Update from Fawlty Towers Backpackers, Livingstone.

It is now 11pm after a very full day. The overnight stay in Lusaka was one without much water at the guest house – a pump problem – Africa is always a challenge. Our coach departed on time (!!) at 9am and we arrived in Livingstone at 3:50pm. The last 100kms or so were often off road on gravel because the main road is under major repair. We settled in, cooled off in the pool, walked into town, looked at some souvenirs, and had a late dinner.
Then we had a visit from Frank Musenge, a 2008 graduate of the Samfya. Frank is a Bemba speaker living here in Livingstone, having moved here in 1987 with his wife. The training at Samfya has helped him significantly in his leadership. He has a teaching role in many churches in the region and is also active in church planting. His wife runs their spare parts store which supports his teaching and evangelising work. Frank commented how much he appreciated the training and how it is helping him in his ministry in the churches. He would like one of our teams to do a mission down here in the future!! It is amazing to see that Samfya is having influence well outside of the Bemba speaking areas of Zambia – praise the Lord for His grace.
Our weekend at Lulimala in the Sernje district was a real blessing. The church here is about 160kms south of Samfya, the last 15kms were on dirt road that took 45mins to travel (two elderly sisters walked that road to attend starting at 6am and getting there at 5pm!). This location was back to basic village living – no power, no cell coverage, cooking over coals (village chicken, water buck – both delicious, rice, nshima, relish...). Most graduates are working in these rather remiote village areas. It is a unique ministry touching areas that are often forgotten.
There were 12 graduates of the school at this training time with leaders from 10 different churches making the effort to be with us (some travelling well over 100kms to get there!). Donald had general teaching sessions, and Deane, Sherrilyn & Donald led workshop sessions with deacons, deaconesses and elders. Roger introduced the communion. The enthusiasm of these people was a blessing to see, and they soaked in the teaching at every opportunity. Their Bemba choruses were a blessing and the youth choir was excellent.Meeting the graduates we learned of the work in church planting going on 17 churches in 14 years, 8 others that have failed but with renewed resources will be revisited. Two new plants have happened in new fishing villages that have recently been established.
These men and women are strategising about how to use their combined resources to target the needs of a big area. Four boxes of Bibles (96 bibles) will be sold by them to support the ongoing teaching and evangelising missions. They are also looking to send more students to the school, especially from some of the churches needing good teaching to see them grow.The Bible school has decided to fund them with enough for 8 bicycles to assist on their missions which cover many kilometres. This comes from the bicycles/ministry fund that RBC has supplied - thank you so much for this support. What a joy to see how God is using these men and women! The elders were so thankful for the work of the Bible School and how the graduates have been such a help to them.
As we reflect on our time at Samfya, we see things that we would not do if we were running this work, however we are not!! Our brothers and sisters are doing a good work in seeing students equipped to make a real difference. With the ongoing refinement of the Bible School programme this will only be further enhanced. This is a worthy work, God is blessing it. We have the privilege of seeing it grow and flourish. Maybe the next team visit you could come too and be challenged and changed as you see God working in the lives of our brothers and sisters.
Thank you for your prayers. Tomorrow we are going to see Victoria Falls and are reminded that David Livingstone, as he travelled to preach the Gospel came here by foot not by plane and coach! We look forward to seeing you all this weekend.