The last two days have seen us evaluating some maintenance needs and begin doing some needed work. We have found out that the need to pay power bills has meant that Maintainance issues have been unable to be dealt with. There is the need for a number of outside toilets at staff houses and near the student accommodation.
We have been replacing termite eaten perlins today and tomorrow as well as one corrugated iron sheet that had a large hole in it from a tree branch that had crashed through. Nothing goes fast here, and acquiring materials to work with can be a Major headache - but we are learning to go with the flow!
Sherrilyn has been having great meetings with the staff ladies and the student ladies for the last two afternoons. They are asking lots of questions and digging into the Word.
There have been very profitable meetings for Donald with the Bible School teachers, with much more to follow in the days ahead. Deane meet with two of the care taking staff today and worked through Romans 1-2.
Roger continues to be our eyes and ears around the community and providing us lots of laughs! The local economy seems to be really growing and there is a lot of construction happening.
The site here is in desperate need of infrastructure renewal - please pray with us as we look at this further and endeavour to get expert help in master plan development.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
A Sunday In Samfya
This morning we all went to Mwamfuli CMML (Christian Missions in Many Lands) church. We arrived at 9am and we were some of the very few there, by 9:30 after singng a number of songs the church was filling. Three choirs sung brackets of two songs each - all accapella. The main choir was amazing!! The harmonies and volume and passion was fantastic. Donald preached about the Worthy Walk from Ephesians 4:1-3, all translated into Bemba. After this there was another bracket of six choir songs.
During this bracket Roger, Deane & Sherrliyn left and visited with the English speaking church that were have a baptism of five people at the lake (no crocs fortunately). They really enjoyed seeing the testimony of faith in these young men & women. They then went back to the English church and Deane introduced the communion time (teaching ion Romans 5)the newly baptised believers.
Donald remained at Mwamfuli and also lead their communion, teaching from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 11. A very full morning with the service finishing around 1:15pm.
We all then enjoyed a cold drink and cake and fellowship with the English speaking congregation.
Back to our accommodation we had a brief rest and then at 4pm had an introduction time with all the students of the Bible School. We were able to tell them about ourselves and our church and they all introduced themselves and their families and where they came from and what ministry they were involved in. This was a very encouraging time and we look forward to encouraging the students during our stay and also welcoming a new baby int he next few days!!
Tomorrow the boys will begin some Maintenance work and Sherrilyn hopes to be with Agnes (Levy's wife) and later work in discipleship with the women. The men will also be arranging study times with various staff - thank you for your prayers.
During this bracket Roger, Deane & Sherrliyn left and visited with the English speaking church that were have a baptism of five people at the lake (no crocs fortunately). They really enjoyed seeing the testimony of faith in these young men & women. They then went back to the English church and Deane introduced the communion time (teaching ion Romans 5)the newly baptised believers.
Donald remained at Mwamfuli and also lead their communion, teaching from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 11. A very full morning with the service finishing around 1:15pm.
We all then enjoyed a cold drink and cake and fellowship with the English speaking congregation.
Back to our accommodation we had a brief rest and then at 4pm had an introduction time with all the students of the Bible School. We were able to tell them about ourselves and our church and they all introduced themselves and their families and where they came from and what ministry they were involved in. This was a very encouraging time and we look forward to encouraging the students during our stay and also welcoming a new baby int he next few days!!
Tomorrow the boys will begin some Maintenance work and Sherrilyn hopes to be with Agnes (Levy's wife) and later work in discipleship with the women. The men will also be arranging study times with various staff - thank you for your prayers.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Arrived in Samfya
We have made it to Samfya!! Thanks for your prayers and support for us here in Zambia. As we discussed as a team, when we get to Africa everything will change in regard to our plans! Here’s a description of some of the changes that have happened already:
- Before we left NZ we found out our accommodation at Samfya was changed. This has worked out OK as it brings us closer to the Bible School
- Arriving in Ndola we were told we could not acquire a multiple entry visa, just a single as they were no longer allowed to issue multiples from Ndola. This is despite what the website says!! We took the single entry and tried the next day with two different officials to make it a multiple entry, but to no avail!!
- This has meant that we have not been able to travel through Congo and instead took the long route today to Samfya!! It was a quick route however because the driver kept creeping up to 140kph – we constantly asked him to slow down!
- The meeting with the MMM director was changed because he had gone to Honk Kong as a late replacement on a team! We still got a good overview of MMM and some building issues.
- Our training seminar this weekend has been put off due to some double booking with the churches!! Not sure what will be replaced with this now, but no doubt we will find out in due course!!
We value your prayers for all the ongoing changes that will come!! Welcome to Africa!!!
