18 September 2024

Greetings From Luanshya!

Greetings from a very warm Zambia. Though we are still in the winter months (for another couple of days) temperatures have already exceeded 90 degrees during the day.

Zambia is experiencing the worst drought in recent history due to low rainfall. We only had two months of

rain in contrast to our normal 5-6 months. The country has lost 1.1 million hectares out of 1.2 million for

farming, according to the latest government report. The cascading impact from drought is not only the lost

crops, but famine, health issues exacerbated, and power outages up to 21 hours per day. This also impacts

delivery of water through local municipalities to homes, schools, hospitals, etc. Last Sunday we heard that

wells are drying up. We are waiting (anxiously) for the rains to begin, but realise that we may be waiting a bit longer.

The Government of Zambia has instituted a program of "cash for work." Citizens can apply to participate for up to 10 days per month for 60 Kwacha per day (about $2.50) which, if they work all ten days, is enough to purchase maize meal, some vegetables and beans or eggs for protein. We are doing our little part by providing food where possible, drought resistant seed, medication, etc. to the household of faith and as a show of love and care to the general population. Please pray for this situation and the Lord’s guidance as we help.

Sherry continues her counselling dealing with issues such as substance abuse. Much of the problem is simply peer pressure. She has also completed the ladies’ Virtual Summer Course on Daily Christian Living via Zoom.

They are now concentrating on the truth found in the book of Esther. Her local Thursday Ladies’ Bible Class is concentrating on Personal Evangelism. They are being trained to use their own salvation experience as a means to share with their friends and family members.

Because of the recent importation of Polio to African countries near us, we are participating in the Polio

vaccination exercise as well as HIV/Testing & Counselling. Along with the medical outreach, we have made available several thousand Gospel tracts in both English and Bemba. One of the young ladies from the chapel took a box with her as she goes off to her vocational training college and will share with her Zambian Fellowship of Evangelical Students prayer group.

Mahlon (one of the young men at the chapel) has just completed his course of studies as a clinical officer

and is now doing his residency at a local hospital. His graduation will take place in November. We are proud of his accomplishment and his testimony as he studied!

During the recent school break, Raymond (a sixth-grade student) practically lived in the library. He has now returned after school with a handful of friends. They are enjoying the Christian fiction for youth books that we have. We count it a privilege to be here to offer good, clean literature for children. It is interesting that there are two young Muslim girls who come to the Resource Centre to read. They are choosing books about Bible characters. Planting seeds is what God instructed us to do.

So many opportunities… and so many challenges! Your prayers are deeply appreciated as we continue…

Together in His Service,

2 July 2024

Greetings From Luanshya!

Every two years Sherry conducts a “Teaching to Change Lives” Sunday school Teachers Seminar. A few

weeks ago, she held another class for two different Sunday Schools in the area. Pray that the teachers

will remain faithful in their children’s ministry as they reach out to young hearts for Christ.

Sherry has been very busy teaching ladies classes. One of them is live in the Christian Resource Centre,

Thursday afternoon’s. The other is via Zoom to participants along the eastern seaboard of the United

States. She has been asked to conduct a Summer Series. The theme is: Daily Christian Living. Topics

being covered range from “Put On the WHOLE Armor of God”, to “Dealing with Guilt”, “Stress” and

other pertinent issues. Pray for the women who sit under her teaching.

The drought in our part of Zambia has severely affected the local economy. We usually have 5-6

months of rain but had barely two months. Farmers who shared with us indicated losses reaching as

much as 90% of their forecasted harvest. Additionally, because Zambia depends on hydro-electricity,

the power grid cannot provide sufficient electricity to homes, businesses, churches and schools. We

are without electricity for 14 to 16 hours a day! We plan meals and activities accordingly. Over 8,000

local residents in Luanshya have been impacted by the drought. We are putting measures in place to

assist those that we can. We have installed a few solar lights at the chapel and at home for security

purposes. Pray with us as we seek the Lord’s guidance in how best to address these issues.

Patrick continues to meet with Brother Simwanza every week, sharing methodology to use in the rural

assemblies. Local elders are being trained and encouraged by his visits. We have been able to supply a

number of boxes of tracts to assist in evangelism in the communities as a form of outreach and to

spark interest in the church programs. We value your prayers as we seek to continue in the Lord’s

 Together in His Service,

12 June 2024

Greetings From Luanshya!

