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drumbeat
News from Jim Davis
Zambia Christian Mission
P.O. Box 32184
Lusaka, Zambia
"How s/7a// they hear. . Romans 10:14
Volume 1 January 1982 Number 1
FIRST EDITION
I am back in Zambia now and I must
admit it is a great feeling. When I
stepped off the plane in Lusaka I knew
that I was really home. Mom and Dad
and David greeted me at the airport, not
only as their son and brother, but as a
fellow missionary. It is really an exciting
feeling knowing that my prayers, hopes,
and dreams of the past few years have
come to a reality. Knowing that God is
using me for His work is a wonderful
feeling indeed, and I hope that you will
lift me up in prayer as I start on this new
venture for Christ.
Things have been busy since my return,
to say the The Sunday
back I preached at the Mungwi Church of
Christ, and it was a blessing indeed to be Father and son
back in the African service. Two weeks
after my arrival here Dad and Mom, Charlie and Betty Delaney and I took a trip to South
Africa to pick up mine and Charlie's trucks. While there we did a lot of shopping for things
that aren't available here in Zambia. Four days after we made the trip back to Zambia, I
drove out to Mongu for a general survey. I really liked it there and there is so much work
that needs to be done. It will be an exciting venture, but one that will require a lot of prayer
on the part of the people back home.
A SPECIAL THANKS TO
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CHR. CHURCH
The University Heights congregation in Indianapolis has
contributed a great deal to my work here in Zambia. They
are my major supporting church and also took it upon
themselves to see that I had "wheels" here in Zambia.
Within the month of September they had a special emphasis
to raise $7,000.00 toward the purchase of the 4-wheel drive ^ \
Isuzu pick-up which I now drive. With the help of the Lord , ' Vk?^
the money was raised and the vehicle purchased. ^ '
The truck has already been through severe road tests. After 'if!|B^^iBP|^E9^p
purchasing itin SouthAfrica Idrove itup to Zambia. That is f ^B^
a trip of over 1200 miles. The roads in South Africa and -MtH. BhBo^B .
Zimbabwe are nice, but once you cross over into Zambia you
are in rough territory! After the South African trip I took it leaders
over to Mongu. Mongu is located in the Western Province
and is almost all sand. I got a chance to test the 4-wheel drive, and it handled excellently. It
was a lot of fun, getting to use the vehicle for what it was made for, and yet seeing how
much of a necessity it really is. Thank you, University Heights for this much needed
vehicle to do the mission work in.
After a dusty trip to Mongu
MEET MY
FORWARDING AGENTS
The job of forwarding agent is often a
difficult one. My appreciation goes to
Don and Wanda Moore, of the
University Heights Christian
Church. Their address for Zambia
Christian Mission is:
Don and Wanda Moore
c/o Zambia Christian Mission
4050 Shelby Street
Indianapolis, IN 46227
FAMILY REUNION
It was indeed an exciting moment when I stepped offthe
plane and saw Dad standing there with my work permit
in hand. Then I looked up and saw Mom and David
smiling and waving. David looked so tall, I could hardly
believe it! But I realized that I was his age once and Mom
and Dad saw the same growth in me. As I return to
Zambia as a young man to do God's work, I know that
without parents and brother and sister as I have, it
wouldn't be possible. Without their training, teaching,
and discipline (which translated means a good hard
spanking when I needed it) I probably would have no
desire to return to the mission field. But the Lord used
them to train their children, and I deeply appreciate all
they have taught David, Cyndee and me. I want to
encourage all of you with young children to heed the
advice given from Proverbs, "Train up a child in the way
he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart
from it." (Proverbs 22:6)
9m
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David taking aim
Mom on the front porch
PRAYER REQUEST
I would like everyone to pray for my sister,
Cyndee. She is now in her second year of nurses
training, and working hard toward graduation.
Being in the states while the rest of her family is
overseas will sometimes bring a feeling of
loneliness on. We are looking forward to her
visiting us here in June of 1982.
