able to remain... 

In His Service,
Patrick & Sherry

Patrick & Sherry Coleman
P O Box 90010
Luanshya, 
Zambia

Off:   260 212 512359/512539
Res: 260 212 510033
Cell (P): 260 966 780113
Cell (S): 260 966 780112