Davis Jim 1982 Zambia

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drumbeatNews from Jim Davis

Zambia Christian MissionP.O. Box 32184Lusaka, Zambia

"How s/7a// they hear. . Romans 10:14

Volume 1 January 1982 Number 1

FIRST EDITIONI am back in Zambia now and I mustadmit it is a great feeling. When Istepped off the plane in Lusaka I knewthat I was really home. Mom and Dadand David greeted me at the airport, notonly as their son and brother, but as afellow missionary. It is really an excitingfeeling knowing that my prayers, hopes,and dreams of the past few years havecome to a reality. Knowing that God isusing me for His work is a wonderfulfeeling indeed, and I hope that you willlift me up in prayer as I start on this newventure for Christ.

Things have been busy since my return,to say the The Sundayback I preached at the Mungwi Church ofChrist, and it was a blessing indeed to be Father and sonback in the African service. Two weeksafter my arrival here Dad and Mom, Charlie and Betty Delaney and I took a trip to SouthAfrica to pick up mine and Charlie's trucks. While there we did a lot ofshopping for thingsthat aren't available here in Zambia. Four days after we made the trip back to Zambia, Idrove out to Mongu for a general survey. I really liked it there and there is so much workthat needs to be done. It will be an exciting venture, but one that will require a lot ofprayeron the part of the people back home.

A SPECIAL THANKS TOUNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CHR. CHURCH

The University Heights congregation in Indianapolis hascontributed a great deal to my work here in Zambia. Theyare my major supporting church and also took it uponthemselves to see that I had "wheels" here in Zambia.Within the month of September they had a special emphasisto raise $7,000.00 toward the purchase of the 4-wheel drive ^ \Isuzu pick-up which I now drive. With the help of the Lord , ' Vk?^the money was raised and the vehicle purchased. ^ 'The truck has already been through severe road tests. After 'if!|B^îBP|Ê9^ppurchasing itin South Africa Idrove itup to Zambia. That is f ^Bâ trip of over 1200 miles. The roads in South Africa and -MtH. BhBo^B .Zimbabwe are nice, but once you cross over into Zambia youare in rough territory! After the South African trip I took it leadersover to Mongu. Mongu is located in the Western Provinceand is almost all sand. I got a chance to test the 4-wheel drive, and it handled excellently. Itwas a lot of fun, getting to use the vehicle for what it was made for, and yet seeing howmuch of a necessity it really is. Thank you, University Heights for this much neededvehicle to do the mission work in.

After a dusty trip to Mongu

MEET MYFORWARDING AGENTS

The job of forwarding agent is often adifficult one. My appreciation goes toDon and Wanda Moore, of theUniversity Heights ChristianChurch. Their address for ZambiaChristian Mission is:

Don and Wanda Moorec/o Zambia Christian Mission4050 Shelby StreetIndianapolis, IN 46227

FAMILY REUNIONIt was indeed an exciting moment when I stepped offtheplane and saw Dad standing there with my work permitin hand. Then I looked up and saw Mom and Davidsmiling and waving. David looked so tall, I could hardlybelieve it! But I realized that I was his age once and Momand Dad saw the same growth in me. As I return toZambia as a young man to do God's work, I know thatwithout parents and brother and sister as I have, itwouldn't be possible. Without their training, teaching,and discipline (which translated means a good hardspanking when I needed it) I probably would have nodesire to return to the mission field. But the Lord usedthem to train their children, and I deeply appreciate allthey have taught David, Cyndee and me. I want toencourage all of you with young children to heed theadvice given from Proverbs, "Train up a child in the wayhe should go, and even when he is old he will not departfrom it." (Proverbs 22:6)

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David taking aim

Mom on the front porch

PRAYER REQUESTI would like everyone to pray for my sister,Cyndee. She is now in her second year of nursestraining, and working hard toward graduation.Being in the states while the rest of her family isoverseas will sometimes bring a feeling ofloneliness on. We are looking forward to hervisiting us here in June of 1982.

