I pass by this sign every single day on my way to the office.  I’m amazed by the names given to churches in the compounds.  This church’s name is called Grace Achiever’s Church – which is of course a contradiction in terms according to Ephesians.  At the very least, each morning I’m reminded of Ephesians 2:8-9.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. “

Do I view divine grace and favor as God’s initiative?  Am I working towards my own righteousness?  Can I receive the grace and love of God for me as a free gift?  Hmm… I wonder if that sign is there for me?

It makes me mad when I come across a sign like the one posted below.  My jaw drops as I read “pray your way to salvation…” And I wonder just how many people think they are Christians doing all the right things, following the prescription their church has outlined for them, but have never truly encountered Christ, the suffering one, who bore our sins upon the cross.  All of Action Zambia’s ministries combat the health and wealth gospel at some level.  We pray that God would use us to speak simply and clearly about Jesus Christ.

Tim, Andrea and the kids had a chance to go and visit his him in Kanyama compound.  In addition to the church, Bruce has set up a small school called “Keke Christian Academy”.  From what I could tell, it only provides pre-school and some of the lower grades.  The children looked very engaged in what they were doing and the teachers, similarly, seemed very engaged with the children.

It was great to see a church where there is so much concern for the well-being of their community.  We pray God’s abundant blessing on that Church and that many children will come to know their Saviour because of their education at the school.

We had the pleasure of Rhoda’s company for a few days.  She is the adoptive daughter (or in progress) of the Allens.  Ireen was super excited to have a friend spend the night and she played the role of older sister well!  While Rhoda did miss her sisters, I think Ireen was a good distraction.  The pictures are of story time before bed and a little photo shoot Sunday morning before church.

On Sunday mornings Ireen says, “Are we going to go to the tent church today?”  That’s how she describes it before adding,  “Papa, I like building churches more.”  We do attend a church fellowship that meets under a big tent.  Andrea and I have been attending Lusaka Baptist Church now for about three years and last year they undertook a construction project for a new building.   Until that project is complete, we’ll continue to meet under the “tent of meeting”.

If we are not late to arrive at church, we are able to find seating inside.  But when the tent fills up they roll up the sides and late-comers sit outside.  For us with white skin, the sun rays are absolutely brutal – even during the rainy season.  So at least it’s good motivation for us to arrive a little bit early and find seating inside.  Ireen leaves for her Sunday school class half-way through the church service – which she really likes.  Ian sits in the pew on Andrea or my lap looking at books, munching on snacks, sucking on his pacifier, or drink his “joosh” (juice).  Inevitably he gets irritated by the confinement, prompting us to take him outside.  Here’s a picture of a typical Sunday morning service: