EVERYTHING -Z TO A
September 2010
Prayer Items for September
Term 3 of the Seminary – The “holiday” is over for students and staff and it is time to get back into the full swing of seminary studies. Pray that we will all be able to quickly transition back into teaching schedules and study disciplines. My courses for this term will be: An Overview of the Psalms (for both the on campus and the off campus students); Old Testament Survey 3; and Preaching 2.
Join me in giving thanks to Him for His safety and protection during all of my travels in the month of August. Thus far this month (23rd of August) I have driven over a thousand miles where “defensive driving” and “constant attention” are absolute essentials.
Pray that we might experience His peace and comfort in a special way. (You will understand this prayer item better as you read “Monday Madness.”)
September 2010 Newsletter
Report from BBS
During the month of August, I taught at two of the BBS (Baptist Bible Schools) in the Eastern Harvest Team area (Luangwa and Manenekela). Although it is a tiring task to teach at these schools, I come away with wonderful testimonies to the greatness of God and to His provision.
One of the elements unique to the Luangwa BBS is the influence of “big game,” i.e. elephants. One of our students was delayed in coming because none of those in his village can travel after dark due to the threat of elephants. So instead of travelling on Sunday afternoon and evening, he could only depart from his village after the sun had risen on Monday morning.
After teaching his afternoon session, one of our teachers accompanied a student on a trip to buy a goat for the school. Their search caused them to travel back into Luangwa after dark, where again they were “held up” by elephants (30 or more) crossing the main road into town.
On this return trip they as well helped out some people who were travelling by foot. These travelers had heard the elephants and they did not dare move – and so they were stranded. Our teacher and student helped give them safe passage beyond the elephants.
When we hold the school in Luangwa the three of us teachers share a room at a local “lodge.” From time to time we encounter some “peculiar” folks. On this occasion our “neighbor” was a rather interesting fellow. He came out of his room late in the afternoon on one day and said that he had perceived that we were “religious” people. He suggested that he needed some help and that perhaps we could assist him. He said he read everything that he could find about religion.
As he asked his questions, my colleagues tried to reason with him from the Word of God. It became immediately apparent that he did not want answers as much as he wanted an argument. Among other things, he defiantly stated that Satan was simply a rebellious son of God and that Jesus was not quite on the same par with God. After showing him a number of Scripture verses, one of my friends turned to him and said, “You really don’t want any help. You are not open to the truth of God’s Word and it is pointless for us to continue this discussion.” With those comments our “strange” friend retired in silence back to his room.
We prayed for this man, and for those like him. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians these powerful words: “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” Truly, there are none so blind as those who will not see.
Before I move on let me mention just a couple of thoughts about this incident. Please be careful – be selective – in your reading. This man had lost all sense of “discernment” over what is truth. Do not follow in his steps. Also, pray that we might stand on His truth with all boldness that we might “declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).”
Annual General Meeting – Baptist Fellowship of Zambia (Our National Partners)
The meeting itself was just as you would want God’s business to be conducted. There was transparency and open debate. Even when folks did not agree, they were not disagreeable. Our hearts were challenged to responsible stewardship by the featured speaker. A time slot was given to celebrate 50 years of Baptist Mission work in Zambia (the focal point of this time slot was a power point presentation put together by Mary). Also, the Baptist Fellowship honored missionaries Franklin and Paula Kilpatrick for their 40 years of faithful ministry in Zambia.
The day before our departure from Luangwa we met at the market one of the students that we had been expecting at the school. As we met by “chance” (really God’s appointment), he immediately expressed his sorrow over not being able to attend the BBS. Then he proceeded to quote something that he had learned from my lesson last term on marriage and family (teachers always feel great when their students have memorized their lessons). Of course, we expressed our sorrow that he was not able to be with us.
Then he recounted his testimony of what God had been doing in his life. A new school had been built several kilometers away and he had been chosen as the new headmaster for this school. It was this new work commitment which had kept him away from our “school” – but right where he needed to be in “His service.” One of the pictures that I have now stored in the album of God’s glory in my mind is of this man as his face showed joy at this “public pulpit” that God had chosen for him. There was no mention of increased pay, or better housing, or any of the things of this world that we all might would have seen as the “perks” of a promotion; rather his discussion centered on what more God could do through him in this new place of service.
But Luangwa wasn’t the only BBS that we had in August. During the middle of the month we conducted the Manenekela BBS. It was a good time of teaching and learning and fellowship – along with a couple of “extras” thrown in for good measure. Here is note that I made in my “personal journal” about one of these “extras.”
“Thus far I have been interrupted twice to sell Bibles. For many of those buying this is a unique and rare opportunity to purchase a Bible -as they almost never see them in their area, let alone have the opportunity to buy one. One of the cooks just bought a Bible this morning - she said that now she could really understand if the preacher was teaching the truth and she would really be able to grasp the Word. Another man came by to purchase a Bible with money that he had borrowed from someone else. It is hard to put into words the absolute thrill that many people (I would say most) express when they have their very own Bible. They almost always immediately look inside to see if the whole thing is there - and are amazed to see it in their language. It is almost as if they are saying - and this is really my Bible! It is like it is too good to be true.”
The other “extra” from the Manenekela BBS relates to the testimony of someone who will be joining our school this next year (at our new intake). This individual had attended our last graduation at the Manenekela BBS – and, since that time, the Lord has been convicting his heart and life.
This man has been a rather successful salesman. However, at the annual general meeting of the Manenekela Association, he announced that he was going to be making some major changes in his business. Along with a number of staple food items, he sold beer in his shop as well. Under the leadership of the Lord, he confessed at the annual meeting that this would no longer be the practice in his shop. He had reached the conclusion that come what may, his conviction was that as a Christian this is not the mixed testimony that he wanted to present to the community and his practice of selling beer would stop immediately.
Thus concludes this report on the BBS for this month of August. The truth was taught, students learned, Bibles were sold, hearts bonded within the family of faith, and God was glorified. Challenges were met, testimonies were given, and lives were changed. When December comes, we get to do it all again!