MONGU LAND OF THE LOZI
My trip to Mongu involved more than just
breaking in my truck. While there I tried
to find out about housing (as of yet there
is no word), areas of work, and mainly the
people. The Lozi are the prevalent tribe in
the Western Province, therefore the Lozi
language is the most common. The Lozi
people are a very proud people - proud of
their ancestry and heritage, and proud of
what they are now. They are deeply
rooted in their tribal religions and
animism and also practice witchcraft as
a way oflife. They are a people who see no
need of the "white man's gospel". I have
heard it said that the Lozi are among the
hardest people to share the gospel and
Jesus Christ with. It will be a job to show
the people that God's love is for everyone
and the gospel is not a white man's
gospel, but a message for all people. It
will be a difficult task to bring the gospel
to an area such as this. I cannot do it on
my power alone - but with the sword of
Jesus Christ and His power to guide me,
many things can and will be
accomplished. I will need your prayers as
this work unfolds before me. I will make
mistakes, but hopefully I will have the
courage to learn from them. Through the
mistakes and trials there will come
victories and for these all the glory and
praise will go to our Father -- the supplier
of every need.
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drumbeat
News from Jim Davis
Zambia Christian Mission
P.O. Box 32184
Lusaka, Zambia
Forwarding Agent:
Don and Wanda Moore
c/o Z.C.M.
4050 Shelby St.
indianapolis, iN 46227
"How shall they hear . . Romans 10:14
Volume 1 IVIarch 1982 Number 2
LIVING IN MONGU
It seems as though life in Mongu will be a
little different than life in the average U.S.
town. I am excited about living there, and am
also looking forward to the challenge ofliving
away from a town of any size. (It is about a
seven hour drive from Lusaka to Mongu.)
The first few months there I will be living in
temporary housing and I am not quite sure
what this will be. It may be a tent or a mud
hut, or a house trailer or maybe even a house. I
am just going there trusting that the Lord will
provide.
Mongu is set in a beautiful environment,
overlooking the Zambezi flood plain. This is
situated on the banks of the Zambezi river and
extends for about twelve miles from the river
toward Mongu. In the rainy season this flood
plain fills up with water and looks exactly like
a huge lake. The sunsets over the flood plain
are among the most beautiful that I have ever
seen and I am looking forward to evenings of
enjoying the brilliant colors of God's
handiwork.
Shopping in Mongu will not be very difficult
as there is really no place to shop. Most
probably I will be getting supplies in Lusaka
The Mongu Kroger Store
when I am there. There are certain items
which are available, and these are the basic
essentials. Bread is available -- there are two
very nice bakeries. Fish is one thing that you
can get there which is hard to come by in other
places in Zambia. There is chicken, and
sometimes you can buy beef. They also have
milk, but you have to take your own container
and then pasteurize it yourself by boiling it for
about 20 minutes. As I am a real milk drinker.
I don'tguessthatis too much trouble to go to. I
will have some chickens for eggs and also a
garden in which I will grow my own
vegetables.
Mongu also has a library. I love to read, so
in my spare time I hope to settle down with a
good book on the sunlit evenings. It isn't a big
library, but one that is adequate. There are
also two banks there. When I went in to open
an account there, the manager was very
helpful and friendly. When I told him that I
was from Zambia Christian Mission and
would be opening a work up in Mongu, his
eyes lit up and he said, "Do you know Jim
Conley and Bill Brant?" (Jim is one of our
missionaries in Kitwe, and Bill used to be
there before moving his work to Malawi.)
After I got over the shock ofsomeone knowing
Bill and Jim and living way out in Mongu, he
explained that he had been the manager at the
bank in Kitwe before coming back to Mongu
where he is originally from. It is a clear case of
the Lord going before me and paving the way
so to speak. I am so thankful that he does take
good care of us.
I sure was excited the other day when mom
called me to the phone. It was the shipping
company saying my crate had arrived. I had
been waiting and waiting, and it finally came.
It is unfortunate that somewhere along the
way some thieves broke in and stole some of
the contents. Nothing ofreal value was taken,
and we are thankful for that, but they did get
my tennis shoes (6 pair), my boots, all my
Living in Mongu will be difficult and
different, yet 1 know that it will be exciting.
There will be a lot of adjusting that! will have
to do, and I ask that you pray for me in this
transition.
