News: May 2022

Arrangements have been made for a new suit to be sent for Kelvin. He is currently presenting reports to a conference in Rwanda. His family is ok with usual life and living difficulties common to all human beings. Patience is now in full time employment with Konkola Copper Mines. She manages all the mine hospitals and reports to the KCM Chief Operating Officer.

Yours in Christ, Kelvin and Joyce.

News/Prayer Points: Mar 2022

1. Pray that we will be strengthened to live for Christ and be a godly example to our families, friends, and the community where we live.
2. We Praise the Lord for the freedom that we have and enjoy in Zambia in sharing the Word of God without any intimidation from anyone.
3. We thank God for using Bibletime Sunday school lessons in reaching out to children in our country (www.besweb.com)

Yours in Christ, Kelvin and Joyce.

News/Prayer Points: Oct 2021

Greetings from Chingola.
As you know life in Africa is difficult and a real mind bender. When we are feeling unsure of God’s plan for our life, we always look to our various roles for some guidance—whether it is our position as a parent, sibling, child, best friend, elder, co-worker, or neighbour. These identities remind us of where God has placed us and whom we have a responsibility to love. Though helpful as guardrails, however, these titles are not our highest authority. At times when our various responsibilities seem in conflict, it is good to remember that the Holy Spirit is our most reliable and true compass. We will know when to step outside our traditional roles only if we are listening to Him intently. Ultimately, in fact, all that we do, say, and give should be submitted to the Spirit. Then we will have peace that we are where God intended us to be (John 14:26-27). Our primary identity is in our Saviour and Redeemer who defines us and guides our decisions. When we seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, Jesus promises everything else will be taken care of (Matthew 6:33)—which includes our family and loved ones.

The pupils we support at Mapalo Community School are doing well. We pray today Lord, for many children in our communities who are reduced to begging for a living. Lord may they not become too discouraged by the attitudes of people who ignore them or pass them by. Help them to keep cheerful at all times and never to give up hope in learning at school. My what they are learning in school will inspire them to work extra hard. Remind them that you love and care for them. We ask it in Jesus Christ’s name.

Yours in Christ, Kelvin and Joyce.

Prayer Points: Sept 2021

They are involved in the work of providing textbooks of Religious Education in government High Schools in Zambia. Teaching Bible knowledge in the Government High Schools in Zambia is an open door. This is a regular subject and pupils undergo both internal and external examinations. It is a wonderful opportunity for teaching the Gospel. Many have come to faith in Christ through the regular teaching in government schools. The syllabus is Bible-based and evangelical covering the life of Christ in Luke’s Gospel and the early church from Acts 1 v 16. It also includes a section on Christian attitudes towards work, money, sex, marriage, etc. The course aims to give pupils a good understanding of the truth of Scripture with application to daily living, and to make them understand the difference between Christianity and other religions. Funding for the printing of pupils’ textbooks and teachers’ handbooks is a real challenge as the Zambian government does not provide funds for this subject and they depend on the good will of the Lord’s people. They want to reprint 65,000 pupils’ textbooks but funding is a real challenge. Please pray for this need.
The feeding of street children has continued on a weekly basis as they pass on food parcels to the street children. The Covid-19 pandemic has made it even worse as many people lose jobs, some of them become unable to look after their families. Children and women are the most vulnerable in these situations. Pray for God’s help. Please pray for the literature ministry (Scripture Gift Mission, Copperbelt Christian Publications, Zambia Religious Education Trust). Every day they give people God’s written word in Its varied formats.

Pray that as they witness to the unsaved and encourage our fellow believers in Zambia and beyond that souls will be saved.

Greetings from Kelvin & Joyce in Zambia.

One of the most beautiful sights of Christmas is all the glittering lights. They transform an ordinary setting into a wonderland that catches our attention, lifts our spirits, building a sense of anticipation. Although Christmas lights are only on display for a few weeks of the year, did you know that God has provided even brighter lights that are always shining, no matter what the season? Those lights are the Christians He has scattered throughout the world, and you are one of them.