Monday Morning Madness
It was on Monday, the 9th of August, when Mary got a call saying that one of our missionary colleagues had been involved in a road accident and that a volunteer travelling with her was killed. In the hours following that initial phone call the details began to emerge. This volunteer was experiencing extreme pain and the decision had been reached to try to get him back to Lusaka for emergency medical treatment. Our missionary had been accompanied by another volunteer from this same team. When they were still several hours from Lusaka the vehicle rolled and the seriously ill volunteer died in that accident.
Mary spent hours on the phone on that Monday. She talked continuously with US Embassy personnel, IMB personnel, insurance companies, police posts, and funeral services. Miraculously the body was “repatriated” within the week. (The burial took place on Thursday morning, 19 August, and the church conducted a “celebration of life” ceremony that afternoon.)
The very next Monday morning, the 16th of August, we were awakened at 0400 by the sound of the compound alarm. As I went outside one of the guards said that he had found one of the gates open and that the other guard was nowhere to be seen. We quickly discovered that one of the new Land Cruisers had been stolen and that the thieves had taken the guard with them. Mary, along with the missionary whose vehicle had been stolen, made a quick trip to the local police station to report the crime. (We tried the emergency number for the police but no one answered the phone.)
Again, throughout the next few hours some details began to emerge. Three thieves had come over the fence and had hidden themselves in the hedge – in a “dark” spot on the compound. Apparently they waited for the right time and opportunity, and then overcame the guard and selected the vehicle that they would “steal.” A few hours later they dropped off the guard in one of the local neighborhoods on the other side of town (after stealing his cell phone). He then went to a police station in that neighborhood and the police there drove him back to the compound.
Once again, Mary “manned” the phones – contacting various IMB personnel and police officials. Throughout the week she met with the police several times and pursued getting the official police reports. There is little hope of retrieving the vehicle.
These have been challenging days and events, and we are still struggling with the ripple effect of what has happened. Pray for the Finck family as Brother Finck leaves a wife and three children. Pray for those volunteers who came with him to serve in the Western Province and who travelled home without him. Pray for that church - Fellowship Community Church in Salem, Virginia – that they might transition through their grief over his death and to an ongoing celebration of his life and His life. Pray for our mission family as we each deal with this tragic death.
Pray for those of us who live and work on this Baptist Guesthouse compound. There is a certain level of uncomfortable vulnerability when a guard is “overpowered” and a vehicle is stolen. It takes awhile to achieve again that sense of “peace” and “security” that we have about our homes.
"August 2010"
PRAYER ITEMS
BBS (Baptist Bible School) – There are three of them taking place this month. Pray for teachers to be healthy and well-prepared for their classes. Pray that the students will be healthy and ready to receive the teaching.
(1)26-31 July – Chongwe BBS
(2)2-7 August – Luangwa BBS
(3)16-21 August – Manenekela BBS
BFZ – The annual general meeting of the Baptist Fellowship of Zambia will be in Ndola this year during the 11th-14th of August. Pray these church representatives will hear the plea from the seminary for much needed support.
Serenje “Camp Meeting” – The annual meeting for the Serenje Baptist Churches is the 25th-29th of August. I have been invited to be their “guest speaker.” It will be another of those “new” experiences for me.
As you can see from the list, there will be a lot of travel for a lot of people during this month of August. Pray for our safety in travel. Pray that we would experience good health at all of these various meetings. Pray that the meeting – whatever its “label” – may be more than just a meeting of people, but that we might genuinely meet with God, hear His voice/instruction, obey Him, and go forth to serve.
Jesus Film
It is almost always a great privilege to show the Jesus’ Film. During the last weekend of June I had another of those opportunities. A couple of seminary students and I went to Mwalumina village to show the film and to encourage the local church there.
We set up our equipment in the light of a full moon – and were instantly reminded of our Creator who put the moon and stars in place. Then we patiently waited for the people to gather – and they came, despite a very cold night. (It may have been the “coldest” night that I have ever experienced in showing the Jesus’ film.)
There were probably a hundred or more people who gathered to see the presentation of Luke’s Gospel. At the time of invitation about twenty of those people came forward to indicate that they had made a commitment to Christ.
The Sunday activities were more of a struggle – but just as impressive, perhaps even more impressive. It is hard to “measure” folks when things are going well. It is in the midst of adversity and trial that you begin to gauge the real spiritual maturity and depth of an individual. I marveled as I saw the associational chairman (one of our seminary students) deal with two very difficult “situations.” He was a pillar of truth and grace as he calmly dealt with some explosive personalities and conflicts. On this occasion he was very much the man of God – and I am thankful for him.
TEE
We took some visitors recently to one of the local TEE centers to see how things have progressed under the local leadership. What a wonderful trip!
I had told the group that I would be bringing some visitors to observe their session and that it would be at around 2:00 pm. The group decided to go ahead and meet at their normal time – 10:00 am – and then wait for us.
We were received so well! The group had prepared a simple welcoming ceremony for the visitors. There was a meal as well.
On this day the eight regular students had finished their book and are now waiting for yet another book to continue their study of the things of God. One of the students walks four kilometers (one way) every Friday to attend the sessions. Because of this TEE experience one of the students has asked that we come to his village and start a church – as well as a TEE group. I am thankful for this group!
“Our responsible reading for today is…”
On several occasions I have heard this slight slip of the tongue – “Our responsible reading for today is…” (rather than “our responsive reading”). Initially I just let it go assuming that it was a minor English-speaking issue (and shuddered to think of my “Chinyanja speaking issues” – many of which are not so “minor”). But then I realized that God was trying to get my attention.
God has been trying to say to me, “Van, whenever you read the Bible it is to be a ‘responsible’ reading.” He wanted me to know that I am responsible to hear and heed the Word; to observe and obey; to read and respond. If I just read a few verses of Scripture and walk away unaffected, then I am irresponsible. I am thankful for His Word – and His reminders.
Heroes and Unity Days
These national holidays took place on the 5th and 6th of July. The Greater Lusaka Area churches took advantage of the holidays to hold their annual meeting at the seminary campus. I was their “guest speaker” for this event.
Over the two days I spoke four times, drawing various lessons from the book of Acts (mainly from chapters 3-7). We looked at some “heroes” in those chapters – Peter, John, Philip, and Stephen. The 300 or so in attendance seemed to respond well to the messages.
50th Anniversary
Mary and I both are a part of the “steering committee” for the 50th Anniversary celebration of Baptist Mission work in Zambia. We are hoping that this will be a meaningful event as we celebrate many years of faithful service by lots of different missionaries in Zambia. Pray for us as we continue to make all of the necessary preparations.
