Greetings from Luanshya!
Last Sunday morning I spoke on growing up in understanding and yet staying like children in our relationships with each other. All too often we do exactly the opposite. Our understanding of scriptural principles can be very immature. Whereas our grudges are very personal and permanent. I explained that children get over their anger much easier than adults. It is a shame that so many Christians have a difficulty just growing up and getting over the pettiness of everyday squabbles.
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.
I spent time with a man named Roy. We talked about maturing in the Word of God. Roy's comments were very revealing. He recognizes areas of weakness just within the past few weeks. He struggles with wanting to do what he always did. He knows that there needs to be a change in his lifestyle. We all struggle with this. Please pray for these young believers as they continue to grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Sherry's youth are finishing their series on "Relationships" next week. They are looking examining Christian freedom in respecting other people. Sherry stressed that they are supposed to respect rather than use other people. This is the middle of the young peoples school holiday and yet the youth have insisted that Sherry continue the classes even during the break. This is very unusual and we are encouraged by their enthusiasm to continue their studies.
The Source of Light Bible Correspondence School continues to grow. Last month 27 new students were enrolled, 268 lessons were distributed, 201 lessons were corrected and 12 certificates of completion were awarded. We continue to be amazed that this particular ministry grows even without any open advertising. Sherry has just placed another order for courses in an effort to stay ahead of demand. Please pray that this shipment will arrive promptly.
Knowing that school will be dismissed in December, one of the young people asked if we were going to hold a Vacation Bible School program. The very next day we received a VBS kit called "Great Global Adventures - Celebrating Life In Christ" from CEF. This follows a theme of Adventures in Odyssey. This kit is complete. It includes CD's with music, PowerPoint Presentations and other literature. We are going to have fun with this. Pray for God's blessing for both teachers and students. Sherry will begin sensitising the youth as they will be her main helpers in putting the program together.
By the way, Colin goes back to school on Sunday afternoon. Please remember to pray for him - I know you do!
In His Service,
Patrick and Sherry
Dr. Patrick and
Sherry Coleman
Luanshya, Zambia Africa