December 2011
Joyous Christmas Greetings to all from Zambia,
It is a privileged to send this letter of praise and progress to you as
we approach this most
blessed time of the year. It is our prayer that the true meaning of Christmas will shine through us
all where ever we’re serving so that others may know the true joy of this season.
It has been an interesting two months so far here in Zambia. We have made many new
friends and reconnected with people whom we had met previously. It has been both a time of
triumph and trial. After only being in the country two weeks it became necessary for the
missionaries we were staying with to take a medical furlough/sabbatical. We we’re unsure of
ourselves, but we asked God to take control and lead us through. We know it is because of
Him that we were able to adapt quickly, become very familiar with our surroundings and begin
to build a bond with the Zambian people. His plans and ways are far better than ours!
Then after only three weeks here Greg was asked to perform a funeral for an eight month
old baby girl. It was a struggle to watch this young family deal with their loss, but in doing so Greg
was able to present a clear Gospel message to all who attended the funeral. The young mother
who lost her child is a Catholic; she attended our church service the following week and again
heard the truth from God’s word. Please pray that we will be able to reach her.
Then comes the victory!
As we all know, God has placed us on a mission field where ever we are. The same is true here in
our neighborhood. We have a large community just outside our gates, the “MacKenzie Compound” is
a community of some of the poorest individuals in all of Ndola. So often persons who feel hopeless will
turn to any means they can find to relieve their misery. In this case the “Bar” that is front and center
provides what they think is that relief. All day and into the evening there are men sitting or lying in
the shade, drinking their day away. As we pass these folks daily we attempt to show love and
hospitality by waving, speaking and giving Gospel tracts. One afternoon as we returned home
a man stopped us and told us that he needed help; he wanted to change his life and the men
sitting around (drinking) told him to talk to us. Praise God, that’s just what he did, as a result
he and one of his friends now know Jesus personally. Hallelujah! They are the reason God has called
us to this place. As we work together as partners in this ministry we all receive rewards for being faithful
and doing His service together. Thank you all who are a part of this ministry, God bless your faithfulness!
In this time of sharing our joys we also have needs and would ask you to pray with us in a few
areas: 1. our container should arrive soon, please pray that there will only be minimal charges
assessed for taxes and duty (we were expecting none upon arrival, but they have changed that
rule as of June 2011). 2. We need to purchase a vehicle and are short of funds in this area. If God
would lay it on someone’s heart to help with this vital need we would forever be grateful. 3. We
do still need additional support and would be honored to have new partners in this ministry.
Looking forward to a great 2012 together!
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
Greg & Janet Peterson
blessed time of the year. It is our prayer that the true meaning of Christmas will shine through us
all where ever we’re serving so that others may know the true joy of this season.
It has been an interesting two months so far here in Zambia. We have made many new
friends and reconnected with people whom we had met previously. It has been both a time of
triumph and trial. After only being in the country two weeks it became necessary for the
missionaries we were staying with to take a medical furlough/sabbatical. We we’re unsure of
ourselves, but we asked God to take control and lead us through. We know it is because of
Him that we were able to adapt quickly, become very familiar with our surroundings and begin
to build a bond with the Zambian people. His plans and ways are far better than ours!
Then after only three weeks here Greg was asked to perform a funeral for an eight month
old baby girl. It was a struggle to watch this young family deal with their loss, but in doing so Greg
was able to present a clear Gospel message to all who attended the funeral. The young mother
who lost her child is a Catholic; she attended our church service the following week and again
heard the truth from God’s word. Please pray that we will be able to reach her.
Then comes the victory!
As we all know, God has placed us on a mission field where ever we are. The same is true here in
our neighborhood. We have a large community just outside our gates, the “MacKenzie Compound” is
a community of some of the poorest individuals in all of Ndola. So often persons who feel hopeless will
turn to any means they can find to relieve their misery. In this case the “Bar” that is front and center
provides what they think is that relief. All day and into the evening there are men sitting or lying in
the shade, drinking their day away. As we pass these folks daily we attempt to show love and
hospitality by waving, speaking and giving Gospel tracts. One afternoon as we returned home
a man stopped us and told us that he needed help; he wanted to change his life and the men
sitting around (drinking) told him to talk to us. Praise God, that’s just what he did, as a result
he and one of his friends now know Jesus personally. Hallelujah! They are the reason God has called
us to this place. As we work together as partners in this ministry we all receive rewards for being faithful
and doing His service together. Thank you all who are a part of this ministry, God bless your faithfulness!
In this time of sharing our joys we also have needs and would ask you to pray with us in a few
areas: 1. our container should arrive soon, please pray that there will only be minimal charges
assessed for taxes and duty (we were expecting none upon arrival, but they have changed that
rule as of June 2011). 2. We need to purchase a vehicle and are short of funds in this area. If God
would lay it on someone’s heart to help with this vital need we would forever be grateful. 3. We
do still need additional support and would be honored to have new partners in this ministry.
Looking forward to a great 2012 together!
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
Greg & Janet Peterson
