1 September 2021

Dear Partner in service,

Greetings from the “topsy-turvy” land of Zambia! The elections here have come and gone without much

violence and with extraordinary results. There is a new president and a new majority party in the

country’s parliament (like the American congress). There is also a new mayor her in Luanshya. As in

elections everywhere, dozens of promises were made. Now we wait to see which were “authentic” and

which were “political.”

One immediate reaction to the election results was the re-evaluation of the local currency. It has gained

in strength against the US Dollar after a consistent weakening over the past several months. At one

stage the Zambian Kwacha was trading at nearly K24 to one dollar. Yesterday the rate was under K16 to

a dollar. Much of our food and building supplies are imported. Even those things that are locally

manufactured are dependent upon imported materials like fuel to run machines and fertilizer for

farming. What does this mean in “real” terms? We have lost 1/3 of our buying power. An item that cost

$10 last month (like a shovel) now costs $15. A tank of gasoline that cost $45 last month now costs over

$65.

Local suppliers assure us that costs will go down “in a few months,” but that has not been the case in

the past… So, we tighten our belts, conserve on expenses and use whatever stocks we have in reserve.

On the upside, it appears that the new administration will be less likely to restrict worship services and

Bible studies at churches. We await “official” notification, but the new president is an active member of

his church. We are cautiously optimistic! Pray with us during this time of transition!

Meanwhile, our one-to-one discipleship lessons continue since they are not considered “church

services” and Sherry’s Ladies’ Bible Study has not been affected since it is held at the Christian Resource

Centre and not on the chapel campus. She is careful, however, to keep it to the one-hour time limit set

by the Zambian Ministry of Health.

For those who have never lived in a place where there is no “Bill of Rights” for basic liberties, this is life

in the real world. We are grateful for the freedom to worship and the privilege to teach and train church

leaders, but we are also cognisant of the rules and regulations set by the government of the day and we

comply with Romans 13 to continue to serve. Our message has not been diluted, but our methods are

ever changing due to the circumstances.

We have been able to “visit” churches in the USA via Zoom and look forward to our Sunday afternoon

gathering internationally. We would love to “visit” with you if you have the time and technology to

“meet” with us.

Thank you for being a part in this ever-growing ministry.

In His Service,

Video Overview

Greetings From Luanshya! 

Here is a brief video overview of our work in Luanshya, Zambia

Together in His Service,

4 August 2021

Greetings from Luanshya!

One of the things that is most discouraging about ministry is that we don’t often know the impact we are having for the kingdom. We work, pray, preach, visit, hold meetings, plan, cast vision, solve problems, comfort the grieving, counsel the hurting, encourage the weak, and challenge the wayward. However, we don’t always know the true impact of our lives on others.

Discipleship can give us a better measure of our influence. We have a better chance to see the growth and measure the impact when we are investing in the lives of others. “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Tim. 2:1-2 Join us in prayer as we continue to serve the body of Christ through the critical tool of discipleship.

Sherry is wrapping up her series on the letter to the Colossians this week. The women have looked at the entirety of the book with the view of “Jesus Is Enough”. This weeks’ lesson is a quick review and reflection as the ladies open the scriptures and see what impact “colour coding” has played in their intense studies. Next on the agenda, the class will be looking at “Where Is God When It Hurts?”. They will use Philip Yancey’s book by the same title to answer one of the Christian’s often asked questions.

Then there are Sherry’s YouTube lessons which continue to garner interest. She has prepared lessons a month in advance having concluded a series on “The Fruit of the Spirit” and today taped a lesson on “When Bad Things Happen” as a precursor to the women’s class. We praise the Lord for this opportunity to share the word not only with students but all who seek to know more about the Lord and His Word.

ELECTIONS! Campaigning is “hard and heavy” prior to next week’s presidential, parliamentary and local elections. As with every election, promises are made, posters are pasted up all over town and on almost every tree and the hint of violence is in the air. There have been several incidents around the country and a few deaths caused by over-zealous campaigners. Luanshya has been quiet – for the most part – but the next week may be “interesting.” Pray for Zambia and the believers here that mature minds will prevail.

On the Covid front, people here have realised that the vaccines are not a part of some “conspiracy” to annihilate the population of Africa. (Yes, there are Facebook and YouTube videos “warning” Africans of such.) Even still, only about 2.5% of the population has been vaccinated, the cases of Covid are climbing and we are seeing an increase in Covid-related deaths. Both of us have been fully vaccinated, but we still wear masks to set an example for our neighbours to “Stay Safe” – the most common greeting in Zambia today. Your prayers are appreciated!

The Ministry of Education announced the re-opening of schools tomorrow – August 5. Both parents and teachers are apprehensive due to the increase of Covid cases reported among school children and teachers. Over 40 teachers have died just in Luanshya according to Min of Ed reports. It remains to be seen what happened when students are expected to report for class.

