Greetings from Luanshya!
July was a very good month for the Source of Light Bible Correspondence School. We enrolled 40 new students, distributed 234 lessons, corrected 195 exams and presented 16 certificates of completion. Now that I am actually in the Resource Centre, five days a week and distributing these courses personally, it is a real joy to meet many of the students that were only names a month ago. It is especially exciting to meet the senior saints who, even at the age of 60 and 70, are continuing to grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It is also fun to be able to work with the younger students in helping them pronounce the words in their lessons. Many of the things that a North American child would take for granted, a Zambian child has never seen. For example, a little red wagon. Please pray for this every growing ministry. We currently have over 3,115 registered students and more coming every day.
Another aspect of this ministry that is encouraging took place yesterday, Tuesday. One of the preachers in town brought in a member from his church that needed a pair of spectacles. I asked the man, just out of curiosity, how old he was. He laughed and said he wasn't sure but he knew that he was over 70. He needed a pair of spectacles so that he could read his Bible. He did not speak English but he was able to read Bemba, his mother tongue. We had just received a box of Bemba tracts so I was able to use one of these tracts to help gauge his ability to see. We went through about a dozen pair of eyeglasses before he found a pair that met his need. As he began to read the tract, his voice got stronger and his eyes began to water. For the first time in a decade he was able to read the Word of God. We thank all of those who have contributed their "extra" reading glasses and those who went to the effort of purchasing new reading glasses from their local pharmacist. On behalf of this senior saint, we want to say that you have changed his life. The tears in his eyes expressed the happiness in his heart. You've made a difference.
The next four weeks the young people will be on school break. Sherry will begin having her youth meetings every Monday evening. The focus of her lessons is "Finding Joy" based on the book of 1 John.
The weather has turned warm rather quickly and this means the mosquitoes are active again. Several members of the church have already become victims of malaria and the strain this year is very harsh. Please pray for the situation concerning the health and well being of especially the leadership not only in our church but also in churches throughout the community. Malaria is the number one killer in this part of the world.
Your prayers on our behalf are appreciated beyond our ability to express it fully. Please know that you are full partners with us in this ministry.
In His Service,
Patrick and Sherry
Dr. Patrick and
Sherry Coleman
Luanshya, Zambia Africa