News from Zambia - 19 October 2015

Greetings from Luanshya!

 

What a week! Several years ago I broke two teeth when I bit down on a small stone that was hidden in rice. The dentist here in Zambia repaired the teeth and life went on… until the old fillings finally wore down and the teeth began to deteriorate. This required root canals on two teeth. Not my favourite experience! We appreciate your prayers for our health. We also appreciate the special gift celebrating our thirtieth year in Africa – It came just in time for this emergency.

Last Sunday I made my monthly trip to the Kangonga Blind Centre Chapel and taught/preached three times that morning. There was also the question and answer time which is both challenging and intriguing. They are not limited to anything I taught during the morning so they can range from Old Testament history to personal family issues. The most exciting aspect of that particular congregation is the faithfulness of these believers to give to build their own chapel. Not all of the members are blind. Some have other physical challenges and others are retired and have moved into this rural community because it is less expensive than living in town.

I would like to buy some timber so the members can make new benches for their chapel. This will allow them to contribute to their own facility and help them maintain their sense of self-reliance. They have the skills to make the benches, but the materials are just out of reach. If you want to help, just let us know. 

This week Zambia celebrates 51 years as an independent nation. There are challenges in this relatively new democracy, but the typical Zambian is proud of their freedom and seeks to develop both personally and nationally. We are watching our Zambian children grow both academically and spiritually. Three of them are enrolled in college courses in education and engineering while still fully involved in their service at church. You have helped to make this possible!

Thank you for your prayers and support!

In His Service,

P & S

News from Zambia - 23 September 2015

Greetings from Luanshya! 

With all of the "challenges" that we encounter while working in Africa (and there are many), we feel privileged to be in a place where 1)God has called us to serve and 2) we are able to have such a direct impact with our adopted community.

Last week I was able to make my monthly trip to the Kangonga Blind Centre and preach three times that morning and afternoon. They, in turn, treated me to lunch with "village chicken" (free range), nshima (the staple starch made from corn meal) and pumpkin leaves cooked with "impwa" (a small yellow vegetable remotely related to eggplant). It was my pleasure to meet with two young people who received the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour after the service. They will be baptised in a few weeks.

The following Monday morning I met with the administration and teaching staff of Mobile Mission Maintenance Vocational Training Centre (MMM VTC) as they prepared for the opening of the new term of school. In addition to introducing the new acting principal of the school I challenged them to remember that the first priority of the centre was to share the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with each and every student. MMM VTC has recently undergone several changes to return it to the original focus and in so doing it has become recognised by local and national organisations as the leading training centre in the Copperbelt Province. Still, it is important to remember that empowering young people as builders and tailors is important, but empowering them to share the Gospel is vital!

This past week a young man stopped Sherry on the street and told her that he appreciated her teaching when she was his teacher in Religious Education in a government school here in Luanshya over 20 years ago. It encouraged her to know that her efforts were still recognised by her past students two decades after teaching that class.

On a lighter note, John and Sara Bwalya work with us at the English-speaking congregation here in Luanshya. Last year Sara gave birth to their last child and only son, Daniel. He has three big sisters and seldom actually touches the floor so he has become rather spoiled in his 11 months on earth. This has made him a bit more demanding of attention than his older sister, Faith, can appreciate. Sara told Sherry that Faith asked her, "When is Daniel going back." (The Bwalyas have hosted several family members who needed short-term housing due to various circumstances.) When Sara explained to Faith that Daniel was not going anywhere her face dropped and she complained, "He makes so much noise and he always wants what I have." The older sisters laughed and told her that she was the same way just a few years ago. Ah, the joys of parenting!

We are exactly where God wants us to be and we thank you for your prayers and support as we continue…

In His Service,

Patrick & Sherry

Patrick & Sherry Coleman
P O Box 90010
Luanshya, Zambia
colemanpg@gmail.com

coleman.sherry.i@gmail.com

News from Zambia - 2 September 2015

Greetings from Luanshya!

Last week it was my privilege to baptize twelve new believers in the Kafue River. Ten of them were from the Kafubu Dam congregation and two were from the brand new Bible Study in Lulamba, which is about 16 miles from town centre on incredibly bad roads. It was a great time of fellowship and we celebrated with a time of communion around the Lord's Table.

On Monday morning, I woke with a severe case of the flu that kept me in bed for three days. Standing in cold river water for an hour and a half is not conducive for one who has just gotten over malaria (me), never mind someone who is healthy. The cough and congestion are still not completely cleared but I am, at least, able to move around and continue teaching.

Sherry was also down with the flu basically caused by the dust and fumes of road construction that has been ongoing for the last ten weeks. Nonetheless, she was in her office every morning attending to Bible Correspondence lessons, counselling and study. She is well on the mend but taking it slow.

Wednesday evenings at the English congregation here in town, we continue to journey through the Holy Land with the video series from Focus on the Family. Today we studied "Into The Desert To Be Tested". The comparison between the children of Israel going from victory to discouragement and the lives of many believers today was both a challenge and an admonition for us to remember that the same Lord who gave us the victory will see us through the trials.

The Bible College has been on break. Classes resume next week. Pray for both Sherry and I as we go back to the classroom and equip the young men and women.

In His Service,

P & S

Patrick & Sherry Coleman
P O Box 90010
Luanshya, Zambia
colemanpg@gmail.com

coleman.sherry.i@gmail.com