Bernard and Joyce have arrived back at the village safely. While away, the vehicle’s steering rack was broken entailing a very costly repair/ replacement of it.

Thankfully the repair has been carried out successfully.

Witton have receive a letter from Bernard and Joyce, here are some of the needs to pray about.

Thankful for the tapes of good sound preaching that a missionary gave to Bernard.

Communications are very frustrating, mobile internet gadgets no longer works and Bernard has to travel about 2 miles to get a mobile phone signal.

Strength to keep going in the work. Both Bernard and Joyce are very busy.

Continued oppurtunities to bring the Gospel to the people.

Living out God’s word before people.

Bernard thanks God  that Africa is changing him.

Thankfulness for the Lord providing daily needs.

Joyce continues to run a Pre school/ Toddler Nursery in the vilage. The sand and a finger are their paper and pencil for writing letters . Up to sixty children attend, some of the locals are amazed because it’s free. The aim is for the children to be able to read their own Bibles.

Scripture lessons for adults too. Learning Scripture such as the Ten Commandments but more importantly putting into practise its teaching.

Building a meeting room eventually.

Bernard has arrived back at Ikelenge safely.

They’ve received the things sent in the container from the UK including a sewing machine.

Pray for Bernard as he returns to the village.

Bernard asks for prayer for one of the children, a little boy called Ebude who is often sick and has been at the village longest. He’s been in hospital in kalene and is due to return to the village soon.

Bernard is returing to Ikelenge, he’s been working in Lusaka with the Street Kids Project.

He is thankful for th result of the recent election.

This is a quote from an email from Joyce(the ladies at Witton Chapel pray regularly for the ladies who attend the Bible Study Joyce holds on Mondays, the number of ladies attending the Bible Study is increasing). “Please write and let us know your prayer requests that we may intercede for one another,we all need to pray for each other we have the same God and we know He not only hears our prayers,but He is a faithful God He answers us.”

I think it’s wonderful that christians wherever they are in this world are always able to pray .

The rain season should start towards the end of October, so now that the building work is done, the farming takes priority.

Please pray:

For the children in the village.

For the Farm work.

The building work has been completed.

Two orphans aged 11 and 12 years , who are HIV Positive have come to be cared for; the local Community Officer brought them. Two more children whose mum has Mental Health problems have come too. Bernard asks for prayer for the children as well as for a little boy with Epilepsy who was burned after falling into a fire.

Joyce has started a Toddler Nursery in the larger house which has been built. I think it’s used for the nursery in the day when the children spend time away from the house- the houses are to sleep in. about twenty children come and Joyce is planning to start a Mums and Toddlers’ Group.

Bernard has been working in Lusaka, earning some money while doing maintenence work on properties used to care for “street children,” he’s arrived back at Ikelenge.

Joyce has been holding things together while he’s been away.

A lady from Ireland has sent money to build a house for a lady, Josephine, who has lost her arms in a fire. Josephine has a little daughter called Martha who isn’t too well at present, prayer valued for her. The house will be called Martha’s Cottage.

Bernard also asks for prayer that the Government officila will allow them to have additional land with irragation.

The spiritual care of the children continues. There are devotions in the Chota each evening, they start with about eighteen children and as the childrens voices are heard singing, more chidren creep out from the bush to join in until there are about fifty – wonderful!

The children are taught scripture and sing hymns, Amazing Grace (in English and Lunda) and We’re marching To Zion are two favourites.

The Sunday and Saturday School work continues. One of the Sunday Schools is held by the river beneath a Mango tree, it sounds like the book of Acts (Lydia and the other women with her).

Yesterday evening we received a text message from Bernard to say the truck had broken down about 400 kilometres from the village. Joyce is out there in the bush, not sure if she’s on her own. As of 4.30pm today we still haven’t heard whether she’s safe.