Greetings from Luanshya!
It's really hard to believe that three fourths of the year is already over. I guess it's true what they say: "Time flies when you're having fun".
On Monday Sherry did the inventory for the Source of Light ministry. During the month of September we distributed 339 lessons, corrected 295 lessons, awarded 20 certificates of completion and enrolled 34 new students. In addition to this, because of the various school closings, we also had nearly 1,000 people in the Christian Resource Centre reading, studying and preparing messages. It has been a very busy month.
Last Sunday I spoke on the topic: "Who Really Killed Jesus." That afternoon we showed "The Passion of the Christ." After the film everybody was subdued. Sherry spoke to one of the ladies who came to view the film. She is a cashier at one of the local enterprises. She told Sherry that she did not realize just what Christ endured to purchase salvation for mankind. She also said that she did not know what to do. Sherry asked her to come to her office and speak with her later this week. Please pray for this young woman as well as the other 30 plus visitors that we had in the chapel.
The men in the Bible Institute are really excited about their studies. One of the men handed in his answer sheet for the twenty questions concerning 1 Samuel. It was over ninety pages long. Tomorrow evening we are going to talk about concise, specific answers. At least his answers were thorough, but quite wordy. Pray for these men as they continue their studies. We are thrilled to see them work so hard to prepare themselves for the ministry in which they serve.
For those of you who are interested, Sherry and I both cast our votes for the upcoming elections in November 2. We do not get any special awards for voting early but it is good to know that we can have a part in the process of electing our national and local leaders. Even from several thousand miles away.
We have one special prayer request concerning Colin's school. As we mentioned a few weeks ago, chicken pox is on the campus. We found out last week that there was also a case of typhoid fever. Yesterday Colin wrote to us and said that there was foot and mouth disease on the school farm. I go to collect Colin on Saturday morning for a short school break. Then, on the following Saturday he will take the PSAT (Practice Scholastic Aptitude Test). A week later he begins taking the final exams for school then in November he takes the SAT. He is a little stressed by all the examinations, but he has been preparing for them all year. His grades since starting at Chengelo School have jumped dramatically. He is first in his class in math, physics, French, design technology. We are really proud of him and feel that we have made the right decision in changing schools. Please continue praying for him.
You share every victory we have because of your faithfulness to pray for this ministry. We appreciate the part you play.
In His Service,
Patrick and Sherry
Dr. Patrick and
Sherry Coleman
Luanshya, Zambia Africa