Clean water

We have been working at a nearby rural health clinic to upgrade the maternity ward and bring better conditions to the area. One part of this project is to dig a bore hole that will eventually provide clean water to the clinic and many of the surrounding villagers. Below are some pictures and short video of the drilling machine doing its work. We hit rock from 35 meter-50 meter but eventually found water around the 55m mark. The drill people continued the hole until 65 meters and then inserted steel metal casing to protect the hole from collapse. 

We hope this week to install the solar panels, submersible pump, tank stand, and 10,000 liter tanks! So excited to see the Lord do this work and provide for these people. So many have come to church saying they have seen the love of Christ through these type of works. It is great that we can provide clean water but our ultimate goal is that the Lord would provide Living Water to the people! 

just starting

busting through the soil

struck water

adding more pipe

Child like faith

Matthew 18:3  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Every time I see this picture I think about the faith of a little child and that how our Lord often encouraged us to have that child like faith. As a father to two little girls, I see how they look to me as their father and simply believe that I can take care of them, help them, love them, provide them, and guide them. Such a great lesson for all of us to learn - simply look to our Heavenly Father and know He can take care, help, love, provide, and guide us. 

Increase my faith!

Little Peter

Persevere

Ever think you've had a rough day? How about a rough life.... As the Bible tells us, We can do all things through Christ which strengthen us. So many have memorized and quoted Philippians 4:13 but not very many of us actually apply it. Check out this short video and think about the perseverance this man has had over his lifespan. We can sometimes have such narrow focus feeling like our "problems" are too weighty and unfair that we end up in neutral and doing almost nothing. Perseverance overcomes mountains and brings victory... step by step. Trust Christ and allow Him to be your strength and perseverance!. 

Baptisms at the Dam

While our team was here, we had the opportunity to baptize 9 more believers. We were planning to baptize in the same water hole as before but come to find out the hole was dry. So, we made the extra hike to the local dam and had plenty of water to baptize. It was an extra special day to baptize along with a long time friend, Larry Waye.

Explaining the purpose of baptism

Madalitso expressing concern about the "cold" water

Hiking to the baptisms water at the local dam

Gertrude explaining to us why she wants to be baptized

Esther preparing to be baptized

Mercy slowly entering the baptismal waters

Compassion at Magwero School of the Deaf

The other compassion project that our Winshape visitors helped with was at the Magwero School of the Deaf. The school is home to over 150 deaf students ranging from K-12. For the most part, this school is tucked away in the bush and forgotten. Over the last 2 years we have tried to show the love of Christ to these kids by helping to renovate their conditions and provide some basic supplies that will benefit their school work and hopefully their walk with God. 

The team was able to install 4 new doors on classrooms, 1 new door on the boys dorm, paint the interior of 2 boys dorms, fix cracks in the wall and floor of 2 different boys dorms, paint the exterior of the building, and install roughly 100+ panels of glass - all in just 2 days of work. Amazing!!! 

Jeremy and Micah installing new glass pieces

Keith and Bryan painting the exterior

Levi and Dan working on door installations

Levi preparing to trim and fix a new door

Larry working on finishing touches

Oscar helping with interior painting



Brandy developing new relationships



almost finished product

Compassion at Chinunda Rural Health Clinic

While the Winshape team was here, we kept them busy on 2 different compassion projects. At Chinunda Rural Health Clinic, we renovated a maternity ward that was in poor condition. The clinic average 30-35 new births each month and has a potential customer base of some 25,000 people. However, for the ladies, the conditions are less than ideal. The head nurse told us that at night she often is forced to deliver babies using 1 candle.

We decided to do a bit of an overhaul. We removed the lime from the walls and painted thick coats of primer then tried to spruce it up with some nice colors in the delivery room. We repaired cracks and holes in the floor. We painted the roof to help remove the amount of heat that is in the delivery room. Maybe most importantly, we installed a solar system that provides light to the 4 rooms and security light outside of the clinic! Lastly, we gave bags full of goodies that will be given to each "new" mother as they go home with their little infants. 

