HIMAfrica

Prayer and Prep for Zambia Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:16:00 +0000

Hello Friends,
It is a little over 3 weeks until Lou Ann and I board the plane in Nashville for Zambia! There is always a lot to do before a big trip like this.
Just today I have been up since 3AM working on lists and "to do's" and making phone calls. I will be calling Denson back in a bit to go over some more information we need to clarify and finalize. Over 50 HIM Zambia men have been invited to attend. We will meet at the same Christian center as last April in Musenga.

When reading in Acts 1-8 this morning I was reminded at how GOD does HIS work of glorifying Himself and saving sinners. He took a scared group of 120 men and women led by 11 uneducated and untrained men by the world's standards and shook the world to its very foundations. They did it by God's power and grace alone as they were continually filled with the Holy Spirit. Through them the Lord saved thousands, healed many of their diseases, performed miraculous escapes and yes,allowed sufferings to be part of the glory shared, even martyrdom. WE too have the privilege to see God glorify Himself in and through us. We have received the same Holy Spirit and we have the same Word of God and we have the same privilege of prayer, accessing the ALMIGHTY at any time in Jesus Name.

With one voice and in one accord pray with us about the following

PRAYER, PRAISE and PREP REQUESTS:

1. August 22nd Lou Ann, Johan and I will be back in the Hazard, KY area. Our friends there are sponsoring a BIBLES for BELIEVERS benefit concert! They are so excited. I spoke with Olivia this morning for the latest news. NOW they are really concerned that they have enough room! Good problem. Sounds like an "Encore" waiting to happen!
2. Lou Ann and my Zambia "Work Permit" arrived this week! PTL. This should eliminate the "visa" trauma I've experienced the last several times going over. I am now an employee of HIM Zambia with a work permit that is good as long as my Passport is... 2014.
3. Our friend Steve Warren will be traveling with me the full 4 weeks. This is his first missions trip. Pray for our health, strength and focus.
4. Pray that the men will "own" the administrative part of this trip. It is so important for us to receive accurate and timely information to share with our partner/donors here at home. Communication is difficult at times and culturally different all the time. This gathering (an annual event) is very important so as to update and clarify information.
5. We want to be a blessing to all who attend by paying for their trip to Musenga, there room and board, and their trip home. This will cost $3000 ($12 per day per man). Your help will be a blessing to these brothers and us. Most could not attend without this provision.
6. We will be working with Denson and HIM Zambia distributing Bibles the last two of weeks. This will involve a lot of travel and coordination.
7. Continue to pray earnestly for the HIM leadership in Zambia. Denson and the District leaders are key to the HUB system working. The goal is saturation church planting, mentoring and training pastors, and making disciples of converts to Christ. The Job never ends for them. They remind me of the Marines... "doing so much with so little!" OF course, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD! PTL.

BIG REQUEST: The HUBs need partner/sponsors. We are swiftly approaching 50 HUBs in Zambia (maybe more by the end of the year). Less than 20% have any sponsorship. Johan and I have asked the Lord to provide for all HUB leaders to receive a "quarterly blessing." $50 per month will sponsor a HUB pastor and $300 will sponsor the entire Hub of up to 40 churches. This gift has the potential of impacting 6 to 10,000 people in discipleship! There are churches that could sponsor a whole district of 10 HUBs and individuals that can only afford $50 a year. The Lord puts it all together to take care of the need. Pray with us. (NOTE: to be a blessing to all the total sponsorships are spread among the total work. Every one is blessed.)

Thank you and God bless you
Acts 4:31 (Be filled and Be bold!)
Serving Christ and YOU,Jeff and Lou Ann HawkinsHIMAfrica http://www.himafrica.com/
Hope Builders International http://www.hope-builders.org/
Phone Johan @ 540-456-7300
or Jeff @ 931-237-6077
Tax deductible gifts to:
Hope Builders International, HIM Zambia
POBox 317
Greenwood, VA 22943

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Camp Nathanael

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:19:00 +0000

This week has been filled with the sound of children singing, playing and praying (praying to receive Jesus as their savior).

Last Saturday Lou Ann and I drove back to eastern Kentucky near Hazard. Our destination was Camp Nathanael in Emmalena (http://www.campnathanael.org/home.php). Johan Gous and his wife Lida met us there for fellowship and planning coming events in Zambia. Sunday Lou Ann and I went to Happy Bible Church to share the Word and HIMAfrica ministry to Zambia. Johan and Lida went to Bethanna Baptist Church (where I pastored for 6 years) and we all met there for lunch and fellowship. GREAT TIME.

