Mid-week in Samfya

We are well recovered from our time in Chaba and are now making plans for the next weekend in Sernje area. Here we will be able to interact with a number of graduates that are doing a good work in the churches of this region. Transport for us is a problem as we may not have the vehicle first planned. This means we may need to use the Bible School light truck with a flat deck – if so we need to build a canopy as after this weekend we carry on down to Lusaka and begin our way home. We certainly don’t want to get sun stroke on the back of this truck.
This week Donald has begun teaching through 1 & 2 Timothy with the students. There is so much practical to church life in these books – please pray for ongoing wisdom to communicate with clarity. One real big problem in the classroom is that young children of the students can be very disruptive. There is a need to fund a full time care person to look after these little ones so that the students can truly focus on their learning. Such a person would be paid around NZ$150 per month. Sherrilyn continues with her afternoon sessions with the staff and student women which is being a real blessing – please pray for the last two days of this that the principles being taught will be applied to their lives.
On Monday afternoon, Donald, Roger and Deane meet with the executive board members (those from around this area) to discuss plans for the future and the challenges that they face. We were able to talk through the development of a master plan for the site and also the problems of funding that make the school’s ongoing work a daily challenge. Tuesday saw Deane and Sherrilyn helping Levy to complete the very full application form for EMI (Engineering Missions International) so that we can see if they can assist in the master plan development. We are waiting on some information on the site ownership details so the application can be sent.
The maintenance area is a little slow as most things now are being worked on by the local people, however we are getting costings and working to see the jobs done in due time. Sherrilyn will be working with the accounts manger today to help with spread sheets issues and was able to set Levy’s email systems up yesterday to better help in his administration. An administrator here would be a huge help and encouragement to the ministry.
Donald will continue to have pastoral meetings with the staff teachers and their wives to encourage them in their work – they are our missionaries to Zambia!! Roger is putting up a rope swing for the children today. We have 2 ½ days left here in Samfya and then two full days in the village on leadership training. Please keep praying for strength and health – Sherrilyn’s back is a little sore.