- Before we left NZ we found out our accommodation at Samfya was changed. This has worked out OK as it brings us closer to the Bible School
- Arriving in Ndola we were told we could not acquire a multiple entry visa, just a single as they were no longer allowed to issue multiples from Ndola. This is despite what the website says!! We took the single entry and tried the next day with two different officials to make it a multiple entry, but to no avail!!
- This has meant that we have not been able to travel through Congo and instead took the long route today to Samfya!! It was a quick route however because the driver kept creeping up to 140kph – we constantly asked him to slow down!
- The meeting with the MMM director was changed because he had gone to Honk Kong as a late replacement on a team! We still got a good overview of MMM and some building issues.
- Our training seminar this weekend has been put off due to some double booking with the churches!! Not sure what will be replaced with this now, but no doubt we will find out in due course!!
We value your prayers for all the ongoing changes that will come!! Welcome to Africa!!!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Samfya Short Term Team 2009
Deane & Sherrilyn Grainger, Roger Wharrie & Donald Stevenson will be back in Zambia on 22nd September - 15 October. Deane & Sherrilyn have one week before this in Uganda, catching up with Friends and encouraging Alex & Simon. We get together in Joburg on 22nd and head to Ndola. We stay here for 3 nights before driving to Samfya. Our stay will include researching infrastructure issues, building materials etc. In Samfya we will think through the need for new buildings and how we can encourage the work along. We have three leadership training weekends with graduates and their church leaders and we are looking forward to seeing the progress that has been made in agricultural training and course development.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Congo Report
Greetings to you all. Roger & I along with Murray and Joy have just returned from nine days of rough roads (one 60km stretch took 3 hours to get through yesterday!), rain (the rains have started!!), sapping heat, but most importantly exposure to the many things God is doing through “Mission Garenganze”. It is wonderful to see the schools, hospital, clinics, bible schools, churches, pastors – all working together to further proclaim the gospel.
Our travels took us through what has been a war torn land. We passed through Mai Mai territory where people were killed and eaten. At Mulongo hospital we saw the sight where people were imprisoned in a container and then indiscriminately killed by their Rwandan captors. At Luanza where Murray and Joy served seven years in missionary work, we saw the prison where Congolese Police brutalised people and raped women. There were displaced people who had still not returned to their villages, villages destroyed by soldiers... Yet through all of this is the life and ministry of the church. People’s faith has been tested, but they have proven the faithfulness of God and begun to rebuild the ministries that this community needs.
We stood with Congelese doctors in Mulongo as they preformed major surgery – without oxygen or fancy machines, a piece of cotton wool on the nose of the patient to register their breathing. Committed to Christ they pray before operating and have opportunity to share the love of Christ with their patients. A polio victim is a pastor and evangelist among the patients – 500 people are seen every day, a day which starts with a service communicating the love of Christ to those who have gathered.
We visited the Majondo Bible School – just established before the war, it was destroyed. It has been rebuilt and this year they begin their 3rd year programme in equipping pastors and leaders for local church ministry. They need to employ another teacher to help them – we have left a small gift to help this.
We have witnessed the joy of many leaders receiving MacArthur study Bibles (in French) – they use this Bible for so much in training ministries here. There are so few resources available the ones they have they treasure. One man was telling me of the Bible Institute that he is part of and how the study Bible provided so much of the material that they cover.
Well the reports will happen at home, but how can we communicate the needs of these lands we have visited? We need to pray for these works, pray that God would move our hearts, pray that God would bless these ministries and pray that our giving might support God’s work to see more people coming to faith in Him.
Roger & I fly out from Congo on Wednesday morning and will be in Auckland Thursday night, home Friday. We look forward to seeing you all and sharing the things we have been exposed to.
Our travels took us through what has been a war torn land. We passed through Mai Mai territory where people were killed and eaten. At Mulongo hospital we saw the sight where people were imprisoned in a container and then indiscriminately killed by their Rwandan captors. At Luanza where Murray and Joy served seven years in missionary work, we saw the prison where Congolese Police brutalised people and raped women. There were displaced people who had still not returned to their villages, villages destroyed by soldiers... Yet through all of this is the life and ministry of the church. People’s faith has been tested, but they have proven the faithfulness of God and begun to rebuild the ministries that this community needs.
We stood with Congelese doctors in Mulongo as they preformed major surgery – without oxygen or fancy machines, a piece of cotton wool on the nose of the patient to register their breathing. Committed to Christ they pray before operating and have opportunity to share the love of Christ with their patients. A polio victim is a pastor and evangelist among the patients – 500 people are seen every day, a day which starts with a service communicating the love of Christ to those who have gathered.
We visited the Majondo Bible School – just established before the war, it was destroyed. It has been rebuilt and this year they begin their 3rd year programme in equipping pastors and leaders for local church ministry. They need to employ another teacher to help them – we have left a small gift to help this.
