27 July 2011
Greetings from Luanshya!
Nothing is more exciting than the birth of a new child! I can remember quite vividly the moment each of our children "appeared" on the scene. It was both exhilarating and terrifying. This new life was now a responsibility - MY responsibility!
The same is true of the "birth" of a new church. While the analogy is not exact, the first meeting of a new assembly is both exhilarating and terrifying. Last Sunday we met at a rural school in Mukolwe. Brother Simwanza had been to the village two days before and stopped at every house within 5 miles (8 kilometres) of the school inviting every resident to come. He had dozens of promises from village elders to women working in their fields. On Sunday morning we had 15 children and one man in addition to the four of us from the Kafubu Block Chapel who went in my vehicle. I watched Brother Simwanza for a reaction. He was not disappointed in the least. He excitedly said "We start with the youngsters and grow from there!" After the Bible study led by Brother Nambili, we walked from the school to the road passing out over 200 tracts and invitation to come next week. Several of those who had promised to come earlier told Brother Simwanza that they were waiting to see if he was serious. He assured them that he was. It was exciting to me to watch this 70-year-old man walking door to door speaking to the residents of the village with the excitement of a new father inviting them to the Bible study on Thursday afternoon and Sunday morning. As we travelled toward Kafubu Block he asked me to stop at the village market on the side of the road where we all got out of the vehicle and passed out another 150 tracts to merchants and customers alike. Brother Simwanza's enthusiasm was contagious and he quickly passed from market stall to market stall sharing the news that a new church had been started. He said some of the children who were in the service had already run to the market where their parents were selling goods and told then about the story of the Good Samaritan that they had heard that morning. Please pray for this newest gathering. We are trusting the Lord for His blessing on this expansion of His Kingdom! Also please pray for Brother Simwanza. The leadership and discipleship of this new congregation will be his responsibility. I will be at his side, but he will take on the leadership role from the beginning.
Speaking of leadership roles, two of the young men with whom I am having discipleship classes have entered the final book of the series which involves a verse-by-verse, word-by-word study of the book of 1 Thessalonians. Aaron and Benjamin are working through Paul's letter to the church of the Thessalonians using the reference books, commentaries and even the dictionaries in the Christian Resource Centre. Meanwhile, John Bwalya has begun teaching another man from book one in the series. Seeing the next generation of leaders take responsibilities of leadership is a great encouragement to us! This is what MUST happen in order for the Gospel to reach every corner of Zambia and the world.
Sherry and the ladies of Fellowship Chapel will begin Bible Study designed especially for them next week. They will be meeting in the homes of the ladies in a relaxed atmosphere where they can invite their friends. This first meeting will be in the home of a retired school administrator who is looking forward to being used of the Lord to share the Gospel with her neighbours. Sherry will lead the group initially, but her goal is to have the ladies each take turns leading the Bible studies. Please pray for this new outreach.
We have entered the "mock examination" period in the academic year. Students are preparing for the examinations to see if they are ready for the EXAMINATIONS later this year. Sherry walked int the Lighthouse Children's Home yesterday and found the children scattered all over the place with books opened and worried looks on their faces. Later in the afternoon there were about 20 of their friends in the recreation room all talking about math, science, geography etc as they played the games in the centre. It is great to see "our kids" mixing with their friends in a safe environment. These same young people will be at Sherry's youth meeting on Friday so we see them all through the week. Please pray for these youngsters as they prepare for their future.
Expansion, training, preparation and new birth are all a part of what we are able to do here because of your faithful prayers and support. We thank the Lord often for your part in His work here.
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
