Dear Friends,

I am back from two weeks in Zambia where we held two conferences, one in the city of Livingstone and the other in Lusaka. After 30 hours of travel from Kiev sitting in airports and on airplanes, I arrived in Livingstone at 9:00 in the evening. We started the next morning at 9:00 a.m. and I began teaching five hours per day, Thursday through Sunday. Monday was another travel day going to Lusaka where we started the conference, again, teaching five hours a day. The schedule was grueling, but the Lord was gracious, giving me a good voice and strength for the task.

I did verse by verse teaching expository teaching from Ephesians 4, giving categorical studies throughout. This was the first time these people had ever heard verse by verse studies, and they were amazed at how this kind of study could be so edifying. We printed booklets of the categorical studies so they could take them home, and they were so appreciative of them. Our hope is that they will study them, learn them and teach them.

This was the first time we had a conference in Livingstone and the reception was really great. There were people from several denominations and numerous ministries -- probably 250-300 people, which is a good turnout for a first time in this city. They were so enthusiastic about the teaching and have invited me to come again next year. The pastor of the church where the conference was held said that he has hosted many conferences, but none like this one. He said they have had screaming preachers, fire preachers, story tellers, actors and a few other kinds, but this is the first time that t had ever had someone come who did not try to impress people with a display of God's power in himself, but simply came to build people up by teaching them the Word of God. I thought that was a most interesting and revealing confession.

There were more than 500 pastors and ministry leaders who attended in Lusaka. Again the response was outstanding. One pastor said, "He didn't mesmerize us or entertain us, but he certainly did teach us. I have never heard such teaching that was so logical. You can't argue with anything he taught because you would be arguing with the Bible."

Several of them asked about coming to Ukraine to study at our Bible school. I told them that I would love to have them as students, but there are some hurdles they would have to overcome, including getting a visa and being able to speak Russian. A group of them approached me to ask if I could come to start a Bible school there. Of course, there are Bible schools in Zambia, but according to reports, these schools are either too expensive, or they don’t really teach in such a way as to prepare men for ministry. I am committed to the work in Ukraine and can’t go there, but I do believe that there is a fertile field waiting for someone to go and work it. The people are open to Bible teaching, but alas, there is obviously a lack of men intent on really preparing others for a ministry of sound, exegetical teaching. I have encouraged them to get tapes or CDs from good teaching pastors in America.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to go there to put on these conferences, humbled by the response, and so thankful for those who provided the grace support that made it possible for us to do this. Please pray for the body of Christ in Zambia. I also want to acknowledge the wonderful job done by Jack Nkandu and his wife, Gift, who took care of all the administration and leg work.

By grace alone,