Enjoying Church

We were at a bush church this Sunday with the whole family. Analiese really enjoys visiting with new families and especially other children. It thrills us to see her enjoy church even if she doesn't really get what is going on.

I was able to use some of the chewa we are learning during the service. Even though I must sound like a 1st grader, the people are really appreciating the effort we are making. We continue to study this language with the hope that someday we will be speaking God's word in the heart language of these people!

Our newest challenge

We have officially started taking "formal" chichewa lessons. For the last many weeks we have tried to learn just using books and talking to some people. Although we did learn it was too easy to not learn. The Lord directed us to a German man that has lived in Zambia for 59 years. He agreed to teach us from a simple book but did caution us that his learning style is a bit "old fashioned". Of course that means we are in for a lot of memorization!!

We had lesson 1 (of 47) this morning. He gave us probably 15 words and 10 phrases to memorize plus 15 exercises to complete by tomorrow morning. At least he doesn't expect much from us :-)

they will come...

We visited Nmoro Baptist Church this last Sunday. This church is located a good 20 kilometers out of town and with the bridge being out we made use of the 4 wheel drive to get there. Normally the church starts around 9:00am - however, when we arrived and waited we realized nobody was coming this morning. We were notified of a funeral in a nearby village. Zambian tradition pretty much requires that everyone attends the funeral...which can last 3 or 4 full days. We waited another hour just in cast someone decided to come and then I started to preach to the pastor and my wife. After a few minutes, some people started coming in and we probably ended with 15 or 20 in attendance. I am thankful we didnt just leave because of poor attendance. We had 4 come for prayer and counsel! We rejoice in being a part of what God is doing.

Acts 17

We visited Pastor Danny's church again this week. I asked a recent bible school graduate to preach. It is always exciting to see Zambian men preach the Scripture to their fellow Zambians with power and might. We saw God do a work in at least 2 lives. Although the church is small we know God can do great things through them!

thanks for the shoe

Today I had a meeting with my neighbors and the leadership of the Islamic school (Omar, Mohammed, & Rashad). It turns out some kids from the Muslim school / Mosque are jumping the wall fence into my yard and venturing out. I happened to catch a kid in the act just a couple days ago as he was climbing my mango tree to escape the dogs! He was running away in such a hurry his shoe fell off. I decided to be a good neighbor and return his shoe to the school principal :-)

The meeting went quite well. Again, I feel the Lord is giving opportunity as subtle as they may be. As I was standing in this vast Muslim compound waiting for my meeting, I took the opportunity to pray for the almost 200 students being taught there. Would you pray with me that God would transform the people of the Eastern Province through the working of the Holy Spirit?

(Eph 6:18-19) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; {19} And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,