Taxi Driver "Accident"

This morning around 7 am a taxi driver lost control of his vehicle as he was trying to overtake another vehicle. The result was him hitting head on into the corner of our wall fence. I was told by one person that someone on a bicycle was hit and taken to the hospital. The police said no one was hurt only damages to the vehicles and wall fence. There are many people that bring their goods to market using the side of the road by our house each morning around this time. We truly thank the Lord more hurt wasnt caused by such foolish driving. I am not really sure if someone got hurt or if only damage was done. Please pray. Unfortunately, this type of event is too much of a norm.

Chadiza bush church

We went to visit a new church plant near Chadiza. Chadiza is roughly 65 km from Chipata and requires a trip down a bumpy dirt road. I had been told the church was located in one of the town schools. I was wrong. We went another 15 km past Chadiza into some pretty remote bush areas. 

The time was profitable as we preached God's word and saw almost the entire church respond in some way. There were 17 in attendance but the pastor said he has almost 45 members. During the rainy season, it is common for people to stay home fearing they will get stuck in the heavy rains. We were thankful the rains didnt come while at church but wished more could have made it. We are planning a trip back after the rains subside and we are able to move around with a bit more freedom. 

Rain

The rain is considered a blessing because it is obviously quite necessary for the large amount of people that count on it for a successful farming season. For the last 2 days we have had some pretty heavy rains making most dirt roads quite soggy.
We were planning to visit a church roughly 75 km outside of Chipata. Unfortunately, the road we were using deteriorated and only allowed us to get about 65 km leaving us a bit short. We met some people that told us the bridge had been washed away earlier in the year. Just wasn't meant to be...
We did pass out some tracts in a couple different village areas. We also spent some time with Chief Mazyopa. He has invited us to come back and hold a crusade even saying he would organize it for us!!

1 Peter 3

Today I had a man knock on my gate. I didnt recognize the man but he told me he was from an area where I had recently done some teaching. This area is roughly 20-25 km out of town. Turns out his wife attended my most recent teaching and had gone home and told her husband about the teaching. 

The man began to tell me his story. He had made a profession of faith back in 1978 but since then had been given to beer, smoking, and other women. He realized his heart was far from the Lord. He didnt really know what to do but felt he needed to do something. We spent almost 2 hours together talking about Scripture, salvation, forgiveness, repentance, maturity and growth, etc. He admitted that his wife is the spiritually strong one in the family.

It was wonderful to see the testimony of this man's wife bring this man under conviction. Just as we are told in 1 Peter 3, that the husband would "be won by the conversation of the wife" this woman's conversation was having a large impact in this man wanting to come to Christ. I gave the man a Bible and showed him some areas I would like him to read. We prayed together and then I challenged him to make a commitment to truly follow the Lord. 

I asked him to come with me this Sunday as I go out and preach again in a rural area. I am hopeful as more of God's word works within him, he will truly be transformed and set on course to seek the will of God for his life. The place where I have been teaching is called "chanjala" which means "place of hunger". It is my hope that this place truly becomes a place where the people hunger and thirst after righteousness! Please be praying for this man (Mr. Phiri).