This past week I “found” one of those wonderful phrases in the Psalms that just sort of stick in your heart and mind. As I was reading I came upon the phrase – “feed on His faithfulness.” That is exactly what Baptist missionaries have done in Zambia for the past 50 years –and that is what we must do if we want to see His work going forward in the next 50 years.
Perhaps you are in one of those “dark stretches ” in your walk with the Lord. Perhaps you are facing an unknown future and uncertain days. Feed on His faithfulness!
July, 2010
“Ants in the Pants”
When we were at a recent meeting one of our missionary colleagues locked his keys in his truck at night. He called for us to come to help him, and, as we did so, we asked him how it all came to pass. He made some comment that he was getting things ready in his truck for the evening when something started biting him and so he slammed the door on his truck – forgetting completely that he had left his keys in the ignition.
We were somewhat amused by what had happened – until we also started getting bitten. (In the darkness none of us could see that we were in the “trail” where the ants were passing.) The caretaker of the guesthouse where we were staying then admitted that they had been having some trouble with “fire ants.” But by that time we quickly realized that this was no “little problem.”
My “roommate” (a fellow pastor) and I rushed to our bedroom to try to deal with the problem in a less embarrassing way. By the time we got to the room the both of us were being bitten (rather painfully) from toe to head (and all parts in between).
Reflecting back on the experience, it was interesting to note that you really couldn’t feel the ants at all – until your were “bitten.” I suspect that all of us could make some application or another from that observation. Sometimes we get involved in some activity or another that we rationalize is harmless – we don’t “feel a thing” – and then we get “bitten.”
In 1 John 2:1 there is the challenge “these things I have written to you little children that you might not sin.” Our aim should always be as Christians that we not sin – at all. Even those little sins carry a painful “bite.”
“Because He lives…”
Isn’t “Because He Lives” just a great, inspiring song? Especially in those difficult occasions of sickness, suffering, sadness, and sorrow it is essential to remember that we can “face uncertain days” because He lives.
After nearly 30 years in Africa, you would think that there wouldn’t be any “firsts” any more. But on the 6th of June I had a new “first.” During the testimony time a seminary wife said that she had a song that she would like to share. As soon as she started her song in her heart language (Chibemba), I immediately recognized the tune. This was the first time that I had heard “Because He Lives” in an African language – and my testimony is that it was just as inspiring in Chibemba as it is in English.
In today’s worship services there is music for nearly every aspect of worship – a call to worship, testimonies, giving, calling the preacher, and even for the prayer time. In front of a full church building the choir leader starts singing, “Ndikweza maso anga kumaphiri, thandizo langa lidzera kwa Yehova.” (“I lift up my eyes unto the hills, my help comes from the Lord.”) We, as a congregation, join her in singing this simple little chorus, and then we truly pray!
BBS Seminar
Since Bible schools are starting all over Zambia, several of us met together recently to discuss the way forward with this valuable ministry. At this BBS seminar, we discussed a number of different items including:
- The relationship of the BBS to the BTSZ
- The application for recognition process (in order for a school to be “officially” recognized as having met all of the requirements)
- Teachers, tests, lesson preparations
- Libraries
- Budget
There were 20 participants in the “seminar” representing about 15 local BBS. Among these participants there was a great freedom of discussion and open sharing. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and inspiration. Pray that the Bible school ministry may have a tremendous impact on the work in Zambia now and for many years to come.
“Mphuno imodzi….”
One of the Chewa proverbs that usually gets a response from Westerners is “mphuno imodzi sizilowa zala ziwiri.” (A rough translation would be “you can’t stick two fingers up one nostril.”) I suppose this proverb could be applied to any situation where you really need to concentrate on one thing at a time. Like, for example, the need to focus our full attention on the Lord and worship at we meet together on a Sunday.
How many of us are too easily distracted when it comes to the church service? At times our thoughts tend to wander all over the place – to sports, to politics, to fashions, to food, etc.
I recently attended a fairly new church, and, like many “new” churches, this church meets in a public school classroom. At this point this “new” church doesn’t have the resources to build their own building so renting a class room each Sunday would seem to be a good option. Of course, lots of other churches have chosen to take this same approach to their need for a meeting place. So, on any given Sunday morning there are 14 different churches that are meeting at approximately the same time in adjacent classrooms.
The whole experience was a real test of my concentration – and I was the one doing the preaching! As I got up to speak I was praying that there would be a power outage. After all, with the size of the classrooms, I just couldn’t imagine why the church next door needed their sound system (and it sounded like quite an expensive one). Surely, if I could hear so clearly the prayers of deliverance and the casting out of demons coming from our “brothers,” then the church that I was facing must be struggling with paying attention to my sermon.
Yet the Lord reminded me that it is not “sound systems” that speak to the heart, but the Holy Spirit. At the end of my preaching there were several who made a commitment to Christ and a number who responded by rededication to be more Christ like in their daily walk. It was not because I can preach louder than a “sound system” but because He was exalted and our hearts were drawn to Him.
Be thankful for your “house of worship” and the relative lack of distractions that you perhaps enjoy. May your heart become the sanctuary of worship and praise this coming Sunday.
PRAYER ITEMS
Final exams for Term 2 of Seminary (19th – 23rd July). It has been a quick term – for staff and students alike. All assignments will be coming due at this time as well. Pray for students as they prepare for their exams and complete their assignments – and pray for the staff as they monitor exams and grade papers.
30th June – 5th July – Our seminary is hosting the Theological Education Consultant for Sub-Sahara Africa during these dates. Pray that we will have a good meeting of “minds” as we try to express to him our concerns about theological training and as we try to understand his role at the theological education consultant.
5th-6th July – These are the days for the annual meeting of the Greater Lusaka Area Association. The Church Development Committee of the association has invited me to be their “guest speaker” for this annual meeting. Pray for me as I prepare messages for this meeting and for all of us as we meet God together.
11th July – I will be preaching at Central Baptist Church on this Sunday.
Our local leadership training “season” (Baptist Bible Schools) is upon us. The school at Chongwe will be having their second term of classes for this year on the 26th – 31st July.
