BEVERLY SNELLING CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS

February 2010 – Beverly Christian Schools

2010-02-21T22:11:00.001-05:00

‘Beverly Christian Schools’ and ‘Beverly Schools’ are names chosen by two Christian Zambian women unknown to each other, who knew Bev. Coincidence? Not with God!

Ernest Sitali is pastor of Streams Of Living Waters Church Lusaka, Zambia. I taxied with him almost daily, attending seemingly endless meetings with government officials and tribal headmen. We were seeking title for land on which to build the new school complex. As we drove I learned that he and his wife attend a prayer meeting every morning at his church at 5:00am. I asked how many others attend and was shocked to hear, ‘20 to 25, never less than 10’. In that instant I knew why God guided Beverly to join with and trust Ernest. God provided, through you folks, first an elementary school, now a church, built this past year, and in the future a boarding high school with local elementary school, clinic and chapel. Please PRAY for Ernest’s church.

My last Sunday was privileged. I attended the first service, six hours long, in this new Church, the last one for which Bev raised prayer support and funds. Your prayers and donations built this school and church and previously Kenyama orphan homes, school and church. I was the only white man in this poverty stricken slum church, on a dead end street, surrounded by market stalls and bars. Everyone walks. No one owns a car. Please PRAY in the funds to finish this church.

Pastor Ernest has been allowed to read government documents assuring him that land ‘title‘ is imminent. But we still wait. God’s timing is not ours. Ernest and I are learning more and more about patience and trust in God. We have both been discouraged at various times this past fall. Please PRAY for us, especially Ernest as he, by himself, now that I’m back in Canada, must constantly trek back and forth to the office of Ministry of Land for the land title. PRAISE GOD ! FOR THE TAX EXEMPTION WE RECENTY OBTAINED FOR BUILDING SUPPLIES AND IMPORTS.

Hannah Price & Farzam Mohajer of Peoples Church heard Beverly speak at her last presentation in January 2009. Both felt God’s leading to pray about serving God with this new school complex. The result, Farzam, a student architect, came to Zambia with me. Most importantly he became my ‘Timothy’. He designed the school and most other buildings, a massive contribution. Hannah is in attendance in Teachers College at Tyndale University. Please PRAY that they hear and do God’s will.

Joy Hocking of Peoples Church, was a prayer and financial supporter of Beverly’s. In September Joy felt directed to learn more about this project. She has become my Administrative Assistant. Beverly prayed, in her final days, in my hearing, twice, specifically, that God would provide for me a suitable helpmate upon her passing. Marilyn Daniels of MATE shocked Joy and I - she has been praying since September that God would ‘kindle our affections’ (that’s a quote). Beverly, Marilyn and our prayer has been answered. Joy and I, with God’s peace, were engaged Christmas Day. Coincidence? Not with God! PRAYER WORKS! THANK GOD WITH US!

David: My double knee replacement surgery was on January 5th. No date is set for return to Africa until land ‘title’ is received and surgery healing complete, usually three months. Please PRAY for me. No date has been set for marriage, but ‘soon’, God willing, would be good! Please PRAY for us.

Red and White Sweet Potatoes - By Farzam Mohajer

2010-02-21T22:04:00.003-05:00

It was a family affair. A little girl, her dog and chicken stood watching while the mother and father ‘plowed’ the field. The hoe has a broad, birdlike head that flew up, and plunged quickly back into the ground, the thumps making a rhythm as the couple worked. Large pieces of earth would be dislodged, revealing red and white sweet potatoes. Hundreds of them, scattered around.

So much of identity in Africa is tied to the land. Its ownership often defines and roots families, providing assurance for generations to come. If you own the land officially, the chief and state must protect you at all costs. If you don’t own the land, you can be blown around with every wind of shifting power.
Our trip to Africa was to obtain land ownership and begin building a high school for orphans. The ‘free’ land in the village had multiple applicants with forged papers claiming ownership. There were complications regarding how free the land was. It was originally offered at no charge but the owner didn’t really have ‘title,’ and, she wanted, well, quite a bit ‘in exchange’. Although many of those hurdles are passed, THANK you God, government delay in providing land ‘title’ is the current obstacle obstructing the establishment of this school.

