Time Apart

One only realises how much you need someone when you are forced to spend time apart. This month has been crazy busy with lots of comings and goings here at the SIM base. Michael and I have spent quite a bit of time in different places of the country at different times, due to various training and ministry opportunities. It is very difficult to be apart but on the bright side, it makes the reunion so much sweeter.

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Romans 8:18

Off to Kitwe...

In the first week of April, I was home alone when Michael travelled up to Kitwe for another SimeonTrust workshop. He was accompanied by the two church apprentices: Mr Paul Ngoma and Mr Felix Mulenga. They had a lovely time of learning and fellowship. Michael will tell you all about that in his own words on the blog he wrote: Preaching Parables with Precision

Women's Fellowship

We also had such an exciting time of fellowship with the women of Christ Church Lusaka this past month. They had expressed a need for a women’s fellowship so we started it off with a special women’s afternoon tea. It was held at our house and almost all the women in the church attended and we had a lovely time. The women shared with one another what the Lord has been saying to them lately and were greatly encouraged by one another.

It was touching to see the women open up to one another and lower their walls as they shared their struggles. The men were so jealous hearing about our wonderful fellowship that they are now copying us and planning their own men’s fellowship in May.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:24-25

Spiritual Life Conference

Just a week later we were at Ibis Gardens just outside Lusaka, attending our annual Spiritual Life Conference (SLC). I’m not sure whether it should be classified as a conference, a workshop, or a retreat. I would like to call it a retreat because all the SIM missionaries in Zambia gather together to sit under God’s Word, connect with other missionaries in the country team, and hopefully get some rest. This was the second SLC that Michael and I attended so we no longer felt like strangers. We were now more involved in the fellowship and serving one another as part of the team.

At SLC, Michael and I also had some responsibilities. We were part of the worship team and were responsible for organizing a bonfire night. The bonfire night entailed getting volunteers to do some sort of performance like a song, game or skit to entertain the rest of the team around the fire. We had some good laughs and lots of fun. All in all everything went off without trouble and we really enjoyed our time together with the other missionaries.

A Taste of Home

Our guest speaker for this conference was Rev. Siegfried Ngubane, the new presiding bishop of our denomination (REACH-SA) and former regional director of SIM. He encouraged us in our walk with God as he expounded on Psalm 119. It was very special for Michael and I to have him here because he is a member of our home church and it made us feel like we had a piece of home here with us.

Entrust Training

Now in this last week of April it was my turn to leave Michael all alone at home for a week while I participated in another Entrust training. But this time, I was participating as as an intern and not a participant. The course took place here in Lusaka but I was staying away from home at a nearby lodge with the other facilitators. I am so grateful that I chose to stay at the lodge because most nights we only got to bed around midnight.

It was an eye-opening experience. I had never imagined the detail and planning that went into a course like this. I learnt from the facilitators what it means to plan every detail but still be flexible to make changes on the fly. This was another great personal and ministry development opportunity for me.

 

Adoption Update

I’m sure you are also eagerly waiting for an update on our adoption process. We are now in the waiting stage and practising patience as we wait to be matched with a baby. Our application has been completed and submitted to the District Social Welfare and they have completed our home study. There is a preparation for adoption “training program” happening in June which we are required to attend before any adoption can be finalised but we are excited to see what God has in store for us.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11

Thank You!

We are so grateful to you for your continued prayer and support. We know that we couldn’t do any of this without you. May God continue to bless you as you serve him through your support. Please know that you are regularly in our prayers and always in our hearts.

Praise God For:

  • The successful completion of another Entrust training and development.
  • The enriching Simeon Trust workshop and time of fellowship and connection it provided.
  • The refreshing visit from Rev. Siegfried Ngubane.
  • The women’s fellowship that has started.

Pray For:

  • Our upcoming vision-trip to Mongu some time this month.
  • Men and Women’s fellowship meetings that are happening this month.
  • The growth of the children’s ministry.
  • That God would bring people to church that have gifts of music and children’s ministry to assist in carrying the loads.
  • That God would increase our support to cover our required budget.

More pictures...

We are missionaries serving with SIM-Zambia. We rely totally on donor support to keep us in the mission field.

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