Getting Closer: Mukantha school

Thanks to the donations of some friends we were able to put a new roof on the Mukantha community school! As always, I underestimated the cost of the project but the Lord seemed to bring the funds to effectively finish the roof. Again, a huge shout out to Dan Jalowiec, Micah Jalowiec, and Luke Hayes for all the hard work they put into the installation of the roof. These guys not only work hard but seek to please the Lord in the way they work! Praise the LORD!

The school still needs a bore hole for clean water, door frames and window frames, doors and windows, a chalk board, and some desks but for now we are thrilled at the progress!

starting with prayer

executing the plan

precision work

looking good

all smiles

ready to use!

This do in remembrance

At our little rural church in Zambia we celebrate the Lord's supper roughly six times per year. It is a great reminder of the death of Jesus, along with the blood He shed for the forgiveness of our sin. I am always personally amazed at how much this sacrament changes me as I read through the verses that talk about Christ's work and sacrifice. It truly is wonderful to "remember" the finished work of salvation that Jesus Christ has done. Yes, salvation happens but once in a person's life but what a true joy to remember the Cross and remember that wonderful Grace!

A beginning: Mukantha community school

We have started a new project to help put a roof on a community school near our church plant. A women from the school's PTA came to us after Church one day asking if we could help. We eventually went to see the school and saw how shamefully the conditions were for the 80+ children. The PTA had done a fine job at building a new school but did not have the resources to put a roof on it and unfortunately the grass roofed school they were using was literally falling down. 

Thanks to some very generous friends of this ministry and their desire to see Christ honored, we were able to deliver the 80 pieces of timber yesterday and today the carpenters will begin the assembly of the trusses. (As you can see this is not a multi-million dollar school but is adequate... little is much when God is in it!) There is still much work to be done but we are excited of the future possibilities! At least... it's a beginning. 

old school

new school

There is still much we want to do at this school including a clean water bore hole, installing proper windows and doors, creating cement floors, attaching proper chalk boards but we are at least off to a good start!!! 

sweet little voices

Before our main time of preaching this morning we had the Sunday school children come and give us a song they recently learned. It is sweet to hear these little children learning from the Scripture, understanding God's direction for their life, and to hear them sing songs of praise!

Scoffers

It didn't occur to me while reading the Scripture that "scoffers" would quite possibly come from within the church. In 2 Peter 3, we are told, first, that there should come in the last day scoffers... and saying "where is the promise of his coming?" 

The doctrine of the Second coming of Jesus Christ is well documented theologically by the Church. Most of us would state emphatically the belief in a physical return of the King of kings. Many would assert the time of Christ's return is unknown yet predictable. The vast number of those that have taught me would confess to the trumpet sounding very soon. 

Yet, there appears to exist within the body of Believers today a certain melancholy towards future events and the possible (any moment now) return of Christ. I remember when the very mention of the rapture would insight excited emotions parallel to that of a newly married couple heading off into the sunset! 

Maybe it is just me? Maybe everyone still has that same passion and excitement? Maybe... 

But, maybe not! Maybe people have taken their eyes off the things above and have more focused on the things below. Maybe so many Christians today are satisfied with the things of this world there is no desire or hunger for consuming peace, absolute love, perfect praise, or unending joy. 

Our theology hasn't changed towards this doctrine of the Return of Christ but it sure does seem like our attitude has. Would we really live in such amusement if we believed Christ is coming soon? Would we truly spend so frivolously if we believed such a Truth? Would we really neglect the duties of the Church and the Commission of our Lord to reach the world with the good news of free salvation and forgiveness of sin? 

Maybe the scoffers are not the non-Christian, unbelievers, outside of the Church. Maybe the scoffers are the ones inside, the church goers, me. 

Independence Day 2014

We are abundantly blessed to have an American community of believers here in Chipata and relatively close to us. This year we hosted a total of 33 friends that we call family to celebrate the Independence of our home country. We played games, barbecued, ate lots, laughed lots, and even threw in a little American trivia... overall it was a wonderful day. 

In my limited experience as a missionary, some of the toughest days on the foreign mission field is during the holiday times. Having this group of people near to us is truly a God send and helps all of us be strong and united!

4th of July