Introduction
We greet you once again from Luanshya, Zambia! Our prayers are that you and the rest of God’s family there are doing well both in your health and work. We are grateful to God for giving us this opportunity to report to you about the work at BVBI-Zambia.
We also are truly thankful to God for giving us the rare privilege of working and laboring in His Vineyard!
Continuation of the profiles of the new students
Richard Chikago
Was born on 15th October 2000 he comes to us from Lusaka, District of Lusaka Province of Zambia. His parents were divorced when he was just five years old and his sister Anna was two. He did his primary school at Chunga primary school and went on to complete high school at Nelson Mandela Secondary School in 2020.
In 2021 he worked as a salesman for a hardware store and later worked at Eugen Filling station until August of the same year. In January 2022 he came to Luanshya Copperbelt province to do a course in Registered Nursing. He did not complete this course due to lack of financial support. It was during this period while studying that he met with our students who were doing evangelism and got baptized. He was encouraged to apply at BVBI-Zambia for studies. Richard is one of the youngest students of BVBI-Zambia and his interest to study is just great. After completion he wants to preach to all, as he put it, “who have been through a lot just like my journey.” We believe he is going to be effective in preaching the word of God.
Rodrick Sambati
Born in 1999 in the village of chief Siachitema of Kalomo District in Southern Province. His mother is a member of the Church of Christ but not his father. Rodrick was born in the family of four (4) two boys and two girls. Him being the first born has been raised as a shepherd because of His father’s farming skills.
He completed High school at Mubanga Secondary School on 10th November 2021. During his school days he had to support himself because His father had given him seven sheep and cattle to raise and keep for himself. Unfortunately these animals were sold by his father due to his drinking habits.
Rodrick was met by one of our former students Clive Kabika who recommended him to our school. At the time of his coming to our Institute, he was also accepted to do an engineering course in Livingstone but he chose to study the Bible first. His interest is to get back and preach at his home congregation in Ziziba. Rodrick has made steady progress while studying at BVBI-Zambia.
Ishmael Kanyangala
Was born on 28th November 1992 in the family of six, three boys and three girls; unfortunately all the girls are deceased. His father is a member of the church of Christ but his mother is not. He is coming to us from Mporokoso district in Northern Province of Zambia.
Ishmael did his primary education at Mporokoso primary school and later completed at Munyele primary School in the same district. He stopped school for sometime but later in 2014 went back to complete together with his young brother Mike (our former student) at Mporokoso Secondary school in 2017. Ishmael has worked in a security company for two year and decided to stop in order to be trained as a preacher. He has been recommended to us by his father who also happens to be an elder in the Lord’s Church. After completion he wants to work with youths in the church in spreading the gospel beginning at his home congregation in Mporokoso
BVBI alumni
Joseph Musonda
Having spent some time in Mansa, Luapula Province of Zambia, Joseph Musonda is now back at Chibwe Church of Christ. He is engaged in personal evangelism and, combining his efforts with the rest of the members in door knockings and Bible studies for older members. And these efforts are yielding the desired results for the growth of the Chibwe congregation. Since his return he has restored four souls to the sheepfold. To God be the glory!
Simon Nkhazi
While doing his studies with the ministry of health, Simon is actively teaching at a local congregation in Mtendere of Lusaka and we have received a great recommendation from the leadership at that local congregation. He is involved in teaching new members about the New Testament church and providing guidance to the youths.
We continue to work and pray for our former students on a regular basis.
Reuben Museka
Reuben is a resident of the district of Mpulungu of Northern Province of Zambia; Mpulungu is on the banks of Lake Tanganyika which borders the three countries namely Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. The place is practically a business area. He has made tremendous progress in his spiritual life. He is preaching in the area dominated by “Pentecostalism” but this movement has not slowed him down from sharing the true gospel to the community.
Reuben is still meeting in a classroom with the church, they used to be nine (9) of them when they meet on the first day of the week, but now the number has increased to between fifteen (15) and eighteen (18). It is a new congregation at her infancy stage with a great potential for growth. As we all experience the wonderful effects when we pray for one another let us keep him in our prayers.
Condolences
BVBI-Zambia offers condolences to Richard Chicago one of our current students from Lusaka province on the passing of his father on 30th April 2023. We offer our love and sympathy to him and his family, and pray that God will be of great comfort to him and the rest of the family.
National Youth Conference (2023)
The gathering of the youths of the church here in Zambia is always a great success. Eight out of ten Provinces were represented with a total attendance of 2,535. This was a representation of 106 congregations in Zambia. Our former students participated actively in the spreading of the gospel and strengthening members of the church. A three day meeting ended on a very encouraging note on youth’s active participation in the running of the church. The next conference will be held in Solwezi, Northwestern Province of Zambia in 2024.
Baptisms/Restorations
We have recorded seventy-eight (78) baptisms altogether in the month of April and we have also recorded forty-four (44) restorations and twenty-two (22) souls came for prayers and other physical needs
Conclusion
Jesus said that when we show loving concern for others, we do it to Him. We certainly do it for Him. We are eternally grateful for the partnership that we have with you all in the Lord and the financial support that we have continued to receive from Woodland Oaks Church of Christ.
May God continue blessing you in all your endeavors!
In His service,
Cephas and Fred