Last for a While

We are, with mixed emotions, headed to States. Though we will miss our people here, we will be delighted to see those that we left behind to come this side.

One last salvo across the bow of Satan's hell bound 'ship' before we depart. Last weekend we went to a bush village that is given to darkness, witchcraft and the blinding deceit of that old Serpent.

Bondage of souls of men is the art of the great red Dragon. His kingdom is alive in death and the depths of wickedness. BUT and so we charge with the Sword of the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Scripture.

They agreed to a meeting. We taught and preached Jesus Christ for over an hour and half. 3 men asked to receive Christ. Then Sunday morning 2 of them plus 2 more came to Grace Baptist Church with us just down the 2 rut road at Kooma.

After preaching service of life with Christ, and promise of new heaven and earth, new body at His return, Romans Chapter 8, Isaiah51, Colossians 3 another one came to front of the Congregation calling out to the Lord Jesus to forgive him for drinking, witchcraft, beating drums (their word for witch doctor all night drunken reveling) and for Jesus to receive him and take his life to be a follower of the Redeemer.

Take that in the heart you old Devil! Jesus has "snared and taken" some more to HIMSELF!! Isaiah 28:7-13 (KJV to see the full import).

HIS servant,
Phil

New Village Same Gospel & Love of God

Been absent, busy getting things in order here to come home to USA for furlough. Then infection set in. Common problem with cuts scrape and bacteria. Really got bad while in Habanyuka Valley this past weekend.

We found a new village off the beaten path. Many people there, small crowd of 30 or so people gathered and we preached the Gospel according to Isaiah the prophet. One man received Christ.

That evening, hand throbbing from infection but worth the pain, I picked a group of them and brought them to Victory Baptist Church. Again we preached Christ crucified, dying for our sins and risen from the dead.

These people called out that we must start a work of this Bible teaching in their area. Pastor Breyford Mwaanga agreed to bicycle to them each Sunday afternoon to hold Bible Study, 7 miles! Yeah, this is the work of Jehovah our Savior, Jesus Christ, amongst the children of men to bring them salvation from sin and death, giving them His eternal life...." "who gave Himself for our sins that He might deliver us from this present evil world...' Here we live and breath and have our being in HIM and HIM through us to "those that sit in darkness" who now "have seen a great Light" even Jesus in whom is Life.

See you tomorrow, Lord willing.
Phil

Let's Build A Place to Congregate

Mutinta, in Maluma Area, Baptist Church. A small Congregation of the assembly, with the heart of Jesus Christ who is the Head of the Church which is His body, Ephesians 1. Well, they needed a place to meet, so here they are building. I am not in the picture, not important. Someone had to operate the camera.

How about the Zambian ladder? Very effective if you are agile. Me, I stay on the ground. My job is to instruct in the construction, carry the lumber around, measure for the wall plates and trusses and teach them the whole council of the Scripture, lead them so we together may be servants of the most HIGH GOD, Jehovah, and preach the Gospel to every creature...climb that ladder, NOT! Not in this lifetime, and that ladder?... surely not in Heaven or on the new earth and in new Jerusalem.

Well, they are moving forward for Jesus so we shout in Texan praise Kiyippeeallelujahiaye! Jesus Christ our Lord is on the throne, the Right Hand and Strong Arm of the LORD, Psalm 98. The rodeo is on and bull ride of this old world is at 7 1/2 seconds...not to worry we will make 8 because Jesus made the rigging and His hand is over ours, wraps will not come loose. Got His promise on that John chapter 10. (If you do not understand the terminology, go to the world finals of bull riding this year...you will get it then).

Regards in Christ the Lord,
Phil from Texas in Zambia...I do love it so!!!

Light in the Darkness

Overnight meeting, Sinamanjolo. Preaching to the people I love of the love of God for them. No light but the candle (of course the flash of the camera enhanced by Kodak Photo Edit) and the Light of the life of Jesus our Savior. O, the Light that is shed abroad in our hearts. O, the light of Christ that we pray will shine from us into the darkness of African culture. O, the Light that will drive the darkness of sin and shame from the hearts of men and women. O, Lord of hosts, Jehovah even Messiah who gave Himself for our sins, deliver us from this present evil world, from the love of the world, lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life. May our life be the Life of Christ in us, for us and through us that HE may be glorified.

Couple more pictures of the loved ones of the beloved Son of God in whom HE is well pleased.

Light is Seen In Darkness

This photo is expanding light. This is the ministry staff of Highway Baptist Church at Sinamanjolo. Pastor Costa in the green shirt is training the others to be servants, led by the Spirit of Christ. As they serve they also oversee the Church at Maluma.

This past Saturday we had an overnight meeting of Highway Baptist, Victory Baptist from Habanyuka and the Church at Maluma. Over 200 attended. The next morning at team from America came in, 2 souls came to Christ, and 7 were baptized. Glory of the Lord was present.

So we give thanks to the Lord Jesus for His unspeakable gift of eternal life and His allowing us to minister the Gospel to many who sit in darkness until the see a "great Light", Jesus Christ whom we serve.

In this blog is also a photo from this weekend, baptism.