That evening we all met with Olivia Callahan and the Gospel singing group Free Indeed. They are organizing a benefit concert for Bibles For Believers to be held August 22. Monday morning Johan and I joined "Sug" Brashere at the local Christian radio station and did an hour long interview for Bibles for Believers! It was awesome. Thank you WJMD! We then had lunch with some local pastors and shared the ministry of Hope Builders International and HIMAfrica.

Johan, Lida and Lou Ann all returned home and I stayed at Camp Nathanael as the missionary speaker for 71 children. What a great time! The first night there were a lot of children wanting to receive Jesus as their Savior. The camp theme was "Be Energized!" and I sure am! My theme with the children was "How to be a Missionary." The three lessons were 1. you must be a Christian and ALL Christians are Missionaries. 2. You must be a Sacrifice (Romans 12:1). 3. You must be Changing (Romans 12:2). We kept it simple and showed lots of pictures from Africa. What a precious privilege to teach young teachable hearts and to love them and be loved by them. Thank you Jesus!

Here are some pictures of the classes and also a blessing from Ronnie and Myrt Miller who put decals on the car! Looks really sharp!

Today (Friday 24th) I will return home after the chapel time and a few more visits with dear friends here in East Kentucky.

Reaching Out

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:20:00 +0000

The picture above is the Malawi Mission Team of South Africans and Americans.

Pastor Titus Shapanda is recording the names of new converts and below praying for a new believer.

Pastor "Jean Pierre" is with the crowds in Mufumbwe and below is the team of Pastors from Harvesters International Ministries Zambia. The National Leader and District Leader Denson and Titus are on the left. All the men pictured I have had to privilege to meet and teach in training seminars.

This week our team from Malawi returned with great news of God's great glory and grace! The team of South Africans and Americans led by the Spirit of God witnessed over 8000 people profess faith in Christ! The end result was that 20 new churches have been started! These churches are immediately under the care of HUB church. Leadership from that church will oversee the establishment of these new churches. The Hub pastor will begin training the new leadership that God will appoint in the coming weeks and months. The task is great but our GREAT God, the Lord Jesus Christ will build His Church. Our part in that is in obedience to His command to "make disciples."

Pray for the twenty or more new leaders that will begin their 3 years of discipleship and Bible training. The National Leader Harrison and the South African Coordinator Herbie covet your prayers.

I also received some more pictures of the outreach in Mufumbwe Zambia. I rejoice with the dear brothers that joined Denson Mushitala on this outreach. All of these men are our pastors serving in other locations but came together with the National and District Leader Denson and Titus to evangelize and new area in need of a clear gospel message and to start new churches with the new converts. Rejoice with me as you look at the pictures of these dear, faithful brothers. These are the men I am privileged to work for and represent here in the USA.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support for the work being done in Africa. The fields are white unto harvest. Many good mission work is being done most of which is oriented towards meeting physical needs. Harvesters International Ministries has many widows/orphans projects, including homes, farming projects and others, but the focus and determined aim of HIM is to plant new churches, train new pastors and make disciples of new believers.

By God's grace many thousands of souls have been been saved and over 4000 churches planted since the year 2000! God gets all the glory because HE gives all the grace. Thousands of pastors have been and are being trained by other indigenous pastors through the Hub Church Planting model.

When you partner with us in prayer and support you share in the reward of seeking and saving the lost and obeying the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ to "make disciples." Thank you! Please continue to make sacrifices that are well pleasing to the Lord as you join with these men to win a Continent that is truly ripe for harvest. The laborers are few! So pray that the Lord of the Harvest will raise up laborers.

Blessings in Christ,

Jeff Hawkins

HIMAfrica

Zambia Coordinator for Hope Builders International

Malawi Team Returns

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:48:00 +0000

Malawi Team, family and friends
I have spoken to Herbie (National Coordinator for Malawi/Team Leader) to make sure that they arrived safely back home (South Africa). The group arrived at home at 2:30 am this morning (Wednesday) - it has been a long haul for them but they are excited about the results of the outreach. Obviously he has not yet had the time to draw up the final report but as you have asked for any detail I received I can share the following with you giving all the Glory to our Lord:
1). The outreach groups worked with the 11 congregations that are part of the new Hub that was formed towards the end of last year - it had grown to the 11 new congregations over the last 9 months since the Hub itself was established.
2). A total of 23 villages were served during this outreach.
3). Twenty new churches have been planted in the new villages - their establishment as congregations is the first task of the Hub Leaders in that area so that they can become local congregations with a local pastor - Pastoral training will be started within the Hub System shortly
4). The Jesus Film was shown 12 times.
5). The total number of people who made contact with the work the teams were doing is estimated somewhere between 15 and 18,000 (the numbers attending the Jesus Film shows are very difficult to estimate because it is dark, people are standing in clusters and more arrive all the time as they hear the sound projected by the loudspeakers.
6). A total of 8,800 names of people who made confessions of faith were shared with the pastors so that local follow up could be done by all the participating churches.
From this it can be seen that God has answered the prayers of the saints all around the world who received the information of this outreach and undertook to pray for your safety, effectiveness in sharing the Gospel and receptive hearts of those with whom you shared the Word of God. All Praise and Honor to Father God and to the Son for His sacrificial death to open the door for us to be reconciled with the Father, under the indwelling guidance of the Holy Spirit.
What a joy to share this early info with you - the final report may change some of these figures slightly and will give more detail together with some testimonies.
If you (travelers) will send a testimony of your experience of this trip to me I would appreciate it greatly.
Blessed greetings
Johan
Hope Builders International
Africa Director

Malawi Mission Team News

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:57:00 +0000

Here is a word from Johan Gous the Africa Director with Hope Builders International and our liason with the team in Malawi.

I am also including some pictures from previous Mission Team in Mozambique that I participated in.
As you read you will hear the "mission" and "heartbeat" of our work in Africa. We want, by the Grace of God, to empower and impassion the "indigenous" believers to reach their own people. We believe this is how we can best, that is most efficiently, economically and speedily, reach the world for Christ.
As you read this please pray for our Team in Malawi. Pray for the local believers they are working with. Pray that both the "foreigners" and locals will be strengthened renewed in their commitment to serve Christ and represent Him to the people around them.

Be Blessed,
jeff

Dear Parents, Family and Friends of our Malawi explorers,

I tried purposefully to get hold of Herbie or Steven today but did not succeed to speak directly to them as there seemed to be problems with the cellular phone signals. I did however speak to two people who have had contact with them yesterday and this morning.

The reports from there are that they are doing well and that the work is progressing well - now from experience in such situations I can tell you that the first days are spent getting to know your team members (every one is still unsure of themselves and most times a bit shy to speak out) but by tomorrow (Wednesday) that will all have passed and they will be in the swing of playing their respective rolls that they are comfortable with.

The team is a big one (40+ South Africans) the 5 Americans and then the local Pastors and interpreters together with the 5 to 8 local congregation members who are being trained (and mentored) in sharing their faith so that they can continue doing so after the "foreigners" leave. This is the whole strategy - empowering the locals to effectively reach their own people (community) with the Gospel.

I have been assured that all are well and learning a lot from both sides - the truth is that your loved ones will return richer in general experience but also in their own faith walk with Christ while the locals will be encouraged in their Walk. It is our prayer that the locals grab the vision of how God can use them in their local situation while our trippers see the vision of how much God can do through them as they inspire the locals by encouraging them to stand firm in their faith in some pretty difficult situations - My personal prayer for each of our travelers is that God will instill in them the understanding that the continent of Africa can be won for Christ purely because the natives are so hungry for the Gospel and we have it to give in abundance if we are prepared to obey God's command to be His witnesses even to the ends of the earth (where the Gospel has not yet fully reached) something that can be done through equipping and empowering the locals.

I will be trying to get hold of them again in the morning - so until we "talk" again.

Blessed greetings
Johan Gous

HUB Conference and Bible Distribution

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:56:00 +0000

Hello Friends and partners of Helping Indigenous Ministries in Africa (HIMAfrica).

In September Lou Ann and I will need your help in traveling to Zambia and conducting a week long HUB Leaders conference and two weeks of Bible distribution. September 14th over 50 Hub Pastors, the national leadership team and the cooks will gather in Musenga at a Christian conference center.

This is an annual event especially designed for HUB leaders to train them and help them to stay focussed on the mission of planting churches, training pastors and making disciples of new believers in Jesus Christ. It will also be a time of encouragement as we distribute study Bibles to the men who have yet to receive them and also bicycles for those who do not have one.

This event will cost $3000. HIMAfrica coordinating with Harvesters International Ministries Zambia will provide transportation for each of the men to come to and return home from the conference. Their lodging, food and training materials will also be provided.

After this event Denson Mushitala (HIM Zambia national leader) and I will spend two weeks distributing thousands of Bibles coordinating with the district and hub leaders. The Harvester International Ministries national coordinator for Malawi, Herbie Venter, will also be with us (The Lord willing).

The total mission will cost approximately $7500. Some of Lou Ann's airfare has already been given, but the majority of the funds needed are yet to be raised. Would you help? Your generous gift is most appreciated and will bless not only Lou Ann and me as we journey to Zambia on your behalf but also the 50 pastors and leaders gathering for this important annual event.

I am also asking God for a teaching partner to accompany us on the first leg of the mission to teach at the conference and then escort Lou Ann home on Sept. 21st.

Your gifts will help Denson and me travel and distribute thousands of Bibles as well. Please consider helping us as we partner with our Zambian brothers planting churches and making disciple.

