On Mission to the BaTonga People of Zambia

December 2008

Christmas Zambian Style
Recently I was with the women of the church in our village as they planned the Christmas Day program. The Gwembe Church, like many of our churches, will meet together to sing, share the Christmas story through drama, and share a meal. It was a lot of fun sitting by and watching as the women practiced their drama. They choose a narrator and each took a part, and the acting began. They did a great job, and one young lady even volunteered to be the donkey. I have to admit that it was hard to keep from laughing when Mary rode in on the back of one of the ladies, or not to smile when they decided that the angels would wear mosquito nets to give the effect of angel's wings. It may not be the type of Christmas pageant we are used to, but the story will still be the same.

We are sad to be so far from family for the holidays, but we are looking forward to celebrating the birth of our Savior with the Gwembe Church.

We will have a Zambian Christmas meal which will probably include nshima (we will pretend in is mashed potatoes), greens (we will pretend it is mom's green bean casserole), and turkey. Yes, turkey. We are donating two turkeys from our flock. For dessert, there will be store-bought cookies (biscuits) and some juice. Although it won't be like what we are used to, it will be good to celebrate this special day Zambian style.

Highlights of Our Year

It wouldn't be a Christmas newsletter without highlighting some of the events of our year for which we are thankful.

Although it seems like so long ago, we spent the first 3 ½ months of the year in the states. Our last months were fun and busy. We enjoyed a special vacation in Palm Desert California with very special friends, packed two crates for sending back to Zambia, and wrapped up our visits to church and family. Thank you Lord for a wonderful family and great friends.

Arriving back in Zambia April 17, we hit the ground running. We had our first volunteer team in May, one in June, one in July, and one in August, and our last one in November. Thank you Lord for providing ministry partners to help us do the work on the field.

God has opened doors for us to minister in a new area called Sinazongwe District. We presently are sharing Bible stories in three new places where people have accepted Christ. Thank you Lord for opening up new places of ministry.

Both Wes and I are teaching a Bible study in Gwembe. I am working with the women of the Gwembe Church, which is a real challenge, and Wes is teaching a group of men who are new believers. Thank you Lord for the opportunity to teach Your Word to those close to home.

We've been praying for many years that God would send missionaries to help us reach the BaTonga People. We have seen that His timing is best, and we have three new mission families coming next year. All three are in the process of preparing to come. We thank the Lord for answering our prayer. We look forward to the coming of Tommy and Cyndi Morreau, Jeff and Staci Powers, and James and Marci Langston and family.

To top it off, we celebrated two special events this year. Wes turned 50 this year and joined the ranks of the "Over the Hill Gang." Now, we can both say that we have lived half a century. We also celebrated 30 years of marriage with a short get-a-way to a place called "Chete Island."

If you haven't read our elephant story, you can go on our blog at: www.africanadventureswiththewilcoxes.blogspot.com We praise the Lord for giving us many years of life and love.

Prayer Requests

Please pray for us and missionaries throughout the world that they will experience God's peace on this special day.

Pray for our Zambian brothers and sisters to truly know and understand that "Jesus is the reason for the season."

Thank you for praying for Wes and the team of missionaries that traveled to Zimbabwe in November to do a food relief ministry. The team traveled safely to Zimbabwe, had no trouble at police stops, were able to pass out the food in one day, and the people were very calm. It was very evident that you and many others were praying for them. These things may seem like nothing to you, but this team knows that there could have been many problems and dangers. The people of Zimbabwe are so hungry that it is only by the grace of God that they are surviving. Recently we talked with a young man from Harare, Zimbabwe that related to us that each person is only allowed to withdraw a certain amount from the bank each day. The problem is that the amount that can be withdrawn is the same amount for a bus ride to the bank and back. The young man then commented, "Why go to the bank when there is no money left to buy anything when you return!" I asked him how he and others were surviving. He commented, "It is a miracle, there is no other explanation." Please continue to pray for the people of Zimbabwe. Pray that God will bring peace and stability back to this nation. Pray that people will be hungry for spiritual truth. Pray that God will use this time of suffering to build the faith of the believers throughout the country.

We want to take this time to thank you for your prayers for us during the past year. Your partnership in the gospel is very important to us. May God bless you as you continue to pray for us and the BaTonga People.

We would also like to thank those of you who have faithfully given to missions financially. In Baptist Churches throughout America, this is the time of giving to the "Lottie Moon Christmas Offering." These gifts are not forgotten by the Lord or by us. Thank you for giving to the Lord!

In His Love,
Wes and Laurie Wilcox

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