Love of the Lord Jesus to all,
Phil

Not Missing in Action, Just in Action so Missing

Wow, been going day and night. Well another bright light in a dark land, Aaron Siazyombo. The picture is him introducing his wife to some guests we had at Kooma where he is the Pastor...totally UN Zambian. The Lord has blessed us with some real humble servants of the most high GOD. Aaron and Mary are among them. They have 2 precious girls Priscilla and Princess.

The other day I was going in to work on the building at Kooma and ran into (ok not literally) Aaron on his bicycle out visiting in the area. He had worked 12 hours the night before. I would just imagine the Lord's smiling down at His servant being seen with the good works of Jesus Christ effective in him!

Now I leave you with this thought. The Lord's School of Scripture has no graduation on this side of Heaven. Many graduate from a Bible College even Seminary with all kinds of degrees earned from curriculum designed by man. Then these same many find new ways to rehash what they learned at the feet of men for the rest of their ministry. I think we would do well to simply open that Blessed Old Book, get a good source for definitional study, bow in prayer to the Lord for teaching by His Holy Spirit and study over and over the words of that book while letting the books of man about the Bible gather some dust. No graduation from that school, til we see Jesus.

Light of Jesus Seen in Believers

Sorry, have been busy day and night, but have not forgotten the stories of Light. Though the darkness in this world would overwhelm us by Satan's design, the Lord promised light. This man, Jacob Nasibebo, and his wife Veronica show the light of the Life of Jesus Christ in the darkness that surrounds them.

Coming from a culture of typical church religion mixed with witchcraft, continued sin, even by the leaders, here in Zambia, Jacob moved to the drug/drinking/reveling world of Rastafarian. Then, after coming to Bible Study at Victoria Falls for a while, June 29 2009, he received Christ as Savior, in his words, "as my life, truth, way and righteousness".

Since that time, he has given his time, effort and heart to knowing Jesus Christ of the Scripture. If someone says to Jacob, "lets go serve the Lord, study the Scripture, pass out Gospel literature, tell someone about Jesus", I have some advice regarding that. Do not get in his way or try to stop him!!!... he will kindly patiently gently tenderheartedly compassionately carefully run over you on the way to the WORK OF JESUS.

Acts 10:34-41 begins with Peter preaching and in this passage Peter said, '...the word which God sent...preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all)...who went about doing good...whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day and showed Him openly...and He commanded us to preach unto the people...that through His name whosoever believes in Him shall receive remission of sin.'

This same Life of Jesus, going about doing good, commanding us to tell people that by His name (all that He is), we, by faith can have remission of sin...this same Life that is Jesus Life, John 1:4 and 14 can be seen effective, the Life of light which pierces the darkness, in Jacob. On earth, first seen by his family, then professed to me as he chose me to disciple him to Jesus Christ and now proclaiming to any and all who will listen, Jesus saves. You just cannot shut the boy up about, or divert his attention from, JESUS CHRIST!

Yeah...that is the work of Jesus Christ the light of the world among the children of men!

Delivered from Darkness, Serving Christ

Last story was of darkness. Today I begin showing the result of the Light of Jesus Christ in this darkness of Africa.

In 2006, Breyford Mwaanga began working with me in the ministry. He had gone to a Fundamental Baptist Bible School in Livingstone. But soon he was set up for failure.

Young, inexperienced, unmarried, that Organization sent him out with another, inexperienced, unmarried young man. They went to a place where a few meetings had been held, and told to "Pastor" the few that had received Christ. Not only was there Biblical mandate that they were not qualified, novices and no wives, but they had not worked faithfully with any elder men in the faith in new areas.

Soon, Breyford was 'out of service'. Then his uncle sent him to me. Within a few weeks, he was traveling with me nearly every week. I continually taught him Biblical principles, definition and showed him the power of Jesus Christ's life in the Scripture. He learned the Apostles doctrine which they received from the Lord Jesus.

Now he is married, and his family is moving to Habanyuka. He is no longer a novice, he is the husband of one wife, he has a son and he has been seen stable by the life of Jesus in him. Pray for them as they go to labor in the ministry...the people of Habanyuka love him and his family.

Stay tuned for another bright light on a dark continent in the next couple of days.

Walking in Darkness

Culture of darkness. Many that proclaim to be followers of Jesus Christ, still walk in darkness. The photo above is in an area where there are many Congregations, but according to people we know that live in this village area, most if not all have the darkness of witchcraft in them even while proclaiming Christ.

1 John 1:6 says, "If we say we have fellowship with HIM (Jesus) and walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth". One cannot have it both ways. Jesus says in Matthew 7, "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." One does not have saving faith in Jesus Christ the Lord and walk, continue, choose to follow the works of the devil.

These boys and men in the picture are carving traditional masks of witchcraft. They do so with blessing from those that have familiar spirits, wicked spirits of darkness, fear, terror by night, wickedness in high places. Yet, they claim to be with Jesus. We asked!

However in this dark culture, there are the shining lights that reflect the work of the Life of Christ, who is the Light of the world. In the next few stories, I intend to profile a few of these.

So watch for some saints in the Zambia who know the power of Jesus Christ in them, the same Christ who is the Son of God that was "manifested, that He might destroy the works of the Devil". Jesus was "manifested to take away our sins".

These are men out with me visiting, with the glorious Gospel, those that are "blinded by the god of this world" who is Satan. Yeah, fellowship with Jesus!

