This article was originally published in the October 2011 edition of ITMI Monthly.
John Jere shares about God's work in Zambia with believers in the US.
Earlier this year, ITMI's John Jere had many opportunities to encourage believers with news of God’s work in Zambia and to be encouraged by many of you here in the States.
One facet of his ministry in Zambia is to an area called Lukulu. This area of Zambia is incredibly poor and neglected. It is divided in two by the Zambizi River. The West side is almost completely isolated from the rest of the world by the river.
Many of those from Lukulu West are insufficiently clothed, both for decency and protection from the elements. The women must also spend much of their time walking to draw water for their families from the Zambizi River which is also bathed in and crocodile infested.
Bathing in the Zambezi River in Lukulu, Zambia.
A girl in Lukulu, Zambia carries a heavy bucket of drinking water on her head from the dirty Zambezi River.
We shared one story of a woman who was mauled by a crocodile while bathing in our June newsletter. These are just a couple of their hardships.
John returned from the US with many gifts and much support for his ministries, including dresses from a US ministry called Dress a Girl Around the World and funds that were given by an ITMI supporter to dig a well providing Lukulu with access to clean water.
A happy village observes as the drillers work on the borehole that will allow them to access clean, safe water.
John Jere pumps clean water from the newly drilled borehole in a village in Lukulu, Zambia.
Girls in a village in Lukulu are clothed in new dresses.
John recently returned from his trip to Lukulu, which was interrupted by a severe case of malaria.
The Lukulu West tribe had never heard the gospel prior to John’s first visit. Their native religion is witchcraft and ancestral worship, however, they received the gospel John preached to them with gladness.
Village men listening to John Jere preach the gospel.
John was able to leave a young man there to disciple them. This young man has been trained through the church planted by John at Lukulu East. There is a great need to train some Lukulu West natives to serve among the people since they know the culture and language better than anyone else.
We pray that John, with our help, is able to disciple the Lukulu to declare and demonstrate the gospel.
Summer Kelley is a writer who lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and three kids. She has had the privilege of telling ITMI's stories since 2006. She loves to write uplifting stories of God's work overseas, read and learn about the world around her and enjoy her family.
Steve Evers has advocated for and served the ITMI partners as ITMI Director since 2001. Approximately once a year, Steve visits with ITMI partners in their countries and brings stories back to encourage supporters. Steve enjoys photography and mechanics, (both hobbies that have greatly benefited ITMI partners!) Prior to becoming ITMI's Director, Steve served on the Board of Directors for 12 years. Steve lives in Arizona with his wife, Darlene.