MONGU LAND OF THE LOZI

My trip to Mongu involved more than justbreaking in my truck. While there I triedto find out about housing (as of yet thereis no word), areas of work, and mainly thepeople. The Lozi are the prevalent tribe inthe Western Province, therefore the Lozilanguage is the most common. The Lozipeople are a very proud people - proud oftheir ancestry and heritage, and proud ofwhat they are now. They are deeplyrooted in their tribal religions andanimism and also practice witchcraft asa way oflife. They are a people who see noneed of the "white man's gospel". I haveheard it said that the Lozi are among thehardest people to share the gospel andJesus Christ with. It will be a job to showthe people that God's love is for everyoneand the gospel is not a white man'sgospel, but a message for all people. Itwill be a difficult task to bring the gospelto an area such as this. I cannot do it on

my power alone - but with the sword ofJesus Christ and His power to guide me,many things can and will beaccomplished. I will need your prayers asthis work unfolds before me. I will makemistakes, but hopefully I will have thecourage to learn from them. Through themistakes and trials there will comevictories and for these all the glory andpraise will go to our Father -- the supplierof every need.

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Zambia Christian MissionP.O. Box 32184Lusaka, Zambia

Forwarding Agent:Don and Wanda Moorec/o Z.C.M.4050 Shelby St.indianapolis, iN 46227

"How shall they hear . . Romans 10:14

Volume 1 IVIarch 1982 Number 2

LIVING IN MONGUIt seems as though life in Mongu will be a

little different than life in the average U.S.town. I am excited about living there, and amalso looking forward to the challenge oflivingaway from a town of any size. (It is about aseven hour drive from Lusaka to Mongu.)

The first few months there I will be living intemporary housing and I am not quite surewhat this will be. It may be a tent or a mudhut, or a house trailer or maybe even a house. Iam just going there trusting that the Lord willprovide.

Mongu is set in a beautiful environment,overlooking the Zambezi flood plain. This issituated on the banks of the Zambezi river andextends for about twelve miles from the rivertoward Mongu. In the rainy season this floodplain fills up with water and looks exactly likea huge lake. The sunsets over the flood plainare among the most beautiful that I have everseen and I am looking forward to evenings ofenjoying the brilliant colors of God'shandiwork.

Shopping in Mongu will not be very difficultas there is really no place to shop. Mostprobably I will be getting supplies in Lusaka

The Mongu Kroger Store

when I am there. There are certain itemswhich are available, and these are the basicessentials. Bread is available -- there are twovery nice bakeries. Fish is one thing that youcan get there which is hard to come by in otherplaces in Zambia. There is chicken, andsometimes you can buy beef. They also havemilk, but you have to take your own containerand then pasteurize it yourselfby boiling it forabout 20 minutes. As I am a real milk drinker.

I don'tguessthatis too much trouble to go to. Iwill have some chickens for eggs and also agarden in which I will grow my ownvegetables.

Mongu also has a library. I love to read, soin my spare time I hope to settle down with agood book on the sunlit evenings. It isn't a biglibrary, but one that is adequate. There arealso two banks there. When I went in to openan account there, the manager was veryhelpful and friendly. When I told him that Iwas from Zambia Christian Mission andwould be opening a work up in Mongu, hiseyes lit up and he said, "Do you know JimConley and Bill Brant?" (Jim is one of ourmissionaries in Kitwe, and Bill used to bethere before moving his work to Malawi.)After I got over the shock ofsomeone knowingBill and Jim and living way out in Mongu, heexplained that he had been the manager at thebank in Kitwe before coming back to Monguwhere he is originally from. It is a clearcase ofthe Lord going before me and paving the wayso to speak. I am so thankful that he does takegood care of us.

I sure was excited the other day when momcalled me to the phone. It was the shippingcompany saying my crate had arrived. I hadbeen waiting and waiting, and it finally came.It is unfortunate that somewhere along theway some thieves broke in and stole some ofthe contents. Nothing ofreal value was taken,and we are thankful for that, but they did getmy tennis shoes (6 pair), my boots, all my

Living in Mongu will be difficult anddifferent, yet 1 know that it will be exciting.There will be a lot of adjusting that! will haveto do, and I ask that you pray for me in thistransition.

