Surprise!

My brother in law lives in Alaska and, of course, my wife lives in Africa --- so, they don't get to see each other very often is an understatement. However, the team that came in November wanted to do something special for Savannah so they decided to surprise her with a visit from her brother.

 

Josh traveled all the way from Wasilla, Alaska to join the Alabama team and surprise her. It was a huge blessing. The surprise remained in tact and Savannah squealed with excitement as tears flowed. Josh was able to see a bit of Zambia, the ministry we are involved with, as well as spend time with his sister and three nieces. Joy was found and love sprung forth.

 

Our cup truly runneth over. All praise to our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

 

Uncle Josh with the Pestke family (minus Eliana)

 

Winshape 2014

We were extremely blessed to host a team from Chick-fil-a / Winshape. The purpose of this group coming to Chipata it to help local business leaders understand Biblical principles and choose to follow God's way in their personal life and in their professional life.

 

Will Sims has been the lead man in coming to Zambia for the last 3 years. He is an instrumental and inspiring man that truly is passionate to see people grow in their relationship with Christ as well as see professional growth.  This year, two men came from Chick-fil-a along with their wives. It was a true joy to have both couples with us as they poured out their hearts and invested in the people of Zambia.

 

The teaching they do while in Zambia is based on the principle of servant leadership that Jesus taught. The principle crosses all borders and is timeless. We praise the LORD for the work that is being done here in Chipata because of this group. Will Sims has also invested in Davis Mwanamoyo (a local business man), who has now taken some of these same principles to his own business and helped others with their businesses!! Success!

 

Will and Emily with Eliana

Witnessing a lion dinner

Enjoying some of God's creation with some of God's people

Hebron School with the team

Will Sims teaching SERVE

David teaching SERVE

Davis Mwanamoya encouraging people to move forward



Will pointing people to the Truth

Will Sims investing in my family

 

Team Work

We hosted a team from Decatur Baptist and Community Baptist churches in Alabama. The team objective was to teach a three day VBS for about 90 children, an adult leadership conference taken from the book of Ephesians for about 35 adults, and do some renovations at a local rural health clinic.

 

The team was outstanding. The leadership conference teaching was spot on. The VBS for the children really reached into the hearts of the people. The renovations at the clinic went very well. The attitude of the group well represented our Lord Jesus Christ! The temps while the team were here were easily in the low 100s each day. The circumstances were less than ideal to do intense manual labor and play game with kids in the open air but this group not only did it, but did it well!

Larry Waye finishing up with some solid teaching

 

Shane Wright teaching from Ephesians

Josh Fryfogle helping out with clinic work

Team devotions at the Js



Group Transport Zambian style



Seth Keenum sharing his heart concerning biblical families

Bro Jay Schug teaching God's word



Josh Fryfogle doing the work



God honoring people desiring to see Christ lifted up

 

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.