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April 2014 Newsletter

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Dear Friends and Family,

Greetings from Zambia!

This month’s newsletter will focus on Zambia, the country where we are serving. We would ask you to pray even more than usual for the people of Zambia.

Facts about Zambia

  • Zambia is large geographically. It has roughly the same area as France and the UK combined.
  • Zambia’s population is nearly 15,000,000.
  • Zambia’s official language is English, but more than 70 local languages are spoken. Some of the most common languages include Bemba (widely spoken in Ndola and Copperbelt province), Nyanja (the language of the capital, Lusaka and Eastern Province), Tonga (Southern province), Lozi (Western Province), and Kaonde (North Western province).
  • Zambia is celebrating 50 years of independence from Britain in 2014.
  • Zambia has been a peaceful country with numerous changes of power since independence.
  • Zambia’s economy is largely resource-based, with many large copper mines in the Copperbelt. Agriculture is also a significant part of the economy.
  • Zambia was declared to be a Christian nation by President Chiluba in 1991. Nearly 90% of Zambians identify as Christian, including about 20% who are evangelical.
  • Zambia is the only country in the world that begins with “Z” and ends with “A”!

Pray for the People of Zambia

  • HIV/AIDS: According to 2012 estimates from UNAIDS, 12.7% of those between the ages of 15 and 49 are living with HIV, and 30,000 deaths were AIDS-related. Yet there have been medical advances  in the treatment of HIV. Anti-viral medication is now widely available.
  • Malaria: Earlier this week the Zambian Daily Mail reported that Zambia has made “significant progress in reducing malaria prevalence in under-five children”. Still, malaria accounts for 30% of outpatient visits (4.7 million in 2012), and causes more than 8,000 deaths annually (UNICEF).

Pray for the Church in Zambia

  • Church Leaders: Churches in Zambia are in need of trained leaders. Operation World (2010) reports that “superficiality” is a danger for the church, including a “lack of biblical understanding and teaching. Too few know the Word of God or how to live a Christian life. Good teachers and trained pastors are greatly needed”. The past Sunday I preached at a local church. After the service I spoke to the pastor, who is now responsible for a district of 26 churches. He told me that there are only 4 pastors for the churches in his district – including him.
  • Evangelism: Although Zambia is officially a Christian nation, all faiths have full religious freedom. As a result, many cults and non-Christian religions are starting to take root. Pray that the Church will respond to these new groups and begin to evangelize among new people groups who are immigrating to Zambia, particularly in the Ndola area.

Support Update

This month’s support update is one of thanksgiving to God and to the many who responded to the needs mentioned in our last newsletter. It is truly amazing to see how God meets our needs. Please pray that God will continue to sustain us as we serve in Ndola.

Prayer Requests

Please pray for us as we plan our return to Newfoundland for home assignment in August:

  • As we make arrangements for the many ongoing concerns in Ndola, such as utility bills, workers’ salaries, and vehicle maintenance.
  • For others to take care of my responsibilities at TCCA while I’m away
  • For cheap fares and good connections as we fly back and forth
  • For our needs while we are in St. John’s
  • For our plans to meet with our supporting churches and partners in Canada and the United States

Please stay in touch at timothychurchill@me.com and kristinachurchill@me.com!

Blessings in Christ,

 

Tim & Kristina Churchill