Update on Our Activities

We apologize for not getting more entries onto the blog. One of our many adjustments to life in Africa has been technology withdrawal! We have to keep our laptop locked up in the closet of the Hamby’s house for security. Then to do anything online, we have to go to the Merritt’s orphanage about a mile away. We have to find a time when they are home, and we have to find a time when we’re not scheduled to be doing something else. It’s become quite a challenge!

Our daughter Sara, along with Mark and Michele Broadway from Brentwood Oaks, arrived last Thursday. We made the two-hour drive to Livingstone to pick them up. We managed to fit all their luggage (six large duffels plus carry-ons) in the back of the Land Rover and still had plenty of seating room in the front. We are thrilled to have them here with us. It was great to get caught up on all the news from home.

David and I moved out of the guest house and moved with Sara, the Broadways, and another family into a recently vacated house on campus. Although we are delighted with the companionship, the logistics of life have become more complicated. We’re at the far edge of the main campus and some distance away from the “command central” for the medical mission where we gather for our meals and various activities. We’re getting lots of exercise walking back and forth.

The campus at Namwianga was busy with the Zambian National Lectureship over the weekend. The lectureship draws people from all over Zambia for four days of lectures and classes. David was asked to give the opening prayer for Friday night’s program and also gave one of the keynote speeches on Monday.

We Americans celebrated the 4th of July with a wiener roast down by the river. We had to have the buns specially made because they are unavailable in Zambia! After hot dogs and s’mores we sang around the campfire. One of the missionaries even brought a few bottle rockets for some fireworks.

There are now over 30 Americans here preparing for the medical mission. Sara and I have spent the last few days in the pharmacy counting pills into dose packs. Today (Wednesday) David and I repaired seats on the big yellow bus and packed the baptismal garments that were sent over earlier. Other team members are busy organizing the tents, sleeping bags, and food for the mission. The rest of the team is due to arrive from the U.S. on Thursday, and that will bring our number to 134. On Friday we will head out to begin the medical mission. There will be 90 Zambians with us to serve as translators and co-workers. It’s quite daunting to consider the logistics of feeding and transporting 224 people into the bush without electricity, running water, or convenience stores!

This may be the last entry we can post before the medical mission. For the next few days or weeks, you can follow the medical mission at www.zmm2005.blogspot.com.