June 2010
April Showers bring May Flowers
I am going to paraphrase that a bit – April’s meetings brought May’s miseries. At least it has seemed that way to me. I don’t know whether it was because of a heavy schedule, too much travel, “bad” water, or some combination of these – but when May came I had a major bout of dysentery (which, by the way, is not very pleasant).
After a couple of visits to the local doctor, I seem to be improving, or as I tell people, “I am not getting any worse.” I would appreciate your prayers for our physical health. Some of you are probably already thinking “well you are not getting any younger.” Okay, I will confess that is true – but I don’t want to get any sicker either.
April showers also bring May’s bad roads. Recently some of the seminary students and I travelled my old “TEE” circuit to try to get the local leadership training up and running. The road was in the worst condition that I have seen it thus far. There was no mud – but there were lots and lots of ruts, potholes, and bumps. My whole body seems to have been knocked out of alignment.
We did have some good results from our trip. There are two groups established with local teachers (replacing me) – which is exactly what you want to see. Within the next couple of weeks there should be two other groups meeting as well. So by the end of May we should have four groups doing TEE.
“School Time, Good ol’ Golden Rule Time”
By this we mean seventeen boxes of home school curriculum arrived on 11 May for families in Malawi and Zambia. Mary has the exciting adventure of unpacking the boxes, sorting and cataloguing the materials by family. Then there is the getting the books and supplies to each family. It is a daunting task!
Pray that the work can be completed quickly so that Mary can take full advantage of the “shipping” opportunities of the families that will be passing through Lusaka.
Late Breaking News
In the accompaniment of the associational chairman, we made a follow up visit concerning TEE. We have in fact ended up with five groups doing local leadership training. Praise the Lord!
In addition I want to make a comment about one of the seminary students who travelled with us as we met with leaders and distributed books and tests. Our trip on this day was four hours worth of up and down, back and forth, and side to side. It was uncomfortable and rushed. So at the end of the day, I asked the young man if he had had a good time (after all he was only an observer and really didn’t need to make the trip). He said, “Yes, I have had a wonderful time. God has called me to do this work and I always enjoy what He has called me to do.” (Is there joy in your walk with the Lord – and in your service to Him?)
BGR
“BGR” stands for “Baptist Global Response.” One of their many ministries is to coordinate the packaging and distribution of “help” buckets. Some people refer to them as “buckets of hope” and others call them “buckets of blessings.” Whatever you choose to call them, they provide some wonderful resources and blessings to families in great need.
Families who have sick loved ones at home are desperate for basic supplies that many of us take for granted. These “buckets” contain many of those basic supplies – bed sheets, wash cloths, toothbrushes, plastic gloves, a scrub brush, skin lotion, etc. Of course, there is the bucket itself – which can serve a multitude of purposes in the local setting.
This year I have again had the opportunity of being a part of the local distribution. It is hard to overestimate the impact of this one simple gift to families, and whole communities, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I have seen with my own eyes how the Lord uses this expression of love to touch lives. So, if you get the opportunity to participate in “packing a bucket” – just realize that “eternity is in it.”
“Physically Fit and Fantastic”
I really wasn’t in the mood to hear that response. I had just parked the truck at one of the local grocery stores and the parking lot guard greeted me with, “How are you today?” I remember mumbling something and then asked about his life in return. That was when he boldly proclaimed, “Physically fit and fantastic.” My immediate observation was that he was neither of those – not even close in my opinion.
Later in the day the Lord really convicted me – but not because of my “judgment” that he was definitely not “physically fit and fantastic.” Rather the Lord prompted me to pray that this man’s spiritual life might be at least the equivalent of his physical assessment – that he might be “spiritually fit and fantastic.” (By the way, if someone asked you about your own walk with the Lord would you be able to say, “Spiritually fit and fantastic?”)
REVIVE US AGAIN!!!!
Faculty members and seminary students alike made a concentrated outreach in the area served by Chinzete Baptist Church. This church had nearly died and a faithful “remnant” asked for someone to come and help. So a couple of us faculty members worked with the seminary outreach group to lead in an evangelism/revival campaign with the church.
Dr. John McPherson took a team of four seminary students out on a Friday. They preached on Friday night and then did witnessing on Saturday. As they returned to the seminary on Saturday, I took another team of four students out to teach, show the Jesus’ Film, and preach.
As far as I can tell it was a wonderful weekend of “revival” activities. We do praise the Lord for all of His blessings. In spite of the cool weather we could sense the warmth of His presence and we knew that “something” had changed in the life of this church.
Several people received Christ as their Savior, and several others “re-dedicated” their lives to the Lord. Many people came forward for special prayer, especially over the issue of broken families. Our Lord ministered through us to them – and He should receive all the glory, honor and praise.
PRAYER ITEMS
By this month we are well into our seminary term and most professors will be giving midterm exams. This is always a difficult time for the students, particularly the first year students. Pray that we all might learn how to make more effective use of our time and not be procrastinators.
I will be preaching at a couple of places that are “new” to me. Pray that I might have just the message these congregations need to hear – and that I need to hear as well.
The first two Sundays of June are “seminary days” for the churches in the Lusaka Association. Students will be travelling to various churches in and around Lusaka to promote our seminary. Pray that churches will be commit to support their seminary – in prayers and in finances. Toward the end of June there will be a seminary “open day.” We encourage people in the community to come and see who we are and what we are about. Again, this is yet another way of encouraging people to support the seminary. Pray that what people see and experience on this day will indeed encourage them to give their support to the seminary.
May 2010
BBS Report
LUANGWA BIBLE SCHOOL
Sometimes we fail to give a report of how things have gone at a particular Bible school. Let me share some of our experiences at the Luangwa Bible School.
I picked up my fellow teachers, Jack Phiri (a current student at the seminary) and Esron Musonda (the seminary principal), at 0400 on a Monday morning. After an uneventful five hour drive, we arrived at Luangwa, unpacked our stuff, and started the lessons (all by 0900).
The attendance was down a bit from the last term. Some called to extend their apologies, but still the small number of actual attendees was discouraging.
However, what they lacked in numbers they more than made up for in enthusiasm and pertinent questions. I can’t think of any teaching experience in recent memory that I have enjoyed any more than this week at Luangwa. To my surprise, at the end of nearly every teaching session the students broke into spontaneous applause, expressing their appreciation of what had been taught. Now if that doesn’t make a teacher want to teach, I don’t know what would!
