22 years, 1 year, and 2 weeks

"But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:14-15

I had the privilege of meeing Chilufiya in April 2009. Since that time, many difficult circumstances have come in her life. In July, she lost her 9 month old baby boy, Mwaba to pnemonia and malaria. Three days later, her husband's girlfriend began threatening her life. Last week, her divorce was finalized. She has been dealing with the police and magistrate court for over one month now. I cannot imagine the pain and suffering that she has experienced in the past few months.

During all of these circumstances Zeria and I were praying for an opportunity to share Jesus Christ with Chilufiya. Days would pass and we would pray. One Saturday, Chilufiya said that she wanted to come to my house if I was having a Bible Study, and I was with some other women in Nyimba. Zeria and I both knew that Chilufiya was without Jesus and we prayed that through this Bible Study, the Holy Spirit would touch her heart and she would come to Jesus.

Zeria shared the plan of salvation and the Good News during our Bible Study. After the meeting was over, Zeria was able to talk to Chilufiya about what she had heard. She admitted that she had never heard the story of salvation. She then told Zeria that she thought that we lived on earth, then we died, and after we died then we could come to know Jesus as our Savior before judgment. She didnt know that we must know Jesus now and turn to Him and walk with Him day by day. Zeria talked with her some more, then she prayed for Chilufiya and as Zeria prayed for her Chilufiya began to weep and cry out to God for help and to save her. PRAISE THE LORD!

Chilufiya now KNOWS that God will be with her and protect her and guide her day after day. She is claiming that promise each day as she still faces many uphill battles in her life.

On Sunday, the 22-year old (me), the 1-year old (Zeria), and the 2 week old (Chilufiya) began to study God's Word together in my backyard. We are studying a book called "Continuing New Life in Jesus Christ". Sunday was an easy lesson but very good about sharing Christ with others now that you know Jesus. Monday, we began our study on the Holy Spirit. It was a difficult study for them because of the big words like "glory" "testify" and "counselor", but God spoke through me to teach them the meaning of these words in order that they may truly understand.(I kinda felt like Philip with the Ethiopian Eunuch explaining word for word the Scripture that we read together...Acts 9:27-40) We are meeting again today (Tuesday) to continue our study of the Holy Spirit. We will finish our study with Prayer and Growing in Maturity. Please pray for us as we study God's Word together. It is so exciting to look at Chilufiya's life now compared to the first day that I met her in April. Pray that she will continue to grow in Jesus Christ and desire to know Him more and more! Praise the Lord for Zeria and her love for Chilufiya to share the love and Good News of Jesus Christ with her! Pray for Chilufiya as she prepares to move to Chipata with her two teenage children, Ruthie and Masiye.