cabjnews.com

May 19, 2012

Updates

January 28, 2012 - Overwhelmed!
Dear Team Member,

Five hours in the Miracle Machine today and it was like you were there with me and you were prayed for. First part of the journey, as usual, I had the CD player going but at one check point where I had to turn it off, as I reached to turn it on again, it was like someone just took my hand and stopped me from putting it back on. I began to think of earlier this week and how overwhelmed I was as I looked at 2011 year-end financials. During this past year month-end reports have not always looked great but as I looked at the year-end reports, I once again saw the greatness of the God I serve. As has happened many times in this Shared Funding journey, several end-of-the year donations put my budget report in the black. I sat at my desk in awe and very humbled. Thank you for being the instruments God has used to once again show me that I am exactly where He wants me to be and He is able.

As I drove in peace and quiet (not too much traffic on the Eastern Province road) I prayed for you...churches by name and individuals collectively. I thought maybe I would pray for the individuals one-by-one on my return trip but that may not happen because it sounds as if there is someone wanting a ride back to Lusaka so there will be more than just me and God in the Miracle Machine. Please don't feel too left out. Really, you were prayed for, I just didn't get to the name-by-name praying. I'm sure God knows each one, your needs and challenges and is working on your behalf.

For churches these days it seems my prayer is for churches to make an impact in their community...socially and spiritually. Recently I heard a pastor speaking of the influence of his church in the community. His words challenged me very much. He said he wanted to know that if for some reason his church had to be removed from the community, its absence would be noticed, that they would be missed. Isn't that what it is about? Impacting our community. We are not an island or a club within the community, it is imperative that we make an impact in the community we find ourselves in.

What a privilege that today's trip brought me to a church which indeed is making an impact in its community. For many years now I have been impressed with Pastor Muzoka and Pastor Zulu from Petauke in their efforts to reach out to their community. They are a growing church but their work is not only inside the church walls. This one church has 55 branch churches, mostly in rural areas covering a large area and even extending to Mozambique. In the community they have been involved in Home Based Care, caring for terminally ill patients, widows, orphans, and many suffering from abject poverty. Today's trip brought me here to take photos of several children who are being sponsored by individuals in Canada through Child Care Plus and to take photos and fill out applications for more children needing sponsorship. This all came about at the request of the pastor for help in the church's support of 17 orphans within the church. I was impressed that a local church would care enough to take on the support of orphans within its church. I have seen such a love and concern from the pastors and committee as they recognize the needs of the children around them, knowing the children by name, loving them, wanting to see them able to finish school, and wanting them to know and live for God. Today Pastor Muzoka pointed out a girl of about 10 years old and said, "Cheryl, this is the size most of the children were when I came here. Now many of them are in colleges and getting married." Thirteen years he has been in this church and caring for the children and youths, seeing many of them flourishing in their lives and moving on with God. Yes, I do believe that Pastors Muzoka and Zulu and Jehovah's Tabernacle have made an impact in Petauke and their church would be missed.

Today I have prayed that your church would be missed by your community.

As I continued praying, I prayed also that I would be an effective Ambassador for your church here in Zambia...be it in ministry to children through Seedlings, through Child Care plus, or just being able to share some love with kids that often feel little or no love. Be it in helping a widow here or there, or encouraging a pastor or church who may be struggling in finances or ministry, yes, may I be your hands and heart reaching out. So much to do, Lord help me to effectively use the time at hand to do what you want me to do!

Thank you for entrusting me and sending me...and keeping me here!

Cheryl Ann Johnson

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Off to Kitwe
September 23, 2011
Inauguration is over
September 23, 2011
The Waiting is Over!
August 08, 2011
The lost update
August 05, 2011
Boo Hoo!
July 15, 2011
The Borehole Adventure
July 01, 2011
Happy Canada Day!
June 15, 2011
Lunar Eclipse
March 27, 2011
Rejoicing in the Midst of Sorrow
February 27, 2011
Sad week in Zambia
November 18, 2009
Today has been a Child Care Plus day
June 28, 2009
Child Care Plus
June 22, 2009
The Missionary Family
May 30, 2009
Waking up in Zambia...
July 01, 2008
Happy Canada Day!
April 04, 2007
Last Week's Happenings
January 13, 2007
Coca-Cola and Your Prayers
November 16, 2006
Alberta WM Team was a Blessing
March 14, 2006
Maize Meals for Families of Champheta
February 28, 2006
Dear Mom
February 20, 2006
A Message for Mom
December 30, 2005
Never!
December 24, 2005
Merry Christmas Mom
September 26, 2005
Another email to Mom...
September 15, 2005
An Email to Mom...
July 23, 2005
You Have Been Prayed For!
May 23, 2005
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May 06, 2005
You never know what a day might bring...
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Nothing is Impossible with God
March 05, 2005
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February 27, 2005
Shock and disbelief
January 14, 2005
Walking by faith
November 30, 2004
What a beautiful morning...
August 30, 2004
Let the Adventure Begin
July 31, 2004
Back to Canada
July 23, 2004
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December 14, 2003
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Shared in Sunday service at George PAOC(Z) Church
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We're back from Kitwe!
May 12, 2003
Teacher Training Workshops have begun!
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Eastern Province feeding program becoming reality
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Seedlings on 100 Huntley Street
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Filming for Seedlings Promotions
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Christmas Update
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A God Appointment
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Travel, travel, travel...
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Animal Kingdom...
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Potential open doors into some schools
February 17, 2002
Church without walls - literally!
February 10, 2002
Vehicle still at customs
January 23, 2002
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Preschool Graduation at the Lilongwe Pentecostal Christian School
November 11, 2001
Graduation ceremonies
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Riot at a big school in Kitwe
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Seedlings on 100 Huntley Street
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Harare is now home
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Christmas Day
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