Torment of Satan

i
Sorry so long in writing, have been overwhelmed. My nephew is helping build a clinic next door to Victory Baptist Church in Habanyuka. I only have a month and 1/2 to get this organized. Plus we are in 2 other building projects at Kooma and Maluma with those Churches.

Yesterday at Habanyuka, Endless, mother of Blessing, girl with Cerebral Palsy, came to Church. She has been involved with witchcraft before coming to Christ 2 weeks ago. Well when we began singing the "Worshiping Song", she started to the front and was suddenly struck with crippling in her left leg. By the time she got to the front of Church, she could not walk and fell to the ground.

We work with people that have been in bondage for centuries to "power, signs and lying wonders" of Satan and his "mystery of iniquity" (read about it in II Thessalonians 2).

It was invitation time and another had come repenting of not being faithful to the Lord. When we got to Endless, she told us she was being tormented by evil spirits. When she tried to ask the Lord to deliver her from their torment she could not. She said they were holding her. Finally she did manage to call on the Lord, but was still smitten and could not stand. Now I was sure that she had "given place to the devil". There was something in her life that allowed the messengers of Satan to torment her physically.

After much prayer and as we were leaving she suddenly was released, by the hand of the Lord, from that sudden infirmity of wicked and foul spirits .

Friends, we are in a battle. To be effective, we must walk in light as Jesus is in light. His life is light and if we abide in Him and His words abide in us, we will have victory over the works of darkness. John 12:46, 15:7. If our walk is in His words, we can ask and He will do for us.

Praying, going, walking with Jesus "who died for our sins that He might deliver us from this present evil world" Galatians 1:1-3.

Ministry That Rips The Heart

Her name is Blessed. She is nearly 3 years old. She was born in adversity, oxygen deprived, now living with Cerebral Palsy. Her mother's name is Anolty.

She has been to several clinics and 2 hospitals for evaluation. They had no clue so told mother she was just undernourished.

When I heard the story, I realized what the problem is. I explained the difficulty to her family and told them to feed her a protein diet to help her develop as much as possible. I also told them her intelligence may be just fine and to teach her just as they teach others. Her speech may be distorted, but they could learn her language.

Thru this anguish, the mother has been coming to Church and this past Sunday, she come forward and said, "Today I now understand I must receive Jesus as my Savior. I must give my life to Him and believe in Him with all my heart." Then she bowed her head and asked the Lord to forgive her sins and take her life and come live with her. No prompting, just the plea of a repentant heart for deliverance from sin to salvation.

Adversity turned to glory, shame to joy, trials to eternal life in Christ.

"Yeah, dear Lord Jesus, just give me a few more years to see your glorious work among the children of men."

Door Frame

Where is Door Frame? He is leading the next song.
Yes, his name is Door Frame, it was his Grandfather's name and became his name when his Grandi died.

Half blind, poor, no family living to his knowledge...loves the Lord. Precious in HIS sight!

Was told by the family he was staying with that if he went back to Victory Baptist Church in Habanyuka they would beat him. Asked one of our members, Ba Javist, what he should do. Javist asked him if he wanted to keep coming to our Church. Door Frame said yes and Javist told him to follow what he knew the Lord wanted. So he is still with us and now lives with Ba Javist.

Below is Door Frame leading Tonga song "We Shall See Jesus Coming in the Clouds". No wonder I love what I do! Glory to God I do love it so!









PS Tried to load video but our internet service is lousy.

Old Ones Serving Jesus

3 sisters, youngest on your right was a witchdoctor, now walking in light of Christ having repented of the darkness of Satan. Eldest in the middle, remember her story from a few weeks ago? Faithful to the Lord Jesus.

The one on your left is the middle sister. The eldest and youngest brought her to church! Brought her to hear the words of Christ. Brought her that she may hear, Jesus saves!

These are the faces from 3 generations ago in Africa. The youngest was born in 1942, and when she was a young girl, the eldest was already married. That would make her in her 80's at least. She and middle sister do not know their ages.

Well, they have been reached by and taught of Jesus Christ. How God must love them, to have them know that there is salvation for those in darkness...they have seen that great light, even the promised ONE, Messiah, the Lord Jesus.

I thank the LORD for allowing me to be a part of HIS work for these old, precious people in Africa.

Later,
Phil

Joy Of The Work Of Christ

I first met her over a year ago. She came to Sunday morning Church meeting at Kooma. She is a Machabela, elder woman.
When invitation came, 3 Machabelas came forward, she is the youngest. One by one we spoke with them and they said they were coming to give their lives to Jesus and repenting of drunkeness, lying, stealing and prostitution.
Of the 3, she has continued faithful. This past Sunday she came forward asking the Lord to help her live so others could see Christ in her. She was asking the Lord to guide her to be like Jesus.
Now what about that! Dear Lord, I do love what you allow me to do...tell your story of love and forgiveness. Thank you, Jesus.

Signed, Phil

See What The LORD Has Done!

Let's go, the kids are waiting. So away we went to Melody's ministry at Kooma school. This is our last meeting with them for the term.

Now at the end of each term, I preach and we give an invitation. No arm twisting, no generic do you believe in Jesus, just serious preaching based on the teaching Jesus Christ throughout the term.

