Gospel Partners

 Let me introduce you to Elisha & Agnes and their family. Elisha is a man I came to know a few years ago as one who would exchange US$ into Kwacha. He started as a poor street marketer who was selling sugar in small plastic bags. He has gradually grown his business and he now has too very small shops in the market place (we would hardly call them shops). Elisha makes travelling trips to Dubai and Tanzania to purchase for his shops and also wholesales some goods to other areas. He is a true businessman and a fine Christian man.

God has blessed Elisha with much materially through his business, but this man constantly invests in eternity. He supports the Samfya Gospel Workers Trust, a group of Christian businessmen who fund regular ministry trips to village areas by evangelists and teachers, as well as often going on these ministry trips himself to promote the gospel. Three mornings a week, he and a team attend the local hospital to preach the gospel to the patients, and they also help with food and assistance for patients, especially for transport costs when they go home to their villages (I hope to attend one morning next week to witness this work).

No wonder his business is blessed – he continues to give with a grateful heart for all God’s blessings to him. I know very little of the various ministries that he is part of but it is clearly evident that he loves Christ and invests in eternity. Last Friday it was this man who drove me in his vehicle from the Mambalima Conference site to Mansa (about 90 kms) so that I could have my visa renewed. Elisha would not accept any payment for fuel even though he was turning around and heading back. He also organised the right taxi for my trip back to Samfya.

I find it a real privilege to work alongside men like this that are devoted to gospel ministry. Zambia is often seen as a place that has its hand out for money, however many brothers and sisters are doing all they can with the resources that God has given them to bless others. That applies to many graduates of the Bible School who exist on very little but expend themselves for the church and the glory of God. We see at the Bible School itself the chicken projects, broilers and layers that add significant income to the Bible School for its ministry. These people are genuine partners in gospel ministry – what a privilege to encourage them in their vital work and also bless them witrh the abundance that God has given us.

 

Peter & Patricia Tembo and family. Peter is an elder in the English Chapel - pray for meeting that he is organising next week with his elders for us to address issues of tradition in church and how they can make changes for the future.