Pics of Tazi!!

Just a quick note with some pics. Sorry these are way overdue, internet in Africa continues to be an adventure. Elise and Tazi are doing fine much to the amazing efforts of Elise. She continues to amaze me with her natural ability to be a mother. Thanks again for your continued prayers and you will be happy to know that Tazi is quite the little "porker" weighing in around 9 lbs. 4 oz. Love you all more pics to come!

Ministry Update

Dear Friends ~ Just wanted to write and express our appreciation for you all. This last month has been so busy with the birth of Tazi and adjusting to having a new born in the house again. Despite all the chaos God has really been increasing our thankfulness for all of you that support prayerfully and financially. You all can never know this side of Heaven what it means to us and to the Zambians we work with that you would partner in the work the Lord has for us here. We have grown in our understanding of the power that exists in the body of Christ by experiencing your partnership with us and for that we are eternally grateful. Elise and I wanted to take a quick moment to let you know of some new areas in which we have been asked to minister over the next few months before our return to the States for furlough in Dec 08. As many of you know we have been working with orphans at EFH (Emmanuel Family Home) in Kanyama and also with the elders at the Christian Brethren Church in Kanyama as well. Action Zambia has worked with the Christian Brethren Church in Kanyama for the past five years and as an organization we feel it is time to allow these dear brothers and sisters to become more interdependent as a body of believers. This ultimately means that Luke will no longer be regularly meeting with the elders but we will continue to work with EFH and with the orphans themselves. Over the last few months the Lord has really given both Elise and I a burden for evangelism and discipleship and we were recently approached and asked if we would begin to develop a pilot program for AZ in evangelism and discipleship. This excites us tremendously and will provide an outlet for the passions the Lord has given us in these areas. What will this look like you may be asking? Our primary functions will be working with Pastor Michael Kandella at Great Commission Baptist Church (got to love that name) in developing evangelism and discipleship programs in the body there. Some ideas we have discussed include regular evangelistic outreaches in the communities surrounding the church as well as conduction young couples discipleship groups in our home. The later excites Elise and myself as it will be a great way for us to minister together in a area that is widely neglected in the African culture. We also are excited about what God will do as we get this great body of believers involved in regular evangelistic outreaches. Some ideas we are developing include holding praise and worship services in public places and watching the Lord work. The premise here is that if we create an atmosphere for the Lord's presence to come people will ultimately take notice and inquire into our activities. This will be coupled with regular door to door evangelism which I already am doing with Pastor Michael. Elise and I will be working along side Brent and Kerri Roberts who are new arrivals to the AZ team. The Roberts are a great family and as I may have told some of you Brent and myself both were members on a mission trip to Kenya back in 1994 (nothing happens by chance with God!). The bottom line is that we feel this is ultimately why the Lord called us to Zambia and we can't wait to dive into what he has prepared for us.We wanted to close by asking you all to be praying for these new developments specifically concerning:--An increase of God's power as we ultimately wage war on satan and his purposes--An increase in the understanding and functionality of the Spiritual Gifts God has given Elise and myself--Balance in the time we spend as a family and in ministry (the two often get blended together)--A student's hearts as we will need to learn much from Pastor Michael and his congregation concerning evangelism in an African context--Above all hearts of LOVE as we minister to Zambian peoples (for without love it is all for not)Thanks again for all your love and support, you probably have no idea what a pillar of comfort that is to us as we serve so far away from all of you. On a side note, we know this is early but we are planning on being home for furlough from Dec 08 -- Mar 09. We will spend part of our time in Chicago as well as Dallas and a brief stay in Seattle. We would like to also visit with those of you that live in other locations as well (ie. Wisconsin). It is our intention to be available to come and share, in person, with all that would be interested. We will put out another email closer to our departure detailing specific dates when we will be in these locations. Also could you be praying that we might find a vehicle to lease/borrow while we are back. This would greatly help us to be more mobile and able to visit with more individuals. If you know of an organization or individual that might be able to help in this area your response would be greatly appreciated. Please remember that we would not be able to be here without the involvement of individuals like you all. We will keep you posted as God continues to lead and guide us. God bless you all and PRESS ON & INTO HIM!!!

Marley Anne Taziona Whitfield

Well we did it, we finally agreed on a name that the fam could live with. Her name is Marley Anne (for Elise's grandmother Barbara Anne) Taziona (Tazi) Whitfield. The spelling on Taziona could change but thats why it take so long to get a birth certificate here. Elise and Tazi are doing fine although you could be praying for Elise as her spinal injection seems to have produce a persistant headache. As promised here are some more pics, enjoy. Love all of you and look forward to sending more info and pics in the near future. God Bless

She's Here!!

Dear Loved Ones We are so excited to share with you that we have been blessed with a little baby girl. We have not decided on a first name but have chosen 'Taziona' (spelling will probably change) this is a Zambian name that means 'we have seen it'--we have seen the Lord's faithfulness. She was born at roughly 6am (CST) 2pm our time, and was a whoping 5lbs 9 oz. and measured around 18in. A tiny baby compared to our first three. Although small she is perfectly healthy and took to breastfeeding like she had a nipple in the womb,hah! Mom and Tazzy are doing fine and Elise is recovering very quickly. For those of you praying for power cuts it worked, praise God!! As we were getting ready to walked into the operating room the power came on, He is so faithful. I have attatched some photo, more will be on the way but it has been a hectic day. Praise God for our new addition and we will keep you posted on the name game. More details and pics to come soon. Love you all and PRESS ON & INTO HIM!! The Whitfield <><

A few pictures of the kids!

Baby Updates

As we should have expected there has been a slight change to the schedule time of the C-section for Elise. Because of some afternoon power cuts (in recent days) the doctors had suggested that the operation take place @ 6am, which was not manageable as one of the doctors was not available. So we have just found that we are back on for the afternoon of the 20th at 1pm instead, with or without power (yes, they still deliver in those conditions). There is a saying here in Africa that we often use and apply to this situation—TIA (this / is / Africa)! Please know we are at complete peace and have sought the guidance of our pastor (and Doctor) and he feels we are in no danger (we agree). Mark 11:24 reminds us, Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and will have them! Would you join us in praying and believing that there will be no power cuts and that the presence of God would exist in the studio tomorrow. That the spirit of deception and fear would be bound from the situation and that that God’s protection and provision would be loosed. Lastly and most importantly that our family would bring honor and glory to His name at all times. I will send out baby details as soon as I can get to a computer (no there is not one for use at the hospital). Thanks for your prayers and know that I am writing this, not to raise concern, but because some of you would never forgive if you found out after the fact. He is GOOD and more than ABLE all the time. We love you guys and would love to have this request sent to any pray chains you are part of!

NIU SHootings

As most of you know, before we did, that there was a shooting at the college I (luke) graduated from in 2004. Not only did I graduate from NIU but it is located in the town where I spend much of my childhood. I have attended many classes in that lecture hall in Cole and can picture exacltly what must have transpired. Elise and I are asking each of you to be in prayer for our community in Sycamore/DeKalb, Illinois in light of these recent events. We have many individuals in our church that in someway shape or form are connected to the NIU community. Some of our friends work in buildings near to where this tragic event transpired. We would like to petition specific prayer for the Batiste and Graham family who are family friends that work on the NIU campus with Christian ministries. Elise and I participated with the Batistes (who are campus directors for Campus Crusade for Christ at NIU) during my time at the school there. Brent and Stephanie Batiste have served for years and no doubt are face with a huge opportunity to witness for Christ in the upcoming weeks and months ahead. Byron and Michelle Graham (campus leaders for Intervarsity at NIU) also will need prayer as they find ways to bring the healing power of Jesus Christ to many needy student on the NIU campus. We would also you to pray for our dear friend Drew Wells who, as a paramedic, was one of the first responders to the scene. Most importantly pray that this would be a catalyst for revival at NIU and in the DeKalb County area. Elise and I were commenting at how some people were concerned for our safety coming to Zambia and yet a tradegy like this happens in a place where I have spent substantial amounts of time. These recent events show us that our lives are finite no matter where we are. We, as Christians, should look at each day as our last and be feverishly looking for opportunities to share the hope and assurance we have in Christ with those who don't. Our lives are but mists and vapors that will soon pass, let's make sure we make the most of them for His Kingdom's sake. To our EVFREE family back home grasp this opportunity to proclaim His goodness! Don't wait for witnessing opportunities to come your way, create them! as you stand in line at Wal-Mart, eat dinner at Tom & Jerry's, or simply talk to the teller at the bank drive through. You all have something the world (especially DeKalb County) needs right now!! Thanks to all of you for your continued prayer for our family. To those who are wondering about our new arrival Elise will go under the knife (he,he) this coming Wed 20th around 6 AM (your time)CST. We would treasure your prayers and will look forward to sharing the Lord's provision in this matter. We love you all dearly and (though not physically) are with you in His Spirit. God bless and PRESS ON & INTO HIM!!!!