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lambta newsletterMissionaries: LEE & CHERYL ALBAUGH MARCH 1981

EVANGELISM SUPPORT TEAM

SHOWS !

"SHOWS", I said to myself, sitting down on a wooden chair in the little bank at Beit Bridge, Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia),waiting for a telegram that would enable me to buy a tire to replace my bulging, ready to blow right rear wheel. "Shows", a SouthAfrican expression I had picked up the last few weeks, which could be used to show disgust, surprise, sorrow, amazement or alarm."Shows", a lot had happened in the last weeks, and what did it actually show to me ? I thought you might enjoy a few of these eventsthat show to me how God does truly care and love us even in ways that we may not be aware of at the time.

SHOWS.

a tropical ulcer formed on an old burn scar on my leg. Underneath the scar was a piece of calcified bone that preventedblood from reaching the area to heal. No surgeon in Mbala and the possibility of the need for a delicate skin graft necessitated a tripto South Africa for treatment. The trip was made by Lee on January 16. The family stayed with the Tom Fort family in Kasama.

GOD SHOWS HIS LOVE.....

in the finding of a Christian surgeon in Johannesburg who removed the 1% x 4" piece of calcification and grafted skinover the 3" x 4" wound that was left. The Lord insured a proper healing of the graft and the doctor encouraged us with the wordsthat this should sove any furure problems.

SHOWS.

3 weeks of waiting for the telegraphic transfer of funds from the U.S. to purchase a vehicle and spares for our non-runningPeugeot pickup back in Zambia; the funds were lost in a New York bank.

GODSHOWHIS LOVE... .

During this delay, which kept me inactive during the time most needed for the skin graft to take, and in teaching me patience.

SHOW

after driving to Durban, on the South African coast February 9th, I found the clearing charges on our crate of personal effectfrom the states to be twice what I had anticipated. Besides this, I was informed it would take one week to clear and get if off the dock.

GOD SHOWS HIS LOVE

through the lives of Leigh & Irene Robinson, who opened their home to a lonely missionary whom they had never metbefore, and made me feel God's love in the warmth of a Christian home. Leigh is the minister of the Durban North Baptist Church.

SHOWS

after huried return to Johannesburg with the now heavy laden Volkswagen Pickup on Feb. 16, I discovered that the partsneeded for our ailing Peugeot in Mbala were going to cost $800 I After the high clearance costs on the crate, I was broke. !

GOD SHOWS HIS LOVE

in Don Jersick, a Christian brother from Klerksdorp, S.A., who found the parts needed for half the price, helped me get mycheck honored at the bank, and sent me on my way back home I

SHOWS

high on a mountain pass, 300 kilometers closer to Zambia, at a turn-out in the road I discovered my $60 in trvelers checksmissing. After going through my suitcase I set the bag down just a little too close to the emergency brake, and the vehicle with ourgoods began rolling down the steep incline I

GOD SHOWS HIS LOVEin the accuracy of a flying leap across the seat that saved the trip from disaster I

SWOlfS

15 minutes too late to cross the Zimbabwe border, no money and no place to stay.

GOD SHOWS HIS LOVEby way of a little blue stripped card (Visa) that I had forgotten to return to my Father when leaving the States, and which

now came to the rescue for a tank of gas and a place to stay I Things looked brighter! THANKS DADM

SHOWS.....

crossing Beit Bridge into Zimbabwe the next morning, I heard the unmistakeable sound of truble, "thump, thump", thetire was going out I To travel without a spare was trouble for sure.

-GODSHOWN HIS LOVE..... _through Allen Avery, missionary with the Curch of Christ in Bulawayo (300 kilometers north), who cabled me enough

money to purchase a tire. (I had only met Allen once before)

SHOWS-::::.

after reaching Bulawayo with my new tire, having a good nights rest at the Avery's home, I set off on the next let ofthe journey, hoping to be in Zambia by nightfall. 230 kilometers from Bulawayo my rightfront wheel bearing began to go.

GOD SHOWN HIS LOVE.

when, after traveling for 230 kilometers and passing only one garage, the bearing went out at the turn off to the Gwaai RiverRest House, and garage I

SHOWS

another day waisted waiting for the parts to arrive.

GOD SHOWS HIS LOVE.'....

as I was able to share Christ with the crippled African mechanic, who assured me on parting that he was going to find a bodyof Christians to worship with.

SHOWS. ....

because of the breakdown I was too late to cross the border into Zambia, the border closes on the weekends. Two nightsin Zimbabwe before I could cross.

