People of Petauke

We have been here for a little over a month now. We are starting to know the brothers and sisters, and they are becoming more and more like our family. We have been greatly upbuilt by the attitude and experience of these ones so we're hoping that we can pass on the encouragment!

The Phiri's: Ackson and Chishimba Phiri were our original contacts here in Petauke. Ackson is a MTS graduate and serves as an elder. They've been married for 4 years. They live right on the assembly hall grounds, and here in Petauke for the last 3 and a half years. Both Ackson and Chishimba are regular pioneers. We admire them a lot because they work so hard.  The house they are staying at on the assembly hall grounds is very humble, and does not have running water or electricity.  This calls for added chores such as fetching the water from the nearby well, and cooking everything outside on charcoal.  They are very zealous for the ministry. Come the 1st of September, however, we will be bidding them farewell for they are going to help in a smaller village a few kilometers from our congregation.   

The Banda's: James and Albertina Banda are our neighbors down the street. They have 3 childern, Taonga (which mean Natasha), Abigail, and Barnabas. James is an elder in the congregation. We spend much of our free time with this family, and have enjoyed many meals with them. They are teaching us the Zambian way of life. If we need any help, we can count on this family. James is a hard-working elder in the congregation. Kalila finally fulfilled her commission to teach Albertina how to bake a cake!  This was quite the experience because the cookbook we were using had all the measurements in oz, and grams. Plus- we didnt have any thing to use to measure the ingredients! We managed, and it turned out quite well! All of us, especially the children had a lot of fun. Several in the congregation made a special point to stop by and taste the yummy chocolate creation when we finished.

The Pioneer Boys: Timothy and Godwin Banda are cousins. Both Timothy and Godwin are regular pioneers and Minesterial Servants in our congregation. Timothy is completing his 5th year pioneering, and Godwin is starting his first though still being in the 12th grade.  Godwin has a very zealous spirit towards the ministry, and is a wonderful teacher.  A few nights ago there was a need for substitutes on both #2 and #3 talks in the Theocratic Ministry school.  Godwin not only volunteered to do both of them last minute, but did an exceptional job developing the information. We were really impressed.
Timothy Banda has a great love for bethel, and has always desired to work there. Unfortunatly health circumstances will not allow him to stay at bethel, the branch lovingly allows him to come and visit every year after the convention to stay and enjoy time with the bethel family.  We enjoyed a family study of the watchtower with Timothy just a few nights ago which we thoroughly enjoyed. It is very encouraging coming together with ones we barely know, and talking about spiritual things.  Its amazing that its even possible! Only with our brotherhood...

Top Left to Right: Kalila, Rhoda, Dorothy, and Albertina
Bottom Left to Right: Abigal, Taonga, Barnabas, and Chishimba

The Timbo Family: Justin and Dorothy are a couple in our congregation.  Justin is the one who drove us 200 miles from the branch in Lusaka, Zambia here to Petauke, Zambia. Dorothy, his wife is a pioneer in our congregation.  We have enjoyed getting to know this couple very much. 

The Daka Family: Samuel, Christina, and their two children Sheila, and Jairus.  Samuel is the school overseer in our congregation.  This family has helped us immensely with getting to know the village, and answering any questions we may have.  Sheila is in high school, and Jairus is 11 years old. Both children are such hard workers, and very loving. We enjoyed sharing a lunch on the grass with this family at the recent Chichewa convention held here locally. 

Elita Mwanza:  Elita is a single sister in our congregation who works as a preschool teacher in the area.  She is 24 years old and has a very zealous spirit for the ministry.  The past month she has been on holiday (school break), so Elita and Kalila have enjoyed nearly every day together in the ministry. We admire this sister very much because both of her parents have passed away, and her siblings are not in the truth. She has taken a very strong stand for Jehovah.

Recently Kalila gave her first talk in the Theocratic Ministry School with Elita as her householder.  Kalila and Elita were also asked to do the other school talk because the one assigned was unable to give it.  So they enjoyed giving two talks in a row together in the same meeting!