Below are some of the prices of things inZambia:

Chicken (lb.) K1.80 = $2.07Beef (lb.) K2.50 = $2.88Fish (lb.) K2.40 = $2.76Milk (gal.) K3.20 = $3.68Coke (10 oz. bottle) K .25 = $ .29Tomatoes (lb.) Kl.OO = $1.15Lettuce (head) K .50 = $ .57Eggs (doz.) KL92 = $2.20Gasoline (gal.) K4.34 = $5.00Diesel (gal.) K2.50 = $2.90

Some of these things 1won't be buying, but Ithought you would be interested in knowingthe store prices of everyday commodities. Thecurrency here is called Kwacha and ngwee.One Kwacha equals about $1.15. Some ofthese prices are not exact, but they are fairlyclose.

flannel shirts and a shelving unit. Besidesthat, the crate arrived in good condition.

After the crate was emptied and everythingput away, it was taken apart so that the woodcould be used for various things. Here wecan't afford to waste anything, so the woodwill be put to a good use. My thanks go to BobGray, who helped build the crate, and to DonMoore, who stored my goods while the cratewas being built. I also want to thank ChuckHuckstep, Robin Brunning, and MarvelSmith who all helped with building materials.

Sometimes things must betaken apart to be put to better use.

PREACHING THROUGHAN INTERPRETER

Preaching' through an interpreter is adifferent experience in preaching. Sometimesit can he a real asset because when yourinterpreter is translating what you just said,you can be thinking about what you are goingto say next. It also can be a drawback becauseyou may be going along smoothly and youhave to break your momentum to let yourinterpreter catch up to you. Another bigdrawback is if someone in the congregationspeaks both Knglish and the language of thearea. If that is the case, then he or she gets adouble dose.

Now what do I say?

There are humorous sides to preachingthrough an interpreter. Charlie Delaney, oneof our missionaries in Chipata, was preachingon the priesthood of Christians. He was alsospeaking of Jesus Christ being our HighPriest. The interpreter misunderstood whatCharlie was saying and translated HighPriest into High Police. Charlie luckilycaught what the interpreter had said andstopped preaching to explain what he said tothe interpreter. I was preaching a while backand the interpreter stopped me right in themiddle of my sermon and then proceeded totell one of the ladies of the congregation tokeep her child quiet or else take it outside. Itmust have been an effective reprimandbecause there was no more noise!

Another interesting experience thatsometimes happens while preaching is thatthe crowds just start singing right in themiddle of your sermon. When this happenedto me the first time (which was actually in1977 when I was here as an intern), I asked the

interpreter what was going on. He explainedthat when a crowd feels moved by somethingyou have said they want to let you know bysinging. That made me feel pretty good until Ifound out that it also provided for a break inthe sermon, similar to an intermission.

Preaching through an interpreter is amethod that is accepted here in Zambia, but inno way does it take the place of knowing thelanguage. Being able to communicate is ofutmost importance, and the work is so muchmore effective if you know the language.

NEW ADDRESSJim DavisC/o Lender Burton CampP.O. Box 290Mongu (Western Province)Zambia, Africa

PRAYER REQUESTPlease pray for me as I start my work in

Mongu. Pray fur specifics such as housing,language study, and also receptive hearts tothe gospel. Thank the Lord for all the progressthat has been made, and the doors He hasopened.

MANY THANKS TO...All the ones who have helped out with the

mission work here. I want to thank all thefollowing people and churches who havegiven to the work here, both one timesupporters and our regular monthlysupporters. If I have overlooked anyone,please forgive me and let my forwardingagent or me know.Debbie Brown Lusaka, ZambiaCadiz Christian Church . New Castle, INCap^ Church ofChrist . King, NCCapital City Christian

Church Jefferson City, MOClear Creek Christian

Church Bloomington, INCooperstown Christian

Church Mt. Sterling, ILCrab Orchard Christian

Church Crab Orchard, KYAllene Davis Jefferson City, MOCyndee Davis Knoxville, TNDean and Judy Davis ... Lusaka, ZambiaEllettsville Christian

