Chaba Leadership Training Weekend

The Team has just returned from Chaba at the northern end of Lake Bangweulu. We have spent the weekend with elders, deacons and deaconesses of four churches from this area. Workshops were lead by Donald, Deane and Sherrilyn for the three groups of leaders and Donald taught a number of general sessions. The circumstances were very poor. The land was parched and in many ways the churches are parched for good teaching and leadership. A gift of Bibles that will be sold will enable some leaders to come as students to the Bible School and go back to these needy churches. The needs are huge, the challenges more than can be expalined here, but these visits do make a difference and help our dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Below is a letter from some of the elders from these churches.

Message to the visitors from New Zealand:
The Leaders and Christians in Chilubi who attended the training workshop held at Chaba CMML (Christian Missions in Many Lands) Church have made the following remarks:
1. They are very thankful for what the Lord has done for them to bring good news to their door step to strengthen the leaders in the district.
2. The visitors from New Zealand have shown commitment to the call of the Lord which has painted a good picture to the Christians in CMML in Zambia and other churches around our congregations.
3. As a church in Chilubi we are very happy and request that in future the same programmes be made [to their area] as we are one in Christ Jesus.
4. The Christians are very thankful for the Bibles you have given to the district to raise some money to send some leaders to the Bible School in Samfya.
5. The Leaders are happy for the behaviour that you had shown to them. You were able to eat the food we eat which does not happen to some other people when they go to a foreign land. You mixed freely with people and showed interest to learn their local language. You come with a female leader which has given an encouragement to the female Christians to emulate the same in their activities. To a large extent you did not show any racial discrimination at all levels. There [are] many [other things] but these are just to mention a few.
6. To the large extent you have done things according to the command and teaching of Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:19-20.
On the other hand the district has some problems in the following areas:
1. Poor infrastructure due to lack of funds and other material support. We request that you help us in any possible [way] because the Christians have a very poor living standard which you have seen even for yourselves. All the churches in Chilubi district are grass thatched but modern life requires iron sheets of which we request from you.
2. In the same connection we request that gospel books be sent to us so that the Christians can read in addition to the Bible.
3. In the same connection we are requesting that we be considered for training at other colleges other than the one at Samfya for some Christians who have advanced their education levels.
Lastly we pray that the Lord will provide a safe journey back to your country but we shall remember you in our prayer. Let us know when you arrive home.Leaders: Davies Malama, Judas Bobo, Matthews Mwape, Malunde Justine, Maleo Mwape, Chate Misebo

We are all very tired! We were living outside our comfort zone and yet we know these people live in this way all year round. We stopped at a fishing camp on our way home and the squallor was appalling - the gospel is needed here. There is one graduate that ministers to camps like this but there is need for more. This Bible School work is vital - your support prayerfully and financially makes a huge difference. Thank you for your prayers.