Send your gifts to our partner minstry: Hope Builders International POBox 317 Greenwood, VA 22943

Designation to Zambia Conference

All gifts are tax deductible.

Home Again

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:30:00 +0000

Lou Ann and I returned home to Coldstream and the Potters House yesterday. What a wonderful time celebrating our 35th Wedding Anniversary. Thanks to the Lord and some dear friends we were blessed to stay at the SanDestin Resort in Destin, FL and then represent HIM Zambia at the Lifespring Community Church in Georgia and visit my Dad (74 and going strong). We drove over 1200 miles safely and comfortably. Thank you Lord!

Titus Shampande - district leader

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:30:00 +0000

Titus Shampande is one of our newest District Leaders in Zambia. He is overseeing the training of Hub leaders in the Solwezi area west of the Copperbelt. In the Kangwena Hub he reports there are 17 men in Phase C and 12 men in Phase A of the 3 year Bible School. This team of men recently went to two new areas and planted two new churches.

In the Solwezi B Hub there are 13 men in Phase B of the training. During the week of Easter this group of men went to a village “5 kilometers from Messengers Compound” near Solwezi, evangelized and planted a new church called Chasobe. The new leadership is being discipled by Pastor Kebo.

Brother Titus is planning another work at Mambili along the Solwezi/Chingola highway where he has some contacts in place. He also says, “I am very much excited for what the Lord is doing in my Life and the Ministry at large. I have been also doing every day one on one (evangelism). Have led four people to the Lord. They are coming into our church. One of the Ladies among those who came had charms. We counseled her and she confessed then later gave all what she had, after that we burned the charms. The lady is now free and she is coming to our church.”

Titus’ prayer requests:
1. That the Lord will provide more Bibles
2. That the Lord provides us with four Bicycles
3. That the Lord will help us with 25 roofing sheets for Glory Baptist church

“Once again I would like to thank you for the wonderful conference we had in April.
Pray for us that we remain strong and faithful to the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Thank you for everything you are doing for me and my family. May The Lord Bless you and our International Leaders.”

July 2009 Zambia Outreach

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 14:05:00 +0000

Harvesters International Ministries - Zambia
in partnership with
Hope Builders International
presents
Zambia Outreach 2009
15 July 2009 - 29 July 2009
Livingston, Zambia

HIM Zambia invites you to join us in an outreach to the Livingstone area of Zambia in July 2009.HIM has planted many churches in this area and has well developed HUB structures with strong leadership and willing churches. We will join hands with local churches to reach this ripe harvest field.

Goals:

One-on-one Evangelism
Train local believers and mentor evangelism in the area
Plant several new churches in the area
Encourage local believers
Identify potential leaders for future training

Preparation has already begun in the town of Livingstone and surrounding villages that we hope to send teams to. Churches are preparing to fully participate in the outreach, local chiefs are being visited to identify where new churches can be planted and local believers are already praying for each team member who will come and help them win people for Christ.

HIM Zambia will provide training, infrastructure, thorough planning and follow up. We need YOU to come and share your faith in one of the greatest harvest fields in the world today. Thousands will come to Christ, new churches will be planted and many will be discipled. This is an opportunity not to be missed. Individuals, couples and groups are welcome to join us. Already teams from the USA and South Africa are preparing to come and we hope to have close to ….. participants joining up with local pastors and interpreters. Most people in the area speak English ensuring that communication will not be a problem.

Travel Arrangements

Our US office will book all flights within and from the USA. Local flights and road transport will be organized by HIMAfrica (Jeff Hawkins) and HIM Zambia. Prices include all flights, road transport, food and accommodation, interpreters and all other possible expenses. The full price for the outreach is $3800 per participant. A deposit of $300 will secure your place and enable us to book flights for you.

DISTRICT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 03:30:00 +0000

From March 31 – April 3 HIM Zambia gathered its district leaders from all over Zambia along with other key Hub leadership for training. The sessions included a general understanding of the HUB Method of Church Planting and defining of the different roles of leadership. Other sessions dealt with the Mission and Purpose of HIM Zambia. There were also several workshops teaching a simple inductive Bible study method that does not require extra study helps. Most pastors do not have the luxury of a pastor’s library. Daily prayer, personal devotions and corporate worship were also a mainstay of the daily activities. Four of our dear mothers prepared the meals for the leaders.
Thanks to the gifts of the Berea Baptist Church, Bible.org and Sister Patty 36 new Study Bibles were brought to the conference and given to the men without study Bibles. The 30 NET Bibles were given by Bible.org and the six Discipleship Study Bibles were provided by Harvesters International Ministries. Study Bibles are not available in country and must be shipped. Thank you for your help and part in this. Praise the Lord for His bountiful gift. The men were grateful to God to receive a new “study” Bible giving them extra tool for preparing sermons and Bible lessons.