The final week, toiling with David through all the issues surrounding the land ‘title’ and reading Ecclesiastes, made me leave Africa on an emotional low. I couldn’t help but think that so much of what we build starts decaying from the moment it’s built, yet we work so hard to establish it. I began to picture the design drawings on my laptop becoming a reality. And then pictured rain ruining the facade, the roof rusting and ram shackled, termites destroying the foundation, windows breaking and columns tilting.

However, God spoke so gently and clearly through it all, reminding me that there were kids being pushed into idleness and hopelessness every week, in need of a place that will give them His hope. And more so, that our efforts should not be only to build a school, but mainly to PRAY for the spirit of these kids, for the work of God in their lives, for teachers with a heart and mentors with a passion to serve.

We’re in Africa to build a school as much as a farmer is in the field to topple dirt. The objective of the farmer is not to move earth - although they do lots of that - but it’s to uncover red and white sweet potatoes. Similarly, we are not called to Africa to stack bricks in the form of classrooms - although we may do lots of that - but we are there, physically or through prayer, yours and ours, so that in this toil God can bring transformation to the lives of people!
Please PRAY for the children of Africa.

Prayer and Donations

Our most IMPORTANT REQUEST is that you pray with us that God’s will, will be done. No construction can start till land ‘title’ is given.
None of your money donated during 2009 has been spent. No new donations will be spent until ‘title’ is granted. All this past summer’s expenses have been paid personally by Farzam and myself. Should you, after prayer, believe that God wants you to join with us in prayer for this project, and financially assist this much needed boarding high school for orphans, please do so.

BEVERLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS

2009-08-30T01:00:00.000-04:00

‘Beverly Schools’ and ‘Beverly Christian Schools’ are the two names which were suggested by two Zambian women who knew Bev but did not know each other. I thought that was quite something, from God. Adding ‘Snelling’ makes it too North American and would not make Beverly very happy. While it is not in stone yet, we have chosen the second name at this point.
Although the actual land title has not yet come through, here are some of the developments since I last wrote.
There have been several visits to Commissioners of Land assuring us of title “sooner or later” (that is a direct quote). A formal visit to the Chieftainess scheduled for August 2nd was cancelled the night before we drove the 40 Km out in the country to see her. Fortunately we called and found that out the night before. There was no indication we would have been called. That visit was rescheduled for August 9th. We drove the 40 kl bearing gifts as is custom but, you guessed it, cancelled again. She had decided to attend a three hour prayer session with her Priest exactly at the time of our appointment. Oh yes, her office kept the gifts.
On Friday August 21 we suddenly learned that The Minister of Land was actually in his office and we might just be able to see him. We did see him but he knew nothing about our request for land title. Very kindly he requested us to return on Tuesday Aug. 25 by which time he would have learned the details and make a decision. Tuesday we were there but were eventually ushered into the office of the Commissioner (mentioned above) who was quite upset that we had gone over his head. As we sat there The Minister suddenly entered and told him to “give the church the land”. Consequently we were promised a letter from the government, before I leave, indicating that the title would be given. Truthfully only God knows. I am trusting Him to provide.

Each of these trips requires us to coordinate the pickup of four people from various parts of the city by taxi. Often one is late or fails to show up at all. Thank you God for teaching me a little bit about patience.
God is in control. We wait (sometimes impatiently) for His will.
Throughout July and early August I began with prayer, looking for God’s choice of a vehicle to solve the problem of transportation both during this summer and then as we move into the building phase 30+ Km out of town on unimaginable roads. Suddenly Earnest explained that Springs of Living Waters Church had saved, over a long period, funds with which to purchase a small, 15 year old car to better facilitate his ‘Overseer’ position of about six other churches in his denomination, Pentecostal. After prayer we decided that we would combine his $5000 US with $4000 US from me and purchase a 1997--4WD Toyota ‘Surf’ (similar to Toyota ‘Highlander’ in Canada). This vehicle will allow him to navigate country roads (trails) anytime and Lusaka city slum “roads” (where he lives and his church is located) even during rainy season. When I return to Africa (God willing), I will need to purchase my own vehicle as Earnest will be knee deep in construction supervision and the overseeing of his churches.

