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…