Finally! Plans for resuming lessons at Bible Institute are tentatively set for September pending another inspection by the Min of Health. Renovations are almost all completed so we are excited to get going again! New classrooms, furniture and washrooms will make us a “model school” once again!

Your faithfulness in prayer and support keep us going. We DEEPLY appreciate your partnership!

Together In His Service,

Patrick & Sherry

News from Zambia - 14 July 2021

Greetings from cold, sunny Zambia! I realise that “cold” is relative for many, but this is the middle of winter here and a night-time temperature in the 40’s is cold to us. The good news is that the temperature outside at the moment is 79 degrees!

As is the case in most of the world, the Covid-19 situation is playing havoc in Zambia and across the African continent. The death toll in Zambia is rising and people are beginning to realise that this is real. For nearly a year the threat of serious health issues and fatalities was downplayed by many in the government and even in the healthcare field, but over the past few weeks the seriousness of the virus has hit home.

Last year some people had heard of a death due to Covid from a distant acquaintance. Today it is affecting the homes and workplaces of people we know. One man in our local church passed away earlier this month and the local health officials made it clear that extra-ordinary care had to be taken during the funeral. The mortuary in town is so crowded that family members are waiting in lines to prepare their loved ones for burial and officials are coming to the funerals to ensure that those precautions are followed. Please keep this as a matter of prayer.

We have had both Astra Zeneca injections, but the newest strain has arrived in Zambia.

In spite of the pressure, the work continues. We are continuing with Covid protocols at home, in the Christian Resource Centre and at church. The government has reinstituted the one-hour limit to services twice per week.

Sherry’s ladies class still meets for one hour on Thursday. Tomorrow they will study the final chapter of Colossians – Sherry’s favourite book. On Wednesday afternoons we are studying the responsibility of discipleship of new believers and we are both working with our students in one-to-one sessions.

One statement we often hear from our students is “I have been a believer for several years, but I never heard the word ‘discipleship’ until meeting you. It seems so strange to hear this when we are told in Matthew 28:20 that we are to be “teaching them to observe all things…” Watching our students come to realise Biblical truths is always an amazing experience!

Finally, you may have heard about the civil unrest and rioting in South Africa. Many of our friends are caught in the midst of the trouble. While South Africa is two countries away from us, Zambia has started the campaign season for the elections in four weeks. One spark from a neighbour can cause a blaze at home. Please pray for peace on our continent and here at home.

While “hot” and “cold” may depend on our own personal comfort zone, we know that God’s love for us does not\ depend upon how we “feel.”

13 May 2021

Greetings From Luanshya!

The month of May is one of the most beautiful times to be in Zambia. The rains have finished, but the air is still fresh and most of the grass is still green. It is also the middle of our Autumn so the temperatures begin to cool down and leaves are falling from the trees. Sadly, we do not have the colourful trees that many people in the USA associate with autumn since leaves here either fall off the trees green then turn brown or turn brown on the tree then fall off. Still, it is a very comfortable time of the year.

The month of May is one of the most beautiful times to be in Zambia. The rains have finished, but the air is still fresh and most of the grass is still green. It is also the middle of our Autumn so the temperatures begin to cool down and leaves are falling from the trees. Sadly, we do not have the colourful trees that many people in the USA associate with autumn since leaves here either fall off the trees green then turn brown or turn brown on the tree then fall off. Still, it is a very comfortable time of the year.

This particular year the month of May brought a very joyous celebration for our English-speaking congregation: The wedding of Ivwananji Simutenda and Emmelia Mulenga. Ivwananji is deaf and is a teacher of deaf students at a local government school here in Luanshya. He started coming to the chapel several years ago and was thrilled to discover that the services were interpreted for the deaf. He met Emmelia while studying and they fell in love! She is not deaf so their conversations are both silent and vocal. They came to see us and said they wanted to be married. We were very happy for them and their pre-marriage counselling began. It is a process of several weeks.

A bit of backstory… Ivwananji lost his hearing before his second birthday due to meningitis. His father left home and married a different wife. Ivwananji was raised by his mother with few resources. He put himself through school all the way to receiving his bachelor’s degree in education. This is a demonstration that he was not mentally challenged – he just couldn’t hear. Just before the wedding he was texting with his father and  was told that his father would not attend the wedding. He was heartbroken, but not surprised.

The wedding proceeded as planned. I was honoured to perform the ceremony while John Bwalya stood behind Emmelia and signed to Ivwananji. His signs were interpreted to the hearing audience in the chapel. Just as we finished and walked outside Ivwananji’s father and stepmother arrived. They were a bit ashamed that they hesitated, but Ivwananji and his new bride welcomed them to the event. The church members participated in a “kitchen party” (wedding shower) so the young couple would have a few things to get them started in life because they knew that there was very little support from their family. We are very pleased to see this young couple come together in our chapel and look forward to watching them grow together in the Lord and in their family. Your prayers are deeply appreciated.

Together in His Service,