December, 2023
Report
Introduction
Once again it is that time we send warm greetings to you all brothers and sisters in the name of our Lord and master Jesus Christ!! We need to work for the night is coming; December 2023 has been another great month of our labor in the Lord. As we labor we always remember Matthew 25: 26-31 which describes the fate of the one talent man who was severely castigated and punished for his idle philosophy of life. May this report find you in good health and happy holidays! We hope this season fills you up with things that mean most you and energize you for a happy and healthy 2024!
The school is on recess and we are resuming classes soon but, as teachers we have continued to interact with all our students from their respective congregations. And we are very delighted to report the following vital signs of upward mobility as far as our work is concerned and we always give honor and glory to God through our master and savior Jesus Christ who has given us the opportunity to work in His Kingdom.
Hospice compliment
We had an opportunity to attend a funeral gathering in Chibwe of Baluba here on the Copperbelt where we had to work with two of our former students, Austin and Joseph Musonda to gather with members of the Church there in attendance as we were singing the leading men and some ladies were interrupted with both a compliment and a question “your singing is so beautiful! Why do churches use musical instruments when it is so beautiful without them? This prompted a sermon of which Joseph delivered and as a result we recorded three baptisms.
The current student body at work
Rodrick Sambati, Tryvine Siamachila and Mainza Siakuba worked together in uniting the youths in two districts of Southern province and their work has yielded good results. We have received a good recommendation from the leadership in two congregations about their work and the Institute in Luanshya.
Boyd Kalaba and Gershom Chansa are working together in Kitwe district on the Copperbelt province, they are doing mobile leadership training with the youths their work has stated bearing fruits. Truly their motivation for the work is highly appreciated. Chansa is going to be trained as secondary school teacher in the next four years for a degree in education and he will be constantly coming to combine with Boyd for the work. The two brothers did a wonderful work on New Year’s Day. And three souls were restored back to the sheepfold, one of the deacons present during their preaching mentioned that many have been added to the Lord’s Church during this recess.
Ruben Museka working with Levy Silungwe reports that the congregation they are working with has really doubled on evangelism. The two brothers are both married and taking care of their families through farming, but they are often finding time to do God’s work together since they are in the same congregation and other Christians we spoke to in the same district recommended their work. They two brothers are working in their home Village in Northern Province; we recorded two restorations and one addition to the body of Christ.
Reports from our Alumni:
We met with Joseph Ilunga now working at Sakanya border of Democratic Republic Of Congo and Zambia. Joseph is doing a recommended work with the Church there. The congregation there is at peace an like when we go far Eastern of Congo where there is violence.
New babes in Christ
We have recorded eight (8) Baptisms in the southern part of Zambia, and three (3) in the Northern, one (1) in Luapula, three (3) in Lusaka and four (4) on the Copperbelt all for the month of December. Together we have recorded nineteen (19) baptisms. We wish to welcome all new born babes into the family of Christ, and pray for God’s continued blessings on their lives.
Restorations
We recorded nineteen (19) on a Copperbelt province, thirteen (13) in southern provinces, two in Lusaka province, and five (5) in northern part of Zambia. Together we have had thirty-nine restorations.
Eastern D.R .Congo displacement
We have received very disturbing news affecting our brothers and sisters in Christ. Those who have witnessed daily the harsh living conditions endured by those affected by the violence and displaced individuals lacking essentials like sufficient food, safe drinking water and basic sanitation. Among them we have those who were recently converted to Christianity; this leaves them highly susceptible to illnesses, including cholera and measles.
This crisis call for our prayers and help whenever possible, please let us continue to unite for the sake of souls that are suffering there. The good news is that those in Lualaba province in the district of Mutshatsha are still very fine.
Marriage vows
We witnessed a glorious moment of Vincent and Beverly exchanging vows in marriage on 30thDecember 2023. It was really a very momentous time to both Vincent and Beverley. Representatives of Church of Christ in the Copperbelt Province and beyond came to witness this wedding.
The now Mr. and Mrs. Simwanza has left for Livingstone where they will be staying and preaching. Vincent is a strong warrior in the kingdom of God since his graduation in 2020. We wish him all the blessings from above as he begins his new journey in marriage. Please remember him in your daily prayers!
Conclusion
Indeed we can make life meaningful to the last day here on earth and we can promote our Lord’s cause till the last moment of our lives. Let’s keep on laboring for the Lord. You are always in our prayers!
In His service,
Cephas and Fred