Forming The Blocks

Here in Zambia most of the homes are made from blocks. Some are similar to what we call blocks in the states made from cement, sand, and small stones. Many however are made from mud, stacked, insulated over the outside with addition mud, and then fired from within to give them strength. Regardless of the type they are made with great effort one block at a time. When an adequate amount of time has allowed them to season they will be used for some type of structure; possibly a home, maybe a shop, or sometimes even a church.

We find ourselves trying to form the blocks.

Last time I shared with you our efforts to lay a foundation with Victor’s assistance. We are blessed to have him escorting us and teaching us. He has not only translated Tonga but has led us into two areas to try and begin some work.

The first is a place called Chuulu; there are three small villages clustered together, one of them Victor’s cousin is the headman. One of the others claims one of the Chief’s representatives as a resident. Apparently about two years ago some Baptist passed through the area doing some door to door evangelism and shared something called the Jesus film. They were only there a short time and nothing really resulted. These people want a church in their community, there are no churches. They live near a much larger group of villages which as well have no Baptist churches. Our goal at this point is to meet with them and help them understand what church is and what will be needed to sustain one. Naturally we hope one is begun but in an appropriate effective way. For now we will disciple them sharing stories and the love of Christ.

The second place is called Dambwi. Again Victor has an Uncle who is the headman. He is in his eighties, has eleven wives and about sixty children. He is also a medicine man. Dambwi is about 5 kilometers off the dirt road then another 2 kilometer walk in. On our first visit I asked how many white men had been to their village, he said we were the first. There is one traditional church (basically a cult) that currently meets in this village. Again there are several other large villages close by so the opportunity to reach more exists.

We feel a little like we too are forming bricks. As we meet with them, try and teach them, and model for them what it means to be a born again Christian placing our faith in Christ to rescue us. We pray these bricks will be fired and seasoned to sustain any difficulties that come their way. That they might break free from the negative influences that bind them. Things like witchcraft, cultural traditions, and the lies of satan.

Matuba on the other hand is a different story. It is the village we encountered in May asking if we would return for them. They have since decided we should not continue to visit them. There is concern by many of them that we bring evil rather than good. It breaks our heart. We continue to pray for them, as we pass by, that God will soften their hearts and bring someone there to share the truth of Christ.

Thank you for sustaining us with your prayers. We continue to pray and ask you to join us.

Colossians 4:3-4 and pray for us, that God may open a door for our message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ… pray that I may proclaim it clearly as I should. Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, so that you may know how to answer everyone.