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GOD SHOWS HIS LOVE

as I shared Christ with three Australian engineers one evening, and the finding of an inexpensive rest house (I finally leftZimbabwe with 1$ in Zimbabwe money).

SHOWS.....

I could go on, but this is enough to give you and idea of my thoughts as I sat at Beit Bridge, far from home, broke, but coming torealize that if we "acknowledge Him in all our ways. He will direct our path."

How often do we fail to acknowledge, in just the simple things of life, that God is, indeed, concerned and directing our path ? Evenwhen we lived without Him, He loved us; and as we live in Him, He guides us and protects us.

GOD SHOWS HIS LOVE.....

FORU^IN THAT WHILE WE WERE YETSINNERS' CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY' (Romans 5:8"THANK YOU FA THER FOR SA VING' LEADING' PROTECTING AND DIRECTING OUR LIVES !"

HOW ARE THE CHURCHES ?

Upon our arrival back in Mbala (in December), we were encouraged by the signs of growth in the churches. Two new preachingpoints have been started; one by the Mbala Christians, the other by Kalekwa Villiage. The second preaching point is actually in Tanzania,and a little beyond our direct ministry, but it is encouraging to see them reach out.

The number of baptized believers in the churches and preaching points now number 153; and the number attending services thatvve visrE^d'during December was 192 people. These encouraging findings we we(5 as a solid foundation for growth in the years to come.

TWO PRESENT GOALS FOR MARCH & APRIL

1 To assist the churches in beginning a simple bible study approach to teaching in the churches. One that can be carried onby the local Christians regardless of our presence.

2 Preparations for building a permanent place of worship for the Mbala Christians, with the emphasis being on full use of theChristians in planning, working and evangelizing. We will attempt to allow them to feel the work is theirs, not the missionaries.

THE FAMILY

Just a note on the family "growth" record. Brian (3 years, 5 months) is getting to be quite a good 'big brother". He is delightedlyplaying with his record player that came in our crate, (by the way, everything came through in good shape) During Lee's absence, hebecame great buddies with Tom & Roberta Fort's young 3 year old, Joshua. They had some rough times, but they both needed andenjoyed the companionship. Lee has been back a week and still Brian's only prayer is "Thank you my Daddy back, amen."

Christy (6 months) is so sweet and quiet, it's hard to believe she is around. She wakes early, but patiently talks to herself untilMommy or Daddy are up. She's gaining weight and tries to get everything into her mouth (including feet !). In Lusaka, she had roseollaand was real miserable, but otherwise has been healthy. No teeth yet, but she has come up with the word "Da Da" (where she comprehendsit is another thing I)

PRAYER CONCERNS

GIVE THANKS FOR

1. God's protection, and provision for the familyduring the last months.

2. The healing of Lee's let and his safe return to Mbala.

3. God's family who have ministered to us throughprayers, letters, open homes, and help.

PRAY FOR

1. The Mbala church as they launch into building during May.

2. Progress in getting back to a routine of work afterthese unsettling times.

3. Enthusiasm of the churches to evangelize.

P.S. SHOWS. ....

I wrote an awfull lot in this letter,fits on the printed page.

GOD SHOWS HIS LOVE

Phew-w-w-w-w we got it all in.

sure hope it all

OUR NEW TRUCK & CRATE FROM HOME

iS IT ALL HERE?

"ServingChristwith ourBrothers inZambia"

SEP 1 0 1981

lambia newsletterMissionaries: LEE 8e CHERYL ALBAUGH JUNE 1981

EVANGELISM SUPPORT TEAM

IS THIS THE SHAPE.

OF THINGS TO COME ?

I KNOW WHAT IT SAYS,

BUT IT SURE DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT TO ME

TOTE THAT WHEEL BORROW, LI FT THAT BRICK

WHAT'S THIS ?ASPY IN THE SKY ?

..L

THE VISITOF GILBERT ARP

Tired and worn he came out of the plane,Had he flown any longer, he'd needed a cane!

Could this be our friend with box in hand?"Yes", he said, "I'm sure happy to land!"

"Welcome to Zambia, my good old buddy!"I took his bag and loaded the buggy.

"We've a ways to go, your're not yet there."Two hours to go, but he seemed not to care.

At the end of the road, Mbala we foundWith Cheryl awaiting, the food to pass round.

We tried to talk for an hour or two,But Gilbert passed out before we were through.

A little rest, a day or two.Then to the village, there's work to do!

