7 December 2011
"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