It is a wonderful sign of God’s control of Ernest’s life that he is willing to contribute to this vehicle purchase rather than simply ‘accept’ from North America. He is obviously willing to put his “money where his ‘faith’ is”.
The car purchase triggered the need to request exemption from duty on importation of this car (a huge saving of about 31%). The car purchase was made on August 7. We will deliver the last document necessary to complete this request tomorrow, Thursday August 26. Ernest, and Edward mentioned in previous Blogs have spent literally days going from govt. office to govt. office filling out the various forms necessary for this exemption. The good news is that, when granted, this exemption will lower the cost not only of the car but on almost all building supplies for the new school and school supplies thereafter.
And then there is the setting up of a joint Business Bank Account necessary for transmission of donations to Zambia, and a personal account for myself. I have spent, together with Ernest at least four hours of each and every one of the last 4 days filling out the required forms for these and driving them back and forth to the various govt. offices. I’m glad I cannot actually recall all those steps to share with you. I’m sure you are also glad.

I would like to assure all those of you who have already contributed to this project that none of the money you have donated has been used this summer. I have felt directed by God to fund this summer’s expenditures myself (with help from Farzam and God transferring Bev’s BA air miles to me). I do not state this for personal glory but felt guided as a steward of God’s money that no donations should be used until title has been granted. If title is not granted I want to be in a position to return your donations.
Please continue to join me in prayer that the title will be granted and that God will provide the funds for construction. Interestingly the price of concrete is very low at present because of the world economy. God does have a way of making “all things work together for good” Romans 8:28.

“Watching God work”, continuously….

Summer ‘09

2009-08-02T11:51:00.003-04:00

We sat in almost darkness. The sun outside was blinding. Just two rooms, each maybe 10 by 12, no kitchen, no bathroom. A switch on the wall but no electricity. A double and single bed jammed into corners, boxes, a collection of women’s shoes. This is their bedroom? Tables, more boxes, ancient upholstered furniture (you just don’t want to touch) cram wall and floor space in the ‘living room’.
This is home (rented) to a ‘retired teacher’ (I’ll call ‘Ruth’) and her two daughters and I am angry with ‘Ruth’, or at least without God’s help I would have been. But I had not seen her house. Tears are constantly in my eyes as I write this, seated comfortably as I am in an Internet Cafe, good coffee or Coke at my disposable and by comparison with her, all the money in the world.
How could I be angry? ‘Ruth’ is the lady who offered Bev her farm for the new school campus in 2005. In March of this year, one month after Bev’s passing; ‘Ruth’ said she and Bev had an ‘agreement’ that she, ‘Ruth’, would get a house in exchange for the farm. Bev had not told me. Surely, if this were true, Bev would have told me, we had discussed the generous offer many times and prayed often for God’s guidance in returning to Africa. I was angry! But I had not seen Ruth’s house. I had assumed she was a retired teacher ‘just like me’. When we arrived in June Ruth’s story had grown to include an agreement with Bev to co-direct the whole new school complex. Should Bev at some point die, Ruth was to ‘inherit’ the campus and pass it on to her daughters upon her own death. Then and only then, should they be unable to continue to run the school it would be handed to ‘some’ agency. At present her daughters are 16 and 21, the oldest is rewriting high school equivalency wanting to be a nurse. My belief is that with finances the way they really are, this too is as much of a dream as the rest of this paragraph. So I was angry. But I had not seen her house.

Farzam and I sat in ‘Ruth’s house on Tuesday July 21 and listened to her statement of ‘agreements’ with Bev. As we listened, and after, as we prayed we felt her position was effectively closing the door on accepting her property for the campus. Were we to move on to God’s plan “B”? Bev had shattered the idea of God having a plan “B” two years ago with the thought, “God’s plans are always A+”. I do like that!
After much prayer, Farzam and I now both have peace, and have asked Pastor Ernest Sitali (of Streams of Living Waters Church) to head up the project. The building of his school (’07) and church (presently under construction) is the last project for which monies donated partly through Beverly’s ministry has been used. In September 2006, just before returning to Canada, Beverly and Ernest shared a similar vision from God to see a Christian boarding high school on the outskirts of Lusaka for the poor graduates of slum Christian public schools. I had no knowledge of that conversation prior to talking with Ernest upon arrival here in Lusaka in June. Ernest had no knowledge of this specific property until our arrival. Yet two or three weeks after Bev’s death he sent me an email asking when I was coming to build ‘a high school’. The timing of his request was directly in line with God’s direction to me. God does work in amazing ways.

