31 August 2010

“Our needs will never exhaust God’s supply.” Anon

Wow how time has flown since I last wrote. So much has been happening. I take refuge in that our needs can never exhaust God’s supply! Out here where physical needs are so big in comparison to what we have, I sometimes feel overwhelmed!. Oh Lord what can I do! Then the Lord reminds me that it is not what I can do but what He can do! A big difference. Man can never meet the supply of the demand, there will always be a shortfall, yet when we learn to trust in God, His supply is inexhaustible. But we must not forget that His supply is for His purpose and not our own. Our task is to determine what His purpose in the situation is. So often man wants to step in to relieve pressure of a burden that we see, but God maybe wanting to use that burden to teach the person a great lesson. Our human effort denies the person that lesson. So everyday living amidst the needy, the question is what is God wanting me to do in this situation?.

These last few weeks the family returned from Lodge sitting and Lynne really needed a break. So she had the wonderful opportunity of heading off, backpacker style, to the Island of Zanzibar and had a good break away. I was the one this time to keep the home fire burning and the children fed and washed. It was a great time to be able to spend the complete day with the children.

This week we have a Ladies Bible School and we are  privilege again to have Renata come and teach them. She converses in Bemba fluently, which really helps with teaching the Ladies as very very few of them understand English. I will hope fully have a picture for you before the end of the week.

 

 

 

 

17 August 2010

“To understand God is impossible,but to worship Him is imperative. Anon”

For some it is a major hurdle in life to realise that one can never understand God in all His Glory. Why the miracles we see every day, like the birth of a baby, and the disasters that wrack this earth, like the flooding in China? Some of our questions will never have answers to them as the Source of our questions is way beyond the understanding of mortal man. Instead of understanding Him let us just worship Him in all His Glory and Majesty.

What a wonderful time we had this last weekend as 650 of us descended on the Annual Baptist Conference of our district. It was an awesome privilege to be able to preach to folks who come from very far and wide. They were also able to baptize 20 folks, some of whom come from very remote areas. The theme was “Revival” and my prayer is that we all left revived in the Lord.

This next week Lynne will be out travelling with a friend for some well deserved rest. I will be at home keeping the home fires burning, which have been quite literal this last weekend as we had very little power. It will be a wonderful time to catch up with all the things around the house. I have posted some pictures of the this years conference for you to enjoy. God bless!!

10 August 2010

“Knowing about God is fascinating, but knowing God personally is life changing.” Anon

Oh the difference in just knowing about God and really knowing God!!. The first is so intellectual and dry and forms the foundation for so many debates within our society, but the second takes a life that once was doomed to failure and disgrace and transforms it into what God originally intended for man to be. The picture in my mind is God taking one of my girls lifeless dolls and lovingly breathing life into it so that the once lifeless doll becomes alive and vibrant, having personality and emotions, being able to express love. What a contrast!

Last week we were to hold a Bible School but had to postpone it as many of our students were selling their maize to the government. The government buys maize from the rural farming community to store as reserve maize in case of any disasters in the up coming growing season. Good in principle, but takes time. Farmers sometimes have to wait months to get their money. All of our students are farmers and so this time is important. We will meet again in September.

It is also wonderful to be back home in Mbala as a family after Lynne’s temporary management of a Lodge on the Lake. She did such a fantastic job!!!!

This coming weekend I will be out at a local church conference that is held in a central village location. If people ask me to explain what it is like I compare it to a refugee camp with make shift shelters and cooking fires every where. But what a wonderful opportunity of being able to share the Gospel. I have been given 4 sessions to speak. I have posted a picture from a previous year to give you an idea. Please do pray that the Lord gives me wisdom and strength. I will post some pictures next week.