Well I preached, we had 14 profess the Lord Jesus as their Savior. Many more came forward but they came because the older kids came. It is discerning and knowing your people. It is understanding their culture. So I was convinced that 14 students were fully persuaded to receive Christ in repentant obedient faith.

Now we know that it is the thought of the heart that the LORD sees and that is what counts. So our number may well be different than HIS, but at the end of the DAY, the increase is HIS, we just plant and water. All that counts is a Christ saved life, eternal life in the true believer, the very life of Christ in them. Melody and I are but messengers, servants of the most high GOD, Jehovah who is our salvation, Jesus the Messiah...HE who is anointed to save HIS people from their sins and restore all things unto Himself.

Halleluyippeeia...OH WHAT A SAVIOR!!! He is who this old Texas redneck is talking about.

New Home Area, Same Story, Christ!

Forgot my camera. So the photo is out of archives from the remote area of this story. We arrived this past weekend and visited the home area of Funwell (they call him Funy, seriously). He had invited us to come when I spoke at the funeral of his Dad a few weeks ago.

We arrived and soon had over 25 gathered to hear of Christ. After teaching Christ for about 45 minutes, they asked some questions. More to the point they spoke of accusations that we were of Satan. These accusations came from other Churches in the valley.

Here is the irony. These Churches had been established beginning in 1945, then mostly abandoned with little teaching. They are infested with witchcraft, ancestral spirit worship, familiar spirits of Deuteronomy 18 and other scriptures. They practice the arts of divination and black magic while using the name Jesus. Charms, beads, idols...they have long gone after other gods, just the same as the spiritually adulterous Israel did over and over. AND THEY ACCUSE US OF BEING SATANISTS.

These Churches have burned each others building and homes. Yeah that is spiritual evil!

Well, I told them we are in good company. Jesus was accused of working with the devil. So what could we expect. Here was Funwell's answer: "...and we know the truth, because you have come with only Jesus...". You see, the Bible is correct after all is said and done. Jesus said He is the way, the truth and the life...so when we simply show HIM to others the truth, Jesus, sets captives free, we are freed from lies and HE is glorified.

Many came from that home area to Church Sunday morning, believing that Christ is the Savior. Glory to God in the HIGHEST! On earth, peace with Jehovah comes by Jesus Messiah the Lord, Jehovah who is our Savior.

Where HE leads!

They needed cement, so away to Kooma with 2 preachers. The Church is building and so I am the gopher. As we journey, I teach along the way. Called discipleship. Jesus did it.

On our return journey, I was tired, old you know. I was talking to myself, under my breath, "...I sure am tired but think I will take a left turn and go thru the forest. Yeah, I know it would feel good to get home and drink a Coke Light...eat a bite...take a short nap...but the drive is so magnificent, trees, birds, (and sometimes the Lord chimes in and I think I am still talking...to myself)... wonder about those huts where no one is ever seen, they seem kind of mysterious...yeah I'll go that way...."

"LOOK OUT YOU MISSED THE WAYS" Pastor Mwaanga shouts.

"Pepe (NO), I decided to go this way." "Why?" "Not sure."

"Hey men, look at all those people, let's stop give them some Gospels (booklets)".

Well we did and guess what, it was the Lord that interrupted and I did not know it until the people begged us to bring them a Church. The mysterious huts were overun with people. One was the village headman, Simon Siachibondo. They told us they had no Church, no Bibles and no teaching about Jesus who they heard of but did not know HIM.
April 24-25 we will return by the hand of the LORD and hold meetings to introduce them to our best Friend, Jesus our Savior, the Savior of the world. Don't tell me talking to yourself in a sign of being crazy. The Lord can interrupt at any time. . .specially when HE has a road for us to follow.

Off to the 4x4 races with in the old Gospel truck, best race ever; Jesus: owner, designer, driver, mechanic, and power fuel. I just go along for the ride...look out, we are crashing the gates of hell!!!

OK so I am crazy. As my old friend Bob used to say, " you don't have to be crazy to be a missionary, but it helps.

Remembering the Joy!

The night was late, the meetings were over, the fires had died down. It was the first time our people from Habanyuka valley had come up from the valley to meet with the Church at Sinamanjolo.

We had great evening of teaching, preaching and singing. The old white man was in his tent and the visitors from the valley were settling down in the Church building for the night. It is their custom to be talking as they go to bed and suddenly, as if on cue they are just silent.

This night all became quiet for a moment and then, they began to sing. Sweet Zambian song called the Worshipping Song. Then they began to pray. They were thanking God for saving them, for leading them safely here, for teaching them, for loving them. As they prayed, I wept...for those yet lost but mostly tears of deep joy unspeakable for what our great God and Savior Jesus Christ had done with this remote people of the bush.

So they were praying, I was thrilled and suddenly...quiet. They went to sleep praying. I feel sure that Jehovah, Jesus the Son given, the Everlasting Father was watching with healing in HIS wings and love that we cannot express adequately with words of man...love that He expressed in the Word become flesh who died for us and for these people who have believed here on the dark continent.

Thank you dearest Lord Jesus for letting me serve you, a messenger to those in this place and in this darkness that they may see the great Light.

Glory Story Book 2 Story 3

Bernard, "How are you this morning?" Phil, "Just OK, but many problems (coolant leak in Melody's car trouble repairing, logistics of the day for 2 journey's into bush etc.) but God is bigger than our problems."

