Despite Weakness

Man…God is good. He truly is strong when we are weak (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Today was my lowest day yet. I felt lonely. I felt weak. I felt bitterness. I continued thinking of home, family, and friends. I felt discouraged. BUT…God said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 

Thank you Lord for my teammate David. Our program today got cancelled, so David came over around 1:30 so we could look for some ministry opportunities. Before he came and before we left, I prayed that God would glorify himself in whatever we did. I prayed that He would make himself known despite my weakness. We walked to a soccer field in town with the hope of starting a pick-up game and sharing the gospel with the group afterward. God had another plan. 

There were a few young teenagers sitting on the sideline at the field. They told us a game would be starting soon and they were preparing. I could not move the conversation further. I froze, not knowing what to say. After a few minutes of silence, David gathered them and gave Biblical advice on how to be a Christian on the soccer field. Praises! I became unfrozen and shared the gospel using a soccer analogy. When we finished, one of the teenagers asked us to speak to his coach. We did not know where this would lead but we agreed. 

We soon realized his coach was also the coach of a professional men’s soccer team which had begun gathering at the field (they are playing against a team from Columbia on Sunday…woah). Before they started practice, the coach allowed me to share the gospel with the entire team! 30 or so men! Fantastic! We then shared the gospel and/or a word of encouragement with a child watching a soccer game, a soldier on break from duty, a group of school youth (where I got to hold guinea pig!), and a young man walking home. In almost every instance, I would have kept walking. However, David would not allow it. He said, “Let’s go talk to them… How about them?… We should go to them.” He wanted me to do most of the talking, but he initiated the conversations and that was all the push I needed. I was even able to encourage David with Isaiah 55:10-11 and the story of Jim Elliott. God used me despite my weakness. 

Now, as I sit here in my room alone, there is no bitterness, loneliness, or discouragement. I feel renewed. Few people in Zambia will admit they are not yet saved, even though we show them the falsehood of their salvation beliefs, but we are encouraged by Isaiah 55:10-11. When God’s Word is spoken, it ALWAYS fulfills the purpose for which it is sent. 

-Tim
Zambia Sports

Speak the Word of God

I met a young man some weeks ago at a pick-up futbol game we initiated. His name is Curtis. His interest in studying and being taught the Bible is growing. We have shared the truth of how to be saved multiple times and are still learning about his Zambian Roman Catholic beliefs (different than those of other countries). 

We allowed him to join us evangelizing, so he was able to hear how we shared the good news and how to know if someone truly is a Christian. Even yesterday, he came to my discipleship Bible study despite him living a great distance away. To top it off, he has invited me to come "speak the Word of God" to the youth of his Roman Catholic Church next week. Praises! 

I asked to attend his church today and he agreed. I wanted to gain a better understanding of what the youth are being taught and exposed to in the church. Unfortunately, he brought me to the Kikaonde service, which begins just after the English service. Nevertheless, he and my trusted neighbor Bakatongo (friend of the missionary) helped me understand what was happening and some of what was said. Curtis gave me summarized sections of the message and Bakatongo critiqued many things according to the Bible. It worked quite well. We, the two visitors, were the only two with Bibles. For this reason, I know exactly what I will teach over next week. The same lesson I have taught at all four schools. Study the Bible for yourself to protect against false teachings...using Matthew 4:1-11. 

Please pray for Curtis and the youth of his church. 
Pray that they would strive to understand the teachings and commands of the Bible and that they would not be won over by the fancy attire and attractive words of a false teacher.

-Tim
Zambia Sports

Keep Perservering

One week is truly never the same as the next. Some things cancelled, some things added. Nevertheless, God's plan remains the same...and it is always good. What is our job when something goes south? Do we complain? "By no means!" haha Paul quote. We look for a new angle. If our program is cancelled, we now have free time to evangelize. If we get hurt, we grow closer to the Lord in prayer. If we get homesick, we ask the Lord to give us His love, His joy, His peace that goes beyond all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7). 

We have hope. It is not a hope as slippery as ice. It is a hope as firm as a mountain. "...and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." -Romans 5:2b-5

-Tim
Zambia Sports

Comfort in Thoughts of Home

We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith...1 Thessalonians 3:2

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints. Philemon 7

Team of the Day: Zambia Sports

Country of the Day: Zambia

Team members may be struggling with homesickness and desires for the comforts of home. Please pray they would be encouraged and refreshed to persevere as they begin the second half of their ministry time.

A Friend to Share With

Yesterday a new friend came by with questions and Tim had the opportunity to share the gospel and provide biblical answers.

-Zambia Sports

Zambia Sports update

Yesterday Tim and I went to a district football (soccer) meet for Solwezi where he had a nice talk with Emanuel. Earlier that morning he shared his testimony with the chief of our area and prayed for the chief. Today he taught bout 25 students from Matthew 4. Thanks for praying and keep it up!

-Zambia Sports supervisor