We have had an interesting couple of weeks. Some ups, some downs yet, we know that God is in control and where He leads, we will follow.
Many years ago a young man, with a Mozambiquan background, visited the Christian Resource Centre with a group of friends from the local boys high school. Curious, he enquired what was offered and how he can be a member of the library. And that was just the beginning. Through years, Ben, has been a consistent visitor and user of the facility and all that was on offer, including the bible correspondence lessons. That also involved the Youth Centre in the back of the building. Fun is fun, especially with fellow teenagers wanting be with the “right” crowd. Nearly fifteen years later, a graduate of Bible College and having written and dedicated his thesis to Sherry, Ben phoned her to inform her that on November 4th, he will be installed as the Shepherd of the sheep at the Katumbila Baptist Fellowship. He wanted to let her know that “I am who I am today because of the beginnings and rooting I received through you and the work at the Christian Resource Centre.” Please pray for Ben, his young wife and new baby as they assume a leadership role and encourage the saints. We have provided him with the tools (books, study guides, etc.) to begin his personal library.
This past week we have had a series of unseasonal storms and severe winds. Gilbert Simwanza, with whom I work closely, had half the roof of his house torn off and the Lulamba Chapel, near his home, was completely destroyed. Only six roofing sheets from that building have been recovered. The rest have flown into oblivion. Brother Simwanza was sitting in front of his house at the time of the storm and the roof flew over his house. Fortunately, he was not injured and his wife was away from home. The same storm caused damage to another mission station and tore the roof off another church along the line of the storm. Please pray about this situation. The church, literally, has no place to meet at this point.
Every day Sherry steps outside at 10 in the morning to get some “rays” for about 15 minutes (doctors orders). When walking out the other day, she saw a young man sitting on the pillar out front of the office. She enquired what he was doing and if she could help. Jack immediately said, “I believe the Lord wanted me to be here. I am a new believer and I am hungry for the Word. Can you help?” And so begins the story of a yet another young person. Sherry brought Jack in, walking him through the library, showed him the courses and he immediately sat down with his first book and will return next time to register in the Bible correspondence lessons. Will he be another Ben? Only the Lord knows and we pray so.
Thank you for allowing us to be a part of the lives of believers in Zambia, young and old and to prepare them for service in the Kingdom of the Lord.