Ernest, Edward (Bev’s go-between with ‘Ruth’) and I sat in Ruth’s house on Wednesday July 29 as she repeated her ‘agreements’. God had given me an approach. Over the previous two days, sick with diarrhea and extreme tiredness (got checked, not Malaria. Thank you God!) I had read a book on cross cultural dispute resolutions. So I proceeded. I explained my embarrassment at having to tell Bev’s North American donors that the land was not free. Not only would the land cost ‘one house’ but came complete with a ‘Director’ and inheritance obligations to her children. Secondly, it seemed to me that Beverly would not have put me through that embarrassment, essentially setting me up for these difficult negotiations. Ernest suggested that Beverly was not here to defend herself. As a result we would not be able to accept her land.
Suddenly ‘Ruth’ said she would withdraw her requests (PRAISE GOD) but would we remember that she was a poor widow who was giving up her right to her land. We agreed completely. I now had seen her house. Ernest feels that a small house is appropriate and within financial reach. We did not promise as, it still depends upon how much land she really has to give. We have been assured by the Commissioner of Land that land is forth coming but its dimensions are still not clear. We are trying now to see him again to speed up the process. We are ready and eager to start on the property before I leave on September 3rd, but only as God leads.

I am not skilled to understand.

What God has willed.

What God has planned.

I only know at His right hand

Stands one who is my Saviour.

The words and melody of the above hymn trickled slowly through my mind the other day. I had not been blessed by their sound in 50+ years. God is at work here in Zambia. He is changing peoples’ minds and opening doors, just as He has promised to do. I believe He wants His poor young children to get an education even as they developed a personal relationship with the God who promises to guide their steps as they put Him first in their lives.

Please continue to pray!

“Watching God work”, (And we are seeing God work in many more ways than there is room to tell about here)

Friday the 10th - Headmen

2009-07-12T16:29:00.002-04:00

Progress on getting title for the land has been very slow but seems to be happening. These are some of the problems…

It turns out that Rosaria does not have clear title to the land. At first she said 2 other people had a headman illegally remove her name from title and add theirs when she had been unable to attend a meeting with them, because of her sick children.

At the meeting with 26 headmen they said it would take 4 years to untangle the legal mess. They were proposing we consider another piece of land 2 very rough kilometers farther along the “road” which we had seen the week before, but did not realize it was not Rosaria’s land. At the end of that meeting Farzam insisted on stopping to see Rosaria’s actual land. He was, I believe, led of God to pull me back onto the track of being given the land upon which Beverly actually had the vision of the campus. I had found it easy to get convinced that 4 years of waiting for a legal entanglement of her property might mean we should settle 4 other property. Of course we are open to God changing His direction to other property but at present we are proceeding towards THE original ‘vision’ property until God closes the door or not.

More clarity came yesterday at a meeting with Rosaria and one of the so called illegal people (Joe). It turns out that “her property” is really 1/3 of what she had been saying (Did she know that? We don’t know.) and that ‘Joe’ and ‘Muenga’ each have been granted LEGALLY one of the other two portions. Also they each have a receipt showing they have paid survey fees for their portion. Rosaria does not have a receipt. A man MAY confirm on Monday that she paid. If not, well, the headman have indicated that she was awarded her portion because she taught school in the area for 9 years. But nothing is for sure yet. PRAYER IS NEEDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another aspect is as follows. Two weeks ago the Commissioner of Lands asked us for 3 letters. One from me (MATE) outlining what we want to build. One from Rosaria outlining entanglements of her possible ownership. One from Pastor Ernest Sitali, of Springs of Living Water Church outlining his connection to me.