Church Ellettsville, IN

Fairlawn ChristianChurch Galax, VA

Grapevine ChristianChurch Madisonville, KY

Celia Harvey Brighton, EnglandHeyworth Christian

Church Heyworth, ILFirst Church of Christ .. High Point, NCKing Church of Christ .. King, NCHugh and Carol Lee New Castle, INMt. Moriah Christian

Church Stanford, KYPoplar Springs Church

of Christ King, NCRuth Robinson Indianapolis, INJody and Penny Rood... Knoxville, TNJoel and Judy Rood Knoxville, TNThorngrove Christian

Church Straw Plains, TNUniversity Heights

Christian Church Indianapolis, INWildie Christian Church .Wildie, KYWoodlawn Christian

Church Knoxville, TN

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c/o Lendor-BurtonP. 0. Box 290Mongu, Zambia

Forwarding Agent:Don and Wanda Moorec/o Z.C.M.4050 Shelby St.Indianapolis, IN 46227

"How shall they hear. . Romans 10:14

Volume 1 May 1982 Number 3

A PLACE TO LIVEIn the last issue of the Drumbeat, I told you

all that I was going out to Mongu, and let theLord lead as to where I would live while I wasbuilding my house. I also asked you tospecifically pray for that situation. Well, youall have done a mighty fine job of prayingwith and for me here in Zambia because theLord has really provided.

Not long after I sent the last issue of

My humble abode

Drumbeat in for publication, I went out toMongu for the purpose of finding a place tolive. I didn't know what I would find. I didhave a possibility, however, of an emptyhouse on a construction company's yard.When I went on an earlier trip to Mongu, Ifound out about it and went and asked themanager about it. He said that there was aslight possibility, but he was very doubtful.He would have to talk to the big boss inLusaka, and he also said that if I were inLusaka, it wouldn't hurt if I went in andtalked to him. So I came back to Lusaka to seehim and also take care of some other business.I went into his office and presented my needs,silently prajdng the whole way. He also wasvery doubtful, but he said that he would talk itover with the manager in Mongu and when Iwent back to Mongu I could check with him.He also said for me not to get my hopes up.

Well, my God is a God of hope, so I wentback to Mongu with my hopes up and prayingall the way. All of the time I had beensearching for somewhere to live, I was hopingto find something to rent for about 200Kwacha ($220.00) per month, and all I had

found were housed of 600 and 700 Kwacha,which was way more than I could afford. Iprayed that they would not only let me havethe house, but that I could have it for a rentalprice that I could afford. I drove in there full ofprayer and yes, hope. When the manager sawme he smiled and said, "I don't know whatchanged the old man's mind, but he said youcould have the house." My heart leaped, butnot too high, because I still had to find out theprice. We walked into his office to discuss the

arrangements, and there Jim (the manager)casually said that the boss had left it up to himas to the rent, and he figured that K200.00 permonth would be fair. I casually replied to thatthat he didn't know it, but he was a directanswer to prayer.

The house itself is very adequate until I getmy house built, and as I said, an answer toprayer. It was an answer to my prayers, myfamily's prayers, and also the prayers of youpeople back in the States. Thank you so much.

HOUSE BUILDING

I have never considered myself as much of ahouse builder, and now that I have started, Iam more assured of the fact. But as I go alongI can see that God is helping me to learn. I

Vernon Oakley helping me to stay on the level

knew when I started that it would be hardwork, and I haven't been let down yet. A lot oftime is spent just running around trying to get

supplies. Here in Zambia, the supplies are noteven available a lot of the time. In early AprilI went to Chipata (eastern Zambia) for a weekto work with Charlie Delaney on his house.The house he is building is almost exactly likemine, and we both thought that it would be agood idea for me to see what was going on, andlet him show me some things. That was goodexperience for me, and I also learned that youhave to be patient when trying to get things.One day we went to about four different storesjust to get some nails.

Just about the time I started work on myhouse, I had a visit from a very good friendfrom the States. Vernon Oakley, minister ofthe Heyworth Christian Church in Heyworth,Illinois came to Zambia for a three-week visit.While here he visited me in Mongu with myDad. Vernon is Charlie Delaney's forwardingagent, and he and his family were in Zambiaas missionaries from 1968-1971. It was goodto have him here to visit, and while he andDad were here, I put them to work on thehouse. We had a good time working andfellowshipping together.

