"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." -- 1 Timothy 4:12
There are fifteen pastors currently enrolled in the Action Bible Institute, and all but one of them are married. In the U.S. this might not be a big deal for the lone unmarried man, but in Zambian culture singleness and marriage carry very significant social connotations. The married man eats before the unmarried man at meals, is addressed more respectfully in public, and so forth. In this sense Zambia is far closer to Biblical culture than modern American culture: much the same way Paul encuraged Timothy not to let anyone look down on him because of his youth, young Zambian men likewise need to be encouraged that their faith speaks for them ahead of their culture.
James Chiwuswa has attended the Anglican church since childhood, and as a youth was very zealous for his faith, even being given his own congregation at age 21. But he soon found himself surrounded with bad company, and so he gradually left the church as a drunkard in his early 20's. After trying for many years -- unsuccessfully -- to obtain training as a mechanic, James found himself in a miserable condition, drunk and impoverished. But God was gracious, and led him to move back home with his mother to live in Makeni Ecumenical Center, a small neighborhood center to the South of downtown Lusaka. This decision led him to a renewed faith in Christ, and to this day he lives with family in Makeni Ecumenical Center, having been given another congregation in nearby Kalikiliki Compound. James has not touched a drink since moving to Makeni, and he hopes to join the ranks of the married very soon to a beautiful, godly woman who he himself led to Christ with the rest of her family.
Please be praying for James as he prepares for marriage. Also pray that he would have the ability to minister both to his flock and to his young family once he is married: the Anglican Church where James is a priest is able to provide only very little financially, yet God has proved himself faithful to provide for James thus far. Many thanks also to you as you provide support for James as he takes time out of his week to learn more about God's Word which could be used for supplemental income or for further ministry to his people.
If you were to ask the average Zambian today whether status and prestige are important, the answer would be a certain yes. Knowledge is power in a country where education is scarce; many pastors lord their position and their knowledge over younger men in order to retain their respected position. Even those who train up young men often fall into the trap of doing so harshly or with a critical spirit. Alfred, though a young man himself, has many reasons to boast he has been blessed with a wonderful family (he and his wife Gertrude have four children), and was only just recently admitted to the deaconate in the Anglican church after having completed his Anglican education. Yet Alfred Mulenga is a man with a gentle smile and a humble spirit, who is willing to serve others with gladness even when, by Zambian standards, he ought to be asserting his position.
Pastor Mulenga was raised in the church from a young age in the town of Kafue, which is about 15 miles south of Lusaka. Shortly after being married, a group of thieves broke into his home and began to steal things from him, but were caught by a mob as they fled. One of the thieves was severely beaten -- and eventually died -- despite Alfred's efforts to break up the violence against the very people who were stealing from him. After the incident, the rest of the thieves delivered death threats against Alfred and his family, so that they were forced to flee to Lusaka for fear of their own safety. Alfred soon found work at Makeni Ecumenical Center, where he has since finished his education and received a congregation in nearby Linda compound, where he is now serving as a priest.
Please be praying for Alfred as he continues to take classes from Action Bible Institute three times each week, having recently moved his family to Linda in order to live where he is actively involved in ministry. Also please be praying for God's continued provision for he and his family. The Anglican church is able to provide only very small means for its priests, so the support that you provide as Alfred takes classes from ABI has been, and will continue to be, a tremendous blessing. Please also be rejoicing with Alfred and his family, since being ordained to the deaconate is a tremendous honor. Hundreds of people came to the ceremony last month to shower the new deacons with gifts and to celebrate with them!
Here is a video of Alfred introducing himself... if you are receiving this post via email you may need to click here to see it. God bless!
"...and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him." James 5:15
John Chitambo and his wife, Victoria, have four children: Ruth, 24, Joshua, 22, Ethan, 19, and Emmanuel, who just turned 18 last week. Formerly a math and science teacher, John now works part time for Action Zambia as an HIV/AIDS consultant in the C.R.O.S.S. program (Churches Ready to Overcome the Silence and Stigma of AIDS). John helps to strengthen local churches as they implement counseling programs for those who have HIV, or who want to reach out to the many Zambians who are suffering from this horrible disease.
John has a heart for the sick and the downtrodden largely because his life has been marked by God's faithfulness in the face of illness. In the past few years God has truly tested John and his family pertaining to medicine, in that his son Joshua was recently diagnosed with two shrunken kidneys. His doctors are not sure what is causing this condition, which has caused Joshua to have to go get dialysis for many hours each week, but they maintain that others with his condition have been known to heal with time. The faith of John, of Joshua, and of the rest of the family has been tested greatly in the past year, but God has provided for them even in the midst of this difficulty. Pray that He continue to do so!
John became a Christian in 1980 at the age of 17. After finishing high school, he spent a year in the Zambian National Guard before attending college for two years to become a teacher. For the next 16 years, John worked as a science and mathematics teacher before joining the Action Zambia team. He currently lives in Libala compound, which is a poor suburb on the outskirts of Lusaka. John has been a pastor since 1997, and he is now copastoring a church in his neighborhood.
Thank you for everything you do to suppport John and his family as he sacrifices his time and his resources to take ABI classes three times per week. John truly has a heart for God's people, and the training that he receives is helping him to weekly grow and excel as a humble shepard. Please be praying for the health of his son Joshua as he continues to battle kidney disease, and for the rest of their family as they pray for God's healing.
Above is a video of John introducing himself and his family. If you are receiving this update via email, you may need to click here to see the video. Thanks and God bless!
