April 2011

Dear friends of Covenant College, it is our pleasure to send you a new Column. Mission work does not only bring missionaries together at one place, but also unites many believers around the globe. We pray this letter may serve to inform you well and enables you to support the work according to our needs, your opportunities, and to the glory of God!

Trust AGM – Heinrich Zwemstra

On 1 and 2 April 2011, the AGM of Covenant College Zambia Trust took place at the premises of Covenant College.  Trustees came from Scotland, England, North-America, South-Africa and locally from Petauke and Lusaka.  No major decisions were made at this meeting, but the Trust appreciated developments that are taking place in all three ministries: the College, Farm and Christian Education Ministry (CEM).  At the College there is a growing number of students (30 students are enrolled this year) and the College is employing three local lecturers on a part-time basis.  At the Farm the Trust acknowledged the teaching of Farming God’s Way and the developments regarding the employment of Jackson Kasolo.  At the CEM the Trust appreciated the continued training of teachers through the visiting of community schools.

After five years of faithful service the trust bade farewell to the Molenaar family.  The trust thanked Cees for his good work as principal and lecturer, and appreciated the important role that Mirjam played in the Women’s and Children’s Ministry. David Lachman, together with his wife Katie and their son Elijah were officially welcomed.  David Lachman is sent by the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) which has played a major role in the establishing and operation of the College.  God willing, Heinrich Zwemstra will take over as principal and David Lachman as vice-principal on 6 May 2011. The Trust was thankful that they accepted these appointments, in order that the College ministry will continue with their guidance and dedication.

Farm Update – Phil Bailey

Jackson Kasolo.

Since the last CCZT Trust Meeting we have been praying and seeking for a Zambian to come and work alongside us at Covenant College Farm. The position is as an Agricultural Missionary with the aim of helping to spread the message of Farming God’s Way and to develop the farm further. The long term aim is for this person to eventually take over as Farm Ministry Leader. This is part of the ‘Zambianisation’ process for all of the Ministries of Covenant College Zambia Trust. The Lord led us to Jackson Kasolo during November last year. He has, uniquely, training in both Theology and Agriculture which is more than we had hoped for. Jackson joined us last year for a trial month in December and came with his wife Grace and their two boys Nathan and Asher.

In March Jackson returned to the farm to continue his trial period working up to the CCZT Trust Meeting on the 1st and 2nd April. He has quickly shown that he has good agriculture knowledge that will enable us to develop the present farm and add new projects. Already with his help we have added a new livestock unit, broiler chickens. He has previous valuable experience with raising chicks and has expertly maintained this new unit.

Jackson has quickly become enthusiastic about Farming God’s Way and has already been involved in teaching to groups during the various Field Days. Here he is explaining the principles and benefits of FGW to the District Commissioner for the Petauke Region at the local Farm Training Centre where we had a FGW demonstration plot.

The Trustees approved his appointment so we are pleased that he will join us from 1st June on a longer term contract with a view to a permanent contract from 1st November 2011. Please remember Jackson and Grace and their two boys and pray that they will really see this opportunity to work at Covenant College as a long term ‘calling’ rather than just a job.

Student Adoption

In August 2009, we launched our Adopt-a-Student programme. This was enthusiastically received by a number of people who since support one or more students every year. There are still students however without a sponsor, and our number of students has grown to 30 this year.  Why would you consider support a student?

First of all, it will help you put a face to your support and to your prayers. It reminds you that the mission work here is not so much about those who labour here, but about those who benefit from our work. When you adopt a student, we will send you his picture and try to update you every year about his progress. Secondly, this form of support will give stability to the College; once the number of sponsors equals the number of students, we have more certainty that we will be able to continue our work into the next years.

Please feel free to contact us for more details; we would also encourage a church or group of Christian friends to adopt one student.

These are the amounts that cover all the expenses we make to train a pastor, per year.

Fare-well!

As mentioned, our family is soon leaving CC. We would like to use this opportunity to bid you farewell, too. Since we arrived in April 2006, we have come to know many of you personally. We have always marvelled at how many do pray for the work here, and even for personal matters of those who serve here.

We count it a privilege to have laboured here. We look at these years as a learning experience, in which the Lord has taught us many lessons, both for our own walk with Him amidst trials, as in serving Him in the mission setting. We have come into close contact with many servants and handmaidens of the Lord; most of their names will not reach publications and newspapers, but they are known with God. They are examples for us of enduring hardship and persevering in the ministry of the Word. We have received a broader perspective on what the Church of our Lord Jesus is; and we have fellowshipped with many Christians whose experience enriched us.

We thank you as supporters for standing together in the cause of Christ in Zambia, and appeal to you to continue in this way. Also our sending church, Heritage Reformed Congregations, is acknowledged for having sent us to serve at CC.

As we anticipated our departure from CC, we have experienced that this does not mark the end of our time in Africa. Recognizing our calling to continue availing similar training to other places as well, we are currently considering settling in Malawi as the place where the Lord seems to be leading us.

Prayer & Thanksgiving – from the Team

• We thank the Lord for the service of the Molenaar family at Covenant College
• Please pray for Heinrich as assumes the work of principal
• We thank the Lord for the arrival of the Lachman family
• We thank the Lord for employment of Jackson Kasolo
• Please pray that the Lord keeps us all healthy
• Thank the Lord for the committed teachers, who teach Bible lessons etc. and pray that this number will increase
• Pray for a Zambian teacher who would like to join the work of CEM
• Thank the Lord for all the times that He kept us safe, during travelling on quite bad roads, when visiting schools
• Pray that teachers and children will be saved by Jesus and Christianity will be spread through the work of CEM

We thank you for the many ways in which you participate in the ministries.

In Christ’s service, Cees Molenaar