As I said earlier, the construction aspect ofmission work is not easy (well, none of it isreally easy, but house building is not myspecialty), but it is one that is necessary, andrewarding when it is all done.

NEW ROOMMATE FOR JIM

Pictured here with David and me is my new puppy, Bo. Ilove dogs and puppies, and since I was living alone, Ifigured I would get me a pup to keep me company. When Iwent to Lusaka the last time I heard that a family had justwitnessed the birth of eight puppies from thedogthey had.It was a boxer, and since I have always wanted a boxer, 1thougth 1 would get one. So I did. David really likes hertoo, and 1 had to drag Bo away. Now all those of you whoworried about me being lonely need not worry anymore.

PRISON MINISTRY

A prison ministry. Whenever I would talk tomy friends in the States about that, I alwaysthought to myself that that was one thing Icouldn't do. I don't know why that was, in factI thought that a prison ministry was one ofthemost important ministires for the Christians-hut it was for someone else, not me. But sinceI've been in Zambia, two or three missionariesand others have been contacting me aboutstarting up a prison ministry in Mongu. Thena letter came the other day from the Secretary{)f the Zambian Prisoner's Aid Society askingme to consider opening up a branch in Mongu.He told me of a sergeant at the Ndola prisonwho was a strong Christian who was going tobe transferred to Mongu. It was as if the Lordwas saying face to face-Here is a vitalministry.

I decided that a prison ministry could andwould be a vital part of my ministry here inZambia, and especially in Mongu. It is onethat will require a lot of thought and prayer,and one that God will have to guide me in. Thewords of Christ are brought home to me in thebook of Matthew 25:36 -"...I was in prison andyou came to see me".

As of right now, I don't know how I willcommunicate with a Zambian prisoner, but Iam praying that God will lead me and give methe words to say. As Christ goes on to say -"In as much as you have done this to the leastof my brethren, you have done it unto me"(Matthew 25:40).

PRAYER REQUESTS1. h'or Charlie and Betty Delaney as they are

still working on their home.

2. For Shanda and Robin Delaney as theyprepare for their trip here in May.

3. For my sister, Cyndee. as she prepares forher trip here in June.

4. For my mom and dad in their work.

5. For me as 1 am building on my house.

6. For the Prison Ministry, that it may opendoors for greater evangelism in Zambia.

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/iflioAfrica, my homeland, AfricaHow majestic your land lies.The sweeping plains and towering mounts.Blanketed by the deep blue skies.

Africa, my homeland, AfricaMy heart is in your land.It is within the deep and mystic forest,And on the beaches white shimmering sand.

Africa, my homeland, AfricaOf what does your beauty sing?The toils, the struggles and heartaches;The price of freedom that doth sting.

Africa, my homeland, AfricaOh how He loves you so.Can you see the light that shows the wayThe way all men should go.

Africa, my homeland, AfricaCan we help you see?The cross, the death, the life again,Of the One who sets men free.

Africa, my homeland, AfricaOf what does ygur beauty sing?The freedom you truly seek comesWhen you bow to the mighty King.

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Zambia Christian MissionP.O. Box 335Mongu, Zambia


"How shall they hear . . Romans 10:14

Volume 1 October 1982 Number 4

BUSY IN MONGUI know that it has been a long time since the

last issue of Drumbeat was published and forthis I am truly regretful. Things here inMongu, and in various other places, have beenquite hectic. But things are getting back tonormal, so I will try and give you the latestMongu update.

First and foremost on the list is thisbusiness of house construction. The housestructure itself is up, but there are a few thingsthat need to be done in order for me to move in.For a period of about two weeks, constructionwas practically halted because of a lack oftimber. But the timber finally arrived and wewere able to put up the rafters and get the roofon. The picture shows Dad, Charlie Delaney,and me working on the rafters. The roof isnow on, the ceiling is in and it actually lookslike a house. To be quite honest, I waswondering when I would see the day. Seriously, the Lord has taught me a lot about patienceand perseverance.