As an aside both Farzam and I have great peace in connecting with him as CEO (or whatever) of this project in Zambia. His is one of the 2 schools Beverly was responsible for building and whose church is even now being built with money she raised. I have been given the privilege of directing the final amount of Action “Beverly workfund” donations to any Action project, so I chose to contribute that to the completion of the last building which God directed her to be involved with. Please join in prayer that even more will be donated for its completion, as Action Zambia has told Ernest that they are not in a ministry any longer which raises funds for such building.

Back to the Commissioner of Lands. He told us there already was a meeting scheduled (now ain’t that a miracle) between The MINISTER of Lands and the Chieftainess for this week (delayed now till next Tuesday. 14th) to settle the ownership and hopefully give title to each of these 3 people and others on other plots in that same area.

The Minister is responsible for State Land, the Chieftainess for Traditional Land. However the minister must frequently request of chiefs everywhere, additional land for the state for an ever increasing population. Chiefs everywhere are reluctant to give up Traditional Land. This particular chieftainess never gives title. So PRAYER IS NEEDED that if she has control over the land God wants for this project she will give title.

All of the above has been explained in a page or so. It has been considerably more involved than that. There have been meetings almost every day and sometimes several. The story has changed a number of times. While we think we have the whole truth today we have thought that many times over these weeks. However the Lord has not closed the door. With the meeting of the Minister of Lands and the chieftainess on Tuesday 14th there seems every possibility that we will know on Wed. 15th.

Farzam has this week contacted the Department of Development and submitted a letter outlining proposed buildings. They have predetermined sizes of classrooms/buildings for specific numbers of students. This should be helpful in design. While he leaves Zambia for home on July 23 he can do some design work at home. We want however to include input from the local area ie. Have kids in present area schools design decoration, playground etc, have adult input from churches and school teachers.

On a personal note this is wonderful wonderful work. You could say we are having the time of our lives. Little hot water, showers that don’t work, no hangers, very old taxis, (two blowouts in two days on one of them) whatever, hardly come into the picture. Some days I have been sooooo tired. But the people are SO appreciative. For me even the temperature is perfect, 20 on a hot day and COLD (maybe 10) at night. I fear for the poor who have no blankets. However Oct. is HOT at about 30-35 in the daytime and 25+ at night. This year God is sparing me from that.

Sunday the 5th - Promised Land

2009-07-12T16:16:00.001-04:00

I have had a very interesting time since I got here. Home till tomorrow, is with a member of a local church which has overseen funds sent for land transfer taxes before we got here. Tomorrow, a holiday here, we will be moving to the new home of a friend of Beverly’s in whose orphanage we stayed last year. That home which we saw last year is absolutely gorgeous. Her husband is a retired professor of Zambia University. She is very astute in acquiring building supplies at way below market value which adds to the value.

Last Monday we traveled out of town about 23 kl. Along dirt tracks certainly not graded since rainy season if ever. It was exactly like driving out to the village in Mexico when I was a child. A group of huts greeted us upon our arrival. Strewn between them were about six rusted out old vehicles of various ages which had been left exactly where they had “died”. The view down the valley from the village was magnificent.

About 11am 26 headmen, six women and two children had gathered for the 10 o’clock tribal council meeting with us. Should they give us land in their area or would we turn out to be the same as a Muslim group who promised schools on free property and then brought orphans from across Zambia (so the orphans could not contact their families) and began training them as suicide terrorist? The Zambian government shut that program down about 8 years ago but the white Arabic like building sits out of place alone in that valley, a constant reminder of a very bad decision which they don’t want to repeat.

Local headmen have every reason to wonder who we are and what we will or won’t do. A week before, at a meeting standing on a dirt trail where our fourwheel vehicles could go no farther, Chiyeya, the no. 2 headman had said, quite forcefully,”Are you going to be just like them?”