Below are some of the prices of things in
Zambia:
Chicken (lb.) K1.80 = $2.07
Beef (lb.) K2.50 = $2.88
Fish (lb.) K2.40 = $2.76
Milk (gal.) K3.20 = $3.68
Coke (10 oz. bottle) K .25 = $ .29
Tomatoes (lb.) Kl.OO = $1.15
Lettuce (head) K .50 = $ .57
Eggs (doz.) KL92 = $2.20
Gasoline (gal.) K4.34 = $5.00
Diesel (gal.) K2.50 = $2.90
Some of these things 1won't be buying, but I
thought you would be interested in knowing
the store prices of everyday commodities. The
currency here is called Kwacha and ngwee.
One Kwacha equals about $1.15. Some of
these prices are not exact, but they are fairly
close.
flannel shirts and a shelving unit. Besides
that, the crate arrived in good condition.
After the crate was emptied and everything
put away, it was taken apart so that the wood
could be used for various things. Here we
can't afford to waste anything, so the wood
will be put to a good use. My thanks go to Bob
Gray, who helped build the crate, and to Don
Moore, who stored my goods while the crate
was being built. I also want to thank Chuck
Huckstep, Robin Brunning, and Marvel
Smith who all helped with building materials.
Sometimes things must betaken apart to be put to better use.
PREACHING THROUGH
AN INTERPRETER
Preaching' through an interpreter is a
different experience in preaching. Sometimes
it can he a real asset because when your
interpreter is translating what you just said,
you can be thinking about what you are going
to say next. It also can be a drawback because
you may be going along smoothly and you
have to break your momentum to let your
interpreter catch up to you. Another big
drawback is if someone in the congregation
speaks both Knglish and the language of the
area. If that is the case, then he or she gets a
double dose.
Now what do I say?
There are humorous sides to preaching
through an interpreter. Charlie Delaney, one
of our missionaries in Chipata, was preaching
on the priesthood of Christians. He was also
speaking of Jesus Christ being our High
Priest. The interpreter misunderstood what
Charlie was saying and translated High
Priest into High Police. Charlie luckily
caught what the interpreter had said and
stopped preaching to explain what he said to
the interpreter. I was preaching a while back
and the interpreter stopped me right in the
middle of my sermon and then proceeded to
tell one of the ladies of the congregation to
keep her child quiet or else take it outside. It
must have been an effective reprimand
because there was no more noise!
Another interesting experience that
sometimes happens while preaching is that
the crowds just start singing right in the
middle of your sermon. When this happened
to me the first time (which was actually in
1977 when I was here as an intern), I asked the
interpreter what was going on. He explained
that when a crowd feels moved by something
you have said they want to let you know by
singing. That made me feel pretty good until I
found out that it also provided for a break in
the sermon, similar to an intermission.
Preaching through an interpreter is a
method that is accepted here in Zambia, but in
no way does it take the place of knowing the
language. Being able to communicate is of
utmost importance, and the work is so much
more effective if you know the language.
NEW ADDRESS
Jim Davis
C/ o Lender Burton Camp
P.O. Box 290
Mongu (Western Province)
Zambia, Africa
PRAYER REQUEST
Please pray for me as I start my work in
Mongu. Pray fur specifics such as housing,
language study, and also receptive hearts to
the gospel. Thank the Lord for all the progress
that has been made, and the doors He has
opened.
MANY THANKS TO...
All the ones who have helped out with the
mission work here. I want to thank all the
following people and churches who have
given to the work here, both one time
supporters and our regular monthly
supporters. If I have overlooked anyone,
please forgive me and let my forwarding
agent or me know.