Red dust blows over the windscreen as we drive down the what used to be a road, now torn up from lack of maintenance. It's much like the rural township road with its hills and valleys, undulations… Oops we hit a stone. Is the tire punctured? No, but let's listen along the way, just in case. We turn off the main road and head down an actual rural path and mini-whirlwinds seem to be carrying away the hopes and dreams of many who had anticipated a prosperous harvest. The fields are dry. There's no maize to harvest. Fruit trees have born little but flies or stunted fruit – not good to sell.

Drought has hit our part of Zambia. Two months of rain this season...only... (when our normal rainy season is 5-6 months) and now it's winter! No rain in sight until, God willing, November, maybe October? But it's been years since we had “normal.” Entire crops lost, wells dried up, farm animals dying of starvation and thirst, humans pitted against wildlife. What to do? 

"For such a time as this." There are those donors to the work who have, shall we call it, "future vision". They donate a large sum, designate it "where there is a need" and leave it in the hands of the Lord. We then invest those monies waiting on the day and the time when those funds will be needed and best utilized. "For such a time as this".

Following a series of meetings that Sherry was invited to participate by local officials, statistics were shared that there are already over 8,000 people in our locality who have been impacted by the drought. More are viewed to be affected with each passing week. One local farmer had planned to harvest 200 bags of maize. They will be fortunate to bring in 50 bags which will barely cover the cost of seed and fertilizer and will not come close to covering the labor of the planting and meagre harvest; nevermind feeding their family until next planting season. What does she say to her hungry children? What does she say when they come asking for school fees? What does she say to those she has helped in the past? "Sorry, there is nothing left." 

Sherry and I have agreed to use a portion of those "future vision" funds to provide drought resistant seed to those involved in the work of the Lord. Sometimes, it feels like a drop in the bucket, but at least we have the drops to give. Additionally, as relief supplies arrive from around the world, we will assist in the equitable distribution of this aid to those in need along with the Word of God, a message of hope, a word of encouragement. Pray with us – we fight the battle, meet the need "for such a time as this." 

In the same vein as "planting seed and harvest": Years ago, Daniel Muzamara was a vivacious Sunday School boy at the chapel. He accepted Christ as His Saviour and carried on in his Christian life. He married, had three children and is today an engineer with the mines up north. He and his wife recently returned to Luanshya and hope to visit at the chapel. Talk about planting seed and seeing the harvest! What a rewarding experience to see God at work. Pray for the Muzamara family as they progress in their Christian lives. 

Recently, Happy Kafunda came through the Christian Resource Centre. He and his wife continue to faithfully serve the Lord in Nampamba, a little community just over 100 miles from us. Happy was thrilled to share that he and a small evangelistic team had gone upcountry not long ago and started a new testimony in a remote village. We praise the Lord with him as he fulfills the great commission. Before leaving that area, the team had discipled and trained a number of men to lead the small body of Christ and continue God's work in His way. 

Additionally, Happy wanted to collect some additional Mailbox Club courses. He specifically requested some on basic salvation and Christian discipleship. We were able to supply him with sufficient lessons to engage in those two programs plus continue the work among the children with a few more basic lessons. This is seed being planted without being endangered by weather conditions. We look forward to this harvest, some day. We thank the Lord for this outreach and the additional point of presence for the expansion of His kingdom. 

 In the next week, Sherry plans to offer yet another series from her "Teaching To Change Lives" course for Sunday School teachers. Pray for her and those who will be attending the session as more seed is planted and soil prepared for the ultimate harvest. 

A few weeks ago, an email appeared from one of Sherry's discipleship students. Busiwa, a lawyer, wanted to pick up where she left off in her studies. She had taken a break due to work pressures, but is now working for a Christian NGO in Lusaka in an administrative post. This past Friday the ladies met, via Zoom (oh, the magic of Zoom) and resumed their 19th session together in the advanced series. What a joy it was for them to be together again, discussing the truths of our God and King, particularly since that lesson was about Understanding the NT: Jesus the Messiah. Next week, they will continue. 

