Greetings from Luanshya!
This week we have been blessed by the arrival of fourteen student teachers from a Teacher's Vocational Training Institute. I was approached a few weeks ago by one of the administrators of the school. He said that one of their projects for the year was a community service outreach. He had heard that we had an orphanage and they would like to do something to help in a practical sense, putting into practice some of the newly honed skills of the students. I suggested the possibility of their painting the outside of the house. This morning, at nine o'clock, the crew arrived. Only one of the young people new anything about painting, but they have enthusiastically attacked the project. Many of them had as much paint on themselves as their part of the house but they are having a good time and their instructor, who is a Christian, sees this as a way of ministry as well as community service. In a couple of days there will be a few photographs on our website.
John and Sarah Bwalya are home for a couple of weeks from their assigned schools south of us. They had not seen each other for over a month so being here is a chance to catch up with one another's lives. John will be leading the Bible study tonight from Psalm 143. Please continue to pray for this couple. They finish their teaching practice the first week of December. We are hoping that they will be re-assigned next year together in Luanshya. Please pray with us.
Sarah is busy doing discipleship with Sherry twice a week. They have completed book one of seven. Today's lesson completed the brief series on Christ and Holy Spirit. Roy continues his discipleship with me. His lessons are currently on maturing in the Lord. Pray for those working their way through the discipleship course. It is one thing to write the correct answers and another to live by the Word.
Sherry has had a busy day, today, with various counselling sessions. Different young people have come in to tackle issues in their Christian life while others have come in for some "motherly" talks about principles and wise choices. It is encouraging to know that the young people feel safe in sharing their problems and seeking answers from her as opposed to going elsewhere obtaining unwise counsel. One young person is dealing with rebellion while another is struggling with sexual issues and yet another with family relationships. Pray for Sherry as she seeks God's wisdom and shares this with those He brings before her for help.
We have just received good news. One of our ladies has been promoted to the position of District Education Board Secretary for all of Luanshya. This is the highest office in the Ministry of Education with regards to local government schools. She is directly responsible for the oversight of 27 schools from primary to high school. She told us that 200 teachers have died in this district in the past two years and 20 are currently so ill that they cannot get out of bed! Please pray for her as she endeavours to lead with integrity. She is a godly woman and wants to please the Lord. We have assured her that there are many believers around the world who are praying for her. Even tonight
Thanks, again, for remembering this work in your prayers.
In His Service,
Patrick and Sherry
Dr. Patrick and
Sherry Coleman
Luanshya, Zambia Africa