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

24 August 2011

News from Zambia - 24 August 2011 A

24 August 2011

Greetings from Luanshya!

The world is buzzing with news of the events in Libya, Syria and the "Arab Spring." Even in Zambia these developments are points of interest as Zambians prepare for elections in just four weeks. Unlike the situations in other parts of the world, however, Zambians tend to be more peaceful. They have avoided allowing their robust campaign gatherings to become violent. Last week we had parades in Luanshya by two opposing parties on the same day on the same street marching in opposite directions. The "cadres" (party members) shouted their slogans to each other and waved their banners, but these are neighbours, friends and even family members so nobody threw a stone or threatened violence. As we watched from the sidewalk in front of the Christian Resource Centre, members of both parties waved to us. They know that we do not get involved in their political process, but they know that we pray for a peaceful election process. Please join us in that prayer.

With the dry season comes grass fires. Last week one fire started by children went out of control and consumed the grass roof of an 80-year-old man who is a member of our Kafubu Block congregation. The boys of the Lighthouse Children's Home helped me clean up the ash and debris from the fire. The heat was so intense that it melted the pots he used to cook his meager meals. As the boys cleaned they realized just how blessed they were to have a comfortable place to live, eat and sleep. After they finished they each offered to donate a shirt and pair of trousers to the man. There are pictures of the boys and the man attached to this update. Other members of the church as well as several neighbours are also contributing from their meager belongings to help this senior saint.

The newest ministry is the Ladies Fellowship Bibl Study which meets on Thursday afternoon at the home of the ladies participating. They started with the subject: Women, Submission, Home and the Workplace focusing from 1 Corinthians 11:1-16. This week the topic is "Relationaship" from Ephesians 5:21-6:9. Sherry started leading, but the ladies participate in the discussions.  Next week the study will be led by one of the ladies who is a retired officer in the Ministry of Education. The group is growing. The ladies are bringing their friends and neighbours  - many of whom attend churches but have not heard the Gospel. Please pray for this new outreach!

The Youth Fellowship will be studying "Providence Made Practical" (Romans 8:26-30) this Friday. In the second half or Romans 8 the Apostle Paul some of the most powerful and comforting words in all his writings reminding us of God's magnificent providence. For those who believe in both the goodness and greatness of God, His providence over all things becomes a comfort and encouragement. God attends to every detail, is never caught off guard by tragedies and works all things out for our ultimate good – and His greatest glory. This truth has not only profound implications for our salvation, but also practical implications for our daily walk. Initially we reject God's providence. Progressively we tolerate God's providence. Ultimately we can come to completely accept God's providence. (Isaiah 55:8-9; Jeremiah 18:2-6)

This week they will study Romans 8:31-39 / The Security of the Believer – We Overwhelmingly Conquer! All seats were full and additional benches and Bibles were brought in for use. We will have a "Minute to Win It" competition to help build relationships with the new attendees and the "regulars." We appreciate your prayers for this growing area of ministry.

As we continue to see the work here expand and grow we thank the Lord for your consistent faithful support and prayer. 

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

02 August 2011

News from Zambia - 3 August 2011 Fam

3 August 2011

Greetings from Luanshya!

Fourteen years ago on Monday Sherry Welch became Sherry Coleman. With one simple ceremony she became wife, mother and grandmother. She has handled the transition incredibly well and been a fantastic partner in life and ministry! However, Sherry does not remember dates very well. She planned a leadership seminar on Monday because it is a national holiday in Zambia so "we had the day off." I did not say anything and she realised it only a few days before when she was reading the announcement aloud at a meeting. So... On our anniversary we worked from 8:00am to 4:00pm, then she made pizza while I did some laundry. Doesn't THAT sound romantic!? By the way, the pizza was delicious and I washed the dishes. What a team we make!

On Sunday we had a visit at the new work from the village headman in Mukolwe. He said he had been looking for a "church like yours" for several years and had been attending another church in the area, but did not like it. He welcomed us to Mukolwe and said he would be coming with his family starting on Thursday at the Bible Study. We are making progress slowly. Brother Simwanza is very encouraged by the fact that young people are coming. We also have a large group of children coming for the Bible stories told by Brother Nyimbili... and, as Brother Simwanza noted, "we haven't even given away bubble gum!" One new development: The deputy head-master (vice principal) of the school where we are meeting is being promoted and transferred to a new school about 20 miles away (1 hour by rough road) to the other side of the district. This man and his 15-year-old son both made professions of faith and want to be discipled. He has invited us to start another church using the class rooms at the new school. Now I need more days in the week and more godly men with free time and energy! I am having a hard time being in two or three places at once!

Sherry's youth class was "maxed out" last Friday with every bench filled. Sadly on Friday night one of the boys that had just started coming was standing near a bar and was beaten to death by a group of drunken "youths." The legal drinking age in Zambia is 18 years, but apparently no bartender in town (perhaps in Zambia) asks for identification when serving alcohol to customers. (We have actually seen children buying brandy "for their parents" in our local grocery store.) The details of the murder are not all clear, but our young people are shaken by this event. The boy was well known and well liked at school. His parents are staunch Jehovah's Witnesses and would not allow their son to come to church, but they allowed him to come to the youth meeting. He had not made a public profession of faith, but he had heard the gospel. Sherry will be talking to the young people this Friday about their eternal destiny. Please pray for her as she comforts her class.

A personal note: At 1:30 Friday morning (New Jersey time) our 12-year-old niece, Jordan West, slipped quietly into the arms of our Lord. Jordan struggled valiantly against Huntington's Disease for several years. Twenty-two months ago the doctor said her life would come to an end "in a matter of moments" when she was taken off the respirator. Time and again she beat the odds and gave everyone around her nearly two more years of smiles, laughter and joy. On Friday she woke up without the pain and limitations than caused her so much suffering. She is no longer sitting in a wheelchair and being fed through tubes. She is dancing, singing and - if there are horses in Heaven - she will be riding a pony... That is, of course, unless she can find a unicorn! We will miss her and look forward to seeing her again with a healthy body when we meet her in the Master's House. Sherry was able to spend some time on the telephone with her sister laughing and crying at the precious memories of Jordan. Please pray for her Mom, Stacy, and her Dad, Ron, as well as the rest of the West/Welch family. Parents should never have to bury their children.

We are sometimes too far from our family to share the hurts with them, yet God has placed us here to represent Him to a lost and dying world. We share the good news of Christ's love and you help make it possible with your prayers and faithful support. Thank you!

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