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,
