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|| Newsletter Archive ||
February, 2006
Dear Partners in Ministry,
We woke up this morning to the smell of Africa. It is a sweet, earthy smell that is accompanied with the songs of field birds and softly, falling rain. It is good to be back. We are only missing one - Ben. He was “left behind” to finish the basketball season at Prior Lake Christian School. Grandpa and Grandma Zak have agreed to put him up. We think it is good college preparation as we remember back to Bible College days with Professor Telloyan who told many of us to “raise your kids to leave home”. Ben will join the rest of the pack, Lord willing, March 7th.
Mike and Lori Zustiak (Kevin used to coach Mike in basketball when Mike was in high school at Prior Lake Christian) were just dropped off at the airport last night. We have enjoyed their company for the past two weeks as we have reacquainted ourselves with our African brothers and sisters in Christ. The Zustiaks have been a great encouragement as their church raised money to supply Bibles for new believers in the village churches (see picture below). Mike and Lori are also gifted musically, and they used their gifts to minister for the Lord at Letlehabile Baptist Church in Stinkwater. We are looking forward to many college age visitors this winter (your summer) and a team from Fourth Baptist Church making plans to be with us in July.
Our return was not without disappointments. Much needed to be reorganized around the house with grass knee high from the onslaught of rain, plugged ditches and outside drains from grass roots, and several downed willow trees from storms in December. Our dishwasher decided to have a kaniption while we were gone - reminding us what life was like before we had one - and our phone line was dead for the first week plus. Rejoice always! We have so much in Christ to ever keep our perspective right, but sometimes the small but loud cares of this life scream for our attention.
In Soutpan the roof blew off the street kids shelter during that December storm. Though without a roof on the street children‘s shelter, the church in Soutpan has still been reaching out to needy children. They are currently working with twelve, seeking to reconcile them back to their homes and to have a spiritual ministry in their lives.
Sammy got nearly all his belongings stolen when someone broke into our back building where he lives. Please pray for direction in regards to Sammy. His wedding was postponed until April and he has a job offer in Johannesburg that may take him away from this ministry. What is God doing? We see only the bottom of life’s tapestry and maybe wonder, with our shortsighted understanding, if God really knows what He is doing. He sees from the top side. Our job is to glorify Him as we press on faithfully - trusting Him. We have rejoiced with our African brothers and sisters in Christ as they received the encouraging gifts from churches in the States. Communion glasses have so far been distributed to 6 Baptist churches in Bolonkloko, Dihibidung, Soshanguve, Opperman, Stinkwater, and Soutpan. We hope to have enough for several other churches, but if you know of some glass communion cups gathering dust in a missionary or deacons closet - we have a suggestion! We have over 150 pair of eyeglasses we are looking forward to distributing. Pastor Mpho now rides a red bike through Kekana Gardens as he ministers there. Mary (some of you have participated in meeting her needs) is moved into her roofed house and is getting the walls plastered. 10 Bibles have been distributed to new converts through Pastor Nicholas at Grace and Hope Baptist Church this past week. And Pastor Abram has his prayers for a guitar answered by the gift of a pastor in the States. Thanks Pastor Rusty.
Kopano Baptist Ministries is what we are calling the ministry God has given us here in Africa. The Mission of Kopano Baptist Ministries is: By God’s grace and for His glory, Kopano Baptist Ministries exists to strengthen Baptist village churches in southern Africa so that their communities and the world are reached with the Gospel and Christian compassion. Our Vision Statement defines more specifically what we intend to do. Our vision statement reads: Kopano Baptist Ministries seeks the strengthening of African Baptist village churches by assisting them in church planting and church ministry initiatives; by developing church leadership through biblical training; and by encouraging the giving of resources to ministry needs.
Some of you may be bored with that, but we believe it is crucial to keeping our focus on the main thing. It helps us do the right things in a sea of possibilities, and it broadcasts to others precisely what we are seeking to do way over here across the ocean. For those of you who are bored with such ideas, let’s hear from the youngest of the Zak Pak, Josiah (4 yrs):
“I am glad I am in Africa so I can see my friend, Gift. I catched a frog in the house and threw it out the window. I am almost too big now for my bed, I think I will get a big bed soon. I miss my Grandmas and Grandpas and especially the CANDY DRAWER. I really liked the airplane ride, it was fun! I’m going to go play Candyland and CATS. Bye!”
Serving the King of Kings,
Kevin andSarah Zakariasen and family
Prayer & Praise:
1. Kodumela Primary School. Kevin has met twice with Principal Joseph and is waiting for permission to bring God’s Word one morning a week to the children. This school is 2 ½ kilometers from our house.
2. Pastor Minaka and his wife Salome ministering the Word faithfully in the village of Soutpan. They have a ministry to street children and also have started a creche (day-care) in their church for needy children in their area. Pastor Minaka says he is involved with burying 3 people a week on average.
3. Praise God we have arrived back on the field with full support. This is only because of God’s grace and will allow us to concentrate more fully on what He has led us to do.
4. Praise God for additional personal resources that are allowing us to put up a much needed security fence in front of our property and also get a large guard dog.
5. Praise God for all the resources that we are privileged to give to worthy ministries to further develop them for the glory of God.
6. Praise God for all those who are committing to come over and participate in the work of God here in South Africa. Dr. Pat Casey and his wife and son Tim are coming, Lord willing, in June. Dr. Casey and Kevin will be teaching the book of Nehemiah to village pastors in Kafulafuta, Zambia.
7. Pray for the young adults going with Kevin into Mozambique in July. They will be doing discipleship and evangelism in the villages of Dumela and Mabuzane.
8. Pray for Krista Smith who is making preparations to join the Zak Pak for a whole year, starting this June. She will be assisting Sarah with the schooling of our children and other ministry areas. This is also a huge praise for our family.
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African Churches Rooted and Built up in Him. - Col. 2:6,7
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