Recently we heard a testimony from a woman that expressed her amazement at the work that was done. She truly was impressed at all the hard work and really felt loved because of our efforts. She told how she would be soon visiting our little church because she had seen something in the workers that she had not seen before. Praise the LORD!

Micah and Jeremy installing solar system 

Michael & Kamanga helping with the cement mixing

Pam and Emily preparing the tools

4 room delivery ward

Compassion Team @ Chinunda RHC

Bag of goodies for new mother's on behalf of Big Tree Baptist!

Ladies only

We had a special day of testimonies as our visitors from America helped to encourage the ladies of Chinjala Baptist Church. It was amazing to see the Lord use each of these testimonies and inter-wine Scripture that helped people get through the difficult days. Our ladies from Chinjala thought American women never have problems. The Zambian ladies were so encouraged to hear how the Lord helped them and walked with each of them and especially how God greatly strengthened them using His word! Praise the LORD!

Visitors giving Praise through Hymn

Pam's time of testimony

Emily's time of testimony

Elvira's time of testimony

Judi & Samantha's time of testimony

Brandy's time of testimony

Janice giving some additional inspiration

"enjoying" some nsima, nkhuku, & rape!

Emily learning to walk with a baby in tote

Elvira strapping on a little girl

Ladies of Chinjala with the ladies of Winshape. Truly blessed!

SERVE leadership training

We were blessed to recently partner with Winshape International. We had 2 full days of teaching to roughly 60 business leaders and entrepreneurs from the Chipata area. The teaching includes the SERVE model that is based on Biblical principles and has proven effective in nations around the world. This was a great opportunity to help business leaders to see and understand that honoring God and following His ways work best at Church, at Home, and at Work.

Will Sims: Chick-fil-a Owner / Operator

Oscar Shepard: Chick-fil-a Business Consultant

Keith Singletary: Chick-fil-a Owner / Operator

Pam Doge - Intern

Larry Waye: Pastor / E-center director

Chinjala Baptisms

We have had another wonderful Saturday as 7 people came for baptism. I was thankful the river was much cleaner than last time but will admit it was quite chilly! Along with our ministry partner, Dan Jalowiec, we baptized 6 girls and 1 boy. Each gave a clear declaration of salvation through Jesus Christ, and although some were nervous, they all wanted to identify their life with our Lord Jesus! Please be praying for: Violet, Samsoni, Esther, Ruth, Tyness, Patricia, and Misozi.

Bush literacy school

It may not be well lit and full of modern desks and chairs but it is our little bush literacy school. We have between 12-18 people that regularly attend our weekly classes. The class meets 3 days a week for at least 1-2 hours. Many of the people coming started without being able to read or write mostly because they have never attended school. Now, after some months many are able to write their name for the first time ever! It is our goal to bring the class to a 6th grade reading and writing level which is a lofty ambition.

As a missionary, my goal for the literacy school is to help people read and write so they can understand the Bible for themselves. Obviously, being able to read and write opens up a whole new world and brings so many new opportunities for these people! We are thrilled at the progress and the future of our little school and the people attending!

Nyau dancers

The Lord truly seemed to bless our little church as we finished preaching through the gospel of John on Sunday. The last chapter of John is so rich with delightful and practical truths. One of the last words spoken to Peter were the simple words, "follow me". After all the miracles, all the parables and stories, after all the great messages and teachings, after all the lessons, after His death, burial, and resurrection - Jesus simply encourages Peter to follow. It is this great truth that seems to abandon so many Christians - we have the knowledge and we hear the preaching, but like Peter, we seem to get off track instead of just following. We encouraged the church to make May 5th a day in which they commit to follow the Lord from this day forward until forever. So many came wanting to truly commit their life to Christ! Our hearts rejoice as we continue to see our Lord work in the lives of so many!