We teachers stayed at our usual place – a “nice” lodge that overlooks the confluence of two rivers. But the usual “amenities” were not available on this trip. On Monday through Wednesday there were some serious electrical problems throughout the town and we were without electricity for long periods of time. Thankfully, we did have electricity each night. Water was a problem for the whole week. The “staff” at the lodge provided containers of water for us to be able to bathe and “flush.”
This was probably the “hottest” April that I have experienced in Luangwa. There was almost no breeze – and the slight air stirring was almost always “hot.” (The “splat” heard when killing a mosquito was usually due to the sweat on the mosquito.) And, yet, there was that “applause” that called you back to teach with all of the power and strength that you could muster.
MANENEKELA BIBLE SCHOOL
This school meets at a local school some two hours outside of Lusaka. At this school we had nine students in attendance – another very enthusiastic group.
Three of our students have quite a journey to make it to this school. One comes from a place about 80 kilometers from our meeting place, and two others travel only 65 kilometers. Of course, all of them are coming “by foot.” (I am not so sure that I would have enthusiasm for any meeting after walking 1 kilometer – let alone 65 or above.)
These men have a legitimate reason for their zeal. God is doing a great work in their area. Recently we provided “starter packs” (Bibles, hymnbooks, and Sunday school materials) for four new churches there. Now they announced that they have started four more churches.
One of the men asked if I could help them with baptismal certificates. I suggested that we could probably provide a few and then asked how many that they would need now. He said that 250 would be a good number to start with since they had already baptized that many (this is within one year).
My course for this week was the Christian family. Together we try to consider what the Word teaches us about the family – marriage, parenting, etc. The questions have been so intense that this must be a very relevant subject to the BBS students.
In order to be a good steward of the IMB finances we decided to spend a couple of nights at this “school” instead of driving back and forth each day. There were some wonderful benefits in staying. In the evenings I had the opportunity to get to know the teachers/students much better. Also, in the mornings we enjoyed the very tasty breakfast of hot tea and bread. There is just something special about the taste of hot tea that is prepared over an open fire. (However, I should have paid more attention to the source of the water for the tea and its effect upon me.)
Whose side are you on?
In this culture your identity with a “community” is so crucial! This is especially true at the time of death since it is expected that your “community” will perform the burial customs. Nothing could be worse than to cut one’s self off from the “community” or to so live as to have no recognition from a group.
Zambian Christians expect those within the Christian community to be readily identifiable. In essence, they want to know whose side you are really on. This principle is underscored by a traditional funeral song.
In this funeral song a story is related about the death of a bat in a land far from his home. The residents in the land started looking for the “relatives” of the bat so that they could give him a proper burial. They went to the birds but the birds refused to bury the “bat.” After all, they pointed out, this creature has teeth and is certainly not one of us.
Then they went to the mice. But the mice refused to bury the bat. They observed that this creature has wings and is certainly not one of their kind.
So then the song emphasizes that we should so live that we are easily recognized as Christian “creatures.” At the time of our death there should not be any confusion as to our true “family” and “community.” Whose side are you on?
What is Mary Doing?
I am working in the Logistics office for our Zambia Cluster. I spend my days at the computer or in an office somewhere here in Lusaka. I have done everything from A to Z. “A” could be Applying for Employment Permits and “Z” could be making application for new electricity accounts at ZESCO.
While applying for new electricity accounts at ZESCO I was sitting in the office waiting for my turn and noticed the words “Stand up, Stand up for Jesus.” How refreshing! In the government electricity office a Christian was allowed to play her Christian hymns. It took about a month for me to work all of this out with ZESCO (Zambia Electricity Supply Company).
It ended up the last phone call I made to their offices was the Thursday before Good Friday. On Good Friday morning Van had been invited to preach at Woodlands Baptist Church. He preached a very challenging sermon on the “Cross.” The congregation was really with him with shouts, clapping, “Amens,” and other expressions of “Praise the Lord throughout the sermon. He ended his sermon with words from the song that the Esh family (The family of 10 who died in a car crash near Cave City, KY in March this year.)had recorded about “Going Home.” When multiple people die nearly weekly in a mini-van crashes here in Zambia the congregation could really relate to losing nearly a whole family in one crash. It was such a powerful testimony of this family in their song to know they were all “Going Home” together because of the Cross. Well it was a great service, but I am off the subject a little.
As Van was shaking hands after the service in the front door with the pastor, I was greeting people outside on the steps. Then who should walk up to me to give me greetings but the lady from the ZESCO office, Mrs. Zyambo. It turns out she is a member of Woodlands Baptist Church and even sings in their church choir. On my last week of visits to the office I had missed her because she was on leave until after Easter. Her co-worker finished things up for our accounts. She expressed appreciation of my patience and overall behavior in her office, and I was able to appreciate your Christian testimony through her work.
Praise the Lord I often meet fellow Christians in the offices here in Lusaka. How often do you want to praise the Lord after a visit to offices in your town, for the people you meet and the experiences you have?
PRAYER ITEMS
Please pray for the students and teachers at the seminary. On Monday, 26 April the seminary classes started. This is the second term of this school year. This time I am teaching Minor Prophets, Hermeneutics, and Preaching. I have taught all of these classes before, but there is always the fresh challenge of teaching a “new” group of students. Pray that I will discern and communicate the basic truths in each course in such a way so that the students can make immediate application to their lives and ministries.
On the 27th-29th of May we will attempt to have a BBS seminar for the purpose of mutual encouragement and training. There are a number of Bible schools that have started in recent months throughout Zambia. Some of us have felt that an “informal” meeting among those involved might help us to solidify and strengthen this great ministry. Pray for safety in travel, good health as we meet, and for an open exchange of ideas and concepts.
April, 2010
When the Lion Roars
Sometimes you participate in events and you just “know” that God was in it. That was exactly how I felt at a regional leadership training event at Petauke held on the 11th – 13th of March. The leadership executive there had invited Ebby Musika (the Chairman of the Baptist Fellowship of Zambia) and me to come and preach/teach on the subject of “Christian Faith.”
