1) Kanchulu Village in Mozambique- Leonard Banda (the first convert in Mozambique) found this village and began surveying and asking the people about their relationships with Jesus Christ and Leonard has discovered the deep desire that this village has to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." Matthew 5:14-16
2) Meze Village- Colen will be the leader of the new church in Meze, when one is established. Praise the Lord for his heart to learn and follow God's Word. Praise the Lord also for Collins and his evangelistic spirit and desiring to share Christ with those he comes in contact with.
"May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen." Galatians 1:3-4
3) Thomas Mwanza- Came to our gate selling watermelons and from that transaction, Kendall began to ask him about what church he attended. Thomas shared with Kendall that he attended the Baptist church in the Copperbelt of Zambia, but when he moved to Nyimba there were no Baptist churches near his village, so now he is attending the Jehovah's Witness. He began to ask Kendall to come and share Christ in his village and desires to see a group of people gather each week to worship and pray together and plant a Baptist church. Praise the Lord for this awesome encounter. Kendall will meet with Thomas in his village within the week.
"All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals, and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved." Acts 2:42-47
4) Youth and Basketball- Jumbe met Kendall on the road one morning and approached him to speak with him about his job as a missionary. Long story made short, Kendall has been talking with Jumbe about beginning to have a time of Bible Study with some of the youth in Nyimba. God has opened a door for Kendall to teach American Basketball at the High School in Nyimba once a week and hold a small Bible Study in conjunction with basketball. Praise the Lord that God has opened a huge door for Kendall to use his love for sports and youth in order to share the light of Jesus Christ with the youth of Nyimba.
"There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
5) Nyimba Women's Leadership- God has really begun to enlighten Joy's heart as to the needs of the women in Nyimba. She has realized their lack of understanding of God's Word and the basic training that is necessary in order to effectively lead and encourage a group of women. Pray for Joy as she uses the time with several leaders in Nyimba, June 11-13, to teach them and encourage them in their role as leaders in their churches.
"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
6) Churches Encouraging Churches- Recently we learned of Ucha Central from Kacholola coming for the weekend to encourage and teach Mnyazi Baptist in Nyimba! Now, the women of Petauke and Nyimba are following in the same pattern. The churches in Petauke are established churches with a wealth of wisdom and solid leaders. Praise the Lord for our home missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. Tembo. Praise the Lord for the women of Petauke who have seen the need to encourage and teach the women of Nyimba in their times of worship and meetings together. The women of Nyimba have invited the women from Petauke to attend one of their meetings and the women of Petauke have invited the women of Nyimba to attend their meetings in order to encourage and strengthen one another. Praise the Lord for Petauke and Nyimba Baptist Women for wanting to encourage and be encouraged by one another. Pray that jealousy and competition would not become an issue during these times.“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.”This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone." Titus 3:4-8
Mrs. Tembo and me7) Nyimba Baptist Churches- Are very weak and in desperate need of godly men to step forward and make decisions for Jesus Christ. Jealousy and divisions are eating away at the health of the churches here. Many times they complain and are filled with jealousy, yet never take the time to seek out what God would want them to do and they lack the desire to be taught. Pray for these churches: Nyimba Central, Mtilizi, New Jerusalem, Mnyazi, Pwe Pwe.
"Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life. I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?"
1 Corinthians 3:1-3
8) Chisomo Baptist Church- Praise the Lord for the faithfulness and devotion to the teaching and the application of God's Word in the life of this church. Chisomo is a fruitful church full of many strong believers! They are the one church in the Nyimba district that is truly following God's Word and seeking to know Him more. Pray for Benjamin Phiri as he continues to lead Chisomo in following Jesus alone!
"Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." Philippians 1:3-6
9) Wisdom and Readiness- Kendall and Joy, above all things, want to please God in all that they teach, say, and do. Pray that as we seek the Lord, in regard to teaching the people of Nyimba and Mozambique, that we will be pure in our motives, filled with the love of Christ, and desire, above all else, that the Nsenga people would have a personal, loving relationship with their Creator, King, and Lord Jesus Christ.
"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel..." Ephesians 6:14-19
10) Utilizing the Obedient- Pray that as we prepare for our first team in July that we would listen to the Lord each day and follow His lead in the places in which we minister and evangelize. Pray for the Gila Valley Baptist team coming from New Mexico. They are so excited about this trip, please pray for good health and safe travel for all of them. Praise the Lord for their obedience to come to Zambia to share the love of Jesus with the Nsenga people! "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:14-15
1 comment:
Joy, you bless my heart! Thanks for letting God use your family to spread God's word in Zambia. I will be praying for all 10 things! Thanks for sharing all of that. I know with three kiddos, it is not an easy job to have time to write and blog, especially with Internet in another country.. in Honduras it was soo slow, and when my bro was in Uganda this past year, their's was awfully slow too. Bless you!!!
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