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:26:00 +0000

Good week at YWAM training base in Muizenburg, South Africa

LIVINGSTONE MISSION

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:05:00 +0000

Great Commission Keepers!

July 14-28 we will be hosting a mission to Livingstone, Zambia. This is the home of the Victoria Falls, traditionally called "The Smoke that Thunders." It is also the home of thousands of poor souls without the Lord Jesus Christ or a church to help grow them in the faith once they are saved.

Our mission will be to partner with Harvesters International ministris and local churches to go into the bush and villages to share the Gospel and establish new churches. The Jesus Film will be shone in the evenings.

We will be staying at the modest but very comfortable accomodations of the Sunbird Guesthouse outside of Livingstone. Harvesters International Ministries Zambia will be our host.

HIM Zambia is our partner planting churches, training pastors and making disciples in Zambia.

Would you join this trip? Your cost will be $3800 plus your passport, visa and any vacinations you might need. This fee covers your roundtrip airfare, food, lodging, and any transportation in Zambia.

You will work for 8 days with a local church winning souls and planting churches. Your evenings will be spent at the guesthouse or in the field showing the Jesus Film.

Some of you want to go but can not see how you could possibly afford the trip, but the Lord is able. This will give you the opportunity to trust the Lord as most missionaries have to in raising the support needed to serve on a foreign field. Your church can be a wonderful partner with you. It's sponsorship and that of friends and family are available but you must make the need known.

If you can not go would you consider a gift to help sponsor someone else? We either GO or Send...
Either way,
Consider joining us! Email me today if you are interested.
Jeff@HIMAfrica. com

ROPE HOLDERS

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:55:00 +0000

'I will go as a volunteer to seek sinners drowning in the well of sin, but I can not do it alone. I need "rope holders." Will you be my ROPE HOLDER?

March Leadership conference

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:06:00 +0000

HIMAFRICA

PARTNERED WITH

HOPE BUILDERS INTERNATIONAL

Rev. Denson and Rebekah Mushitala
Denson is the national leader of HIM Zambia
They have 7 children from 24 to 10 years of age,
4 sons and 3 daughters. Denson works with 5
District Leaders and 35 Hub Leaders planting
churches and making disciples in Zambia.

Rev. Jeff and Lou Ann Hawkins
Jeff is the Zambia Coordinator for
Hope Builders International representing
HIM Zambia in the United States.
Jeff and Lou Ann reside at the
Coldstream Christian Camp in Adams, TN.

1ST ANNUAL DISTRICT LEADERS CONFERENCE
On March 23rd Jeff will fly to Zambia and meet Rev. Denson to conduct a District Leaders conference near Chingola. The objective is to further coordinate the ministry of HIM Zambia and develop a strategic plan for the next five years. It will also be an opportunity to develop and coordinate the work of the district leaders. 12 key Hub Leaders have also been invited for the purpose of developing leaders in depth. Some of these will be future District Leaders.

Much of the time will be spent in prayer as we seek the Lord for HIS direction. He has promised to guide our steps as we walk with Him.

Some objectives of the conference to pray about:
1. Assign Hubs to District Leaders
2. Clarify the Mission and Purpose of HIM Zambia
3. Evaluate past performance
4. Evaluate needs for Bibles and Bicycles
5. Develop a Strategic Plan for the future

Jeff will also teach a simple Inductive Bible Study Methods course for the Leaders to teach to their pastors in training.

God is our Provider through the generosity of you His servants. The ministry of HIMAfrica in general and this conference in particular need your help. Please pray for us and give as the Lord leads you.

Designate your your gifts to Zambia and mail to:

Hope Builders International POBox 317, Greenwood, VA 22943

All gifts are tax deductible and will be receipted.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH US!

BIbles Needed

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:28:00 +0000

One of the greatest needs among pastors is Bibles. Study Bibles. Yes they need ongoing training but Bible Training focuses on the BIBLE. It is always disturbing to meet these dear brothers serving the Lord and His church as pastors that have a tattered and worn Bible or no Bible at all. Many Bibles are not in a language they readily read. Though they speak Bemba for instance I have found many do not read it well or understand the "Bible" words used. Zambians for the most part are much more proficient in English. The video was taken last September 2008 of a group of HUB pastors receiving pastoral studies from Bro. Sakala (district leader in Lusaka rural). The testimony and image is to let you know that these dear men need our help. They need Study Books and bibles to better serve the people God has called them to Shepherd. Partner with us.

