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.”