Debbie Brown Lusaka, Zambia
Cadiz Christian Church . New Castle, IN
Cap^ Church ofChrist . King, NC
Capital City Christian
Church Jefferson City, MO
Clear Creek Christian
Church Bloomington, IN
Cooperstown Christian
Church Mt. Sterling, IL
Crab Orchard Christian
Church Crab Orchard, KY
Allene Davis Jefferson City, MO
Cyndee Davis Knoxville, TN
Dean and Judy Davis ... Lusaka, Zambia
Ellettsville Christian
Church Ellettsville, IN
Fairlawn Christian
Church Galax, VA
Grapevine Christian
Church Madisonville, KY
Celia Harvey Brighton, England
Heyworth Christian
Church Heyworth, IL
First Church of Christ .. High Point, NC
King Church of Christ .. King, NC
Hugh and Carol Lee New Castle, IN
Mt. Moriah Christian
Church Stanford, KY
Poplar Springs Church
of Christ King, NC
Ruth Robinson Indianapolis, IN
Jody and Penny Rood... Knoxville, TN
Joel and Judy Rood Knoxville, TN
Thorngrove Christian
Church Straw Plains, TN
University Heights
Christian Church Indianapolis, IN
Wildie Christian Church .Wildie, KY
Woodlawn Christian
Church Knoxville, TN
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drumbeat
News from Jim Davis
c/o Lendor-Burton
P. 0. Box 290
Mongu, Zambia
Forwarding Agent:
Don and Wanda Moore
c/o Z.C.M.
4050 Shelby St.
Indianapolis, IN 46227
"How shall they hear. . Romans 10:14
Volume 1 May 1982 Number 3
A PLACE TO LIVE
In the last issue of the Drumbeat, I told you
all that I was going out to Mongu, and let the
Lord lead as to where I would live while I was
building my house. I also asked you to
specifically pray for that situation. Well, you
all have done a mighty fine job of praying
with and for me here in Zambia because the
Lord has really provided.
Not long after I sent the last issue of
My humble abode
Drumbeat in for publication, I went out to
Mongu for the purpose of finding a place to
live. I didn't know what I would find. I did
have a possibility, however, of an empty
house on a construction company's yard.
When I went on an earlier trip to Mongu, I
found out about it and went and asked the
manager about it. He said that there was a
slight possibility, but he was very doubtful.
He would have to talk to the big boss in
Lusaka, and he also said that if I were in
Lusaka, it wouldn't hurt if I went in and
talked to him. So I came back to Lusaka to see
him and also take care of some other business.
I went into his office and presented my needs,
silently prajdng the whole way. He also was
very doubtful, but he said that he would talk it
over with the manager in Mongu and when I
went back to Mongu I could check with him.
He also said for me not to get my hopes up.
Well, my God is a God of hope, so I went
back to Mongu with my hopes up and praying
all the way. All of the time I had been
searching for somewhere to live, I was hoping
to find something to rent for about 200
Kwacha ($220.00) per month, and all I had
found were housed of 600 and 700 Kwacha,
which was way more than I could afford. I
prayed that they would not only let me have
the house, but that I could have it for a rental
price that I could afford. I drove in there full of
prayer and yes, hope. When the manager saw
me he smiled and said, "I don't know what
changed the old man's mind, but he said you
could have the house." My heart leaped, but
not too high, because I still had to find out the
price. We walked into his office to discuss the
arrangements, and there Jim (the manager)
casually said that the boss had left it up to him
as to the rent, and he figured that K200.00 per
month would be fair. I casually replied to that
that he didn't know it, but he was a direct
answer to prayer.
The house itself is very adequate until I get
my house built, and as I said, an answer to
prayer. It was an answer to my prayers, my
family's prayers, and also the prayers of you
people back in the States. Thank you so much.
HOUSE BUILDING
I have never considered myself as much of a
house builder, and now that I have started, I
am more assured of the fact. But as I go along
I can see that God is helping me to learn. I
Vernon Oakley helping me to stay on the level
knew when I started that it would be hard
work, and I haven't been let down yet. A lot of
time is spent just running around trying to get
supplies. Here in Zambia, the supplies are not
even available a lot of the time. In early April
I went to Chipata (eastern Zambia) for a week
to work with Charlie Delaney on his house.
The house he is building is almost exactly like
mine, and we both thought that it would be a
good idea for me to see what was going on, and
let him show me some things. That was good
experience for me, and I also learned that you
have to be patient when trying to get things.
One day we went to about four different stores
just to get some nails.
Just about the time I started work on my
house, I had a visit from a very good friend
from the States. Vernon Oakley, minister of
the Heyworth Christian Church in Heyworth,
Illinois came to Zambia for a three-week visit.
While here he visited me in Mongu with my
Dad. Vernon is Charlie Delaney's forwarding
agent, and he and his family were in Zambia
as missionaries from 1968-1971. It was good
to have him here to visit, and while he and
Dad were here, I put them to work on the
house. We had a good time working and
fellowshipping together.