The things that remain to be done are inprogress right now. I am working on theplumbing and wiring, and also the painting.Construction was also halted when I left for

Zimbabwe and South Africa. While in SouthAfrica I went on a buying spree - purchasingthings which were needed to finish the house.All of the electrical supplies and plumbingsupplies were bought there, plus curtains, astove, and things of that nature. This tripsaved a lot of money, as most of the things webought were 3 - 4 times cheaper than inZambia.

All in all, things have gone quite well and itis due to the prayers offered by you, and beinganswered by our Lord. Another missionarywas telling me that to come over and have ahouse built within a year is an accomplishment

in itself. All I can say is Praise God! By thetime you get this 1 should be moved in and started in language study. I thank you all so muchfor the prayers and the concern and what Paulconsiders most important of all - Love.

REUNIONIt is always nice when family and friends

get together. So I was doubly blessed whenmy family and the Charles Delaney familycame to Mongu for a visit. Our family and theDelaneys worked together for 8 years in Ndolaand we are like one big family. My sister,Cyndee, who is in her last year of nursestraining was also here for a month (inZambia), so we were all together once again.

Cyndee was here to visit, but she also wentto a hospital to see about the possibility of

David helping out.

UPDATE ONPRISON MINISTRY

Since the last newslet-aU|0ia ter, I have become in-

volved with the PrisonMinistry. I have preachedthere at the prison, whichwas a real joy, and hope tostart Bible classes in Octo-

ft ber or November. The' f if prisoners are eager for the

gospel and are among some of the mostattentive listeners. (I think the guard mayhave had something to do with that.) Pleasekeep this important ministry in your prayers.

The Davis/Delaney Clan

coming to Zambia as a missionary nurse.Pray for her in her last year ofschool, and alsoas she contemplates what she will be doingwhen she gets out.

Pictured here with me are Shanda, Charlie,Betty, and Robin Delaney, and Cyndee,David, Mom and Dad. It was really good tohave them all here in Mongu for a visit, and Iwas sad to see them go. But it reminded me ofthe even greater bond and friendship we asChristians have with Jesus Christ.

LANGUAGE STUDYThis is a matter of urgent prayer. Learning

the local language will not be easy, and I amearnestly soliciting your prayers in thismatter. There is no language school for theLozi language, nor have I as ofyet been able tofind a competent teacher. It seems as though Iwill be doing this without instruction, andthat intimidates me a little. I will startstudying Lozi seriously as soon as the house iscompleted. I have tried to pick up some as I goalong with the house, and have learned alittle. Actual language study will begin after Iget into the house. That will be soon, probablybefore you receive this. Pray that a teacherwill be found, and for me as I study.

SOUTHERN AFRICA

MISSION CONFERENCEThe Southern Africa Mission Conference was held August 17-20 in Harare, Zimbabwe. Gathered

together were missionaries from South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. It was a great time offellowship, teaching, spiritual feeding and prayer. The host speaker was Brother Bob Shannon fromthe First Christian Church in Largo, Florida. His messages were an inspiration to all, and ones thatreally fed the people gathered together.

As Harare is a centraf location for all, next year's conference will also be held there. ZambiaChristian Mission is responsible for the program, and John Douglas, from Chipata, Ken Tyner fromKitwe, and I make up the program committee. Pray for us as we try to provide a program that is asspiritually refreshing to the missionaries as this year's conference was.

MAIL CALLOnce again, I want to assure all of

you who write to me, that I doanswer every letter that I receive. Ialso acknowledge the receipt ofevery care package. Ifyou have notreceived a response, I never receivedyour letter or package ... or myresponse did not go through. Pleaseforgive me if this has happened andwrite and let me know. I doappreciate hearing from you!(Please also note that my responsemay be slow at times - smile - I doget backed up now and then!)

God bless you for all your love,support and especially for yourprayers!

