Sharon's Blog

OCTOBER 2009 UPDATE

2009-11-11T12:01:00.003+02:00

REGIONAL CONFERENCES:
The first weekend of October began with the Copperbelt Regional Conference in Kitwe, Zambia. The hosting church and their Pastor and Sister Chileshe did a tremendous job in making everyone feel welcome. We want to give our thanks and appreciation to them, as well as the regional committee for their hard work during the conference.
SPEAKERS:
• Missionary/Superintendent Abernathy blessed and encouraged us to ‘Sow the Seed’ and to ‘Take Advantage of Our Opportunity’ to serve God.

• Rev. Herbert Nalishuwa, national secretary – UPCZ, reminded us that ‘tradition will not set us free’. He also gave a definition for those that are too ‘busy’. He said being ‘busy’ is ‘being under satan’s yoke’. Are we too ‘busy’ about the wrong things

• Rev. Johnson Mwansa, national assistant superintendent – UPCZ entitled his message ‘Separation From the World’

• Rev. Benjamin M. Daka, national home missions director – UPCZ, challenged us with ‘Our Goal to Reach the Lost’ and ‘The Willingness to Hear Wise Counsel'.

ATTENDANCE: 809
HOLY GHOST: 45

October 23-25 found us at the Lusaka Regional Conference at Life Tabernacle. We would like to thank the church family and the host Pastor and Sister Morgan Mwanza for their warm hospitality.

SPEAKERS:
• Rev. Morgan Mwanza, national treasurer – UPCZ, reminded us to ‘Become as Little Children’ within the church. Little children have characteristics that we need to remember: ‘they easily forgive, they easily repent, they easily receive the Holy Ghost, and for the most part – they easily obey.’ During his message, Sis Mable Daka, national ladies secretary, told me ‘children are like blank tapes and what you do and teach is what goes on the tape.’ My mind went back to a time when we were with our children in Illinois during a prayer meeting. Our grandson, Gavin, was between us, and he was praying using the words he was hearing when suddenly he began saying words we didn’t understand – we soon realized this was his interpretation of speaking in tongues! God bless him! The scripture says, ‘train up a child…’ and we must remember that Jesus said, ‘…Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matthew 18:3) Thank you Pastor Mwanza for reminding us!
• Rev. Johnson Mwansa, national assistant superintendent – UPCZ, ministered on the topics of ‘Freedom of Choice’ and ‘The Principle of Sowing and Reaping’.
• Rev. Mollen Daka, presbyter for Lusaka Region blessed us with his message ‘Independence Day’. He reminded us that what the world calls ‘freedom’ – the Bible calls ‘bondage’. While the country of Zambia was celebrating Independence Day of 45 years…the churches within the region were celebrating our own independence day remembering when we were born into this church!
• Rev. Benjamin M. Daka, home missions director – UPCZ, cast the vision that ‘missions is reaching out’. He said, ‘where there is no firewood – the fire will go out!’ We must keep the fire burning within us for reaching the lost.
• Missionary/Superintendent Abernathy reminded us that ‘heaven is a prepared place for prepared people – hell is a prepared place for unprepared people therefore, we are to ‘WATCH…and be Ready’.

ATTENDANCE: 2,338
HOLY GHOST: 26

COPPERBELT REGIONAL W.I.S.H. LEADERSHIP SEMINAR
The last weekend of October found us back in the Copperbelt Region for their regional Women In Spirit and Health (W.I.S.H.) Leadership Seminar. Sis Mable Daka and Sis Becky Zyambo did outstanding in their ministry to the leadership.
• Sis Daka reminded us of the different ministries within the church and that a leader (nthungulushi) should never get too comfortable with a position in leadership.
• Sis Zyambo related the beautiful story of Ruth and Boaz with emphasis that Ruth began picking up the leftovers from the field and ended with being the owner of the field!
Since she is an RN working with a foundation on HIV/AIDS research, she spoke to us as leaders about our responsibility to those we know and are even are among us with HIV. She reminded us that stigma (ukukankamba) is one of the greatest challenges for someone that is infected to overcome. However, with God all things are possible.
• Sis Sharon Abernathy spoke on the subjects of ‘Leaders: Become Giant Killers’ and ‘Leaders: Let Us Work in Unity’. As David killed Goliath and led the Israelites to victory over the Philistines, leaders can kill the giants in our everyday lives and become over comers. She also reminded the leaders that it was God’s Will for the church to dwell together in unity (ukuikatana) – using 1 Corinthians 1:10 where Apostle Paul wrote, ‘Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly jointed together in the same mind and in the same judgment.’

ATTENDANCE: 173

TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Thank you for your prayers and continued support to us and ZAMBIA!

Gary and Sharon

SEPTEMBER 2009 UPDATE

2009-10-14T11:16:00.000+02:00

PASTOR’S WIVES MEETING
• Pastors’ wives of the Lusaka Region had a ‘welcome back’ meeting/lunch for Sis Abernathy – what a pleasant surprise! They even had a decorated cake that was made by the regional ladies director, Sis Peggy Ndhlovu. Thank you to Sis Ndhlovu, Sis Kapoma, regional ladies secretary, and all the Lusaka pastors’ wives for making me feel welcomed ‘home’!

