Ndola Baptist

A couple months ago I met a pastor of a local baptist church in Ndola. As most of you know, I dont spend much time in the towns and cities but mostly in the rural areas. We talked for some time and immediately I was impressed with his passion for the things of God. We talked about getting together but I lost his phone number and figured that was the end of it. Well, about 3 weeks ago we both happened to attend the same funeral. Again, we struck up a great conversation and he confirmed his original invitation to come and preach at his church.

This last Sunday I got to preach to about 325 of his members on the "stewardship of life". I mostly used the text from Genesis that talks about being your "brother's keeper". The Lord blessed and many were encouraged to take responsibility for our brothers and sisters... for after all - there is only one race - the human race.

Please pray for this church and Rev. Chanda and they continue to grow and seek God's will in all they do!

Unexpected community service

Normally on Wednesday I take my students somewhere in the community to help clean, cut grass, and just basically help in any way possible. Well, this last Wednesday we began doing our normal work and after about 1 hour I heard someone yell, "snake!!". A poisonous tree snake had come out of the tree and was just under the front of my vehicle... when we tried to entice it out, it simply went up into the engine compartment. I was not excited about driving around with a snake laying somewhere under my hood!

Eventually we coerced the snake back down on the ground and I was able to strike the fatal blow! Looking back - we certainly did this little village a real "community service"!!

Youth Week

Zambia annually celebrates a "youth week". I guess this is to highlight the youth and allow them to show off their talents / abilities. At then end of the week there is usually some sort of celebration or conference. This year I was invited by a town church to come and preach a youth conference. Very exciting! I normally spend a lot of my time in rural churches so it was a bit of a nice change of pace to be in town... plus, I got to preach in English!! Last time that happened I was in America...

Spent the whole day Saturday and Sunday preaching and singing with the zeal of the youth! Praise the LORD - we had a wonderful time and the word of God seemed to be received with all readiness of mind!!

Malembeka BBC

Visited a growing church on Sunday pastored by Gilbert Mutabiko. The Pastor has only been in this position for a few years but has really grown and done a lot with these people. The message on Sunday was from Psalm 126:5 - "they that sow in tears shall reap in joy." The people seemed to get the message. The Pastor stated at the end, "there is always a reason for tears - they dont just come." Although very simple the statement was equally profound. If we are to reap in joy - the tears must first come... tears of compassion, tears of love, tears of fellowship, tears of reconciliation, tears of hope!

Please for for this church and the leadership. I believe the Lord has positioned this man to truly lead God's people to the next level of Christian growth and maturity. Maybe through the tears of our prayers, God's power will be manifest...

No mud!

It always amazes me how quickly a dirt trail can dry up when there is no rain for 2 or 3 days. Although not quite as exciting as the last two weeks, arriving at Mbasela BBC occurred with relative ease! I did enter four-wheel drive at one point but really that was just for fun...

Preached from Acts 3 - although most use the whole "silver and gold have I none..." here in Africa to show it doesnt take people with money to preach and reach the lost, I decided to really focus on the name of Jesus portion of the text. Such a wonderful name - Acts 4:12 says there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved... but the name of Jesus. Of course, Philippians 2:10 speaks of the name of Jesus bringing every person prostrate and every tongue confessing Christ's Lordship.

It was good today just to stop and focus on Jesus - Peter and John fastened their eyes upon the lame man and through that name - many were astonished, many wondered, and one man in particular did quite a dance as he entered into the temple of his God!

I wonder - have you ever stood up, walking, leaping and praising God? An old lame man new something special happened when Christ came into his life... to God I would have the same zeal as a healed lame man!