Little Later:

Pastor Mwaanga, "Just got good news from Victory Baptist in Habanyuka. Many that were at funeral (see Book2 Glory Story 2) where you spoke last week are coming to Church. They wrote the old white Madala (Phil, oh that's me) a long letter of thanks for the message, but it was too long for Richard's cell phone text message. "

Little jig danced,
Little shouting hallelujah,
Thanksgiving offered to Jesus!

Phil, "Did you tell Bernard yet?" Mwaanga "No, not yet." Phil, "Bernard, come here. What did I tell you earlier? God is bigger than our problems. This is how HE is bigger than our problems. The car may still leak, we may not get our program finished, but listen to what HE has done in Habanyuka."

Pastor Mwaanga to Bernard:

"Kabotu, story in Tonga dialect to Bernard...." Bernard, "Our God has blessed us"

Huge grin while speaking,
Rejoicing by 3 men,
Glory of the Lord Jesus revealed this morning,
HONOR TO THE KING!
HONOR TO THE KING OF GLORY!

See Psalm 24 and Galatians 1:1-5 and Ephesians 1:17-20

...That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead...

Book 2 Glory Story 2

They were wailing. The darkness of despair was on them. A Madala ( old man) had died. The ancestral spirits, familiar spirits condemned by the LORD, cast out by Jesus, pretending to be dead ancestors were tormenting them. Fear of death prevailed. Hope of favor from enchantments, wizardry, spells of pacifying the 'spirits'; not being the one blamed for his death by a witch finder, dim hope indeed, hung a pall of evil over the gathering.

And so I was brought to this scene of agony, tragedy, wickedness of worship in the kingdom of Satan. My friends, it is not "mental", it is spiritual darkness, very real, magic that brings literal, deadly, effect that is supernatural and manifested physically in things impossible to humanly perform. It is not light, smoke and mirrors. It is the work of the spirit of iniquity, directed by a real adversary, the king of devils, Satan.

Into this scene came Light, the Life of Jesus the Light of the world, the Word of God who became flesh and lived among us, whose glory we beheld, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, the child born, the Son given who is the Everlasting Father. In Him is Life, eternal Life that lights every man that comes into the world...this very one who came to destroy these works of the Devil. It is in the Book. It is the record. It is a record of Jehovah our salvation, JESUS.

After speaking this Word, Jesus to this gathering, the second born of the dead Madala asked for these words of the Jesus be brought to his home. By the power, protection, provision, of the MIGHTY GOD, the Son of the government of Jehovah, a government of love, mercy, grace to those that believe, judgment and perdition to those that refuse, the Son of God in whom we live and have our being...WE WILL GO!

Glory Story: Book 2 Story Number 1

"Let's go visit Siawela and Tankali. They live on the side of the second gorge from Loyd." "Can I drive the 4x4 there?" "No you have to walk but it is only about a kilometer away." "Remind me who they are." "They are the old couple that are faithful members here at our Church (Victory Baptist Habanyuka). You know the old man 70 or 80 years old." "OH yeah, but can I make?!???" "Sure you can."

FAMOUS almost last words on this earth for me. We did, and I think I died twice but God revived must have revived me cause here I are. But it was worth it. They are precious. They are old Zambians that Jesus snatched out of darkness and shifted them to the Kingdom of Light through HIS ministry in Habanyuka. So here are a couple of Pictures. Just got in from bush, bushed. Another story or 3 this week. Hey if it was easy and paid a lot, everyone would want to do it. BUT, nobody would love it more than me.

Thank you LORD Jesus for choosing me to come here. I bow in thanksgiving for your wondrous love! Truly YOURS forever, Phil.

When its time to go, its time to go!

His Dad, Albert, Headman of Kooma, faithful member of Kooma Baptist Church, called on cell phone...
"Cryson's animal injured him"...
Phil, "Come again"
"Cryson animal injured him, he bleeds from mouth"...
"A cow injured him?"
"Ayaaa, knocked him, he's coughing blood"
"Did cow step on him?"
"Ayaaee, 3 times and knocked him with horns, no transport can you come?"
"No, the bush truck broken, maybe bearings in alternator broken, will repair tomorrow."
"OK, see you."

LORD (to my heart, as tears came to my eyes)... "Look and see what problem is."
Phil, "Sure it is alternator..."
"Look and see"

Out the door, under the hood, saw the problem a tension pulley for the A/C...took off the belt and pulley...and away I go in the African night riding with Jesus to the rescue....praying, singing, praising, pleading and knowing that there was no place on earth I would rather be, thanking God for letting me do what I do...and asking my Heavenly Father for protection for Cryson, a faithful follower of Jesus, as it sounded that he had a broken rib puncturing his lung.

Well, picked up (literally) the patient, took him to hospital, doctor there but did nothing until morning. The cow (all his animals weigh over 900 pounds) stepped right on his chest over the heart. He was spitting blood.

Next day the X-rays showed....NO BROKEN RIBS.... now who do you suppose arranged that? I know! Cryson is a small man with small bones, the cow was a big cow with huge hooves, God is a great God and Saviour with great love, and He loves us and He loves to protect HIS own, HE loves to answer prayer.

