ZBINDEN MINISTRIES, Inc.
204 Patricia Ln
West Frankfort, IL 62896
618-932-8221
www.zministries.org
Greetings in the Matchless name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Four of us just returned from the 7th trip to Mozambique that is such an important part of the partnership between West Frankfort Second Baptist Church and Christ Baptist Church in Polokwane, South Africa. What a rewarding trip! Rathel Housewirth, Kathy Gower, Jessica Arnone & myself had a wonderful time ministering to the Shangan people of Mozambique. Ten of the native church leaders attended the study of “Spiritual Disciplines” by Donald S. Whitney to the church leaders which I was privileged to lead. It was a special blessing to see the men ask questions and participate in discussion..
We went visiting hut to hut several days. The people are so loving and hospitable, you can’t help but come away feeling blessed to be a part of God’s family.
Kathy Gower got to try her hand at grinding corn and our interpreter, Member got to stir the meal that they use to make pap.
Rathel Housewirth and Kathy taught the women every afternoon at 2:00. By the end of our time there they had 95 in attendance.
Jessica taught the children a lesson every afternoon at 4:00 & then they had a play time.
The women helped feed the orphans & taught them a lesson on Saturday & Wednesday. On Wednesday they all got a shirt.
We had worship services in three places almost every night. Since I was the only preacher our interpreters got to take turns preaching as well. It was a special treat for all of us. On Sunday evening Joseph preached in English & Member translated into Shangan.
I preached in Xicumbane on Saturday night, Sunday morning, Monday night & Thursday night. On Tuesday I preached in Chowe & Wednesday in Lisenga.
We got to do a devotion at the Xicumbane school every morning & afternoon.
We started our days with coffee & rusks at 7:00 every morning & then our group devotion at 7:30 with breakfast at 8:30. Then we would go out hut to hut. Monday through Thursday I started my teaching at 9:00 & went until 1:00. We started back at 2:00 & went till 4:00.
Kathy got very sick on Thursday & we had a hard time getting her out of Mozambique on Friday. The roads (if that’s what you want to call them) are dirt & sand. Fortunately for the locals the drought is over but that means that there were a lot more ditches washed in the roads making them much rougher. It took us 4 hours to travel 90 kilometers. We were able to get Kathy to a doctor Friday evening & she was cleared to make the flight home Saturday & Sunday with the help of a wheelchair in the airports. Praise God, she is doing much better now.
Thank you so much for your prayers.
As always, I want to thank each and every one of you who supports ZMI and a special thanks to my church family. It is truly exciting to watch God at work in His world and a blessing to be able to obey His great commission.
In His Love & Service,
Bro. Joe