Ebby and I traveled on Thursday and were accompanied by a couple of seminary students. One of the students was a “new” student, but an older man. He was actually traveling on beyond where we would reach to visit his family during this “long” weekend. The other student was a young man, who is in his third year at seminary. He was actually coming “home” – although he had never seen this place before. (We were near his father’s “village” and thus his “village” – although he had never seen it.)
God was in it. The “new” student had worked in this area years ago, and upon our arrival we were welcomed by an associational leader who had worked with this man and had lost touch with him. There was an obvious overwhelming joy at their reunion. Later, the associational leader told me that this “new student” had lived a very bad life and that his own heart now was filled with joy to see what the grace of God could do in someone’s life – from a serious sinner to a seminary student.
God was in it! The third year student was welcomed “home” like the long, lost son of a king. He was welcomed in the meeting like he was one of their own – although the majority had never met him. The young man was taken from house to house in “his” village and introduced to relative after relative – and then the gifts started coming. For forty eight hours (until our departure on Saturday), there were a steady stream of “visitors” bearing gifts for the young man who had come from Lusaka. I jokingly told him on the return trip that he had gone as a poor man and was now returning as a rich man.
I am reminded that as Christians, we are on a journey to our Father’s “village,” a place where we have never been before. Likewise, we will be received as children of the king – and there will be treasures beyond measure bestowed upon us. Perhaps we too will go from mansion to mansion to meet “relatives” that we had never known before. Yes indeed, homecoming will be something very special.
God was in it! To say thank you to the associational chairman for the wonderful way in which we had been received, I presented him with an NIV Study Bible. During our last session, he shared a testimony with the entire conference. Last year, he stated that he started praying for a new Bible and that whenever the associational executive council got together he would always ask them to pray with him about getting a new Bible. (He also challenged any who doubted this testimony to speak with the other executive members and they would verify the truth of what he was sharing.)
As I listened, I realized where he was going in his testimony and I was thrilled that God had used me to provide a new Bible for the chairman. But his next comments stirred my heart even more. He shared that it was not just that he had been praying for a new Bible – but that for over a year he (and the other executive council members) had been praying specifically for a NIV Study Bible.
God was in it! During one of my teaching sessions a young man placed a recorder on the table in front of me. Although I was taken aback a bit I just continued on with the teaching. Later the owner of the recorder was introduced as someone who worked at a radio station. He said that he was thrilled to see one of the azungu (expatriates) had come to the meeting and was teaching for he often heard other churches say that the Baptists didn’t have any “whites” working with them. He also said that he was very happy that I spoke in Chichewa and that he would place my teaching session that he had recorded on the radio on Sunday morning.
God was in it! There were over 200 registered “leaders” at the meeting – including several from Mozambique. Some of those in attendance had traveled over 80 kilometers (fifty miles). I have taught at a lot of meetings, in a lot of different venues, with a lot of different people involved, but I have never taught a group who was as attentive as this particular group.
God was in it! We often talk about Satan going like a roaring lion seeking to destroy, but these folks had a chorus about another Lion. Their chorus was about the Lion of Judah, and they would sing about all the different things that happen “when the Lion of Judah roars.” “When the Lion of Judah roars” – the demons flee, God’s people dance, the people sing, the preacher stands, etc.
It was a special meeting – one that I will never forget. God was in it – the Lion had roared!!!!!
The Seminary Team
On the 7th of March I traveled with a “team” of seminary students to minister to churches in the Eastern Province. Heading east from Lusaka, I dropped students at Kamilulu Baptist, at Chinzete, at Chimusanya, and at Mpanshya (where I remained with the last student).
The intent of this trip was to provide mutual encouragement and strengthening for the churches and seminary students. Our students had an opportunity to visit and worship in a new “context.” The churches had the blessing of a visiting preacher for their worship time. I was so blessed by the whole experience! On our return trip the students recounted their experiences and shared with one another their observations, concerns, and blessings. One church had stopped meeting and now, through the efforts of one of the seminary students, had made a commitment to a new “beginning.” Another student shared that there were 29 who had responded to the invitation to receive Christ as Savior. For the most part, I listened to the conversation, but here and there I would make a comment or ask a question – just to get us to consider what we had learned or perhaps should change in the way that we do Sunday worship services.
There was another agenda for the trip. We took advantage of the trip to deliver 45 Baptist Global Response home based care “buckets.” After our worship time in Mpanshya, we delivered the “buckets” (a five gallon plastic bucket containing a variety of supplies to make ministry to home-based seriously ill patients much easier) to a home based care ministry headquartered in Mpanshya. This particular ministry has over 300 HIV/Aids patients registered in their ministry area. We are working in cooperation with this ministry to distribute the “buckets” to those who are in the most desperate need.
Certainly it is important not to waste opportunities, so you can be sure that I did not return “empty” after delivering the buckets. The back of the truck was almost as full on the return trip as it was on the initial journey. My students took advantage of the trip to get three bags of charcoal (90 kilogram bags). Also, each of them ended up with a rather large bag of pumpkins (as a thank you from the churches that they served on this day).
PRAYER ITEMS
A look ahead:
--The month of April is break time between seminary terms. That means it is also a time to switch our focus to the localized Baptist Bible Schools. There will be three of them in April.
From the 5th – 10th we will be at Luangwa.
Then on the 19th – 24th there will be two schools meeting simultaneously – at Chongwe and at Manenekela. Of course students and staff alike are in need of your prayer support
– for safety in travel
---for good health during the week
--for clear minds and pure hearts
--for a desire to learn
--to share what we learn.
--During the week of the 12th – 16th of April there is the annual National Pastor’s Conference. The venue will be the Baptist Theological Seminary in Lusaka. Pray that all those involved will be sensitive
--to the leadership of Holy Spirit
--obedient to what God wants us to do.
March 2010
“He who has ears to hear…”
A few years ago the Hallmark Channel showed a movie entitled “What the Deaf Man Heard.” Although I am not “deaf” (nor was the “deaf man” in the movie), I don’t always hear all that the Lord intends. Let me share with you some of the things that I did hear this month.
At the church services, I heard….
A Tender Testimony of Love. A young man shared a testimony of how he and his wife came to be engaged on Valentine’s Day a few years ago. He told of how he had secretly purchased the engagement ring and how he had recruited a friend to set up a surprise “party” in which to make the proposal. It was a touching story of romance. But he also shared how the Lord had sustained their commitment to one another and how they had received His blessings through the years.