Picture is Cryson and his wife when I took them home yesterday. Sore, muscles injured, but safe in the care of Jesus! I love this life...you know, me and Jesus in the bush...' in joy and in sorrow, today and tomorrow, I know HE will walk with me!' Yes, 'Jesus will walk with me down through the valley... when in the sunshine or when in the shadow, if HE goes with me I shall not complain' what a song! 'Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for THOU art with me...' what a Psalm (23)...my comfort is in Jesus my Saviour who is with me to the end of the world (Matthew 28:20)! Rodeo for Jesus, just open the chute and let er rip! Sorry Texas just pops out from time to time.

Grand Ma, loving Jesus

Walked into the Church building at Highway Baptist Church (bush highway, like, two ruts between and over rocks and weaving among trees and bumping over the roots...I love it...Highway to Heaven) and there she is. Grandma, faithful in loving Jesus. First one there for services. Walks with limp and creaking bones from her home over a half kilometer away, uphill (no, not both ways), a very rocky path, BAREFOOT.

Faithful, loving, kind. She half curtsies (far as she can bend) and folds her hands over her heart when she greets me. When I return the greeting in Tonga, her face comes alive with a 'quarter' of a toothy grin.

Yessiree, when Church is on she is there. I dread the day when she is not present, cause most likely it won't be sickness that prevents her coming; she will be with Jesus and I will weep for joy for her and I will weep because I will miss her love of the LORD she shares with me. Love that comes from saving Grace of Jesus who died for her, forgave her sins and rose from the dead.

Grandma, I love you and I love the Jesus you love. Thank you and sleep well tonight in HIS care.

Phil, your friend

Following Jesus, called to serve

He said, "I was blinded until I came to the Bible Study on 'Christ Who is Our Life' you were teaching at Victoria Falls. I had seen in the Churches those claiming to be with Jesus, but were still doing witchcraft. All the Churches at Songwe my home village were just that way."

Then he told me, "First I went to be Rastafarian, they have no rules, you do what you want, drugs, drinking, sex what what. Now I could not see and lost my way in my family, my life was darkness and sin."

"At your Bible Study I saw there was joy. One day I came and heard why there was joy. The joy was the real Jesus of the Bible. I now was knowing to understand what He did for me and that His life would change me, give me new life. I believed Him and gave myself to Him."

Next he told me, "I cut my dreads, (dread locks) and stopped the life of sin by Jesus power. I was reading my Bible and it was alive now."

This week he informed me, "I want to be with you in ministry, I desire to learn more of Bible to understand from you" Later that day he said, "No matter what it costs, I will walk in HIS will and work every day. When it is time to go for Him, call me I will be ready and Jesus will take care of me and my family."

Today he went with me to Kooma to minister with me in the school (Melody could not go). His wife came into town and is in Bible Study with Melody as she teaches Zambian ladies. This is their picture at top of page.

He is Jacob Nasibebo. His wife is Veronica.

And the picture below is their kitchen he has converted to a Bible Study room and family prayer room where they read the Bible and pray every morning. Now that it the good works of Jesus Christ in, through and for those that are His workmanship, Ephesians 2:10

God's will becomes our life

Since visiting a village of Mukuni Kingdom near Victoria Falls 2 weeks ago, I have been praying if the Lord was directing us to begin a Bible Study in view of planting a Baptist Church. There is no Baptist Church in the Royal village or near it on the Vic Falls side. On that side there are 3 villages and a Zesco Electric company compound with over 200 homes.

We have a guest in Medical profession visiting. We were invited by Mukuni Clinic to come to palace and meet the Chief's wife and see if our guest could help the Clinic. Mrs. Mukuni extended a gracious reception and plea to come help 2 days a week. In this process, I mentioned meeting with Chief re: the Bible Study. The Chief has been a friend since 2002 and his wife said surely that would be good.

Later that day, my wife and our guest, Tammie Lee, toured the village with long time friend Lumba. While they were on the tour, I met the Prime Minister of Mukuni Kingdom and one of Palace staff in meeting seen above gave me the Chief's cell phone number and said call him Sunday morning.

BUT WAIT, it gets better. When God is in something, has a will and desire for our direction, has a willing, yielded and seeking worshipper, HE will direct the paths. Roadblocks disappear. Difficulties turn to opportunity. Obstacles are overcome. Defeat turns to VICTORY IN JESUS!

In the late afternoon, back on the Mukuni Village Road hoping to show our guest elephants, we passed Chief Mukuni. I did not know his vehicle, but as we passed each other he stuck his hand out the window and stopped. I stopped, we got out in the middle of the road, and had a GOD meeting. He welcomed us to come to his Chiefdom, follow the leading of the LORD and feel free because many of his people were not in any Church.

So we saddle up. Remember Jacob, Jesus man on fire for the LORD, and Winsha a few stories back? This area mentioned above is their home area. God saw the need, saw the solution, sent the men.

Hallelujah for Jesus who kicked the doors down, revealed his Right Hand of Victory (Psalm 98) and moved Chief Mukuni the LION KING (seriously, that is his title) in one day.

Let's roll. As the plane of this world is crashing, we are charging the enemy with the Word of GOD! HE will win, got the Book on it.

Oh by the way, below is Chief Mukuni, the LION KING, talking to an old man that loves being led by Jesus day by day.

Glory Story; Final thoughts on last weekend!