Christmas 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 22:34:00 +0000

HIMAfrica
Helping Indigenous Ministries in Africa
JEFFREY and LOU ANN HAWKINS
Thanks be to God for His indescribable Gift! Looking forward to Christmas the blazing heart is drawn toward the TREE of life, Jesus Christ. How thankful we are for His purposeful obedience to the Father. His love displayed in obedience as HE, the LORD of all, humbled Himself and became one of us, and then died in our place. What Love! What Grace! What a Savior!
Thank you Father for giving us your SON.
Thank you Jesus for obeying the Father.
Thank you Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Christ in all who believe.
Thank you Father, Son and Holy Spirit, our Triune God for loving us with a love that is beyond measure. A love that reaches from an old rugged Cross around the world to save “whosoever” will.
This Christmas may we all have a blazing heart for Jesus, representing the saving Tree of Life to the world.

PRAYER REQUESTS:
The heart cry of almost every pastor/leader in Zambia is Bibles for their people and themselves

HIM Zambia has established leaders at the district level and is asking God for $300 per month each. There are 5 DL’s at present sharing $750. We desire to appoint at least 10 DL’s throughout the country. Each DL oversees and trains 10 Hub Leaders representing over 100 churches. The logistics of coordinating and providing training for over 800 churches established since 2000

Provisions to conduct multiple pastors conferences throughout the country every year.
More churches and individuals to become partners in ministry both “GOING” and “GIVING”.

Grace for Rev. Mushitala the National Director of HIM Zambia and all his leadership team.

MOST OF ALL that Jesus Christ be glorified in the saving of souls and establishment of His church.

MISSION TRIP OPPORTUNITY!
This July 14—28 HIMAfrica with Hope Builders
International will be going to Livingstone, Zambia.
Here some of you will help the indigenous church
evangelize and plant churches. The rest of you will
help us to GO.

Details can be found at www.himafrica.com or
www.hope-builders.org
WE ARE LOOKING FOR 20 GOOD MEN AND
WOMEN to serve with us.
COME and HELP us! ACTS 16:6-10
Contact Jeff: 615-696-2244
HIMAfrica@yahoo.com

OUR CALLING AND VISION
is to “make disciples”. We are building
on the foundation of the thousands of
Western Missionaries that have served in
Africa these past 300 years. Our task is
to continue what they began. As we train
the indigenous pastors in Zambia we are
strengthening the church, honoring the
work previously done and obeying our
Lord’s Great Commission to make
www.hope-builders.org disciples.

THE YEAR IN REVIEW! What a year 2008 has been!
 Spoke in Churches in Illinois
 Moved from Bethanna Baptist parsonage to Calvary Campus, Letcher, KY to wait on final move to TN.
 Worked with Cumberland Area Pulpit Supply training men to study the Bible and preach (two years)
 Missions Conference at Southeastern Bible College
 Presented HIMAfrica and Bibles for Believers in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Kentucky & Tennessee in February/March
 Spent most of April in Zambia working with Harvesters International Ministries, Zambia
 May family reunion and move to Coldstream Christian Camp and the Potter’s House ministry.
 June—August built an apartment below the Potter’s House
 6 Weeks in Zambia visited pastors and churches and conducted 3 conferences, arrived home October 1
 October to present finishing up Apartment, travel to E. KY to present HIMAfrica
In all this we experienced God’s great grace in us and the lives of those we were privileged to minister to. God has provided for
us personally enabling us to present the work of HIMAfrica and Bibles for Believers. Praise His Name!

WILL YOU PRAY FOR THESE LEADERS? THANK YOU!
National Leader Denson Mushitala (directs and coordinates the ministry of HIM Zambia)
“One thing to remember is that to do ministry one must have the heart for it. That is to win souls one must love the sinner and go closer to them. Let them see the love of God in your heart and your eyes.” Denson thanks God for your love, prayers and support. The Honda has been repaired. Several new district leaders have been appointed. Thank God for Denson’s safety as he travels many miles as he leads the ministry of Harvesters International Ministry Zambia, winning souls, planting churches and training leaders.

Northeast District Leader Edward Musonda reports the churches are growing and maturing as the pastors grow in theWord of God . After the Kasama Conference they divided themselves into three groups. One evangelized Mbala and planted a new church now with twenty members. Two groups returned to the churches planted in May with Rev. Denson and rejoiced in the Lord having added new converts to the churches. They baptized 125 new believers! DL Musonda also conducted a pastors seminar for his new level one HUB churches. The 10 pastors are ready to start level two training. An outreach close to the border of Tanzania is being planned.

Lusaka District Leader Sakala Sinoya continues to teach the Harvester Bible School weekly and to evangelize the large George Compound
outside of Lusaka while pastoring a new church plant. He sends special thanks for the clothes given him making him more presentable to the church and community.

Rev. Titus Shampandes our newest District Leader in Solwezi(NW) is
sincerely thankful for the support and training received. He has been busy visiting
and encouraging HUB pastors and overseeing their training.

