September 28th

Friends, family and supporters,
Where to start? It was such a grand day and God was present from the beginning and we knew it.
We got up early as there is always something that needs cleaning and loading in to the van for the trip to the church building. We had no Escom so breakfast was mush and bread. Noel had the water already boiled so I got my coffee and all was well.
When we arrived at church it was to SRO. We had brought our own chairs so we had a place to sit in the back of the building. Over 300 hundred were present for Sunday school. Rackson had asked me to teach and I was ready with a lesson on Faith. We had a short break getting ready for worship service. Service started with singing we had many, many, many choirs from the churches that sent people to the conference. We had singers from Mozambique, Phalombe, Lutchenza, Makwasa, Kautuka, Bwaila, Bvumbwe, Mbulumbuzi, Liwonde, Balaka, Nyezelera, Migowi and Chizinta. So outside of Njuli and Mbulumbuzi we had better than 250 plus people. Some churches sent many and some few, our hope was we get the leadership from all and I think we did. Every church sent a choir or members of their choir. Music is very important to their worship service, as it should be. I will be sending pictures of SOME of the choir over the next few days.
The men and women of Njuli took the task of cooking for all the visitors and they did an excellent job. With the food we purchased, seven 50Kg bags of corn flower, seven goats and very much vegetables, spices they prepared 3,600 meals with only a few complaints and many complements. We ran out of water and had to go to another village and buy from their well. Our well was over taxed with all the cooking and cleaning and people washing themselves and their clothes. That was something we never planned for. We also had to buy more flour as we ran out. The toilets we also over taxed so that was a little problem outside of our planning but we are learning, my idea was to never do it again but I am only one person .
Next on the agenda was announcements of which there were many, then tithes and offerings, Personal testimonies and thanking many people it was time for the man of God to preach, by this time I think John was in a coma from all the singing. I cannot tell just how warm and moist the building was, even the flies were fanning themselves. It was HOT. Bro. John preached a fire and brimstone lesson on what and who makes up the Body of Christ and how they ought to behave in that church. At the conclusion many came to the altar and several for salvation.
In reflecting on the conference and what was accomplished we taught two main classes each day for the adults, two for the teens and young people, a woman’s class, two evening services. I estimated between Bro. John’s lessons and my lessons and our sermons well over 500 scriptures were used and expounded on.
I am not counting what Taylor, Sheila, Sarah and Darcy used but from Sheila’s notes I seen, many.
Many of the attendees were from well taught churches and were well versed in the doctrine of salvation and came to the conference to learn more. With that being said many still came forward calling on the name of the Lord. Many others came forward to get something in their lives right with the Lord.
It has been very strange at times as the people from Mozambique using their cell phones have taken many, many pictures of Sheila, me and Taylor I mean many pictures in and out of the church and having us pose with family and friends. I asked Rackson to explain why. It is because they have never seen a white missionary and can’t believe we came to see them and will come to where they live to preach. They want the pictures as proof they saw white persons and spoke to us. A picture is worth a thousand words I guess.
Lastly, we had proposed a budget of $1400.00 as of this evening going over all that was spent, expected and unexpected we spent $1700.00. God blessed us abundantly and because of your gracious support we were able to meet the need. Still have several weeks of the Lords work to do before we come home. Thursday this week we will be traveling to Mozambique Lord willing. Some of the Pastors who were at the conference pleaded with us to come and preach. We will. I think our brides will come also, that is the plan as of now. Will stop for this is too many words. God bless you till next report.
Because of the Cross,
Chuck, Sheila and Taylor