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,
