Greetings from Luanshya!
What a fantastic past week we had! The new church in Buntungwa Village had their first baptism service and they invited me to do the honours. Several other churches in the area joined them on their special day. Twenty-four new believers from Buntungwa were baptized. Fifteen other people were baptized from some of the surrounding churches. There were approximately 550 people in attendance. This, of course, included believers from the other churches and many in village who were just curious about what was going on at this tiny mud brick chapel. I met with the believers who were about to be baptized and fully explained what baptism was about. They had each spent time with local leadership, but I did not want there to be any confusion over what they were about to do. For those who would like to see photographs of the day, you can visit our Buntungwa Gallery and follow through to the various areas of interest.
Sherry's youth class has been focusing on "Family life." From Ephesians 4 she taught on Paul's instructions to provide practical ways to show maturity in family relationships. Six areas of focus included: 1) Do your best to get along with others; 2) Use your gifts to build others up; 3) Keep on knowing Christ better; 4) Be sure of what you believe; 5) Be honest and loving, not devious; 6) Do your part to help others. This was a very appropriate lesson as Sherry is currently counselling one of the youths that has been having a difficult time with her relationship with mom and dad. This is not unusual for a seventeen year old in this country. Especially when they are still in grade 9. Please pray for these sessions. They meet again on Thursday.
It has been a big month at the Lighthouse Children's Home as five of the children celebrate birthdays this month. We had a big party and of course everyone enjoyed the treats. The children are on school break right now and are having a good time playing as well as getting a little extra tutelage at school in the early morning hours. Continue to pray for the children under our care.
Last Saturday morning we were given 220 lbs. of oatmeal by a local merchant. We took about 50 pounds to a needy family in Mikomfwa. The remaining oats went to the Lighthouse Children's Home. The children were thrilled to have something different for breakfast, but we don't know for how much longer. We were thrilled that someone was thinking of them.
The Source of Light Bible Correspondence School continues to be very active. There have been a number of new enrolments. Sherry corrected 123 lessons, distributed 182 new courses and presented 13 certificates of completion. It is very exciting to see students continue and very satisfying to see students all over town walking with their lessons in hand either to be dropped off at the Resource Centre or on their way home to complete work. It never ceases to amaze us how much this ministry has grown...far and above our dream six years ago.
This coming Sunday, Brother Chibumba will be speaking in a village church about ten miles outside of Luanshya Proper. Please pray for him as he ministers in this rural setting. Because of his asthma, very often trips to the bush result in some health risks, but he has a burden to reach out into these areas.
As always, we sincerely appreciate your prayers on our behalf.
In His Service,
Patrick and Sherry
Dr. Patrick and
Sherry Coleman
Luanshya, Zambia Africa