District Leader James Chinokole in the Nchelenga area (NE near Congo) reports that the men were very encouraged after the training conference in September. Since then the training continues and three new churches have been planted Plans for Church planting outreaches near Congo border are delayed by war.

District Leader Mumba Chinyanta oversees 32 churches and has 22 HUB pastors in training in the NW Solwezi area near Congo.

Most Pastors desperately need Bibles. Study Bibles and Bible Dictionaries will be a
tremendous aid in sermon preparation and teaching.

Video of September Mission to Zambia

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:54:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:49:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:45:00 +0000

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.

Summer 2009 Missions Opportunity

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:39:00 +0000

Hello friends,

I am excited to announce to you the opportunity of a lifetime. July 14 to 28, 2009 are the dates for our Outreach in Livingstone, Zambia. We will be working directly with our Hub pastors and churches evangelizing and planting new churches in the rural areas around Livingstone. The outreach will take place Sunday to Sunday. It will change your life while you participate in the changing of hundreds of lives with the precious Gospel of Jesus Christ. WE will also be showing the "Jesus Film" nightly. This type of event changed my life in 2005. I know it will yours too.

Our home for 12 days will be the Sunbird Guesthouse owned and operated by my friend Kennedy Mukumbo. He will be providing our meals, accommodations and transportation. Visit his blog at http://sunbirdguesthouse-livingstone.blogspot.com/ to see the facilities.

Livingstone is the home of the "Smoke that Thunders" Victoria Falls. We will visit this breathtaking site and do some "tourist" shopping at the markets the Saturday before we begin our outreach.

This event will cost $3500. This pays for your round trip airfare, accommodations, meals, transportation and visit to the Victoria Falls. You will need extra money for souvenirs and general spending when traveling.

Make sure you have a valid U.S. passport and Zambia Visa. You will want to consider vaccinations as well.

YOU will be a foreign Missionary for two weeks and a renewed Ambassador of Jesus Christ for the rest of your life.

Contact me for more information by replying to this email or call me at 931-237-6077.

Called to Serve,

Jeff Hawkins

HOME SWEET HOME

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:49:00 +0000

Hello Friends,

Praise the Lord I arrived home to Adams, TN safe and sound yesterday around 10:30am. It was an uneventful and long flight, as is usual. Lou Ann and I were both glad to be together again. After 34 years it is not fun being away from my "Sweet Honey" for such long periods. However, We both rejoice in the Lord for the opportunity to serve Him in this manner.

Denson and Sakala dropped me at the airport and proceeded home to encounter car trouble again. The '94 Honda Horizon we purchased last March has given us some trouble. Being a used vehicle we have inherited some of the typical problems of a vehicle getting older. This one has been giving us trouble with overheating. A couple of months ago the head gasket was blown. Then while I was there we were continuing to have trouble with it wanting to overheat. We were careful to keep water in it and finally were able to discover some of the problem being the radiator deteriorating. It was not possible to find a new one to replace it so we had that one repaired. Within a day of repairing it we continued to have trouble and found that the gasket was again blown and the cylinder head is probably cracked. (there was a small fracture in it before.) So poor Denson was in a dilema and stuck in Lusaka. He ended up having Jr. drive down with the Canter (the ministry truck) and tow him back to Chingola. They arrived about 1AM the day after I left, exhausted of course.

These are some of the troubles working in Zambia. Vehicles are so expensive and yet so necessary. Used vehicles cost as much as a new one in the States and come with hidden troubles of their own. We continually have to depend on the Lord and of course that is the best place to be... in dependence on Him.

So pray that we can get this vehicle repaired reasonably. We have a good diesel mechanic who loves the Lord and is an "adopted" son to Denson. We thank God for Eddie. He takes care of most of our repairs/maintenance at his home for nothing but the cost of the parts. But extensive work has to go to the shop where it is "regular" price.

Again we are thankful to be home. The apartment that I spent all summer building really looked good, even with all the things still needing to be done.

Tomorrow Lou Ann and I travel to East Tennessee for our annual board meeting with Coldstream Christian Camp and Monday at Bancroft Bible Camp to share the mission at the IFCA Cumberland Regional meeting. We will return home Tuesday.

A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT
With our world in the USA becoming increasingly less stable with the economy tumbling let us all be listening to the LORD. It seems to me HE is getting our attention and reminding us that we are DEPENDENT on HIM. NOW is not the time to lose faith, but in fact, the TIME to have faith in God. HE is our provider. HE is our enabler. We must remain faithful to "win the prize." Perseverence in difficult times is when our faith is really tested/proved to see what it is made of. Is it real faith in the WORD of God or a false faith that is but selfish wishful thinking?

