Greetings from a (finally) wet Luanshya! The rains for which we have been praying have finally arrived ferociously! This afternoon we had a lightning strike near our house that caused a power outage for several hours. Still, the rain is a much- needed blessing!
We are still experiencing “load shedding” (power outages for 12-14 hours a day) which require us to modify our programs. Our Internet access is often poor to non-existent and life is “normal” for our part of the world!
We had a visit from former missionaries to Zambia who served in the Northwest Province of Zambia for over 20 years. It was a blessing to share with them what we are doing here in Luanshya before they continued “up country” to their former village home and hospital ministry.
The day after they departed we had “interesting” days! First, our well pump seized so we had no water for a couple of days! As soon as we had that problem corrected, as Sherry was leaving in the morning for an epidemic preparedness meeting with the Ministry of Health the steel gate broke from the hinge and came crashing down just missing the back of Sherry’s 26-year- old Sonata by 5 inches! As the welder came to repair the gate the power went out from 9 am to 4:30 pm. The good news is that the welder was able to return that afternoon and finish the repairs.
The following day the water pump stopped working again. Another two days without water. The technician admitted that he had cut into a wire on the earlier repair. It was all corrected and we now have had water for two whole days! Speaking of water, this afternoon we had another torrential downpour and, due to poor drainage in town, water came within three inches of entering the Resource Centre! Though we are grateful for rain, we invite you to pray with us that flooding will be minimal in our community. Due to road construction, many of our primary roads are dirt and mud. We were told that the construction would be completed by December, but the rains are unmerciful!
Sherry is finishing off the final lessons in a series of Bible studies on the book of Esther. Due to the power and internet outages, she actually recorded the lessons in an effort to ensure clear transmission. It seems to be working. In other areas, she continues with her counselling program for youth and women. Pray for “E” who is experiencing issues in the home of extended relatives who took her in upon the murder of her mother some years ago. Now that she is at “marriageable” age, her relatives are reluctant to see “E” obtain higher education as they prefer her to remain home and “serve” them. We have offered to sponsor her in a vocational training program and Sherry will be going through the discipleship series with “E” as well. Please pray for her and for wisdom as Sherry guides and directs her.
Patrick has been going through a series of Stewardship and Money Management Bible studies with a group of believers. When we talk about giving, many people do not understand the blessings involved in this act of obedience. All too often, believers here have a recipient mentality and do not realise the promises that God has for us when we faithfully give back to Him. One of the recent questions had to do with first fruits and our responsibility. I explained that giving is a matter of generosity toward God rather than obligation. We have had some interesting conversations in the course of the lessons. Please pray for
understanding and practical application as comprehension is achieved.
The Lord has been good to us. He has seen us through trials and given us blessing. We greatly appreciate your prayers as we continue…
Together in His Service,
