05 September 2012

News from Zambia - 5 September 2012 A

5 September 2012

Greetings from Luanshya!

Last week was one of the busiest weeks we have had in recent memory. Every morning we conducted the Daily Vacation Bible School. There were 75 children in attendance. We had special music, skits, Bible stories, games and crafts. We had a great time with the children and at the end of the week every child received a New Testament and a Gospel tract to take home and share with their parents or guardians. On Sunday many of the children came to the church service. Hopefully we will have an opportunity to visit with their families in the coming weeks.

In spite of the morning classes, we still had our afternoon activities in addition to preparation for the next day's program. On Wednesday I continued the series on "What We Believe and Why We Believe It." On Thursday I went to Mukolwe Village and conducted a class on "How to Share the Gospel." 

On Friday Sherry's youth class studied the little-known prophet of Micah: Advocate for the Poor. This week they will be studying another little-known prophet, Nahum. Next to nothing is known of Nahum. Like his three chapter book, the man is obscure. And that is unfortunate, especially since his message is so directly linked to the most popular of the minor prophets: Jonah. Nahum's message is addressed to the descendants of the same people who had been evangelized as a result of Jonah's ministry-the people of Nineveh. One hundred years after Jonah's visit, Nahum wrote to the next generation living in Nineveh, announcing judgment because those who had been converted in Jonah's time had refused to pass on to their children and grandchildren (the people of Nahum's day) the knowledge and fear of the one true God.

Sherry will use the illustration of the frog in room temperature water slowly heated to boiling. As the water temperature increases the frog goes unconscious and boils to death without ever knowing it was in danger. The erosion of conscience, indifference. Our lives are like that when we allow sin to have a foothold, or attitudes or company. Anything, if it works slow enough, if tolerated long enough and the mix being just right, is all that is needed to lead to our ruin.
The book of Nahum leaves us with a couple truths about God:
1. Because of God's character, we are to take Him seriously, for He is truly awesome!
2. Because of God's almighty power, we are to fear Him reverently.

Next week the construction of the Mukolwe Chapel will begin. All the supplies are being gathered to the site now. The Vocational Training Centre was on holiday this week so the students were unable to start. The men of the church are very eager to get started especially with the rains now only two months away.

Last week was busy. This week is busy. Next week promises to be busy as well!Thank you for keeping us in your prayers as we continue...

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