See these precious little ones. Look closely. They are the future of the work of Jehovah to man. They will be what they learn. Oh, I know, genetics is the major component of their lives. Seth was made in the image of Adam. BUT, our God can 'quicken them' for His purpose and works among the children of men by what they learn of Jesus the Messiah appointed our Savior.

This is a good start start, the House of the God, the Congregation of the Assembly, the Church of the living God, people saved (delivered from death by their sin, forgiven in Jesus), baptized obediently showing the story of the Gospel, following Jesus, meeting together for that purpose.

And what do they learn there? What do the 'grayhairs' teach them? I pray it is the things found in Psalm 71. Here are a few of the verses;
1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress....
7 I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge....
9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth....
14 But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more....
18 Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come....
24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long....

Remember this, in verse 7 of Psalm 71, people may look on us as a 'wonder'. But we always know that it is God our 'refuge' Who is our hope, trust, might and power, refuge from who we are without HIM. Psalm 41:1 & 8 with Hebrews 13:5-6. Phil

PS: Not on a soapbox but for continuity of thought I use the KJV. May be antiquated but still most consistent in connectivity OLD and NEW Covenants.

Glory Story #3 Habanyuka

Given is a man of God, servant's heart for Jesus. He and his wife refused traditional medicine (witchcraft) when she was very sick, even in face of threats from their families. They were told they were refusing the Ancestral Spirits and would be punish by their dead ancestors. "We are with Jesus" they proclaimed. And by the next day she was well.

3 weeks ago he went on visitation with us while in the throes of malaria, shivering, high fever etc. The picture shows Given that day on the far left. Serving in midst of trouble. Stalwart and a true soldier of the Christ the LORD.

This past Sunday he came forward at the end of service with 2 requests for prayer. One he said was not so important, constant headaches which are probably sinus pressure...diagnosis by Dr. Phil. But most important, "I want to be more 'faithiful' to Jesus every day." What about that?!

Oh the Grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11-12).

LORD, may I desire the same as Given!
Phil

Glory Story #2 Habanyuka

Pastor Breyford Mwaanga and his wife Leona with son James (seen at breakfast table) are planning to move to Habanyuka this month. HOWEVER, Leona was raised in town; so village life plus a new place she did not know were causing her to struggle a bit.

As we were driving into the valley, a loooooonngggg ruuufffff... road(1st), oxcart trail, opening among the trees and rocks, pot hole expressway (the rest), well little of the first, lot of the rest, I asked her if the mountains, hills and valleys were beautiful. NO!

I have been praying, I had a trusted friend in the valley praying. My wife has been praying (not 100% sure what as she does not want our 'grandi', James, leaving us) but surely for Leona's peace of heart in moving to Habanyuka.

Sunday morning Leona just got the kids together, took some teen girls to help and out the door to the Sunday School place (shade tree) she went and taught. Then in the main service, this was her testimony given by her husband as she is really shy. 'I had seen the pictures of this place. I have heard of the people. I have now seen the place. I have met you. The struggle is over'.

Glory, praise HIS dear Name, Jesus is the mover of hearts of men, women, boys and girls. I looked at my praying friend.... :>)
He looked at Phil.... :> )

Jesus is on throne!

See ya in the funny papers, laughs on the Devil.

Glory story # 1 from VBC Habanyuka Valley 2/28/10

Well, the glory of the LORD came down and filled the Church at Habanyuka. As we were faithful to pray, visit and be servants of the most high GOD, Jesus, He met with us. Moving these men by HIS Spirit, they came running to greet us.

Later the teaching, worship, joy, singing and mighty praise calling on the our Lord and our God is still ringing Hallelujahs in my heart and I am sure in the hearts of HIS people.

So now just enjoy the choir as you check out the video. AND for the faint hearted, this is not dancing. If you think it is you simply do not know dancing in Zambia. This is calm, worshipful, respectful 'marching' (their word). They are 'marching' all over this valley with the Gospel. Why I'll be thanking God these people are moving with HIM. I have seen em so I am shouting YIPPEEALLALUJAH and HOSANNA!!!

More stories to come about this past Sunday of Grace, Glory and Power from the Blessed One who is worthy of all our praise and worship and our life of following HIM!

Grab a 4x4 seat belt

Rainy day...can't go visiting, too muddy, might get wet...NOT! Visitors in from Lusaka, Missionaries Johnsons. Ladies Bible Study at house so you men...git...so we did. Grabbed a couple of the Amazing Grace School of Disiciples for Jesus, Winsha and Jacob. We hit the bush, slinging mud, dodging mad elephant, serious, he charged us while we were looking for some people to witness to of the love of God. Been wanting to reach some villages that have not been touched in Mukuni area near Victoria Falls.

Yippeekiaye-hallelujah, Jesus had a plan we were just along for the ride. We were going to find a village that Winsha and Jacob said Baptist Missionaries had not gone there yet. As we were going we passed a man and the boys yelled there he is...who?... the Headman of that village. Yeah, ya got it, he is in the picture, and is a judge at Mukuni tribal court. Imagine that, a Jesus plan! We prayerfully, faithfully depend on those plans.

We gave him a ride and he welcomed us and said we must go home to home and tell his people of Jesus. Look ooouttt you old Dragon, Jesus has dialed up your number, and you are summoned by the judge and the Great Judge, we are just serve the warrants. Wooooeeee, I love my job!!!