A Challenging Commitment to Consecration. One of the youth leaders explained that this month of February would be a time of emphasis in several youth groups on True Love Waits. He stood and proclaimed that in this month where so much is said about love, they wanted to make sure that they got out the message about the nature of “true love.”
A Passionate Plea for Help. The pastor made a plea for us to help the relief efforts in Haiti. It seemed odd to me at first to think of one of the world’s poorer countries wanting to help in Haiti. But such is the heart of the people of God. When our brothers and sisters are in need, we simply do what we can.
A Bold Proclamation of the Gospel.
At seminary I heard:
The laughter of children. Daily children come to the seminary “tap” to get water for their homes. As I heard them I first thought that they would not laugh so much if they knew more about this world that they live in. But then it came to me that they might say that I would not be so “grumpy” if I only worried less.
An exposition of Hebrews. At the seminary we have been blessed with the ministry of Pastor Andy Rice of Mineral Spring Baptist Church near Roanoke, Virginia. He has been at the seminary for the first eight weeks of this term teaching the Gospel of John and the book of Hebrews. I left my office door open and I could hear him “rightly dividing the Word of truth.”
An explanation of how to write term papers. This sound was coming from the other end of the classroom/office block (my office is somewhere in the middle). For some reason this class seems to terrify the students – but to a person they all agree that if you pay attention to the teacher you will indeed know how to correctly right a term paper.
A plea for Bibles. Almost daily seminary students and local pastors ask me about the availability of Bibles.
A Macedonian call. One of the pastors came by and asked if we could come and help at his church.
Some powerful testimonies. Each year as we receive new students we allow them the opportunity to share their testimony during the chapel time. Also, I ask some of them to write their testimony for me in one of the courses that I teach. Listen to these words: I got saved in 2001 and was serious in my Christianity…I remember having passed through so many critical situations in which I could have even lost my life…the biggest question was how shall I appreciate Him enough? I know that I am saved to worship, praise, and glorify His name, but it did not seem to be enough.” Another new student shared: “I first went to the Reformed Church in Zambia. I was in this church for a short period. I did not like the way the Bible was being taught. I then decided to move out. I tried the Catholic Church. I was not getting or learning anything. I again decided to stop the church. I joined the Anglican Church. I did not differentiate the doctrine of the Catholic and Anglican…So I stopped and stayed home …My friends who were Baptist members at my village did invite me to the Baptist Church. …I was convinced and accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior in the year 1980…The reason why I like the Baptist Church is the way the Bible is being translated, that people are able to understand the Word very correctly.”
At home I heard:
The grinding of repairs. There is a lot of work going on here at the Baptist Guesthouse. Workers have been around for a week or replacing worn out tiles in some of the rooms.
Fireworks. Since the firework display took place at midnight on the 13th of February I thought that it was some kind of a new Valentine’s Day celebration. Later I heard that it marked the beginning of the Chinese New Year.
Thunder and rain. In the month of February we have received an abundance of rain. Please continue to pray that we will receive the right amount of rain in the right places in the right time to bring a great harvest.
“Not long ago I heard a story about a young man and an old preacher. The young man had lost his job and didn't know which way to turn. So he went to see the old preacher.
Pacing about the preacher's study, the young man ranted about his problem. Finally he clenched his fist and shouted, "I've begged God to say something to help me, preacher, why doesn't God answer?"
The old preacher, who sat across the room, spoke something in reply, something so hushed it was indistinguishable. The young man stepped across the room. "What did you say?" he asked. The preacher repeated himself, but again in a tone as soft as a whisper. So the young man moved closer until he was leaning on the preacher's chair.
"Sorry," he said. "I still didn't hear you." With their heads bent together, the old preacher spoke once more. "God sometimes whispers," he said, "So we will move closer to hear him." This time the young man heard and he understood.”
I have heard so many things this past month. Some of the things that I have heard will soon be forgotten – and some of the things that I have heard have impacted my life (and will continue to do so for a long time). As the psalmist says, “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts (Psalm 95:8).” So just remember, “He who has ears, let him hear.” (In the Amplified Bible, Matthew 11:15 reads, “He who has ears to hear, let him be listening, and consider and perceive and comprehend by hearing.”)
PRAYER ITEMS
11-13 March – Leadership Training – Petauke. The chairman of the Baptist Fellowship of Zambia (Ebbie Musika) and I have been invited by the churches of the Petauke Association to come and preach/teach. The local association there is anticipating an attendance of at least 100 leaders. Pray for us as we make the trip and lead in the “conference.” Pray that the Lord will “loosen” my tongue so that I can teach freely in the vernacular (Chinyanja).
21 March – One of our December 2009 seminary graduates has invited me to come and preach at the church where he pastors. I asked him if I should speak in English or in Chinyanja. He shared that he normally preaches in English and someone translates for him. But he said that he thought that my Chinyanja was good enough to preach in Chinyanja and they would not use a translator. Pray that regardless of the language used the Lord Himself will speak to our hearts and that we will be obedient to Him.
30 March – 2 April – This is the Final Exam week for our seminary students. Pray for our students as they reach the end of this term. All of the assignments need to be completed by then – and as is typical of students everywhere, some of the students will wait until the last minute to complete some of the assignments. Also, pray for the students in their preparation for the final exams.
December 2009
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!
Greetings to you all! Mary and I do want to wish you each and every one a very merry Christmas!
A man sent his friend a cryptic Christmas card. It simply said:
A B C D E F G H I J K M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z.
The recipient puzzled over it for weeks, finally gave up and wrote asking for an explanation. And if you can’t figure out the explanation – make sure you read the newsletter closely.
Christmas in Kentucky
Mary and I have carefully managed our holidays – and family budget – and we will take a holiday in December in the States. We will spend most of our time at Van Martin’s house in Shelbyville – and intend to utilize a lot of “talk time” to Eric and Lisa in Oregon. I suspect as well that we will have a few days at our “old Kentucky home” to visit with family and friends in that area. Pray for our safety in travel and that we will have a healthy and happy “vacation.” Pray that this will be a time of His refreshing for us!
