We just wanted to write a quick update informing you of what has been going on with our family over the past few weeks. Winter is in full swing here which means lots of dust and somewhat cooler temps (mid 60’s usually – not really what we from the Midwest associate with winter).
On the adoption front things continue to move forward with Chichi. We have recently submitted our paper work to officially request we be allowed to bring Chichi into our family permanently. While the Zambian side of the adoption process is soon ending, the most time consuming and demanding aspect, the US side of things, will begin shortly. Please pray with us that God would give us favor during this time as there is much that will have to be done. Our most pressing concern is trying to accomplish completing a US recognized home study while living and adopting abroad. This needs to be done before we can apply for a travel documents for Chichi. It is rare in Zambia to be able to get a US certificed homestudy completed while living overseas. Since we did not complete this while we were in the States (not knowing we were going to adopt) it could mean that we will have to remain in Zambia an extra year. So it is possible that we would not come home next year but rather in 2012 for our next furlough. We trust God is working in all of this and fully expect His favor to quicken this process (would you stand in faith with us?).
The Kids
Elise's birthday
A couple of weeks ago there was an evangelist by the name of Christopher Ilam here conducting two week long crusades in Lusaka. We were asked by a good friend to come and be a part of what was going on. In the three plus years we have been here we have seen nothing like it. Over twenty thousand people showed up each night for the weeklong event and we were so impressed how this great man of God worked through the local church during the outreach. Time was even taken one night to bring all of the local pastors in this specific area up on stage to be introduced so that those that had made a decision could be plugged in to local congregations. This was so refreshing as follow up with those that have made confessions of faith is a rare occurrence with most crusades. Our family (all seven of us) was able to attend at least one of the nights and the kids reveled in seeing so many enjoying the presence of God. The highlight for us as parents occurred one evening when testimonies were being given by those who had been miraculously touched by God. A little boy, who all of his life had relied on crutches, threw them down on the stage and began to run around……to which Macie and Emma exclaimed God is sooooo amazing…….how true!
Our Future Evangelist
Some of you may remember that Luke has been involved over the past two years with helping to facilitate a discipleship course called 2:7. This course was designed by Navigators Ministry in the States. 2:7 is a yearlong curriculum that focuses on equipping participants with the proper tools to facilitate groups within their own churches upon their graduation from the program. This past week Brent Roberts (fellow missionary) and Luke were invited to participate in the graduation ceremony of the first church to successfully have a new group of students complete the entire program. The twenty some individuals, who were from different area churches, were given the charge to go and start their own groups making disciples of all men. Please pray for these dear brothers and sisters as they soon will begin teaching their own discipleship group equipping saints to be “fishers of men”
Well that is it for now……we have included some links to videos of both the graduation as well as the crusade……..we also threw in some relevant pictures. We continue to praise God for your faithful prayers and support and are always mindful that our work would never be possible without your involvement. Thanks for just being you……may God continue to prosper all that He has called us to accomplish here in Zambia……and may the name of Jesus Christ be glorified above all! We love and miss you!
To view the videos click on the following links:
2:7 Graduation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETSRhGeBwCs
Lusaka Crusade: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAelvoDqL_c
His Servants
The Whitfields <><
