Last Night in Samfya

Greetings from a very hot Samfya. One local said today that he could not remember a hotter day in his life!! To top it off we have no water! Oh well the joys of Africa. We must say we have had such a good run with water and power until yesterday – dinner didn’t happen until 10pm through power loss and we just haven’t needed to be set up with charcoal fires for cooking so we didn’t have the gear.
Today has been sorting out some last minute things. A visit to the Praise School to deliver books and material sent from Hastings Christian School, some office things for Sherrilyn, Deane wandering the boundary looking for survey pegs to little avail. The last of the finances were sorted out including establishing a new account for infrastructure development with a US$5000 deposit which will be used as the progress with EMI on the master plan becomes evident. The first building will probably be the kitchen and dining room made from lasting materials – the termites here are very busy!
Donald had a visit from a 2006 graduate today. Saidi is from the D.R.Congo and was visiting to talk about establishing a new Bible School at Luanza where Donald & Roger visited last year. In God’s providence, some of the Bible School staff are going tomorrow to meet with some smaller Bible School works in Luapula Province and it will provide Saidi with good connections to plan a DRC work. He has given me a list of books he would like for a library. The needs here are just so great!
Donald taught at the Bible School this morning from 8am to midday, and then taught at a local church from 4:30-5:30pm. After this service a mother brought a young child up who was suffering from fits and wanted us to pray. We did so and tried to give some further advice for his care. We need to be very thankful for the facilities we have in NZ, but also moved to help our brothers and sisters in Christ here in Zambia.
Tomorrow sees the last session of teaching at the Bible School and then packing up to depart for the village called Lulimala. Up to nine graduates will be at this training weekend with their elders, deacons and deaconesses. It will be a very interesting weekend to hear their stories and the work that they are doing. I am sure that the bicycles money will be needed in this place – from all reports they are active in the local church work. Please pray for wisdom as we minister God’s Word, that we would be able to communicate with clarity and passion and bless our brothers and sisters.
By Sunday night we will be moving to Lusaka and then to Livingstone where we will update you further. Please pray for safety on the roads and on our travels home.