Have faith in God brethren. Be faithful. Persevere. Don't quick being faithful with the resources God has given you. They are HIS. He will provide all our NEEDS in Christ Jesus. IN FACT, He already has. Continue to be faithful and you will see the mighty hand of God in your life as He uses you to glorify Himself in these "interesting" times.

We know not the DAY when the Lord is returning, but it seems to be very soon. BE Ready to give a GOOD Report! Set your "affections", (your thinking, your mind) on things above, not on the things of this world. For you are DEAD (to this world) and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Lou Ann and I are praising the Lord for the exciting days ahead as we serve HIM and HIS people in Zambia and here in Adams, and the thousands who will become HIS people as we faithfully share HIS Word, Jesus Christ with them.

Blessings and THANK you for your partnership with us.

Jeff and Lou Ann Hawkins

Sunday in Kasama, Zambia

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 12:59:00 +0000

We went to church in a large village outside of Kasama today. It is the home of over 15000 souls and most are jobless and thus very poor. Brewing beer and prostitution are the main source of income. The number of vulnerable children is hard to imagine.

This is the story throughout much of Africa. Poverty exaserbating sin. Corruption increasing poverty. It is a sad, sad cycle. Only the changing of hearts through the Gospel of Jesus Christ can remedy the souls tragic condition and bring hope to a life without hope.

It is very sobering to go into these villages. It is very encouraging to see little enclaves of Christ followers holding on to the Lord and trying to make a difference.

I am sorry to be so negative but when I see how little our brothers have and their faith in God it makes me wonder what we are really doing as Christians in wealthy America. We build bigger, more expensive and comfortable buildings and call it "for God's glory." I wonder. Could we not get by in our present locations and buildings and invest all the money it costs to build more buildings into ministry, especially in parts of the World where it can be so effective... Thousand being saved and needing discipleship. Literally millions needing Bibles.

OH that God would change the heart of the church in America. Our WEALTH has ensnared us and blinded us to what is truly rich.

Because of the net I am not able to add pictures but will send them by way of my HIMAfrica Group mail.

Jeff

From Zambia

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 17:11:00 +0000

Hello Friends,
For those of you who do not receive my YahooGroup mail you have wondered... "now why don't he write?" (Dancing with Wolves)

WEll here I am... All is well here in Zambia. We have had a busy and interesting two weeks. Monday/Tuesday we start a long trip to the Northern Province and two Hub pastor conferences. Thanks for praying.

You can join my yahoo group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HIMAfrica/

Pictures are also available there. I will add a few here as well.

Keep us in your prayers. We thank you!

jeff

2 MORE DAYS

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:33:00 +0000

Lou Ann and I have been working hard on the basement apartment. Our sons-in-law have been tremendous help. Without them we would not be near finished. Jeremy is here today installing the countertop in the kitchen and hanging doors for the bathroom and bedroom. The kitchen will be 95% finished...and quite functional. The bathroom is functional. The shower will be another week or so, until Ben can return and finish laying the tile and grouting. We are thankful for the progress.

We did a bit of shopping yesterday for the trip. I still have to pack everything but that will not be too hard. Having traveled to Zambia 4 other times now I should be able to pack better, carrying only what I will need.

www.groups.yahoo.com/groups/HIMAfrica has the latest email.
Check it out. IF you have not joined the group please do so. You will only receive mail from Lou Ann and me. While in Zambia I will be sending out periodical updates on Denson and my where abouts and happenings.

Pray with us that the Lord will bless this trip and honor His Name. We will be visiting many of the churches planted over the last eight years. We want to access their development and the spiritual growth of the pastors especially. We will also conduct two Hub Pastor Conferences in the Northeast region.

Praise the Lord for His goodness and strength.

Blessings,
jeff

9 days to Go!

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Hawkins) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:30:00 +0000

In just 9 short days I will be leaving for Zambia. Before the trip I must have Lou Ann moved into our apartment. We are very close. Patti Bridges is finishing up the painting tonight. The contractor putting in the hanging ceiling in the living room is to arrive today. WE have started laying the laminate flooring. Jon Burkeen and Blaine Dixon helped lay the master bedroom and Lou Ann's room. We will finish the rest of the rooms before the end of the week. Jeremy and Ben worked all weekend getting the bathroom and kitchen shower and floors in. There is still a day or two of work there. I plan to grout the bathroom today. Jeremy and I also installed the kitchen cabinets last weekend.

Last weekend Jim and Judy Potter joined us and painted. They worked hard all day and the LORD bless them for it.

God has been so good to provide the help and the strength needed for this project. I knew it was a big challenge and it proved to be just that. Lou Ann and I have spent the summer of '08 in the "hole" building a home. Thank God for His provision.

Thank the Lord especially for my two son in laws, Ben and Jeremy. Their help and my daughters patience in letting them spend many evenings and weekends with me has been a source of encouragement and joy. It has been good to get to know them better.