Jesus told His followers, “You are the light of the world” . Have you thought of yourself that way? Are you wondering what it means to be a light. After all, Jesus said ‘I am the Light of the world’? Both statements are true, but Christ’s light originates from Himself as the Son of God, whereas our light is merely a reflection of His life in us. As Christ’s life is displayed in our character and conduct, His light shines through us to those around us. That is how, both as the church and as individual believers, we are the light of the world. To better understand this concept, consider what light does.

First of all, it dispels darkness. If you were in a pitch-black cave, and someone lit a lantern, that flame would instantly eliminate the blackness. No matter how small a light always overcomes darkness. That is what believers are like in the world. The Bible uses darkness to illustrate the sinful condition of mankind, and describes them as “being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart”. Christians dispel darkness and are used by God to show others how to come into Christ’s light through faith in Him.

Second, light guides the way. If you’ve been on a trail at night, you know how important a flashlight is. Without it, you’d stumble over obstacles and probably become lost. In a similar way, we are flashlights for those walking in spiritual darkness, showing them the way to Christ through godly lifestyles and testimony. We have the only message that can save human souls and lead them to eternal life. The goal is to let our light shine in such a way that others see our good works, glorify God, and ultimately find salvation through faith in Jesus.

Third, light exposes what is hidden. Although we’d like everyone to be attracted to Christ through our witness, many don’t want anything to do with Him. People are antagonistic toward Christians because a righteous lifestyle exposes their sinfulness. Jesus said those who won’t come to the Light hate it because it exposes their deeds as evil. If you have ever turned on a bedroom light and seen someone pull the covers over their eyes to avoid the brightness, you’ve seen an illustration of what can happen when unrepentant sinners are presented with the gospel.

Fourth, light is meant to be seen, not covered up. It makes no sense to light a lamp and then cover it with a basket, since its purpose is to illuminate the room. Yet, this is some what Christians do. They shine brightly when they’re gathered with fellow believers at church, but during the rest of the week, they try to keep their Christianity private. As a result, their light is covered up with the values, language, and practices of the world around them. Instead of displaying the light of Christ in their lives, they begin to blend in with the darkness around them.

Being the light of the world isn’t optional for believers. If Christ dwells in you, you are light even if you cover it up in order to avoid rejection or ridicule. You may think your life is small and inconsequential, but God has placed you exactly where He wants you in this world to reflect Christ and influence those around you. Even if you feel you aren’t making a difference, remember you can’t always see the impact you’re having. God uses you in unseen ways as long as you seek to walk obediently and faithfully before Him.

This Christmas season, let the holiday lights remind you of your responsibility to let your light shine before men. As you allow Jesus’ life to radiate through your words and actions, God accomplishes His will through you. He’s the only one who can open a hard heart and transform a sinner into a saint. Never think that your light is too small to make a difference. The power to transform lives is not dependent on the strength of your light, but on Christ’s ability to use you for His glory. So let your light shine and watch what He will do.

We value your prayers very much. May the Lord watch over you and bless you. Have a Merry Christmas!

More news from Kelvin:

In Zambia, fear and hopelessness have crept up in families and communities as a result of the Covid-19 virus. Our government has imposed strict restrictions for the month of April which include the closure of schools and churches. However, many people are still not taking strict measures to safeguard themselves, to them it is business as usual. We have been told to stay home and only to leave for groceries or in an emergency. In this crisis we ask ourselves, how do we help? The impact on the 30 day lockdown will be very severe on many people that we know as the majority of the population makes a living or buys food from the informal business sector. Those who can afford to drive to a supermarket only make up a tiny part of the population. Almost 99% of believers in Zambian Assemblies earn their living by buying and selling in informal markets and along the roadsides. Who is going to help the orphans and the less privileged? Who is going to subsidise the common person? Unless we receive a swift intervention from Him who knows no boundaries, starvation and not Covid-19 will be the cause of many deaths in our country. The President of Zambia in his address to the nation committed the country to the LORD for help and asked the church to be in much prayer for the nation.