Phil's ZMS Newsletter - September 2009

Pastor Training

The end of July and first part of August was full of Pastor Training conferences. Three in all, firstly at Covenant College we held our annual conference. The new hall was just about completed and we were able to hold the meeting in this building. Heinrich Zwemstra took most of the teaching under the heading of ‘The Light of the World’ and I was able to teach FGW and show that our fields should also be a witness of our faith. Then Pastor Peter Seccombe arrived from the UK and we headed first to Chipata for a week’s PTI conference, and then back to Lusaka and onto Solwezi in the North Western province for the second conference. You can learn more about the work of PTI from their website (www.pastor-training.org)

Matthew Sakala

Unfortunately the month was overshadowed when on Sunday August 23^rd our colleague, brother and friend Matthew Sakala passed away. Matthew worked faithfully alongside Bilison on the farm at Covenant College for the past four years. He was specifically responsible for the larger animals and the vegetable garden. He learnt quickly and was diligent in all that he did and will be difficult to replace. He is seen here on my right during one of our FGW teaching sessions. We will miss him a lot and at the moment we are trying to come to terms with this shock. The funeral was held on Tuesday 25^th in his home village some 50kms away from Covenant College. He leaves behind his wife Dorothy and five children.

Bernie and Joyce

During the conference in Solwezi I took the opportunity to travel further north to Ikelenge. You can look on the map to find this place, very close to the Angola and Congo borders. Here Bernie a 73 year old from the UK has settled with his wife Joyce who is from the village.  Bernie came out to Zambia from the UK a few years ago on a mission trip and ended up meeting Joyce and marrying her. They have built a small orphan village where they now look after 30 local children that have lost their parents. Being 1000kms from Lusaka it is way out but it is a beautiful area surrounded by the Kalene Hills.  I met Bernie and Joyce first at the McDonalds where all stray missionaries seem to end up!  However I’ve not yet plucked up the courage to do what he has done!!!

Zambezi Source

Whilst in Ikelenge I went to the source of the great Zambezi river which later flows over Victoria Falls. If you can’t see the water don’t worry, I couldn’t either and I was there!

Prayer Points

• Pray that all the Pastors will faithfully preach what they have been taught.
• Pray for Matthew's family, especially the children who are now added to the fatherless of the nation.
• Pray that we will recover from the loss of Matthew and that we will soon gain the strength and ,motivation to continue.

Thank you for your continued support.

Love Phil