KABANANA – SHILOH TEMPLE, PASTOR CAPHAS LUBAMBE
• Pastor and Sis Lubambe began this Home Missions Church right after his graduation from Word Aflame Bible College. They began their church in a school and the chief of the area gave them a piece of property. They were so excited and began building on the plot. At present, the preparation for their roof is underway. Thanks to the contributions made to ‘church roof projects’ while we were on deputation, churches like this will be blessed by you with a roof!
• ATTENDANCE: 93
• HOLY GHOST: 1

Pastor and Sister Caphas Lubambe, Shiloh Temple

WORD AFLAME BIBLE COLLEGE began another year. This makes the eleventh year of our participation in the Bible School in Zambia. Bro Abernathy is teaching five (5) hours each of the days he’s scheduled.
• Fifteen (15) 2nd year students
• Thirteen (13) 1st year students
• We are anticipating another mid-term enrollment in January 2010.

WOMEN IN SPIRIT AND HEALTH (W.I.S.H.)
Every other year, the W.I.S.H. committee alternates the teaching in the regions with a focus on ‘leadership’. At present, the committee consists of two pastors’ wives – Sis Mable Daka and Sis Eunice Mwanza, a widowed pastors’ wife – Sis Edith Sakala, and a registered nurse – Sis Becky Zyambo, under the direction of the ladies president – Sis Sharon Abernathy.
• LUSAKA REGIONAL W.I.S.H. LEADERSHIP
o Average Attendance: 174 with a high of 209

REGIONAL CONFERENCE – CENTRAL REGION:
• Sunday ATTENDANCE: 286
• GUEST SPEAKERS: Missionary/Superintendent Gary Abernathy, Rev. Herbert Nalishuwa – national secretary, Rev. B. M. Daka – national home missions director, who were accompanied by their wives.
• HOLY GHOST: 8

Most of the Zambian church services are like the Tabernacle in the wilderness. Each time we have service, chairs and/or benches have to be brought from storage and safe keeping, PA systems and keyboards (if available)must be brought each time, and even roofing provision has to be done for some. So for most churches we put up and we take down, like the Tabernacle. However, this doesn't prevent them from worship and enjoying the presence of God! I am thankful to know and be associated with such people of God!

Central Region pastors and their wives

Blessings to each of you!

ZAMBIA: General Conference 2009

2009-08-24T12:27:00.000+02:00

The time is past now, but what a wonderful time in the Lord we had during General Conference 2009!

Our guest speaker, Rev. Brent Watts - Matthews, NC, was an inspiration with his ministry of the Word of God. He reminded us of our 'Redemption In The Blood Of Jesus', that 'True Worship' must be 'In Spirit and In Truth'. His message entitled 'Can You Worship With A Knife?' inspired and challenged us that no matter what our situation, we need to trust God. His message on Sunday morning, 'There Is A Healer In The House' convinced many that He can heal not only the body but the emotional stresses. All of the messages presented to the congregation were ordained of God and we want to thank Rev. Watts (along with his family and church) for coming to Zambia and sharing the Word with us!

ATTENDANCE: 4,500 HOLY GHOST: 81 BAPTISM: 63

Rev. Brent Watts with Rev. Moses Lungu

Missionary Gary Abernathy with Rev. D. K. Mulenga at Ordination Service

National Board praying for Rev. and Mrs. Joseph Zimba

Rev. and Mrs. Joseph Zimba - Ordained during General Conference 2009

Sharon Abernathy, Ladies President, with Becky Zyambo during Ladies Presentation

Rev. Watts during altar service

Altar Call - General Conference 2009

Rev. Brent Watts with Missionaries Gary and Sharon Abernathy

Word Aflame Bible College Graduates 2009

Bible School Correspondence Students 2009

ARRIVED!

2009-07-29T13:50:00.001+02:00

We have arrived in Zambia and have Internet and phones...hallelujah! However, the word 'patience' comes to mind when we finally make connection.

When leaving Dulles International Airport, we sat on the runway for about two hours because of weather in the New York area. So that put us that many hours behind for our intracontinent flight. We barely made our connection in Jo'burg and of course to be expected...no luggage arrived! I'm thankful to report that ALL of our luggage arrived the next day without any problems. Our thanks to Bro Derrick Luvila for his help in collecting us at the airport and collecting our luggage the next day.

We've had a difficult adjusting to the time difference...but seem to be getting the hang of it now. Our first service was in Chawama, Pastor and Sister Benjamin M. Daka. Two (2) received the Holy Ghost and he later reported that four (4) were baptized in Jesus' Name! Praise God for His goodness.

Continue to remember Sis Eunice Mwanza, our national treasurer's wife, for healing. She is presently in the hospital with what they are diagnosing as kidney failure. However, she is also having trouble breathing and is on oxygen at times. We know that God is able to heal!

Blessings to you today!
Sharon

Abernathys Returning to Zambia

2009-07-14T00:59:00.000+02:00

Hello! Just wanted everyone to know that we are headed back to Zambia on Friday, 17 July! Your prayers are greatly appreciated as we endeavor to cross the 'big pond' (Atlantic Ocean) one more time.

We are both excited, yet realise leaving our family will cause emotional distress as we are sitting on the plane for 23 + hours and recall all the wonderful times we have shared during this furlough. However, the scripture says "I can do all things through Christ who stenghtens me."