We sat in a round mud grass thatched roof council chamber with built in mud bench all around the inside wall. (women and children on the floor). I was given a padded chair seat (no back), three other guests had wood seats. The very orderly and interesting meeting lasted only four hours with everyone I guess, going out at one time or another to the “facilities”. The meeting didn’t stop. At about three we ate lunch. My diabetes was ok with periodic testing and a shot of sugar form one bite-sized Mars bars. Lunch was preceded with someone caring around a bowl and pitcher of water for each one in turn to wash his/her hands. But where did they get the water?

Throughout the meeting small children, dogs and chickens occasionally appeared silhouetted in the doorway, but did not enter.

The discussion in the meeting began with each and every headman standing and stating how glad they were that someone was finally going to do something in their area. It was both hard to hear and gratifying, they are so poor. Then came concerns, most quite legitimate. In the end it was decided that a delegation of sixteen would come by bus on Friday July 3 to see both building projects Beverly had been responsible for building.

Therefore Friday July 3 was a very interesting day. 12 men and 2 women arrived about 11:30 am at kanyama. They toured one orphan home the church and each and every classroom, the office and library. The questions asked of many teachers and the head mistress were intelligent and thought provoking, 45 min worth. Two questions were: How do you handle difficult children and how do you handle children with mental challenges? Chiyeya, I learned later has such a son. The school offered to test his son and said they might be able to accommodate him. Cheyaya was sold on the project. He later told me “You people really do want to help us”. His English was very good.

At the second school the kids were actually in class. Chiyeya got a whole group around him and asked a lot of very good questions. The best was “What is different about this Church based school and a government school?”. Students who had been in both said, “This school is more serious”. They obviously liked that.

All of these questions to teachers and kids alike were conducted in the local language Neanga so Farzam and I had to get regular updates as we went along. In both schools the head mistress ended her presentation by falling to her knees in traditional Neanga custom and asked the assembled headmen to think favorably on granting the land for the school. For these two schools it will be a long awaited place for their graduates. A boarding high school (with public school for kids in the area) which Beverly had clearly been guided of God to provide.

There is still a title problem which needs prayer but which it seem likely to be settled in the near future. There are many angles, pros and cons and issues which I just do not have time now to go into. It is now Monday and we are moving from this house which has limited internet access. We don’t know what is available where we are going.

2009-06-21T20:22:00.003-04:00

I’m now in Zambia, Africa to facilitate the planning of a new school campus. This seems almost unbelievable, that God would actually send me, without Beverly, alone. But I am not alone. God is with me. In my teens God gave me this promise, (Heb.13:5), “I will never leave you or forsake you". I left Him. He did not leave me. Now God has reminded me of the next thought in that promise, “He Himself has said, so I may boldly say, the Lord is my helper I will not fear” (vs.6). Living without the anxiety (and depression) of the past 30 years is awesome. Philippians 4:6-7 tells me how to live worry free.

Those of you, who know me well, know that I have no experience in most of the areas of work that this school building project will entail. I do not know why God would ask me to direct such a project, a school campus no less. In modern words "It blows my mind". I do know that if I had a background in this area of work I would be tempted to rely on my own knowledge to do it. I do not have that knowledge. I must rely on Him. It is a GOD SIZED TASK. "Prayer" and "Thanksgiving" clarifies God's will by giving me complete peace of mind, (Phil. 4:6-7). Two more promises provide all I need, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (vs.13), and, “God will provide all my needs”, vs. 19.

Give Thanks with me for….

1. Many praying partners.

2. Bev's BA air miles for the flight to Zambia.

3. Accommodation and car in Zambia.

4. A camcorder with MasterCard air miles.

5. Some secretarial assistance.

6. A Zambian work visa.

7. An architect.

8. An engineering co.

9. A web page designer.

10. An IT and Blogger specialist.

Most of the above has happened without my having done anything! People have just offered to help in response to God’s nudging, after reading the April Prayer Letter, or an email, or hearing a talk. This is how

God is bringing the “builders” He wants onto His "building site". Listen! Is God nudging you?

Pray with me....

