We received an exceptional – and unexpected – blessing a few weeks ago. A church sent a special gift of $1,000 to celebrate my 40 th year
in Africa. The Bible Institute has a vocational training element so students don’t just have Bible training, but leave school with a means to
make a living. Most church leaders in Zambia are bi-vocational so having skills that enable them to put food on their table is vital!
Because we have a vocational training centre we are required by the
Zambian government to maintain a certain level of tools. The gift
went directly to purchase the required tools for the bricklaying
section and equipment for the tailoring classes. The bricklaying tools
were purchased in a neighbouring city last weeks and delivered to
the school.
We already had sewing machines so we needed cloth, needles,
thread and other bits and pieces for the tailoring class. We were able
to pick most of this up on Monday and the rest will be purchased
later this week and delivered to the school on Friday. We are excited
to get this program started and both the trainers and students are
anticipating a great year.
Sherry continues with her various Bible study groups, discipleship and youth programs. Over the last month she's been the commencement speaker at a number of graduations with the last one scheduled on 7 November. She takes every opportunity to share
the Lord with young people and introduce them to the offerings at the Christian Resource Centre as they leave various institutions and
begin their work lives. Pray for the thousands who have come through the ranks and completed their studies and Sherry's outreach to
youth.
Abel, one of the young people from the College and Career group, recently returned to Luanshya following over a year of treatment at a
special facility. He is looking forward to entering the discipleship program with me and re-applying to vocational training college to gain a
skill. Abel's home life has been quite unstable over the years and the friends he had been keeping were not the best. Now, he is on the
road of recovery and we pray that he may continue to have a stable lifestyle and walk with the Saviour.
A few weeks ago, Sherry and her team were able to award nearly 400 scholarships utilising government funds here in Zambia. Many of
these young people will enter into various vocational skills programs right here in Luanshya, within reach of the Christian Resource
Centre. Courses last anywhere from 6 months to 3 years. Pray with us that some of these young people may come to a saving knowledge
of our Lord and Saviour, find good Bible believing and teaching churches and take advantage of the programs that we offer in town.
We would ask for special prayer regarding the young married couples in the local assemblies. The perversions of the world seep in, even
here. Women leave their husbands, husbands cheat on their wives, families disintegrate from within due to the pervasive pressures to
conform to society. This is not just a first world problem. It is a sin problem. We trust that, as the Lord leads, we will be able to counteract
some of what is going on within our circle of influence and know when to take a step back and let the Lord, Himself, deal with those who
have turned their face from Him.
This is exam season. Next week, the grade 7 students will be sitting national exams. These will determine whether they are promoted to
the next level and whether some will be directed to either a skills level education or a college preparatory education. Similarly for the
grade 9's and grade 12's. These next two and a half months are critical. It is also known as "suicide months". Join us in prayer as we try to
intercede, where possible, before some young people take their own lives.
Your prayers are always valued as we seek to share the Word, build up the body of Christ and at times, serve as the ones who must
rebuke those who are straying from God's path.
Together in His Service,