As I said earlier, the construction aspect of
mission work is not easy (well, none of it is
really easy, but house building is not my
specialty), but it is one that is necessary, and
rewarding when it is all done.
NEW ROOMMATE FOR JIM
Pictured here with David and me is my new puppy, Bo. I
love dogs and puppies, and since I was living alone, I
figured I would get me a pup to keep me company. When I
went to Lusaka the last time I heard that a family had just
witnessed the birth of eight puppies from thedogthey had.
It was a boxer, and since I have always wanted a boxer, 1
thougth 1 would get one. So I did. David really likes her
too, and 1 had to drag Bo away. Now all those of you who
worried about me being lonely need not worry anymore.
PRISON MINISTRY
A prison ministry. Whenever I would talk to
my friends in the States about that, I always
thought to myself that that was one thing I
couldn't do. I don't know why that was, in fact
I thought that a prison ministry was one ofthe
most important ministires for the Christians-
hut it was for someone else, not me. But since
I've been in Zambia, two or three missionaries
and others have been contacting me about
starting up a prison ministry in Mongu. Then
a letter came the other day from the Secretary
{)f the Zambian Prisoner's Aid Society asking
me to consider opening up a branch in Mongu.
He told me of a sergeant at the Ndola prison
who was a strong Christian who was going to
be transferred to Mongu. It was as if the Lord
was saying face to face-Here is a vital
ministry.
I decided that a prison ministry could and
would be a vital part of my ministry here in
Zambia, and especially in Mongu. It is one
that will require a lot of thought and prayer,
and one that God will have to guide me in. The
words of Christ are brought home to me in the
book of Matthew 25:36 -"...I was in prison and
you came to see me".
As of right now, I don't know how I will
communicate with a Zambian prisoner, but I
am praying that God will lead me and give me
the words to say. As Christ goes on to say -
"In as much as you have done this to the least
of my brethren, you have done it unto me"
(Matthew 25:40).
PRAYER REQUESTS
1. h'or Charlie and Betty Delaney as they are
still working on their home.
2. For Shanda and Robin Delaney as they
prepare for their trip here in May.
3. For my sister, Cyndee. as she prepares for
her trip here in June.
4. For my mom and dad in their work.
5. For me as 1 am building on my house.
6. For the Prison Ministry, that it may open
doors for greater evangelism in Zambia.
# * A
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Africa, my homeland, Africa
How majestic your land lies.
The sweeping plains and towering mounts.
Blanketed by the deep blue skies.
Africa, my homeland, Africa
My heart is in your land.
It is within the deep and mystic forest,
And on the beaches white shimmering sand.
Africa, my homeland, Africa
Of what does your beauty sing?
The toils, the struggles and heartaches;
The price of freedom that doth sting.
Africa, my homeland, Africa
Oh how He loves you so.
Can you see the light that shows the way
The way all men should go.
Africa, my homeland, Africa
Can we help you see?
The cross, the death, the life again,
Of the One who sets men free.
Africa, my homeland, Africa
Of what does ygur beauty sing?
The freedom you truly seek comes
When you bow to the mighty King.
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C,-70
drumbeat
News from Jim Davis
Zambia Christian Mission
P.O. Box 335
Mongu, Zambia
Forwarding Agent:
Don and Wanda Moore
c/o Z.C.M.
4050 Shelby St.
Indianapolis, IN 46227
"How shall they hear . . Romans 10:14
Volume 1 October 1982 Number 4
BUSY IN MONGU
I know that it has been a long time since the
last issue of Drumbeat was published and for
this I am truly regretful. Things here in
Mongu, and in various other places, have been
quite hectic. But things are getting back to
normal, so I will try and give you the latest
Mongu update.
First and foremost on the list is this
business of house construction. The house
structure itself is up, but there are a few things
that need to be done in order for me to move in.
For a period of about two weeks, construction
was practically halted because of a lack of
timber. But the timber finally arrived and we
were able to put up the rafters and get the roof
on. The picture shows Dad, Charlie Delaney,
and me working on the rafters. The roof is
now on, the ceiling is in and it actually looks
like a house. To be quite honest, I was
wondering when I would see the day. Serious
ly, the Lord has taught me a lot about patience
and perseverance.
