Hot greetings from Chitokoloki. Normally October is our hottest month; however, September is already HOT. Dead leaves cover the ground and the wind is still blowing more leaves from the trees. The pool has been repainted and I am looking forward to the time when I can go swimming again.
Thank you for your prayers during the past six weeks.
1. Elections are over and President Lungu was “re-elected”. His contender is alleging that corruption took place and he has tried to take the case to the High Court. There is still a bit of unrest in the country, so please continue to pray for a peaceful solution.
2. The camping season is over. The two girls’ camps were well received. The boys’ camps were small in numbers. Thanks for praying for the safety of the campers. All went well from what I heard. Thanks too for praying for the spiritual impact of the sessions. I did hear that most of those who attended the senior girls’ camp did say that they are Christians. The topic for both girls' camps was “Choices”. Not sure about the boys’ camps.
3. The “conference” at Mutuwankayi was well received. It was interesting to me that those who attended were mostly from the new assembly. Many of those who come to the class did not attend unfortunately. I had to leave on Wednesday late afternoon. (The conference ended Friday mid-morning.) The next week, one fellow, Morgan, informed me that he had accepted the Lord as Savior and that he was baptized in the river on Thursday. I had thought that Morgan was already a Christian, but he said that he was not sure, so he made sure!!!! On Tuesday, the classroom is usually full of students, many of whom are now attending this new assembly. Thank you for praying and please continue to uphold these new believers in prayer. I continue to go to Mutuwankayi each Tuesday.
4. The Ladies’ Conference at Zambezi was different from other conferences that I have attended. Perhaps it was because we met in the Hall rather than outside. I felt a bit “discombobulated” with my messages. I had prepared too much, thinking that I would have more time than I actually had. I am thankful that God can use our efforts even when we think that things might not have gone as smoothly as we had hoped.
Other “mundane” news:
Judy’s house is progressing now. The brick layer that I hired has been mostly sick. He has “sub-contracted” his younger brother to do the brick laying. The door frames are in and he has started to put in the window frames. It is coming along. The small house of mud brick that Judy used to live in has been re-thatched. The pit latrine was dug and the wall enclosure has been completed. The “chota” (kitchen) has been built. This is primarily composed of a grass roof, without walls. Hopefully the family will be able to get into the new house before, or shortly after, the rains arrive.
Smokey, one of my dogs, had SIX puppies a week ago. Bisquit, her mother, is also pregnant and should have her puppies within a couple of days. Maybe tonight . Four puppies have already been asked for.
September prayer requests:
1. I am planning to fly to Lusaka, God willing, on 19th September, returning back to Chit on the 24th. I have an appointment with the dentist. One of the fillings in an upper molar broke and half of it fell out (when eating some chocolate chips!!!) I have an appointment for a CAT scan of my tailbone/sacrum. I have been having a lot of tailbone pain since February. I need to see about getting the receipt from the Wildlife Agency. I paid for the license last time I was in Lusaka and they were supposed to send me the license/receipt, but so far, nothing. I have many other things to also do. Please pray for safety while in Lusaka. Pray too for safety in the air.
2. School holidays are over. Once back from Lusaka, all of my classes will be starting up again.
Monday – English, reading through 1 Peter; Wednesday – Luvale, reading through Acts; Friday after school – kids’ Bible study reading through Luke; Saturday afternoon – secondary girls’ Bible study, working through the Emmaus Bible study on Women.
3. Barbara, the speech-impaired young woman that I worked with, is pregnant and almost due to deliver. She was probably raped although it is difficult to know what happened because of her expressive and receptive aphasia. Please pray for a safe delivery of the baby. Barbara herself is very petite.
4. Next week, 20th September through maybe 23rd, there will be another seminar/conference for church elders, speakers, Sunday School teachers and other interested people. This conference will be held here at Chitokoloki, in the Hall at the Colony. Mr Bruce Mukwato will be the teacher and his topic will be the Tabernacle. Please pray that those who attend will be attentive and will learn truths that they can then teach to others.
5. Please pray for Grace Croudace who suffered a severe stroke a week ago. She has been comatose since Saturday. Please uphold David Croudace is your prayers too. It is difficult not knowing if God will take her Home quickly or if she is to remain here for a bit of time.
Just a quick story: Last month at one of my chronic patients’ clinics, one lady who is an asthmatic asked me how her lungs were after I listened to her breathing. Actually her lungs were probably the best that I had ever heard. She said, It doesn’t really matter actually. If my lungs are good or if they are bad. If they are bad and I would die, then I will be going to heaven which is a good thing. If my lungs are good, then I’ll be here a bit longer. Regardless, I know where I am going when I die. I’ll be going to heaven (as she pointed upwards). She then explained that she knew she would be going to heaven as she had accepted Christ as her Savior. He died for her and this truth she knows!!! I thought her words were great as so many of the people here do not seem to have such a clear testimony.
All for now.
In Christian love, Dorothy