Eliana Grace

On October 11th, at 11:50 am, little Eliana Grace Pestke was born into this world. We are thrilled. She decided to wait a bit before entering which in turn resulted in an emergency C-section. But, in the end, all turned out fine. Both mother and daughter are well. We praise the LORD for another beautiful gift.

 

Psalms 127:3-5 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

 

 

the whole world in His hands

There is an old Sunday school songs that goes, "He's got the whole world in His hands...He's got the whole world in His hands...." As we sing this song there are smiles on the faces of young people and old alike. The idea is simple - Jesus Christ (God manifest in the flesh) literally has the whole of mankind and the world in the palm of His hand. We take it to mean that everything is going to be ok. 

Truly - the God understood in the Scripture is in control and does have the whole world in His hand. Yet, when we face the thoughts of Ebola, ISIS, wild fires, terrorism, famine, and world hunger it is easy to quickly forget about the encompassing hands of the Lord.

The command to go into the world (Matthew 28:18-19) is ever ringing from the pulpits of New Testament churches. This command seems reasonable when nations are receptive, economies stable, and politics are western friendly. Yet worldly stability has no bearing on the command - the church still should and must confront the sin of the world with the solution of Jesus Christ. In fact, the message becomes more powerful when Biblical Christians run into the storms of this world only equipped with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

As Jesus once said... the harvest is plenteous but the labourers are few. Few because we often get caught up in the tribulations of this world instead of better understanding the triumph promised through Christ. Pray.  

Big Tree Two Year Anniversary

We had quite a wonderful celebration on Sunday (Sept 28th). Yesterday marked the two year anniversary of the beginning of our efforts to reach the Malongwe village area with the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am deeply touched as I think about the many lives changed as sins have been forgiven and purpose and peace given. Hallelujah! Big Tree Baptist Church is not a very large place. Maybe if a stranger came he would not think much of our grass roof and mud pews and walls. Yet, in this humble building deep transformation has been found as the truth of God's word continually is declared and people seek that path of righteousness. 

We invited a guest baptist preacher from town (Harrison Banda) to encourage and challenge our people. Wow! He did just that. He spoke from Deuteronomy discussing blessings and cursings then brought it together as it relates to the New Testament Christian and the temple within them. Truly blessed. At the close, we asked if anyone would like to re-dedicate their life to walking with Christ... in God-like manner, the Spirit moved, and more than 20 adults immediately responded.. My heart was overflowing. 

 As is traditional with Baptist heritage - we celebrated with a church wide meal including goat meat, nshima, cabbage, beans, and tomatoes. Perfect day. As we all sat around talking and enjoying fellowship the children had made kites from bamboo stick and discarded plastic bags which provided great entertainment!

Sunday school reciting verses

Pastor Banda exhorting the people from God's word

Kite flying

love that family!

It has been more than 3 weeks since the Pestke family has all been together. Savannah and the girls are in South Africa in preparation for our new baby girl and I stayed behind to continue teaching and preaching.
Although the time has gone by fast I am so ready to be back with my family! It truly has worked out well to finish up some teaching in September and be free in October to fully focus on our new born and the rest of the family... but, oh boy, it has been hard to be away from these girls.

So, thought I would share some of those family pics!

baby girl getting a nap before her arrival

Analiese Joy enjoying life!

Gabriella Hope showing off those sweet cheeks!

unstable times

Isaiah 33:6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure. 

It doesn't take more than a quick perusal of the different news stations to realize there is much tribulation in this world. There is unresolved military conflict in North Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Ukraine, and Russia to name just a few. There is a deadly Ebola virus that threatens West Africa and could cause hundreds of thousands of deaths (says CDC). People are being abducted all around the world. Small school girls are being taken from their classrooms and never returned. Tribulation is upon us the world.

Yet, throughout the Scripture we see over and over again the peace and stability that is known to those near to the Lord. Imagine, wisdom and knowledge brings stability? So, if we are living in a world of instability it is likely because biblical wisdom and knowledge is not prevailing. 

The hope we bring as missionaries to Zambia is not financial, academic, or really developmental in almost any way --- but, we do bring stability. We bring stability because our focus is to bring that strength of salvation to the people and build that foundation of wisdom and knowledge in order to make straight that which is crooked. Oh, that our Lord would bring an excitement for wisdom and that Christ's salvation would take control of the hearts of all of us! 

Truly, all this stability and salvation is right there - we just need to open the Word of God and allow our Lord Jesus Christ to speak. That is my prayer for the people of Zambia and for my own family.