Meet Pastor Sakala

"Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability." 1 Corinthians 8:2-3

Patson Sakala and his wife Patricia have five children (Isaac, Patson Jr, Joyce, Gabriel, and Sherri), and currently live in a small two-room house in the heart of Ngombe (pronounced "nome-bay") Compound. In the past few years, however, the property on which they live has seen the expansion of a huge add-on. The five additional rooms on the side of their home serve not as extra living space, however, or for any business interests, but rather as a school for those who otherwise would not have access to education. A builder by trade, Patson has constructed this school with his own hands, often in the evenings after having worked a full day elsewhere to support his family. He truly gives beyond his ability for the furthering of the gospel in his neighborhood.

Patson is the son of a polygamist tribal leader from Mozambique. His mother, a Zambian, was his father's first wife, and so Patson spent much of his early childhood outside of Zambia until the Mozambican Civil War caused he and his mother to return to Zambia in 1989. A refugee, Patson had only a 4th grade education when he came to Lusaka, so he started looking for work as a builder. It was during this time that he met a local businessman and pastor who led him to Christ, and who helped to mentor him in the Lord as a father figure. Patson served in this man's church for several years, planting churches with him while working for his business, until deciding that he should continue to pursue his education. So at the age of 23 Patson began to study every evening until he was able to read and write in English, his primary motivation to be able to dive into God's word more deeply.

This period in his life gave Patson a passion for education that he has never lost. Today he is running a school built by his own hands, and is faithfully leading his family in the Lord as he attends ABI classes three times each week. Only a handful of his students are able to pay even a mere $3 per month for their education, so the teachers in his school work almost entirely for free. Patson works in constuction during the day in order to support his family, and in order to keep up basic maintenance at his school.

Please be praying for Patson and his family as they continue to support both a school and a church out of their own home. Please also be praying that they be able to fight through the many discouragements that they face daily, and that they would continue to trust in the Lord for the daily provision of their many needs. Thank you so much for all that you are doing for Patson and his family as he continues to take classes from ABI on top of a busy schedule with many other responsibilities!

Here is a brief video of Patson introducing himself; if you are reading this post via email you may need to click here to see the video. God Bless!