The church was packed with wall to wall people,and the seats were as hard as a churches steeple.

"Mwakata", he said, with a little bow,and the people responded with some chow.

Slowly at first, then a little more steady.He ate the nshima when it was ready.

Over church plans Gilbert did pour,"Counting the blocks and measuring the floor.

Scratching his head in the evening light,He said with disgust, "This cant' be right!"

But with a sigh and a nod of his head.He picked up the shovel and the work went ahead.

With all the children running about.It was long, tall Gilbert who had to shout,

"Stay out ot the way, we're working here."Then with a lunge and a run, the plot was clear.

To the lake he went, water to bring;He liked it so much, he entered in!

But all was not lost, only a day;Then on to the finish, without delay!

Early to bed and early to rise.The work went on and the wall did rise.

Foundation to slab, and slab to wall.The building went up to the second course wall!

Cheryl was happy, Gilbert puttered about,Pathinc walls, washing clothes, and getting spiders out!

He played with the kids, worked on the car.Built a sandbox for Brian, that earned him a star!

The reward for his labors was not that great,A trip to Vic Falls and game park too late.

The animals were many as we wandered about,"Look out, there'a liaon", as Gilbert got out!

We hurried on to the airport quite late,The girl shook her head as she looked at the slate.

"We might get you through to London tonight.But from there to Seattle, I'm fearing that flight."

With words of goodbye we parted that night,Brian was san, "I miss him, I might!"

"Thank you", Leed Said, "your've helped us a lot",We'll not let the work that you've done come to naught.

"Thank you Lord for bringing him here,To laugh with, work with, and share with this year.

We'll always remember his kindness to usThank you Lord for blessing us thus."

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NEWS UPDATE

Much has happened in out little world since the last Newsletter. Gilberts visit was one of the highlights of this time and since hise departure four weeks ago, the work on the church building has continued to progress well. We now have reached up to window height and havemost of the concrete work done. Our completion date is set for mid-September; but this is dependant on available funds and availablematerials (especially roffing sheets).

The English speaking Bible Study that we have named "Mbala Christian Fellowship" is doing very well. Attendance has grown from 4to 40 each Sonday afternoon. We have been studying the book of Romans and doing a lot of singing and sharing together. It seems atthis time we ar reaching mainly the youth and we pray that the adult community will begin to attend from the town

We now have a new church at Muningi village with 16 baptized believers. Attendance at worship has been around 30. We are happyabout this work, because it has been a project of the Mbala church; several men have been going out to meet with the people in thisvillage. We have just learned that a significant number of people in the village are smoking what is call "dagga", an opiate type of plant.The village is considering dividing into two sections, one for the smokers and one for non-smokers of dagga.

The teaching program on the Life of Christ in which we are using visual aids and individual study has been progressing well. Severalstudents have now reached Lesson 15.

In family news, Brian now brags that he is "tail (37 3/4") and Christy is fat (17 lbs.). Christy is moving on all fours now and Brian hasdecided that hiaving a "moving" baby sister is not all that exciting at times!. His domain is being threatened! Lee's leg is healing nicely andas a whole we are all healthy. We have had a house guest for over a month now, Nick Shimunga, who is trying to get a place in Secondaryschool here. We praise the Lord that he has finally received an answer and will be going back to Kasama with a letter from the Headmasterhere which should help him find a place in a Secondary School, even if not here. He has been a real help to us, and a part of the family.

PRAYER CORNER

Thank the Lord for:

.. .our good health.

.. .Gilberts arrival and the progress made on the church building.

.. .the new church at Muningi.

.. .initial success of the English speaking study.

Please pray for:. . .working funds to complete the church building... .reaching the Mbala community for Christ... .growth at the Muningi Church and ability to reach the dagga smokers... .a "GO" indication from the Lord to start a new work at Lunzua where we have made some contacts.

THE PICTORIAL BOOK OF ACTS, IN THE BEMBA LANGUAGE I

We were pleased to hear from Beaverton Christian Churches Mission Committee that they will work closely with us to have the"Pictorial Book of Acts", put out by the College Press, in Jpolin, Missouri, produced in the Bemba language! Wefeel this will be a greathelp to the work throughout Zambia and are excited about working on the project with the Beaverton Church. If you are interested inhelping in this project, contact Clarence Creamer in care of the Beaverton Christian Church. It will be a big project, involving the printingof 5,000 copies; we could use your help.

YOURS FOR GOD'S KINGDOM ILee, Cheryl, Brian <&. Christy