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
These are challenging days for all of us in light of the year’s economic struggles. We have all had to learn how to “cut back” – and I suspect that there will need to be more “trimming” before things improve. But please don’t “cut back” in your praying – and in your giving to the cause of Christ. In spite of all of the world’s problems and so-called “issues,” from all that I read and observe firsthand, this is a day of unprecedented response to the Gospel.
I can promise you that we are being the very best stewards that we know how to be with all of the “tools” that your giving makes available to us. Your sacrificial giving has a greater impact for eternity than perhaps you will ever realize on this side of glory. “Cut off” the Evil One when he tries to tempt you to “cut back” on giving to missions – and “go forward” in faith and obedience to Him.
Seminary Day – Copperbelt Association
On the 7th and 8th of November eleven students and two seminary staff members (one of them being me) travelled to Kitwe, Zambia to participate in a “seminary day” in the Copperbelt Association. It was a wonderful experience for all of us involved!
We were observers on Saturday, the 7th, at the annual general meeting of the association. As the meeting reached its conclusion, the “host” churches picked up their seminary student. Then on Sunday morning the students (and seminary staff members) preached in thirteen different churches throughout the association. At each of those churches we shared the Gospel and encouraged the churches to support their seminary.
We thank the Lord for our safety in travel – Kitwe is about a five hour drive from Lusaka. We thank Him for the warm reception that we received from the Copperbelt churches. We thank Him for the wonderful fellowship that we shared in our journey
A Testimony
My “host pastor” in Kitwe has an interesting salvation testimony. Let me share it with you to the best of my recollection.
“I was a member of a ‘cult church.’ In fact, I was a choirmaster in this church. We were taught that we were the only ones saved and that everyone else was lost. One day when we were coming out of the church I saw someone handing out tracts. We were always told that we should not ever take one of these tracts. But on this day I secretly went back to the person handing out tracts and put one in my back pocket planning on reading it at another time.
That night I had a dream. I saw a pit/ditch and there was a piece of paper in the middle of it. I reached for the piece of paper and as I did so I started to fall into this pit. But there was no bottom. I fell and fell until I felt heat all around me. My body started burning and I realized that this was Hell. I was so afraid, and I felt such pain, that I started screaming. And then I woke up.
The next night I had another dream. In this dream I was on a beach. I saw someone coming down the beach leading a group of very happy people. This person was in brilliant white and His face was shining so brightly that I could not look upon it. I somehow knew that this was Jesus. I wanted to join the group but He told me that I could not be a part of this group because I had never received Him.
I felt His power lift me up and carry me to the lake – which I understood was the lake of fire. There were so many people there already and He told me that I was going to be thrown into this lake. I pleaded with Him to save me – and He told me that I must choose Him. At this point I woke up. Immediately I started pleading and pleading with Jesus to save me – and I was afraid to go back to sleep.
But then I did fall asleep and I had another dream. This time I was on top of a mountain with Jesus and a cloud came from Heaven and He opened my heart and this ‘cloud’ entered into my heart. I have never felt peace like this before in my life. When I woke up this time that same sense of peace was still in my heart. I had never known such joy and I knew that Jesus had truly saved me.
At this time I remembered the tract. I had not read it yet but I knew that I must find it. When I found the tract it was about Hell and Heaven and said that it was up to each person to choose to follow Jesus if they wanted to go to Heaven. What I had learned in my dreams was all there in this tract. From this day forward all I wanted to do was to tell other people that being a Christian is to have a personal relationship with Jesus.”
Isn’t it wonderful how God reaches out to us! I hope that you were inspired by this pastor’s testimony. It was a great encouragement to me. Share your salvation testimony with someone today. Someone might just need to hear “the joyful sound, ‘Jesus saves,’ ‘Jesus saves!’”
Youth Retreat
What comes to your mind when you think of a “youth retreat?” Depending on your age and involvement (and past experience) you might think of things like – fun and adventure, gossip, no sleep, jealousy, prayer and Bible study, camp, tension, joy, etc. But let me share with you about a “youth retreat” of a different sort.
On the 14th of November, 37 young people (including a seminary student as the coordinator for the event), from two “city” churches, left the city environment for an overnight stay at a Baptist church in a rural area. They were headed on their “youth retreat.” The objective for the retreat was to – encourage the youth living in rural areas, engage in personal evangelism, provide workshops on being disciples, and present True Love Waits. Now, how does that sound for a “youth camp” – actively engaging in ministry, serving others rather than being served, for the glory of God?
My role was to come and share a challenge to the youth in that area and to assist with the Jesus film. On this Saturday night, over 200 in that community saw the Jesus film and heard a strong presentation of the Gospel. Many responded to the invitation and it proved to be a truly glorious night.
Having seen the Jesus film so many times now, I usually find that I spend more time observing and listening to those in attendance than I do to the film. It amuses me when I see some of the older children so engrossed in the events in the life of Christ that they move to the edge of the crowd (and darkness) to relieve themselves – simply so they will not dare miss even one scene of the movie. Even the “drunks” who sat near me, and discussed every scene – sometimes a bit too loudly, were sober enough to sit in silence and a certain reverence when they saw the crucifixion scene. It all just seems so “simple” – and yet that is part of the wonderful plan of our Almighty Father – that the first step of salvation is a “simple” childlike faith!
It rained at our flat before I left Lusaka to go out to this “youth camp.” (I must admit that I had my doubts as to whether the weather would permit me to even show the film.) A few hours later, in the darkness, the movie is going and the people are engaged by the Gospel of Luke, and I watch the lightning in sky all around me. (Explanation for the cryptic Christmas card – “Eventually, he received this explanation on a postcard: "No L.")
In those moments the Lord reminds me that this is His event and it is for His glory. As I laugh to myself about those “bathroom boys,” He chastises me about my lack of “thrill and excitement” for His Word. I reflect on my past “youth retreats,” and the Lord says, “Isn’t this a better kind of camp? There is no retreat here – but a great advance for my Kingdom!!!!” And I say, “Yes, Lord!”
PRAYER ITEMS
--There will be Bible schools in session in December for Chongwe, Manenekela, & Luangwa. John Macpherson will coordinate those schools in my absence. Pray for health, safety, travel, learning, and teaching.
We can do nothing apart from Him. Thank you for praying continually for our ministry needs.
--Praise Him for the rain that has come thus far! Pray for a good rainy season and a great harvest in the months ahead
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