1. That God will move more people to pray.

2. That God will bring together His choice of new board members to oversee the building projects.

3. That God will provide a much needed long term part time volunteer Administrative Assistant in Toronto.

4. That God will cause the land transfer of ownership for the school campus to proceed smoothly.

5. That God will give Farzam and me patience, trust, and obedience to Him during the land transfer process.

6. That God will give Farzam and me wisdom in prioritizing all the “stuff” to be done.

7. That God will provide us health. I have right knee replacement surgery scheduled for Sept. 23. I am diabetic.

“Watching God” BUILD

In 2005 God gave Beverly His vision for this new school campus consisting of a High School, Public School, Chapel, Clinic, Dormitory, Dining Room, and training buildings for various shops and agriculture. This school is clearly needed for poverty stricken graduates from free Christian public schools who have no money for government high schools. The pastor/teacher of one of these Church based schools has emailed me several times since Beverly’s death asking “When will a high school be built?” The answer now seems to be “very soon”.

Note to Past Donors

As Beverly and I felt directed by God last January, I have now resigned from Action Canada as of June 1. As a result of my departure, all your automatic deduction donations by cheque or credit card have been cancelled. However, the children's school education and feeding programs in Lusaka, Zambia continue and the kids still have great needs. I therefore urge you, under God's guidance, to continue to contribute to Action by re-instating your contributions with them, and keep Grandma Bev’s kids in school.

The Kanyama Orphan Ministry has been turned over by Action Zambia to Emmanuel Church in Kanyama and therefore your donations to the Kanyama Orphan Ministry have also been stopped. If you were supporting Kanyama orphans, prayerfully consider redirecting your donations to orphans in Gulu, Uganda, with Action International. Bev and I saw wonderful work being done there.

“Watching God” PROVIDE

The new school campus building project is a GOD SIZED VISION both physically and financially. I would ask what Jesus asked, that “you ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into this harvest field.” Matt. 9:38. God will answer your prayer. He will lay upon the hearts of His people this need for Prayer Partners, Volunteer Workers both in North America and Zambia, and Donors. If you pray this prayer God will provide in His own way, in His own time.

Donations: Payable to MATE/FCC designated “Beverly’s Memorial”

2009-04-12T22:26:00.000-04:00

On February 13, 2009 Beverly, my beloved wife, went to be with her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Beverly had an eleven month fight with cancer. I miss her. We had only been married 14 months. In fact we only met for the first time February 10, 2007. "Was it worth it?" She asked me that several times in January. My answer was and is ABSOLUTELY YES! It was a most awesome relationship. "Adjustments?" friends would ask, and we laughed and said to each other, "What adjustments?" (OK she didn't like it when I licked my knife.) Neither of us was interested in the other beyond spiritual mentorship at the start. I saw Christ in her. She exhibited a deep personal relationship with God and experienced God working in her life in a deep and meaningful way. Her favorite phrase was "talk to the Boss," about everything and I do mean everything, and always do what He says. She lived Phil. 4:6. But both of us argued with God as we "talked to the Boss" when we felt God nudging us toward each other. I can only guess how empty my life would have been had one or both of us not been listening or had chosen to disobey God on this one. This was a marriage made in heaven. I'm glad we were listening and in the end willing to obey. Should you ever argue with God and not do what He wants you to do you will always miss enormous joy. How could the God who planned the universe not know what is best for you? Talk to the Boss! Obey the Boss! "You will have peace that surpasses all human understanding," Philippians 4:7.

"Watching God Work"-Yesterday

"Watching God Work" was Bev's phrase. It was never "her work" or "others' work," it was always "God's work." God gave us wonderful experiences together in Africa last year "Watching Him Work" in Kampala and Gulu Uganda through Action International Ministries. Prison ministry, street children, orphans, radio ministry, pastoral training, Butterfly Moms (young women abducted as children for sex slavery now rescued but with both child and AIDS), Men of Courage (young men abducted as children and made "killing machines" now rescued but traumatized). Both men and women without education. There are now education programs for both, and for their children.

In Zambia the schools are doing very well. A new church is being built, as I write, at Streams of Living Waters Church beside its' new school, completed in 2007. A new Action Bible Institute has been started for pastors, taught by two deeply spiritual former US pastors. Sixteen men are in regular attendance. Not only are they learning for themselves but they are being taught how to pass their new knowledge on to their congregations. It was awesome "Watching God Work"!

