Death is a Reality

First it was Charles sister, then one of our friends John Chitambo's son and now, this morning, we received news that Dailes' brother passed away rather suddenly and unexpectedly. The cause of death is unknown, but he'd been sick. I can't say enough how much death is a part of this culture. Dailes herself has lost a father, a husband and, now, two brothers and she's only 35 years old. It's nothing like the States.

We're thankful that Dailes is a believer and a light to her family during this time, but we are grieving with her as she has lost someone dear to her. Please be in prayer for her and her family. Pray for her mother's health during this time as well, as she is struggling to take some of her medications because of a lack of appetite.

A Day at a Zambian Farm

(If you are receiving this post via email, you will need to go to: www.RobertsinZambia.Blogspot.com to view the slideshow)

On Friday, Kerri took Gracyn, Caleb and Thomas to a farm about an hour outside of Lusaka. A family, who is managing the property invited her and several other missionary families out for a "field trip." Most of the children are home-schooled. So, there are a group of mothers who try to get together about once every other month for a field trip to different places. The kids had a great and came back with a lot of goodies.

Some of the highlights of the day were:

• Getting to ride on the combine as they harvested Maize. They told the kids that you can regularly see cobras and black mambas being combine head as they went across the field harvesting.

• Getting to jump on bails of hay that were stacked 2 and 3 high.

• And getting to swim in a container full of maize kernels where they found many bugs and 1 dead mouse.

This is the fun stuff your kids get to do in Zambia!

A Heavenly Homecoming

This was a posting today from the Whitfields about Joshua Chitambo. It was a very emotional service to attend. As a father of 5, I can't imagine how it would feel burying one of my own children. Please continue to pray for this family.

Dear Friends

It is with physical sadness but spiritual rejoicing I write to inform you that Joshua went home to be with the Lord in the early hours of Friday morning. The funeral was today and Elise and I attended along with the rest of Action Zambia's missionaries. This was a hard one to swallow even though death has become a part of everyday life as we serve here in Zambia. I had seen Joshua's father Jon the day before and we prayed together still believing God could heal his son.

At the service it was very clear that even in death God had given this young man a very special assignment.....to honor and exude an example of rejoicing in the Lord always. As siblings and friends shared it became evident that despite monumental suffering this young warrior never became bitter with what was allowed to come his way. Instead, he used it as an opportunity to minister to others (often trying to minister to him), reminding them that in all things we can rejoice in knowing that God knows and has the best plan for us.

As I reflected back on my visit with Joshua a week ago, I realized, even without speaking a word, that he at left me with that very understanding. During our visit I prayed that God would use Joshua's sickness as a platform for others to come to a saving knowledge of the Salvation of Jesus Christ. I now realize that the single tear and smile left on Joshua's face after we prayed was his way of confirming that he wanted the same, even if it cost him his life.

Let Joshua's life challenge you to consider what you are willing to give up in order that others might be saved. Remember the greatest act of love ever recorded cost Jesus his life but gained eternity for the multitudes. To those that prayed for Joshua, thank you, and know that one day I am sure you will get a big embrace from this amazing young man.

His Servant

Luke

The Last 13 Months

This post is mainly for the grandparents. They are always wanting to see how the children are growing up and how we are all getting along. So, we put together a 10 minute slideshow of random pictures that we have taken since our return to Zambia in May 09. Time has gone by so fast and the kids have grown so much. Anyways, please take the time to watch a quick picture summary of our family life over the past 13 months.

If you are receiving this post via email, you will need to go to our website to view the video: www.RobertsinZambia.Blogspot.com.

Prayer Request

This morning, at 4:45 am, we received word that the son of one of our Zambian teammates had passed away. Joshua Chitambo passed away from complications related to kidney disease. Joshua was 20 years old. John Chitambo, his father, has worked with Action Zambia Ministries for several years assisting with the HIV/AIDS ministry known as CROSS. He is a very dear friend to everyone on our team. Please pray for him and his family during this time. The funeral is probably going to be Sunday afternoon.

A Visit With Family

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Kerri and I are a little depressed today. Kerri's brother Matt and his wife April have been visiting with us for the past two weeks and left to go home this afternoon. Matthew is an associate pastor with Redeemer Church of Knoxville. So, we put him to work a little while he was here. He had the opportunity to preach in Zambia his first Sunday and then the second week, he taught about "Worship" at our Action Pastors College. We also had a little fun while they were here as well. The video above is just some pictures put together from their trip here. We hope you enjoy.

We love our family and friends dearly. So, it was such a treat to have them come for a visit. But it was also difficult saying goodbye. I think I speak for most, if not all, missionary families when I say that this is the hardest part of missions. It's not living in another culture. It's not adjusting to new foods and languages. It's not learning how to live differently as a family. It's leaving those you love to go and serve. That's one of the hardest things about serving God overseas.

So, when visitors come, it is such a blessing and an encouragement. Thank you Matt and April for making the sacrifice to come and visit. We love and miss you already!