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!!!