The things that remain to be done are in
progress right now. I am working on the
plumbing and wiring, and also the painting.
Construction was also halted when I left for
Zimbabwe and South Africa. While in South
Africa I went on a buying spree - purchasing
things which were needed to finish the house.
All of the electrical supplies and plumbing
supplies were bought there, plus curtains, a
stove, and things of that nature. This trip
saved a lot of money, as most of the things we
bought were 3 - 4 times cheaper than in
Zambia.
All in all, things have gone quite well and it
is due to the prayers offered by you, and being
answered by our Lord. Another missionary
was telling me that to come over and have a
house built within a year is an accomplishment
in itself. All I can say is Praise God! By the
time you get this 1 should be moved in and start
ed in language study. I thank you all so much
for the prayers and the concern and what Paul
considers most important of all - Love.
REUNION
It is always nice when family and friends
get together. So I was doubly blessed when
my family and the Charles Delaney family
came to Mongu for a visit. Our family and the
Delaneys worked together for 8 years in Ndola
and we are like one big family. My sister,
Cyndee, who is in her last year of nurses
training was also here for a month (in
Zambia), so we were all together once again.
Cyndee was here to visit, but she also went
to a hospital to see about the possibility of
David helping out.
UPDATE ON
PRISON MINISTRY
Since the last newslet-
aU|0ia ter, I have become in-
volved with the Prison
Ministry. I have preached
there at the prison, which
was a real joy, and hope to
start Bible classes in Octo-
ft ber or November. The
' f if prisoners are eager for the
gospel and are among some of the most
attentive listeners. (I think the guard may
have had something to do with that.) Please
keep this important ministry in your prayers.
The Davis/Delaney Clan
coming to Zambia as a missionary nurse.
Pray for her in her last year ofschool, and also
as she contemplates what she will be doing
when she gets out.
Pictured here with me are Shanda, Charlie,
Betty, and Robin Delaney, and Cyndee,
David, Mom and Dad. It was really good to
have them all here in Mongu for a visit, and I
was sad to see them go. But it reminded me of
the even greater bond and friendship we as
Christians have with Jesus Christ.
LANGUAGE STUDY
This is a matter of urgent prayer. Learning
the local language will not be easy, and I am
earnestly soliciting your prayers in this
matter. There is no language school for the
Lozi language, nor have I as ofyet been able to
find a competent teacher. It seems as though I
will be doing this without instruction, and
that intimidates me a little. I will start
studying Lozi seriously as soon as the house is
completed. I have tried to pick up some as I go
along with the house, and have learned a
little. Actual language study will begin after I
get into the house. That will be soon, probably
before you receive this. Pray that a teacher
will be found, and for me as I study.
SOUTHERN AFRICA
MISSION CONFERENCE
The Southern Africa Mission Conference was held August 17-20 in Harare, Zimbabwe. Gathered
together were missionaries from South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. It was a great time of
fellowship, teaching, spiritual feeding and prayer. The host speaker was Brother Bob Shannon from
the First Christian Church in Largo, Florida. His messages were an inspiration to all, and ones that
really fed the people gathered together.
As Harare is a centraf location for all, next year's conference will also be held there. Zambia
Christian Mission is responsible for the program, and John Douglas, from Chipata, Ken Tyner from
Kitwe, and I make up the program committee. Pray for us as we try to provide a program that is as
spiritually refreshing to the missionaries as this year's conference was.
MAIL CALL
Once again, I want to assure all of
you who write to me, that I do
answer every letter that I receive. I
also acknowledge the receipt of
every care package. Ifyou have not
received a response, I never received
your letter or package ... or my
response did not go through. Please
forgive me if this has happened and
write and let me know. I do
appreciate hearing from you!
(Please also note that my response
may be slow at times - smile - I do
get backed up now and then!)
God bless you for all your love,
support and especially for your
prayers!
PRAYER
REQUESTS
1. For the completion of the house
2. For the task of language study - that I will
do it with joy in my heart.
