Bad theology leads to bad decisions

Recently saw this article written about "Pastors" in Zambia that have told their members to stop taking ARV drugs. ARV drugs help people with HIV/AIDS to live a more normal life. The "Church" and its "leaders" are pushing a message that makes people believe it is an act of faith to stop taking medicine and just simply "believe".

Read the article for yourself - I find it appalling and so contrary to Scripture. This is what we deal with in Zambia. Yes, there are many people that believe - but there are some that believe everything that is spoken from any pulpit. 

http://thinkafricapress.com/zambia/prayer-help-or-hindrance-fight-against-aids-choma

Resurrection at Big Tree

Our new church plant hosted its first Resurrection conference from March 29th - March 31st. It was a wonderful time of teaching and preaching focused on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Gospel, and the Sacrificial Lamb of God given to take away the sin of the world. Two others churches traveled to the Chinundu area to be a part of the conference. In all, I believe the total attendance was somewhere in the 80-90 range. 

I believe the Lord was glorified as messages were preached and all of our hearts were challenged. I know of many that want to be taught more and really feel the conference helped them grow in their spiritual understanding. Also, know of at least one that realized she truly is not a Christian and is need of the Saviour! Please continue to pray for this new work... our next step is to begin the process of leadership development! We praise the Lord for the work that He is doing and ask you continue to pray for God's direction and wisdom at "Big Tree" Baptist Church!

End of Conference group photo

first Resurrection message - full house!

waiting for next service to begin

1 Corinthians 15:3-4  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Matthew 28:6-8  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

pews installed

Over the last couple months we have been working on our church building. Because of the rains, we were forced to move from meeting under our "Big Tree" and construct a simple structure to protect against the rain and sun. There is a part of me that really just rejoices in the simplicity of church in the bush. 

We constructed the roof with grass a couple months ago but have just been sitting on reed mats and thick tree branches. About a week ago, some of the men started working on installing the news pews which is a huge benefit and really adds a whole lot more comfort to the situation. I was told yesterday that they were not quite finished as they would add a second layer of mud slurry on top to seal them properly. Perfect! 

Amazing how different life can be - some consider air conditioning, padded pews, and paved driveways essential for minimum comfort at church while others consider mud pews and a grass roof of higher class and quality. Please don't misunderstand what I am saying - I certainly don't think air conditioning is wrong but do admit I enjoy the simplicity and contentment of bush church life and expectation. 

 

Psalms 29:2  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

New Ride!

A pastor friend of mine (Winfred) has been using crutches for as long as I've known him without a problem. Recently he has started feeling pain because of the crutches and not been able to effectively move around. We were blessed to be able to provide him with a wheel chair today that will hopefully allow him more movement and relieve some of the pain he is feeling. 

This was made possible through so many faithful friends and partners in the States that donate such items and help us to ship from the USA to Zambia. We realize it is no simple task getting a wheel chair thousands of miles but it sure is worth it. We praise the Lord for His goodness!! We appreciate all the work done through I AM and its network of helpers - we have received thousands of tracts, Bibles, and sundry materials that has been abundantly useful to reach people with the Gospel and help strengthen the church and even meet some of the physical needs!

Test Drive

Smile says it all

Already heading out

say goodbye to crutches!

Psalms 68:19  Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

Glasses

A kind church in America gave us a box full of glasses to give away here in Zambia. A couple members from the church we are working with have been complaining about their eyes. Yesterday I brought some of the glasses to church in the bush and tried to surprise them knowing they would truly be thrilled. For many of the older people in the church, it is difficult to read the Bible simply because their eyes are hurting. This gift from Grace Baptist Church is allowing people not only to see better but also to read their Bibles better! Praise the LORD. 

Pictured below is Mr. Tonga - he has been excitedly coming to church for the last couple months. About 4 or 5 weeks ago he mentioned he had dropped his glasses somewhere and they were lost. When I brought him a new pair of glasses yesterday he was like a little boy jumping up and down and just so excited. Imagine not being able to see and one day coming to church and someone has given you the gift of sight! Of course, you see the spiritual application there as well... many of us walk around blindly or with our sight significantly reduced until we meet with God and He restores our vision enabling us to walk by faith and see the things of God. The church can be a place where people get their vision corrected and are enabled to see, rejoicing, and giving thanks as Christ is preached and God's Word is known!  We still have lots of glasses to give out and look forward to being both a physical and spiritual blessing to the people in Chinunda area. Imagine,  being able to SEE!

2 Kings 6:17  And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw:

Psalms 119:18  Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

John 9:25   He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.