Awesome Aussies and Fireproofing Marriages
Wow! We have had so much going on since our last update it is hard to know where to begin, so we will just jump right in. In early January we received a team of 10 young professionals from Australia who spent a week doing ministry at the Mongu Youth Center. Every afternoon and evening they led sessions on a variety of topics such as dating and relationships, Excel, film and theology, photography, and team building games. They were such a blessing to us and generated much excitement at the youth center. We heard many of the youth who had attended every day say that after the team left, they felt a void in their lives. The impact they had and the momentum they generated will continue to be felt for months to come as we continue to build into the lives of the young people here.
This past weekend we hosted a marriage enrichment seminar at the Mongu Youth Center led by our dear friend and local Pastor Lubinda Sikufele. Friday night we viewed the movie Fireproof followed by a time of discussion, and then all day Saturday participants were taught biblical principles on having a godly and fireproofed marriage. Afterwards we heard testimonies of how God had spoken to hearts and changed lives through the film and seminar. One lady reported that after the seminar, her husband cooked nshima for her for the first time in their marriage.
In addition to the youth center activities, we have been invited to be a part of a local youth ministry called New Vine Ministry. We were given their calendar of events and told we were invited to all of them and would always be given the opportunity to speak if we want. This will give us the opportunity to speak to hundreds of young people every month and provide a good connection between Mongu Youth Center and New Vine Ministries as we work together to transform lives by empowering young people to be all that God has created them to be and to live for Him.
Our Bible study group continues to meet every Monday evening and we have begun another bible study in our home on Thursday evenings. Four attendees of the Thursday evening group are students at the Bible College. As Paul was taking them home after our first meeting, they were almost giddy with excitement about the things we had learned and discussed in the group and continued the discussion all the way to their homes at the school.
In addition to all this, we have spoken at a Sunday School workshop for teachers, a Family Matters training graduation, preached at a couple of churches, worked on getting our driver’s license, spent a few days with the Australia team in Livingstone and visited Victoria Falls, played with kids, visited our friend who sells ice cream a few times, and had friends over for movies, games and dinners. Whew! God is so good and we stand amazed at all the opportunities He is giving us to serve Him here.
This past weekend we hosted a marriage enrichment seminar at the Mongu Youth Center led by our dear friend and local Pastor Lubinda Sikufele. Friday night we viewed the movie Fireproof followed by a time of discussion, and then all day Saturday participants were taught biblical principles on having a godly and fireproofed marriage. Afterwards we heard testimonies of how God had spoken to hearts and changed lives through the film and seminar. One lady reported that after the seminar, her husband cooked nshima for her for the first time in their marriage.
In addition to the youth center activities, we have been invited to be a part of a local youth ministry called New Vine Ministry. We were given their calendar of events and told we were invited to all of them and would always be given the opportunity to speak if we want. This will give us the opportunity to speak to hundreds of young people every month and provide a good connection between Mongu Youth Center and New Vine Ministries as we work together to transform lives by empowering young people to be all that God has created them to be and to live for Him.
Our Bible study group continues to meet every Monday evening and we have begun another bible study in our home on Thursday evenings. Four attendees of the Thursday evening group are students at the Bible College. As Paul was taking them home after our first meeting, they were almost giddy with excitement about the things we had learned and discussed in the group and continued the discussion all the way to their homes at the school.
In addition to all this, we have spoken at a Sunday School workshop for teachers, a Family Matters training graduation, preached at a couple of churches, worked on getting our driver’s license, spent a few days with the Australia team in Livingstone and visited Victoria Falls, played with kids, visited our friend who sells ice cream a few times, and had friends over for movies, games and dinners. Whew! God is so good and we stand amazed at all the opportunities He is giving us to serve Him here.
You Have Made It All Possible
It is hard to believe that we have been in Zambia for five months. In some ways it seems like we just got off the plane and in others it feels like we have been here much longer. We have had so many opportunities to share the love of God with the people of Zambia and have touched many lives, but none of this would be possible without the prayer and financial support of so many of you. We receive a lot of likes and comments on our Facebook page from pictures we post of our lives in Mongu. As we try to tell the story of what God is doing here we want you to know that you are part of that story. When you see pictures of Velda holding and loving a young child, those are your arms and your love holding that child as well. When Paul stands to preach or share the Word of God, he stands with all of you and in the power of your prayers. Please know that you are making an eternal difference in the lives of many people as we serve together. Thank you for all the love and support and may God continue to richly bless you.
Please contact us at paul.rikel@sim.org for information on how you partner with us.
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