3. For the Prison Ministry
4. For Cyndee in her last year of nurses train
ing
5. For other areas of work - bush evangelism,
church planting, and the winning of souls
to Jesus Christ
6. For Zambia - its government and leaders
A YEAR TO BE REMEMBERED
On October 15,1967, Dean and Judy Davis
stepped into the mission field and into a new
life; a life and a job that held many joys,
excitement, tears, disap-
pointments, frustrations,
smiles, laughter, and pFr"
always the knowledge -? ; Sg
that God was with them. i 0
There was a little boy with yf
them whose eyes grew ^ ^ ^
bigger with every new
thing he saw. On October
14, 1981, that little boy
returned to Zambia as a
The past year has also
held these very same
things for me as they did ^
for my family when they
came to Zambia. I have also experienced joy,
excitement (like the time a b'A foot cobra was
killed in my bathroom), tears, disappoint
ments, frustrations, smiles, laughter and the
knowledge that God is with me has been made
evident every day. Sometimes I have felt that
He was very far away, but He has never failed
to reassure me when I wasn't on top of
everything. He has never failed to carry me
when I needed to be carried. He has never
failed to laugh with me when there was joy in
r. - my heart. To know that a
such as this is with
me makes me look forward
to the year ahead. It is
' ^ with anticipation, wari-
ness mixed with eagerness
I that I want towelcome my
' second year as a full-
fledged missionary. I
don't know what the next
I year willholdforme, but I
know that I am a small
oHf part of a master plan.
|J^r That is the plan of
1 bringing those who don't
know our Lord to meet
Him and become a part of Him. Please pray
for me and for yourselves that that will be our
main goal and purpose in the lives that we
lead. Thank you all for making my first year
here a year to be remembered.
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drumbeat
News from Jim Davis
Zambia Christian Mission
P.O. Box 335
Mongu, Zambia
Forwarding Agent:
Don and Wanda Moore
c/o Z.C.M.
4050 Shelby St.
Indianapolis, IN 46227
"How shall they hear
Volume 1 December 1982 Number 5
Romans 10:14
HEEEY CHRISTMAS
The Christmas season is upon us. How
quickly time flies. I hope that each and
everyone of you are finding the real joy of
Christ in Christmas in the midst of gift
shopping, Santa Clauses, tree decorating, and
all the other hustle and bustle of Christmas
time. So many times it seems as though the
actual meaning of Christmas gets shoved to
the background while we are so busily
involved with all the Christmas activities.
Not only does that happen in the States, but it
happens right here in Zambia as well. Time
and time again we find ourselves so busy and
involved with things that are important, that
we may forget that our salvation is the gift of
God. (Ephesians 2:8) Notice that I said we
involve ourselves with things that are
important. That is correct, but nothing is so
important as to detract from our relationship
with Jesus Christ. I enjoy Christmas and all
that goes with it. (I still wake up at 5:00 on
Christmas morning!) I love singing
Christmas carols, although singing "White
Christmas" when Christmas day here reaches
90 degrees is a bit hard to do. In view of all
this, Christmas should never overshadow the
important event that took place almost 2000
years ago.
This all affects us here and relates to our
ministry in Zambia. Most Zambian people
who don't know Christ (and probably most
Americans who are in the same boat) have the
idea that Christmas is only for getting things
or having a great big party. Everyone wants
something. At first this used to really
frustrate me, but I have tried to put my
frustration aside and start sharing the
greatest gift of all known to man, the gift of"
Jesus Christ. Please join with me in prayer for
the souls who don't know the true meaning
and gift of Christmas. In the meantime, I do
wish all of you a very Merry and fun-filled
Christmas!
THE HOUSE STANDS
This is it. My new home. I never thought I
would see the day, but at last I have moved in.
(By the time you receive this, I will have been
in for over two months.) My first night in
brought much thanksgiving to the Lord - for
the completion of the house, and also for the
prayers that all of you have offered up on my
and the house's behalf. I want you all to know
how much I appreciate your thoughts and
prayers during
this time. Your
prayers and the
strength of the -
Lord have sus- m ^^ ^- -
tained me^ ^ ^
plan to do most
of the pictures
for the newsletter myself. You may have
noticed a lack of pictures in this issue of the
drumbeat. This is because black and white
Polaroid film is not available here in Zambia.