PRAYER

REQUESTS

1. For the completion of the house

2. For the task of language study - that I willdo it with joy in my heart.

3. For the Prison Ministry

4. For Cyndee in her last year of nurses training

5. For other areas of work - bush evangelism,church planting, and the winning of soulsto Jesus Christ

6. For Zambia - its government and leaders

A YEAR TO BE REMEMBEREDOn October 15,1967, Dean and Judy Davis

stepped into the mission field and into a newlife; a life and a job that held many joys,excitement, tears, disap-pointments, frustrations,smiles, laughter, and pFr"always the knowledge -? ; Sgthat God was with them. i 0There was a little boy with y fthem whose eyes grew ^ ^ ^bigger with every new thing he saw. On October14, 1981, that little boyreturned to Zambia as a

The past year has alsoheld these very samethings for me as they did ^for my family when theycame to Zambia. I have also experienced joy,excitement (like the time a b'A foot cobra waskilled in my bathroom), tears, disappointments, frustrations, smiles, laughter and theknowledge that God is with me has been madeevident every day. Sometimes I have felt thatHe was very far away, but He has never failedto reassure me when I wasn't on top of

everything. He has never failed to carry mewhen I needed to be carried. He has neverfailed to laugh with me when there was joy in

r. - my heart. To know that asuch as this is with

me makes me look forwardto the year ahead. It is

' ^ with anticipation, wari-ness mixed with eagerness

I that I want to welcome my' second year as a full-

fledged missionary. Idon't know what the next

I year willholdforme, but Iknow that I am a small

oHf part of a master plan.|J^r That is the plan of1 bringing those who don't

know our Lord to meetHim and become a part of Him. Please prayfor me and for yourselves that that will be ourmain goal and purpose in the lives that welead. Thank you all for making my first yearhere a year to be remembered.

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Zambia Christian MissionP.O. Box 335Mongu, Zambia


"How shall they hear

Volume 1 December 1982 Number 5

Romans 10:14

HEEEY CHRISTMASThe Christmas season is upon us. How

quickly time flies. I hope that each andeveryone of you are finding the real joy ofChrist in Christmas in the midst of giftshopping, Santa Clauses, tree decorating, andall the other hustle and bustle of Christmastime. So many times it seems as though theactual meaning of Christmas gets shoved tothe background while we are so busilyinvolved with all the Christmas activities.Not only does that happen in the States, but ithappens right here in Zambia as well. Timeand time again we find ourselves so busy andinvolved with things that are important, thatwe may forget that our salvation is the gift ofGod. (Ephesians 2:8) Notice that I said weinvolve ourselves with things that areimportant. That is correct, but nothing is soimportant as to detract from our relationshipwith Jesus Christ. I enjoy Christmas and allthat goes with it. (I still wake up at 5:00 onChristmas morning!) I love singing

Christmas carols, although singing "WhiteChristmas" when Christmas day here reaches90 degrees is a bit hard to do. In view of allthis, Christmas should never overshadow theimportant event that took place almost 2000years ago.

This all affects us here and relates to ourministry in Zambia. Most Zambian peoplewho don't know Christ (and probably mostAmericans who are in the same boat) have theidea that Christmas is only for getting thingsor having a great big party. Everyone wantssomething. At first this used to reallyfrustrate me, but I have tried to put myfrustration aside and start sharing thegreatest gift of all known to man, the gift of"Jesus Christ. Please join with me in prayer forthe souls who don't know the true meaningand gift of Christmas. In the meantime, I dowish all of you a very Merry and fun-filledChristmas!

THE HOUSE STANDS

This is it. My new home. I never thought Iwould see the day, but at last I have moved in.(By the time you receive this, I will have beenin for over two months.) My first night inbrought much thanksgiving to the Lord - forthe completion of the house, and also for theprayers that all of you have offered up on myand the house's behalf. I want you all to knowhow much I appreciate your thoughts andprayers duringthis time. Yourprayers and thestrength of the -Lord have sus- m ^^ ^- -tained me^ ^ ^plan to do mostof the pictures

for the newsletter myself. You may havenoticed a lack of pictures in this issue of thedrumbeat. This is because black and whitePolaroid film is not available here in Zambia.I was using Dad's camera for a time, butbetween him and me, we used up all the film.So I am going to start processing my ownpictures in the dark room. By the time the nextissue of drumbeat is ready for publication,

the dark roomshould be completely set upand ready for

.. use. As it is now,^ I am waiting on apart for my

enlarger to comein from SouthAfrica.

