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Give thanks to God with us for Mark and Esther, who are the newest members of the RBC-supported missionary family.  They minister in their native country of Zambia.

Mark was born in a religious and church-going family, but they did not know the Lord as their Savior.  He indulged in sinful habits and was tormented by evil spirits. He was taken to witch doctors for treatment, but it was all futile.  His mother eventually accepted Jesus as Lord, and through the influence of her changed life, Mark accepted the Lord in 1980 and was freed from the torment of the evil spirits.  Since that time, he has become a strong witness for Christ.

Mark joined AFCI (Ambassadors for Christ International) in 1986 as a team evangelist.  After receiving further studies at a Bible Institute and developing the ministry, he has since become the Country Director. Mark and Esther are involved in organizing and conducting evangelistic gospel crusades, Christian leadership seminars and revival meetings in both rural and urban areas of Zambia.

People in Zambia are very open to the Gospel. Zambia is a very poor country with 86% of the population living below the poverty level. About 40% of the people do not have access to clean water and 50% of the children are malnourished.  The AIDS crisis overwhelms the health services and the economy.  Most of the children who are orphaned due to AIDS. Almost 75% of Zambian households care for a relative orphaned by AIDS. Illiteracy in rural areas is close to 90%. Christianity is widely accepted even in the public institutions, and freedom of all religions is practiced.  Zambia is landlocked country and is relatively stable and peaceful but is surrounded by countries rocked by war and strife.

One out of every four children in Zambia in an orphan. Abandoned by his father at an early age and growing up in a broken home,  Mark developed a great compassion for the vulnerable children in Zambia.  Part of his ministry today involves helping orphans, especially in helping meet their educational needs.  Mark has also formed and developed a group of 26 leaders a cross the country that meets periodically for mutual encouragement and growth.

Mark and Esther also have an ongoing pre-marital counseling program and conduct regular Family Life Enhancement Seminars for married couples.  They seek to train others who can offer the same type of training and counseling as solid families are the real key to the future of Zambia.

Please pray for Mark and Esther and their three children (ages 15,13 and 11) as they boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus in Zambia.