I was using Dad's camera for a time, but
between him and me, we used up all the film.
So I am going to start processing my own
pictures in the dark room. By the time the next
issue of drumbeat is ready for publication,
the dark room
should be com
pletely set up
and ready for
.. use. As it is now,
^ I am waiting on
apart for my
enlarger to come
in from South
Africa.
Again, I want
to thank you for
your prayers
and love for me
as I was work
ing on this
house.
A NEW CHURCH
Plans are underway for the development of
a new church in the Emweko Township. It is a
township for more than 1500 inhabitants. It is
a shanty township, with sometimes more
than 20 to a house of maybe only 2 or 3 rooms.
There is one church there already - an
Apostolic church. I will be starting classes in
January; classes dealing with God - the Bible -
Jesus Christ - Man - Sin - Man's dilemma -
Man's Response - etc., etc. I am looking
forward to this, and am also praying that God
will use me in the proper way. Several people
have expressed a real interest in having a
church in their area, so it seems as though
God is really opening the doors. I know that
He will guide me and for that I amassured and
put at ease.
Right now I am involved with getting
clearance from the proper authorities, and
also finding a place to meet. Please pray for
this situation that it might bring more people
to Jesus Christ.
ANSWERED PRAYER
Many of you have been praying for me as I
have been looking for a language tutor. Well,
our prayers may have been answered.
Through a little luck and searching, and a lot
of prayer, I have located and met the very
person who put Lozi into a written language
and also translated the whole Bible into Lozi.
Her name is Graziella Zalla, and she is an 87
year old Italian lady who was born near
Mongu. She lives not far from Mongu with the
Zambian people, and just recently I had the
opportunity to visit with her. She is frail and
bent, but she said she would be happy to teach
me Lozi. And I have no doubts as to her
ability. She speaks Lozi, Njanja, French,
Italian, English and other languages
Her parents were pioneers after the style of
David Livingstone. She has a love for
Zambia, for the people, but most of all, for God.
Please pray for us as we tackle this language
situation. Also keep her in your prayers for
her failing strength, as she is quite weak. Her
mind is still sharp, but her body is feeling the
effects of her age.
ZAMBEZI RAFT TRIP
How many of you have ever been white
water rafting? I had the opportunity to go this
past November, and I must say that it was a
thrilling experience. After I finished building
my house. I decided to take a little vacation
and go to Victoria Falls where 14 of us (sin
gle missionaries)
gathered from
Zambia and
Zimbabwe. Deb
Brown, whom
many you
know, also went.
I think she was
the most nerv-
ous of the group,
but she weath-
ered it like a
trooper, and al- Ijy
though she may
not admit it, had
a lot of fun.
The rest ofus are
devoted rafting Deband I g Deb and I getting ready to go.
fans now --1 think it gets in your blood. We all
were anticipating a great time of fellowship
and fun and we weren't disappointed. The
beauty of the Zambezi river was breathtaking
and the rapids . . . Our guide said that the
trip we took was the wildest one-day trip in
the world. We
went over 9
rapids. (One was
too so
to take
the rafts
walk around.
^ Personally, I
minded trying it
but the guides
' JM^\ rough and they
know what they
] _ % are talking about.
Oh, well). Of
course we will do
ady to go. it again next year!
PRAYER REQUESTS
I would like to ask all of you to be in prayer
for a close friend of mine - David Griffin. He is
a young missionary with the Southern
Baptist Mission who was involved in a serious
automobile accident. He was returning from
one of his classes and was carrying two
students with him. One of the boys, Clement,
was killed. David sustained severe facial
damage and also some memory problems.
The doctors are very optimistic with his
progress, but complete recovery will be a slow
process. He is now undergoing reconstructive
and plastic surgery which will be quite
painful. Please keep him, his family, his
friends, and the family of the boy who was
killed in your prayers.
David and I getting ready to play some Basketball
early this year.
Other prayer requests are these:
1. Language study.
2. Church planting in Emweko.
3. Violet Zinonga - a member of the Matero
Church of Christ in Lusaka who has a
malignant tumor on her back which is
pressing on her spinal cord. She is also
six months pregnant.
4. Zambia Christian Mission as a whole.
5. The Mongu Prison Ministry.
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