Paul and Timothy Weekend

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:23-25

Earlier this year after our training in South Africa, I began praying about how God would allow me to really focus on a small group of women that I could encourage, mentor, and invest time in. In April, God laid it on my heart to invite a few leaders from Petauke to come and teach, encourage, and love the leaders in Nyimba. I invited 4 leaders that I know have a personal relationship with Jesus and asked them to bring a young woman that is a Christian as well that would be a future leader in the church. Then after learning each woman would have a friend that could encourage and love them in a unique way. After much prayer and planning, God's plan was executed with amazing grace, love, and excitement.

On Thursday, 3 leaders from Petauke and 6 women from Nyimba all gathered at our home. We had a weekend of games, worship (singing and dancing), teaching, learning, discussion, and a great deal of excitement! I was so excited to have these women at my home for this weekend. God really used the 3 leaders to teach and encourage the women. The Nyimba women were so encouraged that they invited the Petauke leaders to come next weekend to teach all of the women of Nyimba at the women's associational meeting! Praise the Lord! I was so fearful of jealousy and fearful that the Nyimba women would feel like the Petauke women were better than them and either not listen and learn or become discouraged. Praise the Lord that neither of these things happened.

What next? I cannot wait to see how God is going to continue to develop these relationships and what God is going to do when these women unite in order to encourage each other on to good deeds and love. They have already planned another Paul and Timothy Weekend in September! Thank you for your prayers!

The Petauke Leaders

Please pray for the women below:

Adis Daka- Chisomo Baptist Church
Josephine Tembo- Home missionary in Petauke at Kawere Village

Amai Lungu- Chairlady for the Nyimba Women's Association and leader at Mtilizi Baptist

Amai Mwanza- Leader in Petauke

Amai Mwenda- Leader at Chisomo Baptist

Amai Sakala- Leader at Nyimba Central Baptist

Bertha Phiri- Leader at Sinanongwe Baptist in Petauke

Christina Tembo- Leader at Mnyazi Baptist in Nyimba

Please pray for Christina. On Thursday morning her daughter gave birth to twins. Both of the infants passed away on Thursday. When I arrived to bring her to the meeting she met me at the road to share the awful news. Although she has endured this tragedy, she still came to the meeting on Friday. The women had a great opportunity to encourage and love her and they took that chance to demonstrate God's love to their sister, Christina.

Daisy Chipanga- Leader at Kawere Mission in Petauke

Amai Maseko- Leader at Nyimba Central Baptist

Zeria Nkhoma- Member of Nyimba Central and a huge advocate for the partnership between Petauke and Nyimba!

Typical Zambian meal, nshima and relish. I loved serving friends at my home!

They had small group time of studying and discussing God's Word.

Friday morning the women asked me to prepare food that I LOVE...they would say "songulusho" (something that you LOVE). I told them that we would have Mexican food because I LOVE it!! We had tortillas, meat, spanish rice, beans, and salsa. We lined up and fixed our own plates, just like America! They really enjoyed seeing how Americans would "do dinner". This was such a fun time! After our Mexican, we danced and sang, then when the sun went down we watched the Jesus Film in our backyard. As a surprise, the women had popcorn and coke during the movie. Our neighbor, Chilufiya and her 4 teenage kids came over as well. Pray for them, they do not know Jesus.

Amai Tembo taking her first bite of Mexican food!

God blessed this weekend. All of us were encouraged in one way or another. Pray that the excitement and the new friendships that were built will remain and grow in Christ! God is GOOD!