"...even when we were dead in our trespasses, (God) made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved - ..." Eph. 2:5

Dear family and friends,

Greetings again from Zambia. As I update you on what's happening with the Lozi work, can I also demonstrate the practicality of theology in missions? In the past few weeks, I have witnessed some of the clearest pictures of depravity and the need for regeneration. No, I'm not talking about "horrible" sins of sexual perversion or witchcraft. It's much more shocking than that. I'm talking about people in an extremely religious culture who are very familiar with the Bible, yet they are completely blind to the glory of Jesus Christ and their need for Him.

A few weeks ago, I gave the youngest son of our village headman a lift into town. I asked if he attended a church, and he predictably replied, "Yes, I'm New Apostolic." I then asked him, "What is the gospel of the New Apostolic?" People in Zambia love to use the word "gospel" - "Oh, you're a missionary. You're here to preach the gospel in our country. That's good." There's so much use of the word "gospel," you would think that they know what it means. But my question was met with a blank stare. So I helped him out, "How would the New Apostolic tell me that I can be saved? How can I have my sin forgiven, be right with God, and go to be with Him?" "Oh yes," he smiled, "just do good things and keep the commands." I knew he was going to say that. At least he could accurately summarize New Apostolic teaching. So I asked how that is good news when all of us are sinners and no one can keep God's commands. He stammered something about God judging us by how hard we try and I proceeded to share with him the true Gospel.

We are now back in Lima and tonight we head to the airport to fly back to the States. We had a great time the last few days as we visited with Carlos G. and with Javier C.

Carlos teaches at the seminary in Sullana (shown above) and pastors a church in one of the most dangerous parts of town. In talking with him and in hearing him share about his church it was evident that he has a genuine love for the people with whom he is working. This is him in the blue/gray shirt in the picture to the right. It was also great to see at his church a group of young men that are being trained as leaders and that have sensed the Lord calling them into ministry.

Javier is probably one of our busiest missionaries. He teaches at the seminary and pastors. In addition to this, his church runs a program through Compassion and his church has just started a Christian school. Cassie and I had a great visit with Javier and his family which not only included two church services but also a trip to the beach.

Both Carlos and Javier are working in difficult places. In the case of Carlos, as I said, he works in a very dangerous area. In the case of Javier, he lives and works in a place where there is still no running water (you can see one of the neighborhood watering holes in the picture below). Please pray for the Lord to give each of these men the grace to press on in their respective ministries. Pray also that the Lord would help them to be wise with their time so that they can also be good husbands and fathers.

The internet here has gotten progressively slower and less reliable, so this may be my last post from Sullana. Yesterday I was able to meet with Miguel C. He is pastoring at a church in the mountains close to Sullana and he is also involved as a leader in his association. The people in his area have suffered a great deal because of a drought last year, but they seem to be recovering.

Today Cassie and I are meeting with Gloria M. She teaches Spanish and grammar classes at the Seminary. She also is involved in ministry to women and children through her church here in Sullana.

Both Miguel and Gloria have had some health problems recently. Please pray for each of them.

Our class on Mark has gone well and we have had some good question and answer times. Saturday, we will go to Carlos G.'s church and Sunday to the church where Javier C. is pastoring. Please pray for us to have endurance for this last part of the trip.