Missions.


Fred and Cathy Phiri: Ndola, Zambia, Life on Wheels

As students in College we actively participated in a campus ministry affiliated to IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students) and later as Associates.  We married in May, 1981 and we both taught high school in Lusaka where we made our home.  We were also both active in organizing and running a student ministry called Scripture Union which the Lord used to turn the lives of many young people.  Fred served as a volunteer staff and regional Chairman for 8 years with Scripture Union and he also provided leadership at our church for the Young People's fellowship for several years.  In 1989 Fred left teaching and went to Theological School and after graduating he worked as Marketing and Distribution Manager for the Bible Society of Zambia four years. 

We both joined Campus Crusade for Christ-Zambia as staff in 1997 and served in various capacities for ten years (1997-2007).  For a couple of years, we worked with the “Jesus Film” and helped to do several audio and film translations in Tonga, Bemba, Lozi, Lamba and Lenje.  For 3 years we worked with a Canadian team to establish Athletes in Action (AIA) in Lusaka, which is now functioning as a fully fledged ministry. 

From inception, Cathy served as a Resource person for CrossRoads in Zambia, a strategy that seeks to eliminate the rise of HIV infections among young people through character development and she was part of the regional CrossRoads Training team.  Having moved to Ndola provided Cathy an opportunity to complete her Bachelors in Theology degree in 2005, which she had partially worked on when I was in Theological School.  Cathy and I provided leadership for Ndola MPTA (Million Populated Target Area) from August 2004 until the time we were involved in a motor vehicle accident in April, 2006.  The accident left Fred permanently confined to a wheel chair as a quadriplegic.  Fred’s disability has awakened within us a compassion for the disabled and we have started a new ministry called Life on Wheels.  Our vision is to reach out to disable children, adults, and their caregivers with the love of Christ.  We have three grown sons: Wezi is 26, Kachinga is 24 and Temwani is 22.

Praises:

  1. We are very grateful for your commitment to help us prayerfully and financially with our new ministry - Life on Wheels. As we had mentioned in an earlier letter our budget goal for next year for personal and ministry expenses is $3,000 per month. We are trusting the Lord to prove His faithfulness yet again and we request you to consider prayerfully how you can partner with us. Marvin and Cyndi Bozard in Coldwater, MI, our dear friends from CCC, who also head LIFE International, have taken responsibility for receiving donations on our behalf. LIFE International is a non- profit organization, which ensures the tax deductibility of your gift.
  2. The registration of LOW and pray that we'll be able to start operating without much difficult.

Prayer Requests:

  • We are looking for a suitable vehicle in which Fred can just be rolled in with a wheelchair. Pray for finances and that we may find a good car dealer to supply the vehicle; prices are very high in South Africa where we're making enquiries.
  • Thank God for our Board and pray that the Lord will give them wisdom and knowledge as they help provide leadership .

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