Just a few moments after the service concluded, the sound of Nyau drums began. According to the United Nations this is just a harmless dance that embraces the culture and rich ancestry of the Chewa people. However, when speaking with the local people, most will tell you it is far from harmless. The boys that perform the dance believe they literally turn into fierce animals and are possessed by spirits. The dancers are said to have no names, live in cemeteries, and try to evoke fear in the surrounding villages through their dances and erratic behavior. After a few moments, I was told to stop filming the dance as it was not allowed. Later, more and more Nyau dancers arrived increasing the stature of the event. 

We stopped and prayed that God would truly work in the hearts of these boys. I was told the dancers came near our church because they have heard God is doing a work here and more people from the area are coming and hearts are being changed. Our prayer is that the light of the Gospel would shine through this little church and its people and bring salvation and transformation to these Nyau dancers and all throughout the surrounding villages.. Please pray!

2 Timothy 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2 Corinthians 10:4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Full day

Had a great day at Big Tree on Sunday. We had Todd Beaman come and preach for us from John 20 to about 40 adults and lots of children. He did a fantastic job of explaining the chapter and the application to our lives! 

After the service finished, we had a sports day at the field just next to us. The ladies played 'net ball' and the men played football (soccer). During the activities many people gathered to watch the games and see what was happening. After the matches finished, I was able to sit everyone down and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Many have now heard the Gospel and hopefully will come to church this Wednesday to begin learning the Scripture and beginning a true walk of faith with our Lord Jesus. Please pray for our little group and the influence this small church can have on the community, province, nation and even the world!  

Team Big Tree

Todd Preaching

Bible School

Spent 4 days teaching on the subject of 'missions' to a group of local pastors at our Chipata Bible school. Of course, the subject is quite broad and includes evangelism, discipleship, church planting, prayer, leadership training, etc. Four days certainly is not enough time to exhaust the subject but it was enjoyable to go through many of the highlights to this subject and hopefully give these church leaders a real thirst for God's command to "Go"! 

It was also quite refreshing to remind myself through the Scripture of the focus to reach the world with the true Gospel in order that all may worship the Father in Spirit and Truth. Recently, seems like I have seen so much false religion and erroneous beliefs about God it has just renewed my desire to reach people and properly teach from God's word. It is not that I think people are 'doing' it wrong or that I have the corner on worship but rather that God must be worshiped on His terms not our imagination or traditional ways.  

Big Tree Baptism

Our little bush church, started under a tree, had its first baptism service this past Sunday. I was giddy with excitement. We had our normal service at the church then the whole church walked to the water hole, singing the whole way, with a sense of excitement surrounding every step we took!

Upon arrival, my heart sank as I saw some of the filthiest water that could be imagined. Thoughts of water parasites and crocodiles quickly filled my mind. I began wondering if this was the right time and place for our first baptism... but, seconds later, one of the men was in the water helping to clear the surface scum away. Thankfully, under all that green muck, the water was nice and clean - our baptism service was on!!It was fun to be able to ask in the heart language (Chichewa) of each person when they became a Christian and what they were trusting in for their eternal life!

Here are just a few pics from the 12 that were baptized along with a short video:

Teaching Old Testament Survey

We have been teaching at Chinjala for many months now. We meet every Saturday and mostly it is 8-10 women with maybe 1 or 2 men. I have told them from the beginning that I would teach them as long as they are serious. 

We are currently teaching through an Old Testament Survey. We have covered the Creation, the Flood, and now moving into the beginning stages of the Patriarchs. So many great lessons in each section - for now it is just an overview but I would love to go back and thoroughly teach each section! I am thankful to be a part of this little church in which people do take the Scripture serious and want to grow. It is amazing the Biblical lessons they have never learned that we often take for granted and it is such a joy to see the "light" come on when they come to the realization of some new truth! Praise the LORD - cant imagine being a part of anything else than teaching and preaching God's Word.