As an aside, the vast majority of Busiwa's training these last three years, has been through WhatApp, email and Zoom because she lived in a very rural area of Zambia (with limited internet and telephone service) a full day and a half journey from Luanshya. She has had no peer support and her family is all in Luanshya. So, we watch God bring a harvest where there is seemingly no fertile soil or support system. 

The Tuesday Women's Bible Class, that Sherry attends (and frequently teaches) via zoom, has concluded their series on Hebrews 11. What an exciting chapter that reminds us that the "heroes of faith", though imperfect, their faith lived on in spite of the circumstances in which they found themselves. Circumstances, like drought, do not limit the power of God nor the fruit of the harvest that only He can provide through His faithful servants. Now, the group is about to conclude the book of Ruth. Sherry was tasked with that beautiful final chapter where we find the Kinsman-Redeemer taking his place. (I don’t get to listen, but Sherry and I talk abouth the lessons.) 

There are lots of applications found in this book, but I find it to be one of the most poignant love stories in all of Scripture. Boaz, who has nothing to lose, declares his love for Ruth, who has nothing to offer. Much like we, who come to Christ with nothing to offer, are met by our Messiah and Saviour, with open arms who holds nothing back. When we look at current circumstances in Zambia, we realize that we don't have what it takes to compensate for the natural disaster. We do, however, have what Christ provides as a source of comfort and joy to those in dire need. Sherry was invited to do a Summer Series for the this same Tuesday group. Pray with them and for Sherry as she embarks with them on a journey through Daily Christian Living. 

Our final word: You have followed my story regarding back injury in 2020 and procedures leading up to surgery in early November 2023. My last visit to the surgeon, in early May, showed 100% success from surgery and we are now focusing on building core strength. I look forward to soon being back to reasonable strength and continuing our rural outreach and leadership training. Perhaps my own drought in being hindered, was God's way of bringing potential leaders to the fore. It has also given us time to prepare the Bible Institute program to more fully engage young Zambian believers for the work of the Lord. Your consistent prayers and support have been a deep encouragement especially during those times when the experience was so debilitating. It has reminded me that we are, indeed, surrounded by faithful partners in this work. We both appreciate your partnership in this ministry. 

 As we continue…

 Together in His Service,

9 February 2024

Greetings From Luanshya! 

Greetings from an unusually dry Zambia! Ordinarily February is wet, soggy and muddy. Sadly, we have been going through the driest February in my 38 Februarys in Africa. Farmers are devastated. We’ve had 5% of our normal February rain and temperatures are 4-8’c higher than normal, with no relief in sight for the rest of the month. Much of Zambia’s agriculture (commercial and subsistence farming) relies on the rain to irrigate the crops. About 80-90% of the country’s electricity comes from hydroelectric generation. It’s going to be a challenging year for many, if not most. Those without an irrigation system (most of them) are looking at dry, brown fields of corn. Please pray for rain!

On a positive note, the surgeon that did the “procedure” on my back is very pleased with my progress. The

wound has healed and I am walking better. I am still limited in some areas (I can only lift 5 kg (11 pounds) for another 3 months, but my physiotherapist has given me three pages of exercises to do at least 4 times a week. I spend the first hour of my day stretching, lifting and cycling in order to get back to full steam ahead. Thanks for your prayers!

Sherry is, as always, involved in her Bible studies – both at home and internationally.

We just received five boxes of tracts in both English and ciBemba. Some have been in transit for over a year! The boxes looked like they were dropped from a plane, but the tracts were well protected and none were damaged. These will be distributed among the various assemblies here for their evangelistic outreach.

Before I ever left the shores of the USA, I said that my primary goal was to train Africans to reach African for Christ. We are looking forward to a visit from the Indigenous People's Technology and Education Center (ITEC) Advance Team in a few weeks at the MMM VTC Bible institute. Then the whole team will arrive in late May. ITEC develops tools and training programs, trains indigenous Christ-followers, and equips others to do the same both domestically and abroad. Their goal is to eliminate the potential for dependency by partnering with, training alongside, and learning from the indigenous churches. This interdependency, a concept found in passages throughout the Bible, and clearly in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31. The participants in this program will be trained not only in practical skills, but to use those skills to reach their friends and neighbours about the love and provision by the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation.

So much is happening and we deeply appreciate your prayers and support as we continue to remain,

Together in His Service,