"Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men,
who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually. . .

Bow your heavens, O Lord, and come down!  Touch the mountains so that they smoke!
Flash forth the lightening and scatter them; send out your arrows and rout them!
Stretch out your hand from on high; rescue me and deliver me from the many waters,
from the hand of foreigners, whose mouths speak lies
and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood."
Psalm 140:1-2; 144:5-8

Dear family and friends,

Greetings in the mighty name of Jesus, our Creator and Sustainer. It has been quite a while since the last update and there is much to tell you.  God has been faithful to protect and preserve us in every situation, and He is worthy of unceasing praise!

On October 3, we left for a 3 week journey to South Africa.  We had to take our generator back to the manufacturer in Johannesburg for repairs, and the Lord provided extra funds for a vacation through Uncle Sam's tax return.  While in South Africa, we were spoiled with sweet Christian fellowship with friends in Pretoria, Potchefstroom, and Cape Town.  They helped us with important business like eye exams, dental check-ups, and vehicle repairs.  Of course, there was a bit of shopping too, and everyone came home with some new shoes or clothes.  We ate McDonalds about every other day (amazing what you miss when it's gone). The generator was repaired and we found better and cheaper plumbing supplies for the bush camp.  Our friends fed us well, helped process the last year and a half with us, and took us sight-seeing.  Cape Town must be one of the most beautiful regions in the world.  After the struggles of the last year and a half, it was so nice to shut down for a while, relax, not build anything, and not "do ministry."  I'm happy to report, though, that there was a comfortable feeling in coming back to Zambia; it felt more like home.

We returned to Zambia with only a week until the next building team arrived from the States. Oh, wait, I have a water story for you first.  We returned to blazing hot temperatures and an almost empty water tank . . . again.  I went to the water company to request a tanker truck to come fill our tank.  The truck was broken.  By Friday, our tank was empty.  I didn't know if we had enough water stored to last the weekend, and Shannon and Steph's water wasn't much better.  What would we do?  We resisted anger and complaining and tried to rejoice and trust God.  About midday Saturday, I heard a shocking sound.  Water was running into our storage tank for the first time in 6 months!  Our tank has been full almost every day since.  I hope the lessons on sanctification involving water are now over, but we'll see.

Back to our guests from the States.  Two dear friends, Chuck and Ben, from Hannibal, Missouri came to help bear our building burden, the last in a long line of building teams that started way back in March with 2 South Africans.  There was one last big dreaded project on the camp pavillion - the floor for the kitchen and dining areas.  Their trip proved amazingly productive.  We made a plan, found the supplies, pulled more flat stone from the river, finished plumbing water lines, poured concrete slabs, laid river stone in concrete, made plywood and tile countertops, set sink basins, and almost finished installing an on-demand gas water heater (no more cold showers on winter nights!).  The guys really worked hard in unpleasant conditions, and we are incredibly grateful.  Our wives are real troopers, but they are thrilled that they can finally prepare and serve food without constantly walking in dirt and stirring up dust.

The guys also taught a Bible study in Vincent's village, enjoyed rich fellowship with Enoch, and strengthened our hands through some powerful prayer times.  Speaking of Vincent's village, one special thing for me in being back in the village was to see the metal roofs on the homes of our workers.  All 4 of the men who worked for us in building the bush camp had not wasted their salaries.  They had all bought metal roofing sheets, which we transported for them from Livingstone.  It was good to know that their families will be dry this rainy season because of the help they gave us.

Our return to the village after vacation was not all pleasant, however.  The verses at the beginning of this update were some of my Scripture readings before and during the trip, and the Spirit led me to pray them.  Isn't it reassuring to know that our Sovereign Lord knows perfectly the future and prepares us for it?  I will try to be brief, yet fully explain the situation that we now face.

There is a man in the village that we have known for several years named Fine Liboma.  A year ago, another family tried to steal a field from his family.  This land dispute has dragged on for almost a year, and there have been violent confrontations between the families.  After recent violence, Fine and others were summoned to the Kuta (royal court at Mwandi where we often visit).  After our Sunday Bible study, Fine and 2 village elders approached us asking for transport to Mwandi.  Now, as part of our land agreement, we had signed a document agreeing to give various types of assistance to the village - such as emergency medical transport to the hospital, contributing building supplies for a school or medical clinic, and transporting the headman to the Kuta when he is summoned for a case.

It is an hour and a half drive on dirt road to Sesheke, then another 45 minutes on paved road to Mwandi. Since the headman was summoned along with Fine, we felt obligated to help.  However, our 2 friends from Hannibal had sacrificed great time and money to come help us, and we needed to work with them.  We explained the dilemma, and since we needed to pick up cement from Sesheke, we suggested a compromise.  We would drive them to Sesheke, then pay for 1 taxi to take the headman (and whoever else could fit) the rest of the way to Mwandi.  They agreed.

