Two Down, Now What?!

It's Saturday morning in Kitwe. Yesterday there was a thunderous thunder storm that only people who have been here can understand (that's you, Celia!). I mean, the thunder was thunderously thunderous.

We got through the New Testament Theology course. It was peppered with lively discussions. Although it was New Testament Theology (which is primarily descriptive), and not Systematic Theology (which is more prescriptive), we got into debates on doctrinal schools of thought -- what about dispensationalism?; what about calvinism vs. arminianism?, etc. etc. The joint was jumping!

And the Spirit of God was with us!

I received a tripartite award at chapel on Friday. An engraved plaque with a horned animal on it; a plaque in the shape of Zambia; and a scarf with the colours of Zambia. The plaques are nice; the scarf, awesome!

Now what will I do for the next week?

Well, I have to mark the exams from the NT students. That'll take a day. And I have some clean-up to do on both courses. John Kerr said we will look and see if there are some short-trip opportunities at Global Travel. If not, I plan to just hang-out at the college next week and perhaps see if I can help build some distance-learning modules.

That may not be as hard as it sounds. Before I left, Jack Whytock of Haddington House in Charlottetown told me of Covenant Seminary in St. Louis -- they have over 20 online courses available for free.

That's right, folks. You could take a course in NT Theology, for free, in the privacy of your own home. How good is that!

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

I preached Sunday at Mufika's church on "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize".

The message was about how the saints of old endured, as seeing him who is invisible, and how Jesus for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and how He is our example. We need to regulate our lives by the assurance we have of Christ's coming kingdom.

The worship, as usual, was great. I told the church that the Lord, who by covenant, promise, and immanence attends every church service on the planet each Sunday, gets himself ready for the sometimes staid and dreary worship of North America by the exuberant, lively worship of Africa. The scene of 30-40 worshippers in the school room of Mufika's church is multiplied by the thousands all across Africa -- it is as if all of Africa is aglow and throbbing with all-out worship of the living God.

As usual, God condescended in his mercy and grace to visit us, and the presence of God filled the room. The treasure indeed is found to occupy earthen vessels.

I think that God perhaps dwells more in the heart and in the feet and hands than merely in the head.

Having said that, it is my task in Africa to help fill the minds of pastors and leaders with the truth of the gospel.

One down, one to go.

There were 29 students in the Apologetics class this week. About 19 regular 4th-year students, and about 10 more who are mature, degree-completion students. The degree-completion students are pastors and bishops from the PAOZ -- Pentecostal Assemblies of Zambia.

Saturday I was busy marking papers. Then, Saturday evening, it was Hockey Night in Kitwe! We watched an NHL hockey game on DVD -- an Edmonton Oilers -- Montreal Canadiens MegaStars game that was played outdoors in Edmonton back in November 2003. We got a new sound-system working, and we projected the DVD onto the wall, so it was a blow-out event!

Next week I begin the New Testament Theology class. I've spent many hours in preparation and am (nearly) ready to go. There will be about 20 students in this one, pastors and bishops.

Thank you for your prayers as we continue to seek to be of service to God in Zambia.

It's 4 O'Clock in the Morning!

4:39 am, actually, but I've been up since 4.

The power was off yesterday morning, but it came on before we left for the school, and we managed to make some coffee. The power was back off again during they day, and then again in the evening, so I went to bed early.

The Apologetics Class is going well. We have close to 30 students. The students love the Lee Strobel books -- The Case for Christ, and The Case for Faith. If you haven't read them, I would highly recommend them!

I think I should go back to bed...

Zambian Dirt - Heaven's Air

A typcial Zambian church is much closer to the earth, and dirt, than a typical church in Canada/US. Often, in fact the floor, is made of dirt. With far simpler facilities, and with much closer proximity to nature and the open air around you, and with the presence of people simply dressed and without much by way of any material goods, you are much more reminded that you are a son of Adam, crafted from the dirt and formed by God -- a creature of this Earth.

How is it then, that when I attend a Zambian church service, I rather feel that I am breathing the air of heaven, and have entered through the portals of the Kingdom of God?

We attended Acts Church in Kitwe on Sunday. The presence of the transcendent One, the Almighty, was palpable.

Shall the King of heaven
Descend to live in earth's dust?
Shall He condescend to live with us?

Shall the God who rules high above
Reach down with human hands of love?

And shall those hands, once crucified
Yet hold us, hold us, in his love?

We are flesh, dirt of Earth. He is the Lord God Almighty -- and we were reminded of this on Sunday.

Sunday afternoon the power went out. It got dark. We went over to Simon and Luce's. They've got satellite TV!

This morning, Monday, the birds are chirping, the rooster's crowing, and the neighborhood pack of dogs are exercising their lungs.

Morning has broken.

Arrival Zambia

I took the 10-hour flight down to Lusaka and was met by John and Ruth Kerr, and, as a bonus, Jim Cantelon.

Jim is a leader in the evangelical church. He established King of Kings Church in Jerusalem. He is the author of several books, including his latest When God Stood Up: A Christian Response to AIDS. He is over here in Africa conducting conferences, seminars, with the aim of building up church and society.

This morning we have water, electricity, and 3-light high-speed internet service. Thank you, God. (Isn't it interesting how we don't even bother to give thanks for the basics in North America!)

Next week I'll be starting the Apologetics class at TTC.

London Heathrow

I found a "Quiet Room" at Terminal 4 at London Heathrow. Rested up during my 10-hour lay-over.

I'm on my way down to Lusaka now.

It's a 10-hour flight.

I will be met by the Kerrs.

At least, that's the plan.

Plans in Africa are always subject to change!