Greetings from Luanshya!
We have had a number of meetings over the last couple of weeks concerning the new radio project. According to Mr. Mulilo, the originator of the project, the Ministry of Information and Communication was very pleased that we were invited to be on the Board. Somehow, they have heard of our work in little tiny Luanshya. It reminds us again how careful we have to be in everything we do because our "hosts" are watching our ministry. Please pray with us as we continue through this process of establishing the radio station and as we gather broadcast material for the various religious programs. So far we have been given carte blanche. This is both exciting and terrifying because of the awesome responsibility placed upon us as we attempt to minister to a much broader audience.
The Christian Resource Centre has been very busy these past couple of weeks. There are more people coming in to the library to do actual Bible study and lesson preparation than usual. Word has gotten out that we make our books available for free. People are still amazed that they are not asked for an enrollment fee or registration fee. As long as God allows us to maintain this ministry, we will continue to assist the Christian leaders of our community. The Correspondence school continues to grow at the same time. Thank you for your prayers for this particular ministry.
The youth class has been talking about a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ prior to a series of studies that will deal with other types of relationships. There have been a number of new faces, new questions and interesting discussion. Sherry explained last Monday that there is a significant difference between believing the facts in the Bible and personally risking oneself in a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Our young people are constantly faced with the same pressures that North American kids face but they do not always have the role models at home. Many of these kids literally go home to parentless homes where kids are in charge. Please pray for our young people. One of our girls regularly goes home from school to find her mother in bed with a stranger. It just destroys any kind of respect she has for her mother. Sherry becomes more than a youth leader; she literally becomes the only hope some of these kids have for a role model.
I spent the last couple of Sunday's preaching on "Living With A Purpose". Things that seem so obvious for the believer are often overlooked. We are looking forward to the arrival of several copies of the book "The Purpose Driven Life" which were given to us by a friend in San Diego. Once these books arrive, we will make them available to our church members. We are looking forward to a great future.
This past Monday there was a demonstration in Luanshya, which included students from several schools, town council workers and miners. The council workers and miners were complaining about not getting their pay and benefits. The students were demonstrating because the teachers are on strike because they haven't received full pay and benefits. Unfortunately, the teachers, mine workers and council workers are taking their frustrations out on innocent bystanders and businesses. Eighteen high school students were arrested and put in jail because of damages caused to vehicles buildings down town (none of our property was damaged in the melee). The frustration level is very high and nerves are frayed. Obviously, this affects our church as well since we are down town and many of our members work for these three entities. In fact, our members are often criticized they will not participate in acts of public disobedience. Please pray for the situation, the leaders of our nation as they make decisions that affect every aspect of Zambian society.
A few weeks ago we were told that the life expectancy for a Zambian male had slipped to below 35 years. Central Statistics Office (CSO) immediately sent out clarification-and a warning-to all organizations operating within Zambia, not to state this life expectancy as "official". According to the CSO, as quoted in the government newspaper, "the official life expectancy in Zambia is 50 years. The 35 year figure is simply an intelligent estimation". We don't know where the figures originate. We do know that as we walk through the cemetery in Luanshya, the vast majority of the grave markers place the age of the recently deceased in the mid thirties or younger. A forty-five year old man is considered "madala", an old man. Please pray as we reach the youth of our nation. That we might be able to help reverse the trend by encouraging our young people to live according to God's standards.
We appreciate your partnership in the ministry.
In His Service,
Patrick and Sherry
Dr. Patrick and
Sherry Coleman
Luanshya, Zambia Africa