One Saturday afternoon Shatito called outside our house (the Mwinika version of knocking on a door!). He would like to show the pictures we use for teaching to his friends. We gave them the pictures, but soon realized that Shatito is not only SHOWING the pictures, but actually TEACHING his friends, revising the Bible lessons that they missed… We have told you before about this young man who has been going faithfully to the teaching ever since we started in 2011. He is now not only attending the believers’ meetings on Mondays, but also going daily (Tuesday through Friday) to the 1st phase teaching in our village. He is becoming more and more of a helper by carrying books and pictures to the teaching, holding the pictures up and helping to get things set-up before the teaching each day. (Shatito is the same boy who has been teaching younger students when the local teacher left.) Shatito’s father died a few years ago of Aids and it becomes more and more apparent that he is looking to Francois as his role-model. We are very thankful, but also very aware of the huge responsibility! Shatito is a serious young man, seldom smiling and very quiet, so we are not always sure what he is thinking. However, looking at his behaviour, we see a steady growth in faith and a true following of Christ!
Being a young man in the Mwinika culture and trying to follow in Christ’s footsteps is a huge challenge! Young men are expected to sleep around and most have no future to look forward to: no jobs, no challenges, no opportunities to better themselves. Continue to pray for Shatito as he grows in faith and understanding of God’s Word. Pray for his protection from temptation and that he will keep on sharing his faith with other young people around him. May the Lord continue to be glorified through this young man’s life!