"Watching God Work"-Today

In 2005, "Grandma Bev" was "Watching God Build" a school complex at Emmanuel Church in Kenyama Lusaka Zamia. A retired school teacher was also watching, and offered Beverly her own farm for another school campus in another area. While viewing this farm at that time, God showed Beverly where on the property He wanted a high school, with boarding and dining facilities, an elementary school, medical clinic, worship center and shops for a variety of skills and agricultural training just as He had previously shown her the arranging of the various buildings in Kenyama. Beverly was unable to proceed with this new project at that time. This High School will be an essential addition to Lusaka as there is nowhere for public school graduates from Emmanuel School, Streams of Living Water School and other Christian public schools to attend. All government High Schools while "free" demand fees for books, uniforms and shoes and these kids have nothing.

In January 2009 God made clear that this farm property was still available. The donor would give it to me in the event of Beverly's death. God has given Beverly's vision to me and I am prayerfully proceeding with this building project under the auspices of Mission for Advancing Theological Education & Friends Committed to Caring (MATE/FCC), which already has ministries in Zambia and other countries. The property will be "owned" by an African board on which I will sit.

Action International Ministries Zambia is, under God's direction and guidance, in a period of consolidation of existing ministries. In January, as Beverly and I prayerfully considered God's direction to leave Action so that we could begin this new project with MATE/FCC and return to Zambia together, Beverly suddenly took a severe turn for the worse, passing away in February.

"Watching God Build" a Team

God has aligned MATE with a large Zambian church to provide us much needed guidance. Pray for them. God has directed a young man, an architectural student to request an available grant from The University of Toronto for development of this school project, this summer. Pray that the grant will be provided if it is His will. God has led a volunteer to design a web page, literature and the format for this letter. God has provided several to assist me with computer skills (now that's a really big one) and various computer applications so far totally beyond my grasp.

I have no doubt that God will add to this team any who are listening for His guidance. Above all God asks you to pray - "talk to the Boss" for workers (Matt. 9:36), volunteers and full time, here in North America and in Africa. We believe that we need a volunteer Administrative Assistant here in Toronto to handle every aspect of the Canadian end of this project. Do pray and obey!!! Do totally submit to God's direction in your life!!! You will be shocked and thrilled at the peace and joy you will experience as you let God manage your life!!! Don't miss the thrill!!!

"Watching God Work"- In Me

I do not understand God's ways and timing sometimes but I do find as I continue to experience God in my relationship with Him, "talking to the Boss," that I have perfect peace and joy when and only when I listen, trust and obey Him. During the period of Beverly's increasing illness, yes increasing pain and need of advanced medical care, we only had peace when we continued our plans to return to Zambia together. Humanly this was, and we knew it, a ridiculous idea. But each time we stopped planning, our peace left us. Until near the very end. Only then could we see that God did not look as though He was going to make it possible for Beverly to return. We had read Philippians several times prior to her death including during the two hours before she died. But only in rereading it again several days after did I notice Chapter 1 verses 25 and 27. Paul, in a Roman prison, knowing he was near the end of his life, "knew" (verse 25) that he would remain and see the Philippians again, yet in verse 27 he says "whether I come (to see you) or whether I don't ....So Paul "knew" that he did not "know for sure." James clearly tells us in Ch. 4:13-15 that all plans must proceed only with the thought, "if the Lord wills". The Lord did not "will" for Beverly to return to Zambia.

Today April 2nd confirmation came from British Air. I leave "if the Lord wills" in June for several months in Lusaka to continue God's work on this project. That was a miracle too. It has taken between 6 and 8 hours on computer and phone to get Bev's BA air points transferred for my use...Give Thanks!!! Phil.4:6. ...God has promised to provide "ALL our NEEDS," Phil. 4:19.

God had many more promises for me in those final moments of Beverly's life. This one stood out: Philippians Ch. 1:6

"...and I am sure of this that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion...".

And then there is Grandma Bev's ultimate promise from God,

"He who calls you is faithful He will surely do it." 1 Thess. 5:24

If God has called me He will make it happen. My job is to listen, trust and obey and "Watch God Work".

“Watching God work”