The Gift of Encouragement

Three weeks ago, Paul and Jumbe journeyed to Njalazi Village to encourage and worship with the people there. The bike ride was 3 1/2 hours long, when they arrived they were met by smiling faces and welcoming spirits. After the time of worship, the leader, Lemeck Tembo, began to share with them that the Jehovah's Witness and Catholic members were calling Baptists "satanics". Jumbe and Paul knew that people from Nyimba needed to travel to Njalazi to encourage them and for the people surrounding Njalazi to understand what the Baptist faith is all about. Kendall and I were so excited to see these men organizing a meeting and spreading the word about the meeting.
Last Friday, 41 people from Nyimba walked 18 miles to Njalazi to worship and encourage the people there. They sang, there was preaching, and friendships were born. On Saturday, 60 people attended the meeting and the times of teaching and preaching that were led by Paul and Jumbe (the two men that Kendall disciples 2-3 times a week). On Sunday morning, 80 people gathered for worship and people began to see that they were not satanics. During the meetings, two people prayed to receive Christ and others became more interested in knowing more about Jesus.
Saturday afternoon, Lemeck brought his brother over to the meeting. He was one of the ones that used to go to the church but then started listening to the lies saying that they were satanics. His brother attended the meeting and immediately went home and gathered his wife and children to come to the church. Lemeck called Zeria over to his brother and his wife, Dina. Lemeck told Dina, "this is Zeria, you should sit with her and get to know her." Dina sat with Zeria and after conversation and being with one another throughout the weekend, Dina realized that there was a difference in Zeria because of her freedom in Jesus Christ. Dina and her husband were so thankful for Zeria that they gave her a chicken, maize, sweet potatos, and sugar cane.

Paul, Zeria, and Mr. Tembo (Lemeck's brother and Dina's husband)

This morning we had a knock at our gate and Mr. Tembo had come with cassava and peanuts for Zeria to say thank you to her again for taking the time to love Dina. Zeria said, "I now have a secret friend at Njalazi and we will be friends for a long time!"
It was awesome to see Zeria's face light up as she told me this story! To show that you really accept someone and you are true friends in this culture, giving gifts is a big thing! Especially gifts from your crop. Dina and the women from Njalazi are coming to Nyimba to attend the women's meeting in August. The youth at Njalazi were so encouraged by the 20 youth that came from Nyimba to see them that they are coming to the youth meeting this weekend in Nyimba! Pray for the traveling mercies of the youth as they walk that distance. Pray that those youth who don't know Jesus will come to know Him this weekend!

This ongoing story of the people of Nyimba being home missionaries to the people at Njalazi truly is the biggest blessing to Kendall and me in our ministry so far in Zambia. You may ask, "why is it the biggest blessing?" Because we have nothing to do with it! The Zambian people have seen a church in need, reached out to them, sacrificed time and health to go the distance to worship with them, and God is being glorified and they are GROWING in their walks with the Lord! Praise HIM!