Greetings from Luanshya!
The Teacher's Strike is over! On Monday morning the newspaper announced that the Ministry of Education and the Teacher's Union had declared the teacher's strike illegal and had demanded that the teachers go back to class. It took a couple of days for the news to filter down to the individual teachers, but students are back in class and those who have end of year exams are happy for a little more input.
I had an opportunity to sit with a grade 3 student this week who desperately wanted to be able to read and participate in our correspondence program for the children. At the age of 9 and in 3rd grade she does not recognize simple words and did not know the sound of the letter "h", "a", "d" etc. I was surprised at her inability and as I spoke to her another one of our students (a man in his mid-40's) said that her situation was not unusual. It is truly sad that youngsters spend anywhere from six to eight hours a day at school and do not learn the basics or even the alphabet.
The father of one of our other students thanked me yesterday for his daughter being allowed to participate in the programs of the Christian Resource Centre. He said it was comforting to know that his daughter could come to a "safe" place to read and learn about the Lord Jesus. As an added blessing, she was also improving her reading skills because of the program. Continue to pray for the many outreaches of the Christian Resource Centre.
A young man, C.M., came into the Resource Centre on Monday and said he needed to talk to somebody about problems in his life. We set up an appointment for 4 o'clock that afternoon and he was right on time. He had been to church his entire life and his uncle was a church leader in a neighbouring town. However, after we spent 30 minutes talking he realized that he had never come to the place where he knew that he had eternal life. C.M. bowed his head and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour. He has begun personal Bible study as well as the correspondence bible lessons with us. Please pray for this new brother as he grows in the Lord. Also pray for his friends and family because they have no more assurance than he did prior to Monday afternoon. It is truly sad that so many people spend days, weeks, months and years going through the motions of religion without having the reality of a personal relationship with the Lord.
The Sunday School at Fellowship Chapel began a new series entitled "Treating People Right." The idea behind this series is to encourage the children to develop their personal relationship skills. This weeks lesson is about "Being Loyal" and the fact that friends are more than just fun. Please pray for the children as they progress in their relationships with one another, their friends and the Lord.
Colin is doing better and is back in class. We appreciate your prayers on his behalf. He is due to take exams any time now. Not only will he be involved with the end of year testing but also college entrance exams (PSAT & SAT). Pray that his study habits have not faltered during his illness. We say this every week but we mean it...we do appreciate your part in this ministry through your prayers and support.
In His Service,
Patrick and Sherry
Dr. Patrick and
Sherry Coleman
Luanshya, Zambia Africa