Greetings from Luanshya!
In the past two weeks I've traveled almost 3,000 miles and crossed three international borders, encountered road hazards including goats, cows, baboons, snakes and bus drivers. The latter was usually the most dangerous. God protected as we traveled. I had an opportunity to be in two different churches in Harare, Zimbabwe and the Lord provided numerous occasions to share the gospel in some pretty unusual circumstances. One man was raised in Communist Europe. He is having a difficulty understanding exactly why it failed and cannot comprehend why anyone would believe in the existence of a god - any god. We spent several hours talking about the fact that nature itself testifies to the existence of a Supreme Being. Please pray for B. The seed has been planted and a relationship built. Our request is that there will be further opportunity to continue the conversation, even through e-mail.
Another young woman was very concerned about the fact that her "good friend" makes no claim to be a Christian but he is getting serious about the relationship. She came to know the Lord at a Scripture Union Youth Camp as a teenager. I spoke to her about the necessity of making sure that her potential life mate had crystallized his relationship with the Lord Jesus prior to any decisions being made. Please pray for P. as she considers her future and that of her friend.
As I crossed into Mozambique, I saw an incredible change. Both Zambia and Zimbabwe have developed and maintained a political and business infrastructure over the decades since independence. While these two countries have struggled from time to time, they have not known the destruction of a decades-long civil war or of mass destruction due to natural causes. Mozambique was torn, for several decades by numerous rebel factions. Peace came eleven years ago and they have suffered through a number of floods which have devastated farmland and the economy. In spite of all this I saw a determination to move forward. There is evidence of the working of the Lord in several small churches. There are testimonies to the gospel being preached both in large cities and villages. Please pray for the believers in Mozambique and Zimbabwe as they continue to experience upheaval in their lands.
On the home front God continues to bless as our new believers embark on their discipleship with us next week. Several of the vernacular churches, in the Luanshya area, sent word that they desire classes for young believers as well as a Youth Leadership Training Seminar. It is encouraging to know that even older believers desire to grow.
Sherry continues to minister among the young people. This past Monday the lesson was on "The Great Physician" of John 9. Like all miracles that John recorded (which he called signs), the healing of the blind man is not simply an amazing demonstration of the power of Jesus, nor just a witness to His compassion for human suffering, though it includes both those things. It is a giant billboard placarding great spiritual truths. The irony is that a blind man saw these truths, and the sighted Pharisees did not. The story demonstrates the insidious nature of spiritual blindness through people's refusal to admit their condition. Jesus is clearly presented as the only One who can open someone's perception to spiritual truth. Continue to pray for the young people as they ask questions and seek the answers to "who Jesus Christ is".
Through political turmoil, natural disasters or human failures, we see God's many blessings on every front. Thank you being a part of our ministry through your prayers.
In His Service,
Patrick and Sherry
Dr. Patrick and
Sherry Coleman
Luanshya, Zambia Africa