The next morning, we learned that the headman had hurt himself plowing his field and would not be going to Mwandi.  Then, as Enoch puts it, Fine and his friends "shifted goal posts on us."  They changed the game.  Even though another village elder insisted that it was useless to go to the Kuta without the headman, Fine insisted that they go.  Fine won.  We agreed they could still have a lift into Sesheke, but since the headman wasn't going, we refused to pay for the taxi.  They were angry, but took the lift into Sesheke, then paid for their own taxi to Mwandi.  On the drive into Sesheke, Enoch overheard Fine saying that it was time to chase the whites from the village - we must go back where we came from.  Later that day, Vincent got a call from Fine in Mwandi, demanding to know if we were going to pay for the taxi that we promised.  We said no; Fine muttered some threat about finding us and hung up.

The next night, Vincent heard a car honking on the road below his village.  It was Fine.  He told Vincent to tell us that he had lodged a complaint at the Kuta, and everything has changed.  We cannot just go to the Kuta with the headman and chief to finish the land issue.  Fine wants to start the entire process over again where we started a year and a half ago, with another village meeting where we must agree to the village's demands.  Fine is a hothead and a bully.  He is now posturing as the village spokesman, and is busy rallying support in the surrounding area.

Our elderly and wise headman just chuckled at what this "boy" is doing, but we take the threat seriously. This is not just the bad behavior of men.  We have always been friendly to Fine.  We have helped him with carpentry tools.  When the land dispute first broke out, we transported half the village to his field when the Kuta came to investigate.  We have given Fine and his brothers a lift all the way to Mwandi and back at least twice.  Yet one time we do not do what he wants, and we are attacked.  This is demonic.  Fine is a major village leader in the New Apostle cult.  He is also family with "Dr." Makai, the local witchdoctor.  Makai is by far the wealthiest and most powerful man in the area, and has considerable influence with the Kuta.  With his money and the threat of spiritual attack, he gets what he wants.

Our consciences are clear in this matter.  We did not repeat the mistakes of the past.  We were polite and helpful.  Yet failure just one time to meet all their demands was met with angry attacks and threats to run us off.  Enoch agrees with our stand and advises that this must be nipped in the bud now.  We have come to be their servants for Christ's sake, but we will not fear their threats and jump every time they snap their fingers.

I can't explain why, but as we prayed fervently about this in the bush, we felt that this was a situation like Elymas the magician.  I do not have the authority or power of Paul the Apostle to strike Fine blind, but we have prayed that God will make an example of him to put the fear of God into the village.  Perhaps God must also do that among the Kuta.  I've never asked God to execute judgment on someone before, but Fine has been called to repent more than once since 2004.  If the Spirit confirms this in your heart, would you join us in your prayers?  If we are wrong, may God convict and change us.  There is no fear of God in this place.  They laugh at His servants and His gospel.  They fear Makai and his demons, but not God.  Is it not time for that to change?

Is it not obvious that owning that piece of land and living among the Lozi is key to what God wants to do? Why else would the enemy resist it so fiercely?  Dear brothers and sisters, I can honestly say that I write this with a heart that is light and free.  There is not an ounce of fear or anxiety in me.  I do not fear Fine or the evil one who inspires him - what can they do to us?  Our God reigns supreme and unchallenged on the throne of His universe, and He laughs at men who oppose His will!  Christ WILL build His church among the Lozi, and the gates of hell will not keep us out!  Are you pleading with Him to smash the bars of iron that have enslaved those people for so long?

There is the paradox, isn't it?  No fear, no anxiety.  Yet there is a solemn awareness that this battle is for real, a war of life and death.  Is it coincidence that a few days after the episode with Fine, Shannon and Stephanie's little girl, Morgan, suddenly became seriously ill?  People in this part of the world don't believe in coincidence.  After a night and day of fever, vommitting, and diarrhea, they started her on malaria medication.  Being in the bush, better safe than sorry.  2 days later, she showed no improvement.  Morgan has been admitted into a private medical clinic here in Livingstone.  The doctors are leaning strongly toward a diagnosis of dysentery, either from bacteria or amoeba.  After a day of I.V. fluids and meds, she is looking better.  All you parents know the fear and pain of having a very sick child, and Morgan and her family sure need your prayers.

In light of all that I have shared, Shannon and I feel that we should ask all of you to join us in a day of fasting and prayer for the Lozi work.  The resistance is mounting.  Does the enemy grow bold, or merely desperate?  Would you give a day to fast and pray with us that enemy strongholds would be shattered and the Gospel would be victorious?  Would you pray that God supernaturally put a fear of Him into the village of Ilwendo?  Would you intercede for perishing souls that are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd?  Would you pray for our protection and perseverance?  Would you pray for us to be filled with the Spirit?  Would you pray that we bless those who curse us and overcome evil with good?

We are asking for this coming Monday, November 22.  Perhaps pastors and Sunday School teachers could announce it Sunday, and it would be fresh on everyone's minds.  Please do not feel bound by guilt or obligation.  We only ask for a sacrifice motivated by love and freedom.  Join us or not, fast a full day or one meal, you are free.  As God's beloved children, let us surround His throne, full of faith and hope, and plead with our good and wise Father to bow His heavens and come down, send the enemy fleeing, and set the captives free.  Amen.

For His Sake,
Sean