Thank you to all who have been praying for Preetika during
these last few months. God has been good to us. After counseling with our
sending pastor as well as several doctors, we have decided our next step is to
return to the States to seek further treatment and a diagnosis. The response of
the people here in Zambia has been encouraging, and we believe the ministry
will continue forward for the cause of Christ in our absence.
Pastor Chris Teis, our sending pastor, set up a
fundraising campaign to help us meet the expense of traveling to America as
well as some additional needs (both medical and ministry). We have been blessed
by the outpouring of love and help in response to our need.
I also want to update you on our recent trip to into
Zimbabwe. We were blessed to have Pastor Darrell Hurst and Bro. Donnie Foley
from New Zion Baptist Church, as well as Bro. Jeremy Snipes, Taigen Gonzalez,
and Charles Newton from Hyles-Anderson College.
They were used of the LORD to greatly
encourage the believers in Zambia before heading across the border to Zimbabwe.
Bro Snipes and Pastor Hurst had a great impact through their preaching from
God's Word. Scores of Zimbabweans made decisions to trust Christ, to win others
to him, to plant churches, to cling truly to God's Word, and to disciple others
to follow Christ. The three younger men of our team were also a personal
blessing to me. Additionally, they were an inspiration to African Youth in both
countries during their stay. Our young people were motivated by seeing men near
their same age serving the LORD!
Thanks to all who had been praying for our trip to
Zimbabwe. The LORD gave us a better reception than we could have hoped for. God
was very evidently involved in bringing this meeting together. One man in
particular was instrumental in the conference taking place. Leonard
Mlotshwa had left Zimbabwe for the UK 10 years ago. The LORD had laid it on his
heart to find someone who would go to Zimbabwe and help train some believers in
his home country. After approaching several people over the years, God finally
lead him to cross paths with Pastor Hurst about a year and a half ago.
That
meeting lead to this conference in June. As Bro. Leonard planned to make the
international trip for the conference, he became sick and it seemed that he may
have to miss the conference he had been so looking forward to. Though he grew
weaker, he was able to travel to Zimbabwe. When he greeted people at the
conference,
he said that he was so glad to be home in Africa - especially to
see his 10-year dream come to pass. Little did we know that 2 weeks after the
end of the conference, he would leave his home on earth to go Home with the
LORD in Heaven. Bro. Leonard had finished his course and possibly his "for
such a time as this" moment. I am thankful to have met this man and
grateful for his part in directing my eyes and heart
toward the needy and open
field of Zimbabwe!