We have witnessed the joy of many leaders receiving MacArthur study Bibles (in French) – they use this Bible for so much in training ministries here. There are so few resources available the ones they have they treasure. One man was telling me of the Bible Institute that he is part of and how the study Bible provided so much of the material that they cover.
Well the reports will happen at home, but how can we communicate the needs of these lands we have visited? We need to pray for these works, pray that God would move our hearts, pray that God would bless these ministries and pray that our giving might support God’s work to see more people coming to faith in Him.
Roger & I fly out from Congo on Wednesday morning and will be in Auckland Thursday night, home Friday. We look forward to seeing you all and sharing the things we have been exposed to.
Friday, October 3, 2008
In Lubumbashi D.R. Congo
Greetings from the D.R. Congo. We have arrived safely and without any hitches. We were helped through customs by a friend of Murray & Joy, one of the local Christians. What a busy border crossing - there were hundreds of trucks lined up a process that takes them at least 3 days to process through. Lubumbashi is hot and busy, horns blaring, crazy drivers, people everywhere!
Murray & Joy are well and well set up in an ex-missionaries house. We are all on our way today north to Manono and Mulongo, visiting the Bible School and the hospital. Depending on how the truck which left yesterday goes, we may be able to return via Luanza where Murray and Joy served for 7 1/2 years, and also visit another Bible school that has close ties with Samfya. We will be away for over a week, visiting many pastors and projects that are funded and seeing their work in Christ. No updates until we get back. Thank you so much for your prayers.
Murray & Joy are well and well set up in an ex-missionaries house. We are all on our way today north to Manono and Mulongo, visiting the Bible School and the hospital. Depending on how the truck which left yesterday goes, we may be able to return via Luanza where Murray and Joy served for 7 1/2 years, and also visit another Bible school that has close ties with Samfya. We will be away for over a week, visiting many pastors and projects that are funded and seeing their work in Christ. No updates until we get back. Thank you so much for your prayers.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
In Ndola
Greetings from Ndola. Roger & I have left the team in Samfya and returned the GLO van which has served us well (despite a few over heating problems). The team continues with project work at Samfya for a few days before leaving on Friday for Kabwe where they will stay the night and drop off Kelssa at Pro-Christo. Kelssa will stay here for two months and be involved in the orphan and widows work as well as generally helping in the ministry.
Today Roger & I will try and get our visas from the D.R. of Congo embassy in Ndola so we can get up to Lubumbashi on Thursday. Murray Stevenson has said he wants us a s soon as possible as we have much travel to do – I think we are already sick of driving!!
The team debrief in Samfya before we left spoke of the real challenges and blessings we had encountered in staying with and seeing the work that the Samfya graduates are doing. Their commitment to the spread of the good news is a challenge to see. It is also wonderful to see the growing awareness and ownership of this kind of ministry by some Zambian Christians. For example a trust of business men (shop owners and government employees in the main) from Samfya support two men in Mpulungu, paying their house rent of K250,000p.m. ($100) and give them K200,000p.m. each for living ($80). This is not enough but what a great help for them in this work.
As we have interacted with these various graduates, I have been challenged to think how we can be of more practical support to their work. I know that we cannot help with every aspect of this work, but perhaps if we were able to establish a ministry fund administered by the Samfya Bible School board. The board could establish which graduates are doing a fine work and provide funding for bicycles, bedding and tents for the church planting missions, support for families when the husband is gone for 1-2 months... Such support would be a huge blessing and help to these faithful men and women.
Well we are very thankful to the Lord for your support and prayers – please keep praying for our health and safety and the clear communication of the Word as we move into the DRC.
Today Roger & I will try and get our visas from the D.R. of Congo embassy in Ndola so we can get up to Lubumbashi on Thursday. Murray Stevenson has said he wants us a s soon as possible as we have much travel to do – I think we are already sick of driving!!
The team debrief in Samfya before we left spoke of the real challenges and blessings we had encountered in staying with and seeing the work that the Samfya graduates are doing. Their commitment to the spread of the good news is a challenge to see. It is also wonderful to see the growing awareness and ownership of this kind of ministry by some Zambian Christians. For example a trust of business men (shop owners and government employees in the main) from Samfya support two men in Mpulungu, paying their house rent of K250,000p.m. ($100) and give them K200,000p.m. each for living ($80). This is not enough but what a great help for them in this work.
As we have interacted with these various graduates, I have been challenged to think how we can be of more practical support to their work. I know that we cannot help with every aspect of this work, but perhaps if we were able to establish a ministry fund administered by the Samfya Bible School board. The board could establish which graduates are doing a fine work and provide funding for bicycles, bedding and tents for the church planting missions, support for families when the husband is gone for 1-2 months... Such support would be a huge blessing and help to these faithful men and women.
Well we are very thankful to the Lord for your support and prayers – please keep praying for our health and safety and the clear communication of the Word as we move into the DRC.
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