Egichikeni is a village about 20 miles outside Lundazi where missionaries David and Heather Petro are working with local believers to plant a new church to reach the people in this remote area. Getting there involves a 75 minute ride over a very bumpy dirt road. Today was our visit to Egichickeni and we’ll return each day through Monday.

In the morning we walk to different homes and share the gospel using a series of Bible stories. Today’s story was the birth of Jesus and tomorrow’s story is Jesus calming the storm. The goal is to return to each home each day and share another story, culminating in an invitation to commit their lives to Jesus Christ.

In the afternoons we will focus on discipling the believers in the area and that begins Wednesday. We’ll also worship with them on Sunday, with Kathy Troutman teaching Sunday School and me preaching.

Later this week you’ll have a better understanding of the conditions here after we post some pictures. We’re being careful not to take pictures of those we’re talking with or of their homes right now until we’ve visited them a few times and trust is established.

Today we shared Bible stories with about 40 adults and numerous children. The first place Kathy Troutman and I visited, we sat under a shade tree with our interpreter and eight adults and several kids. While cows and dogs walked around we talked about the birth of our Savior who came save people from all nations, including those living in Zambia. A woman in our group asked, “What happens to those who reject Jesus?” We answered her question and those with her agreed for us to return tomorrow to share another story. Please pray for the woman, her family, and the others each of our teams spoke with today. Pray that they will all be there tomorrow when we return and pray that the Holy Spirit speaks powerfully to their hearts and minds.

For lunch today we ate a traditional Zambian meal prepared by a lady in the village. It included two chickens we purchased this morning, a type of greens called “rape”, and a dish named “sima” made from corn meal that looks like flour that is boiled in water until it thickens.

Today was also the birthday of two of our team members, Kathy Troutman and Natalie Markle. Our hosts had cake for them tonight and we all enjoyed it.

We appreciate your prayers and we know they are working because God has given us favor in so many simple but important ways already. Please keep praying.

Pastor Steve Hogg