Greetings from Luanshya!
Over the last year we have been asking you to pray for the teaching placement of John and Sarah Bwalya. The Senior Education Officer in Masaiti School District (which borders Luanshya) has submitted John and Sarah's names for placement in a school in her District. The Government had said that they were going to hire 7,000 teachers. The day after the placement was made the Government announced that they were only going to hire 1,000 teachers. We do not know, at this time, if John and Sarah will be included in this drastically reduced number. They are very disappointed not to have heard by this time. They finished their education-including the practical aspect-a full year ago. They have been waiting patiently. But patience is running a little thin. Please continue to pray for John and Sarah as well as the other several thousand trained teachers who are waiting for the Government postings. We are pleased, however, that John has been able to secure a teaching post in a private school in the interim. He is making the equivalent of US$33 a month which is about one third the salary offered in a Government school.
Last Sunday morning brother Chibumba preached a message from John 4. This is the first Sunday in a long time where I did not preach on the Lord's Day. It did feel rather unusual to be sitting in the congregation but I did enjoy listening to this man of God proclaim the gospel. Following the morning service, I baptized Rhoda Sakahundu and then she joined us at the Lord's Table for communion immediately following. The look on her face was enough to make it worth it all. She is secure in her salvation and she feels at home in our small Body of Christ. Please pray for Rhoda and her family as they continue to grow.
On Monday Sherry had an interesting conversation with a local Methodist Pastor. He had heard about the Christian Resource Centre from people in town and wanted to know what it was and how could he participate. He was surprised to learn that we do not charge anything for people to use our books or to enrol in the Source of Light Bible Correspondence School. Sherry enrolled him in the program and he was excited about the opportunity to study his bible in a systematic method. We are excited about the fact that we can help this older gentleman better understand what the Bible says. Please pray for Chrispin Mwaba.
Sherry has begun working with some of the young people and Sunday School in preparation for our Christmas day program. We will be using drama and puppets over the holiday to present the gospel and share the love of Christ. This is always a very busy time of year for everybody and we are equally busy with the various programs and activities in the church and the surrounding townships. We look forward to sharing some of the blessings of the upcoming weeks with you as these events take place.
Thank you for being a part of our ministry and for taking the time to read this brief update.
In His Service,
Patrick and Sherry
Dr. Patrick and
Sherry Coleman
Luanshya, Zambia Africa