Again, I wantto thank you foryour prayersand love for meas I was working on thishouse.

A NEW CHURCH

Plans are underway for the development ofa new church in the Emweko Township. It is atownship for more than 1500 inhabitants. It isa shanty township, with sometimes morethan 20 to a house of maybe only 2 or 3 rooms.There is one church there already - anApostolic church. I will be starting classes inJanuary; classes dealing with God - the Bible -Jesus Christ - Man - Sin - Man's dilemma -Man's Response - etc., etc. I am lookingforward to this, and am also praying that God

will use me in the proper way. Several peoplehave expressed a real interest in having achurch in their area, so it seems as thoughGod is really opening the doors. I know thatHe will guide me and for that I am assured andput at ease.

Right now I am involved with gettingclearance from the proper authorities, andalso finding a place to meet. Please pray forthis situation that it might bring more peopleto Jesus Christ.

ANSWERED PRAYER

Many of you have been praying for me as Ihave been looking for a language tutor. Well,our prayers may have been answered.Through a little luck and searching, and a lotof prayer, I have located and met the veryperson who put Lozi into a written languageand also translated the whole Bible into Lozi.Her name is Graziella Zalla, and she is an 87year old Italian lady who was born nearMongu. She lives not far from Mongu with theZambian people, and just recently I had theopportunity to visit with her. She is frail and

bent, but she said she would be happy to teachme Lozi. And I have no doubts as to herability. She speaks Lozi, Njanja, French,Italian, English and other languages

Her parents were pioneers after the style ofDavid Livingstone. She has a love forZambia, for the people, but most of all, for God.Please pray for us as we tackle this languagesituation. Also keep her in your prayers forher failing strength, as she is quite weak. Hermind is still sharp, but her body is feeling theeffects of her age.

ZAMBEZI RAFT TRIP

How many of you have ever been whitewater rafting? I had the opportunity to go thispast November, and I must say that it was athrilling experience. After I finished buildingmy house. I decided to take a little vacationand go to Victoria Falls where 14 of us (single missionaries)gathered fromZambia andZimbabwe. DebBrown, whommany youknow, also went.I think she wasthe most nerv-ous of the group,but she weath-ered it like atrooper, and al- Ijythough she maynot admit it, hada lot of fun.The rest ofus aredevoted rafting Deband I gDeb and I getting ready to go.

fans now --1 think it gets in your blood. We allwere anticipating a great time of fellowshipand fun and we weren't disappointed. Thebeauty of the Zambezi river was breathtakingand the rapids . . . Our guide said that thetrip we took was the wildest one-day trip in

the world. Wewent over 9rapids. (One wastoo so

to takethe raftswalk around.

^ Personally, Iminded trying itbut the guides

' JM^\ rough and theyknow what they] _ % are talking about.Oh, well). Ofcourse we will do

ady to go. it again next year!

PRAYER REQUESTSI would like to ask all of you to be in prayer

for a close friend of mine - David Griffin. He isa young missionary with the SouthernBaptist Mission who was involved in a seriousautomobile accident. He was returning fromone of his classes and was carrying twostudents with him. One of the boys, Clement,was killed. David sustained severe facialdamage and also some memory problems.The doctors are very optimistic with hisprogress, but complete recovery will be a slowprocess. He is now undergoing reconstructiveand plastic surgery which will be quitepainful. Please keep him, his family, hisfriends, and the family of the boy who waskilled in your prayers.

David and I getting ready to play some Basketballearly this year.

Other prayer requests are these:

1. Language study.

2. Church planting in Emweko.

3. Violet Zinonga - a member of the MateroChurch of Christ in Lusaka who has amalignant tumor on her back which ispressing on her spinal cord. She is alsosix months pregnant.

4. Zambia Christian Mission as a whole.

5. The Mongu Prison Ministry.

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Documents

Davis Jim 1982 Zambia