January 2013
Justina MumbaJustina Mumba (right) is a widow aged 79 living in Kalingalinga township near Lusaka, Zambia. She lost all her children and some of her grandchildren to
HIV/AIDS. Three grandchildren remain and they are in her care. The mother of the children died first and their father died in November 2012. She is too old and is usually sick, suffering from Malaria and a cough to provide for herself and the orphans. Her relatives, friends and neighbors have shunned her. She rents a small shack that is cracking and about to fall down. The family is in desperate need of a better house to stay in, and the children need to go to school as well.
Flower Soup for lunch.
But their greatest need is regular provision. One day about lunch time, the children were very hungry. They hadn’t had a meal the night before. Though she was – and is – still sick, she got up and in desperation, cut some flowers from the neighbor’s fence and boiled them for lunch. She did not have Mealie Meal (Corn flour), to make porridge.
John giving the Mumba family enough cornmeal for a month.
ITMI partner, John Jere, has been moved with compassion to help the fatherless and the widows. He and his team are well known for their love for God and people, particularly for the neediest people in society, the fatherless and widows. Someone called John Jere and told him about Justina’s agony. John Jere dropped what he was doing to bring the family food for a month.
John praying for Justina’s healing.
John shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with Justina and her grandchildren, and she and her grand children acknowledged Christ and His Lordship in their lives. John also had the opportunity to pray for Justina’s healing from very high body temperature, and her temperature dropped. She could not go to the clinic because she did not have any money but John gave her some money for her medication as well.
Investing in God’s People
John PreachingJohn recently traveled to Lubumbashi, DRC, where he preached (pictured right) at the official opening of the new church building for the Come and See Church. The Come and See Church is a large church that several of the ITMI partners have invested in. John preached God’s Word to a large crowd. This church continues to persevere, plant churches and multiply under the challenges presented by the political unrest in DRC.
John spoke with Bishop Fiston Mbayo Titungwa of the Come and See church plants in Kisangane and Goma, whose church was bombed by rebels. According to Titungwa, the rebels are attacking because they want Gold and Diamonds that are in the area. Eight of the members were inside the building, but thankfully no one was hurt. He was also attacked at his home and knocked out for three days. Although he was afraid, he decided he would not leave the area but would stay and preach the gospel, even if it meant dying. Many people have been killed by rebels, leaving many orphans and widows.
News in Brief
Church plants: We have planted three Every Nation Churches one in Zambia compound, Kafue, and another church in Kuomboka compound and the Every Nation Church, Linda. Linda church is connected to a Community school for orphans who have never been in school. Its at the roof level. We need prayers to God so that we finish the construction and build a pastor’s house at the mission station.
Samaritan children (10) who were in grade nine pupils qualified to go to grade 10. Abraham Lengwe, our Samaritan son, needs grade twelve school and examination fee. Jackson Kasuba (Samaritan son) happily graduated from grade twelve and is waiting for his results. One day, he came and asked for prayers so that he can find some thing to do. He is one of the most dependable son God has given to us.
Post cards: Samaritan children are busy making post cards for the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) which Zambia and Zimbabwe will host in August 2013. God willing, we may send two or three Samaritan children to go and sell the post cards and T-Shirts. The money raised will go to Samaritan school fees for all our children.
Crocodile attack: On the 17th February, 2013, a crocodile mulled a man in Kakulunda, Lukulu West, Zambia, who went to fetch water for his family. Villagers have been since searching for his body or skull but in vain. We pray God provides the resources to drill more boreholes in Lukulu West this year.
In August 2012, with the help of ITMI partners, John was able to arrange for the drilling of borehole wells in several locations in Lukulu West in an effort to prevent such crocodile attacks and provide clean drinking water for the locals.
Before the drilling, the town drank dirty, bathed in water and were at risk for many diseases. After the wells were drilled, they have safe, clean water to drink.
Read the whole story, Beautiful Feet, here.
On the Horizon
June –July 2013—USA MISSION TRIP. Every Nation Church has invited us to attend “Every Nation World Conference” in Florida, USA 7TH—9TH July 2013. God willing, Joyce, Peter & John Jere, Pastor James Gondwe and his wife may accompany us to the conference. Before the conference, we will be available to share what God is doing in Lukulu West, and on behalf of African orphans.
August 2013—LUKULU MISSION TRIP-God willing, we will go to Lukulu, preach the gospel, disciple the people. We are trusting God to drill more boreholes and provide clean and safe water for the people
