News from Zambia — 23 November 2022

Greetings From Luanshya!

 Friends and family members have asked if we have Thanksgiving in Zambia. Not in the same way that Americans celebrate, but…

I am...

Thankful for the ability to act and react here at home in Zambia and across the continent of Africa... 

Thankful for the fact that our children all love us – in spite of our inability to have all the answers all the time...

Thankful for our Rotary connections that enable us to demonstrate Leviticus 19:18 by loving people we will never meet because people don’t care what you know until the know that you care...

Thankful for the doctors and medical staff (both in Zambia and South Africa) who keep us moving (literally)...

Thankful for friends in churches across America who have confidence in us to invest in the lives of so many people here introducing them to the truth of the Gospel – especially to those who have grown up hearing and believing false teachers...

Thankful for parents who taught their sons how to love unconditionally and to do it without limit...

And... Thankful that God, in His infinite wisdom, brought Sherry into my life over 25 years ago. She has brought joy back into my life and has truly been part and parcel of the work we do here... 

Together in His Service,

News From Zambia — 24 August 2022

Greetings From Luanshya! 

From time to time we have “interesting” conversations with people. A few years ago I was chatting with a man about life. His name was Joseph. I said, “Were you named after Joseph in the Bible?” He told me no, but after a favourite uncle. As we talked on, he told me that he didn’t know that his name was written in the Bible. I told him that there are several Josephs in the Bible including a great story about how Joseph was sold by his brothers and was later elevated to the second most powerful man in Egypt. He was astounded. He said that he had never heard that story. I then asked him about his church background and he told me that he was an elder in his church. (He named the church and it has a good reputation doctrinally.) I asked him how he became an elder when he didn’t know much about the Bible.

His answer: “I am 60 yeas old so I became an elder.”

Yesterday morning Sherry had a man (We’ll call him Mr B.) who came to the Christian Resource Centre saying that he was desperate. His church elders had assigned him to speak this coming Sunday and he did not know “anything” about the Bible and needed “something to preach about.” Sherry led him to her correspondence Bible courses as a good place to start. She asked him why he was assigned to preach if he didn’t know anything about the Bible.

His answer: “It was my turn.”

Mr B has started the Mailbox Club courses and Sherry loaned him a copy of “How to be Born Again” by Billy Graham. We are starting with the basics with Mr B!

We are surprised (and yet not) that people living so close to us in a country that was “declared a Christian

nation” (by a president who was being unfaithful to his wife while making that declaration) are so ignorant of the Bible that they carry to church on Sunday but never open during the week.

We have heard about the “unreached” areas of the world and pray for our co-workers ministering in those

places. Nevertheless, we find ourselves in a “miss-reached” part of the world where religion is taught, but the true story of the Christ who came to redeem mankind is lost in the pulpit.

Our purpose and goal is quite clear: From Matthew 28:19-20

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the

Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I

am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (emphasis mine)

As we continue to serve, please pray that we never fail to teach the “whole counsel” of the Word of God. That includes teaching teachers to teach. (2 Timothy 2:2).

Thank you for the part you play in keeping us here.

Together in His Service,

News from Zambia - 6 April 2022

 Greetings from a very waterlogged Luanshya Zambia!

As we draw towards the conclusion of our rainy season, we have found the number of major storms astonishing! Between homes and businesses losing their roofs, deaths due to lightning strikes and drowning, sometimes we don’t know whether we are coming or going. Some of our praying friends have asked about the norms during this time of year and so we shared some of the catastrophes that befall our little community. Many of you have come to the rescue and provided advance funds for just such occasions. Your giving for life changing events from across the globe has made a tremendous, immediate impact! Not only have we been able to provide help for some of the items above, but we have been able to set up a fund whereby medication can be obtained through the local pharmacist which otherwise would not be accessible by the believers. Thank you!

The ministry at Bethel Learning Centre is encouraging. We are full to capacity and have seen so much advancement in the children’s learning. The excitement of seeing little ones eager for school, running home afterwards to share with their parents lessons both from the everyday curriculum and from the Word of God just brings tears to our eyes and joy to our hearts. Join us in praising the Lord for the team who are managing, teaching and guarding the work jealously for future generations. This work is now entirely guided by Zambians with ourselves in the background advising and administering funds where necessary.

Sherry continues in her civic duties, alongside the Member of Parliament, as an advisor and Vice Chair of one of his committees. Recently, she oversaw the identification of over 100 young people for skills development education. In doing so, this has allowed her access to all the vocational training colleges in our area and opportunities to address young men and women about the need to be serious about their studies, plan for their futures and to consider a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ as their firm foundation. Many of the institutions have a program similar to Campus Crusades and thus many more doors have opened as a result. As she moves among the leaders of society, Sherry has had unique opportunities to enter into the offices of many of the Town Council directorates. Last week she had lunch with the Director of Environmental Issues and the Director of Socio-Economic Issues. One of the questions that came up during their lunch was: “What brought you here and why do you choose to stay?”

What an opportunity and man, did she run with it! These two leading women have asked to meet with  her regularly and continue their discussions. Please pray for Sherry as she develops these relationships and touches the lives of those in our community.

We have been asked about “furlough” plans post Covid. We are not planning any extended time away from Zambia, but we have been able to “visit” supporting churches via Zoom. I realise that it is not quite the same as a personal visit, but we are able to share the victories and challenges of the work here via the “magic” of the Internet. 

Challenges abound, but blessing are abundant! Leaders are being trained, lives influenced for eternity and we see God moving in ever more interesting ways. Your prayers and faithful support make it possible for us to continue…

In His Service,

Patrick & Sherry