July 2021 Report
Introduction
Warm greetings to you all brothers and sisters!! We give honor and glory to God who has given us this rare occasion to work in His Kingdom. As we have indicated and said in the past that courageous Christians are not slowed down by the threat of the pandemic. We wake up daily with the sense of doing God’s work!
Health situation in the country!
We saw the third wave of the Corona pandemic reigning havoc in Zambia. The new cases and the number of deaths during the wave have risen sharply. The country has recorded disturbing high numbers of new cases of Covid 19. But we thank God that we are slowly getting out of the “third wave” as we see the drop in the new cases and deaths of Covid 19.
This development has prompted the Zambia government to direct all school for examinations classes to reopen. School for examination classes will reopen on August 5th, 2021, after being closed due to a spike in cases during the third wave.
The national and provincial conferences for men, women and youths of churches of Christ in Zambia were put off indefinitely because of the pandemic. These conferences were supposed to take place in July and August 2021 respectively. Brother Cephas Mwamba was slated to be one of the keynote speakers during the provincial gospel conferences that were scheduled for August, 2021. We continue to pray that this meeting takes place as planned as we all monitor and assess the situation. However, our students did evangelism in Luanshya district and part of Chingola and we had good results, twenty one souls were restored back to the Church and three baptisms were recorded. They had set Bible studies and members of the community often came to study at the Institute premises.
News from the students!
All the students were sent back to their respective homes after we saw the spread continued among the students, the students who contracted Covid 19 remained at school and were sent home after they recovered. And reports are that they are all doing well as far as their health is concerned. And that they are all looking forward and are very much eager to resuming classes after our general elections. Zambia goes to the polls next on August 12th 2021. We continue asking for your prayers that these elections go on peacefully
Each student has made tremendous progress in their studies here at BVBI-Zambia. We are hopeful that in their individual capacity are making a meaningful contribution to the Kingdom of God at the local congregations. Our students have continued in their preaching and we have continued to receive good news from all of them that they are doing well as far as evangelism is concerned. Nicholus Mulubwa of Samfya district in Luapula province has been preaching and managed to win four souls to Christ. We have also receive a good recommendation from Church leaders there
Daniel Kapata reports from Zimba, Southern Province of Zimba that seven people were baptized and other eight were restored back to the Lord. This was during the District Gospel meeting held in Zimba district, Southern Province. Daniel also had time to preach to prisoners in a correction facility and 130 prisoners gave their lives to Christ
Gershom Chansa is in Luwingu District, Northern Province. He reports that out of the seven he has been studying with four have so far obeyed and were baptized by him in the Lord. He also reports that three people were restored back to the Lord. We give God the Glory!
Winston Changala in Mpaka Village of Northern province has continued to evangelize in that area and since there is no Church of Christ there, we are doing the best we can and hope to establish a new congregation there soon. Winston is currently studying with eleven people.
Our alumni are also doing fine, we have received good reports from Boniface Sianjina who is currently worshipping with the Church in Kitwe District and doing evangelism in Kanfisa police mobile unity. He has so far restored back to the sheepfold three police officers.
Joseph Musonda of Mansa District in Luapula ministering at central Church has reported four baptisms and one restoration.
Conclusion
Indeed according to our Master Jesus Christ, there is no sign to the end of the world just as the thief does not give a sign to come and steal in a house; we have to keep working for Him.
Thank you kindly to all who have helped in any way to prepare these men for the deep and meaningful task of preaching the Gospel. Special thanks go to Woodland Oaks Church of Christ for their continued financial support, Bear Valley Bible Institute family, Keith Kasarjian Director of International studies, Donnie our Country Coordinator, all our instructors and indeed everyone involved in this noble work. May our God continue to bless you all.
Thank you all once again!
Brotherly,
Cephas and Fred