Monday, November 24, 2008

Video of September Mission to Zambia

Here is a short video of my trip to Zambia in September. Much praise to God for providing all our needs for this trip. Denson and Bro. Davies were special blessings this trip. Denson is always a blessing and inspiration. Bishop Davies is a church planting man! He has planted 12 churches and working on #13. He took 2 weeks off work (He is the senior boss so the owners missed him!)to help Denson and me conduct two conferences in the extreme northeast part of Zambia. Please take special note of the fact tat these brothers do not have a formal secondary education, let alone college. they are all pastors or leaders in the church. We strive to help provide them with a good Bible education via mentorship, conferences and the 3 year Harvesters Bible School. We do not send them off to school. We train them on the spot so that their churches do not go without leadership and pastoral care. There are close to 800 men in some level of training in Zambia. Keep this vital work in prayer and help us when you can. Your gifts and partnerships are appreciated and not taken for granted. Jeff


Hello Friends and fellow lovers of Africa,

I have been home from Zambia for 7 weeks and nothing has slowed down. Lou Ann and I have both been busy with ministry at the Potter's House with people using the house and cottage every week. We thank the Lord for this.

We spent time with family and friends in two separate funerals. Please pray for my close friend Wynn who lost his sister, and our son-in-law's family whose brother Tony Phelps died in an ATV accident. He has a wife and 22 month old son.

This past week Lou Ann and I traveled back to E.KY to visit friends and churches who have been supporting the work in Africa. It was great to see folks again and to share the joy of the work in Zambia.

Over the next few months plans will be made for my Spring trip to Zambia. Also the July Outreach to Livingstone, Zambia is in full swing. If you would like to be a part of this great opportunity please do not wait. We need 20 partners to join this outreach. Are you one of them?

As Lou Ann and I continue to "live by faith" we are continually reminded of the faithfulness of God and the His people. We are learning to "expect" instead of "fret" when needs arise. The Lord has shown Himself so very aware and faithful to our needs. We trust Him with thanksgiving.

BIBLES FOR BELIEVERS
Another Christian foundation has given Hope Builders International a $50,000 matching grant for Bibles. Here is your church, Sunday School class, bible study group, business and your opportunity to double the amount of your gift for Bibles to our brethren in Zambia. $10 becomes $20 and $100 becomes $200 because of this grant God has sent our way. Please participate if you can and encourage your church or group to do the same. What a great Christmas gift we can give our fellow Christians in Zambia.

365/20
Lou Ann and I have been blessed over the years to have wonderful supporting partners. We continue to trust the Lord to raise up the full number of 365 partners sharing $20 per month with us for the ministry of HIMAfrica. This base of support provides Lou Ann and me with our basic "living" expenses and the funds needed to "do" this ministry, the day to day working of this ministry. It will insure us of travel expense needed to be able to share the ministry with others. It also provides for the airfare needed to fly to Zambia several times a year. Thank you for considering us.


As Thanksgiving approaches may each of you be especially blessed this holiday season as you remember all that God has done for you in Christ Jesus His Son. May you enjoy your family and friends as you gather together to celebrate our blessings in Christ. And may you be moved to share with others this holiday season the blessings of the "blessed."


If you are not receiving our quarterly newsletter by USMail and would like to please send me your address.

You can support the ministry of HIMAfrica online at www.hope-builders.org. Be sure to designate your gifts to Zambia or Hawkins 365/20.


Let's serve Him until He comes!

FAITH and ADDRESS

I pray you are well and looking forward to a good week serving our precious Savior.

Yesterday our pastor preached the story of David and Goliath. What a great lesson! One of the main points I came away with and was reminded of was the need to walk by faith in everyday life (the mundane) so as to be prepared for the unexpected and extraordinary events of life.

This was a truth I continually reminded the churches I pastored. You must learn to walk by faith today when life is normal so that you can know HOW to exercise faith when life gets tough. Growing in the Word daily prepares you for those "extraordinary" days when you must face the "Giants". Our relationship with God (faith) grows as we seek HIM in the Word and prayer. There will be little battles today that we must win by faith in God. These battles will prepare us for the bigger "campaigns" that WILL come sooner or later. David's faith in God grew as a Shepherd taking care of his flocks. He had to conquer lions and bears (no little thing!)in his everyday life. When the extraordinary day came he was ready to slay the giant Goliath. He had confident faith in God. He had exercised faith in God in the everyday so that he knew he could trust God in the extraordinary.

Have faith in God in the everyday and it will prepare you for the "unexpected" tomorrows. And remember "Faith comes by hearing and Hearing by the Word of God." You can not have the faith that will carry you through and please God if you are not in the Word of God.

Faith is not a "good luck charm" or a "rabbit's foot" or something that you "believe hard enough".
The faith that delivers you comes from knowing and believing the Word of God.

Some of you have asked for our personal mailing address. Here it is:

Jeff and Lou Ann Hawkins
1860 J.M. Goodman Rd.
Adams, TN 37010

For a tax deductible receipt when sending gifts make your check out to Hope Builders International and designate to Hawkins (personal support) or Zambia (ministry support)
Address: POBox 317, Greenwood, VA 22943

God bless each one of you.
Please send us any prayer requests by replying to this email.