Well, the other pictures are Jacob and Winsha at the Headman's home and with the Headman's wife. (Winsha, lose the shorts son, oh, ok, guess it looks like disciple clothes ... TO JESUS!!!)

We preached at 4 homes and had a 90 yr. old grandima call on the LORD. Beat it Devil, we got claim now in the mighty Name, only Name of salvation, Jesus Jehovah our salvation.

As we were going to the 4x4 after the last home, Jacob, ex Rastafarian, saved at our Bible Study next to Victoria Falls, said he has been praying the Lord show him what to do with his life. Jacob said, "What we do today brings joy to my heart, I now know the Lord wants me to follow a Mission path with HIM." OH look out...glory bumps broke out all over me...he had called me 4 days ago and asked me to pray that he be a good soldier for Jesus like Paul wrote Timothy. I think he found out how to march, TODAY...shout praises, clap hands, bow before Jesus who is worthy.

Sunday Wow

Great day at Kooma yesterday! Had a good crowd of 58 for rain season, high attendance for the month. Heavy rains made the mud deepen, so the ride in was a wild trip. Mud rooster tail behind the Nissan 4x4 was out of sight in the rear view mirror. Worth it for cause of Jesus.

We had the Curtis Johnson family our Texas 'Cousins' from Lusaka visiting, BBFI Missionaries par excellent. They have a growing, building Church there, Faith Baptist Church. Curtis' wife, Julianna, taught the young people and Curtis preached. Our people loved them with their daughter and son, Hollyanne and Brandon.

The Lord met with us and we had a several visitors. Brother Aaron Siazyombo is doing a wonderful job teaching them to follow Jesus. He is the Pastor on the right in the photo.

We ask for continued prayer as they grow in the midst a the attacks of Satan. As one I am discipling told me the other day, "I want to be a good soldier for Jesus". AMEN, so do I. It is a war after all. But we have the Captain of our salvation in front and we will follow on. FORWARD with JESUS.

Public school Bible Classes, Hallelujah

Well, we have a guest writer today. You are probably tired of me anyway.
I would be. See ya on the flip side. Phil

Hi All! Just want to share a little bit of my school ministry with you. We have been going to Kooma for over a year now. When we first started the classrooms consisted of 2 mud huts and no bathrooms. (Unless you count the bushes!) The children (about 45 to 65 depending on the weather) are the most attentive, well behaved children that I have taught here in Zambia. They watch, listen and learn.

There were 2 "teachers" when we first started. Shortly after beginning our teaching of God's word, one teacher left and only Gertrude was there to teach all grades and all subjects. She did an incredible job. The children listened and learned for her. She was one of those rare teachers who had a heart for her children and looked for ways to help the ones who struggled. Gertrude does not have a teaching certificate and since the area has built 2 new school buildings, 16 toilets and 5 teacher houses, she is no longer allowed to teach. Very sad. She did an incredible job.

There are now 2 certified teachers at the school. I pray that they can do as good a job as our Gertrude!

I love going and sharing the Word of God with these young people. They respond well to the message and I am praying that they will know that God loves them each in a personal way....so much that He gave His only begotten Son for them and so much that He planted a love for them in the heart of a very Americanized grandma, so much so that I was willing (okay, reluctantly at first) to leave Texas to come and teach them about Him.

Justin, is one of the little second graders who was quite amazed when I took him by the hand and told him that I very much wanted him to go to heaven with me. I told him that my Dad would love to meet him and he was speechless.

Please take time to look at the faces in the picture below. With a lot of love and prayer, these children may be your neighbors in heaven! Thank to all who prayerfully support us for allowing me the great blessing of sharing His love with these young ones!

Loving God...loving people

Little change in format. Bit more room of stories/photos. As promised another story of Jesus' work, you know HE is still going about doing good.

Mosquitoes are terrible this year. Malaria is locally epidemic in some villages. Needed treated mosquito nets... for a 100 the cost was 1200 USD. Do not have that.

Then a business man, friend, asked if i knew anyone that needed nets at bottom wholesale price, 389USD for a 100. Now ain't that just like our God!! HE (Jesus) knew someone that needed them for HIS (Jesus) ministry AFRICAN MISSIONS ON BIBLICAL STEROIDS...ministry of our power enhancement of choice, HOLY SPIRIT OF CHRIST. Whoopeekiyippeeiaye, rodeo for Jesus. Saddle up for a new adventure each day...I do love it so.

Picture is one family group that got nets. The old lady second from the right is Julia, repentant witch doctor and now servant of the LORD.

I love you Jesus.

Phil

Sunday in the Bush

Just returned from our works at Sinamanjolo and Mutinta. At Highway Baptist we had our first Amazing Grace Bible School of disciples for Christ Saturday night. Changed the name from Institute to School of Disciples. I am just not very collegiate. Here we see some of the students eating after session here.

Then Sunday morning I went with Eliot one of our Bible Students to the Baptist Church at Mutinte/Maluma. We had 40 in attendance, a good number and these people are in love with Jesus. Hurrah for Jesus...Hallelujah! Going to meet with Chief Singani to confirm the Church plot. It is a beautiful setting with huge trees for shelter for our meetings when we eat together. Woohoo and praise the LORD for eating ... in the love of Jesus, Amen. More tomorrow. Phil