26 January 2011

News from Zambia - 26th January 2011 A

26th January 2011

 

Greetings from Luanshya!

 

What a week!

 

Baptism in the bush: The village church in Kafubu Block Farming Block held a special baptism service on Sunday. I arrived at the church just before 10, we walked an hour to the river, Bro Matanda baptised four believers, we walked back tot he church where we celebrated the Lord’s Supper and I preached. I returned home at 2:30 exhausted but excited! What a great Lord’s Day!

 

Youth meeting: All seating is taken. Purchase of additional chairs/benches implemented.

 

Life of Christ:

Two weeks ago the youth took a glimpse at how people viewed the person Jesus during his early ministry in Galilee. They looked at the centurion and his amazing faith that Jesus would and could heal his beloved servant without even paying a house call! They experienced the compassion of Christ as seen in His raising of Jairus' daughter from death (a child of 12 years) and the healing power of a "touch" captured by the woman with an issue of blood for 12 years. They further looked at John the Baptist's "bout of doubt" as to Jesus' identity while imprisoned followed by the beautiful scene during a meal at Simon the Pharisees home when a woman of questionable character (to Simon) displayed great love towards Jesus and cleansed the Lord's feet with perfume and her tears using her hair as a cloth. Lastly, the young people discerned who Jesus' true brothers and sisters are and to their astonishment, they are His brothers and sisters.

 

The point that Sherry wanted to get across was that Jesus Christ operates in relationships. Christ did not come to redeem the earth. He came to redeem people. In the week ahead, the class are taking a look at "The Christ of God". They'll watch Christ deal with everything from demons to the dead. They will stand close by as he entrusts some of His power and authority to the disciples. They will receive a reminder that His original disciples were privy to some of the same blunders that plague us. On the heels of Peter's bright and shining moment, he'll receive a reprimand that will make him want to hide behind the nearest bush. Thank goodness the disciples weren't perfect. Christ's willingness to use them anyway is hope for us!

 

Finally, today is my father’s 82nd birthday! Because of where we are and what we do, in the past 26 years I have only been able to spend two of my Dad’s birthdays with him in the past 35 years. This year is no exception, but every year we seem to draw closer together. My Dad grew up “rough” in south-central Texas. His father was not a great example of fatherhood. My Dad, however, raised four sons who love their wives, their children, their grandchildren and their Lord. Our Dad taught us that and we are eternally grateful for his example. He is our hero.

 

If you want to send him a birthday greeting click alecoleman@gmail.com and wish him a Happy 82nd Birthday!

 

Together 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

cell: (Sherry) 260-96-6780112

cell: (Patrick) 260-96-6780113

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

06 January 2011

News from Zambia - 5th January 2011 A

5th January 2011

 

Greetings from Luanshya!

 

2010 went out with a splash! I was baptising Kamiji Kahona on New Year’s Eve. Earlier that day I had been mowing the grass at the church and slightly sprained my right elbow. When it came time to baptise Kamiji my elbow was sore, but not all that bad. As I was bringing Kamiji up out of the water he did what I said he should NOT do and bent his knees. As his body became limp I compensated by pulling harder and dislocated my elbow. (Did I mention that Kamiji is a very large 20-year-old man?) I stood in the water and “snapped” my elbow into place, then called on Edgar Chinoya who was also to be baptised. I had to attempt this with my left hand since my right arm was in excruciating pain. I forgot to tell Edgar not to bend his knees so... That’s right! In compensating for that I have a very deep bruise on my left arm. The good news is that I did not drop either of the young men and we have two more believers who have testified to the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ by publically declaring their faith in baptism! That is a great way to end the year. (The sling, physio-therapy and foul-smelling heat cream is worth the effort!)

 

Sherry continues to teach her youth class in the Life of Christ. Most of the young people are preparing for returning to classes next Monday, but even with all they have to do they asked her to have her classes on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and this coming Friday as well. It is truly encouraging to se young people WANT to come to a Bible Study even on a national public holiday. One boy came up to me and asked if I would help him talk to one of his friends who has questions about the Lord. I assured him that I would love to do so. We are seeing results! Keep praying for Sherry’s class.

 

With exams over I have two college aged young men who took a break from discipleship classes during the exam schedule who will be re-starting their classes this week. Sherry is also talking with the ladies about having a special Bible study just for them. As the opportunities to teach open up we are excited about what 2011 holds in store for us. We know we have a team of prayer warriors with us in this ministry and we thank the Lord for you. Your prayers and support make it possible for us to remain...

 

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