Update - April 28

Our trip to Lusaka went well. We spread two days of errands over three days so we didn't have to rush like we usually do. As always, the traffic was harrowing. Although I try really, really hard, I cannot keep from a sharp intake of breath, sometimes accompanied by an audible gasp, when another vehicle is headed straight at my side of the vehicle. This frustrates David (who is driving) no end, since he seems to know exactly how far he can nose our vehicle out into the swirling mass of vehicles without a collision. I've decided the only way to avoid gasping is to close my eyes--which seems quite appropriate considering all the praying I do when we're driving around Lusaka.

We stayed a few miles outside of Lusaka at Mapepe Bible College. Our dear friends David and Lorie French direct this school. The goal of Mapepe is to train church leaders and evangelists who will be self-supporting. This philosophy is a great match for what we try to do at Namwianga, and this year Mapepe designed a set of courses to suit our secondary and GBCC graduates. We were able to visit with the dozen or so students from Namwianga who are enrolled in the January - September program. They all agreed that their time at Mapepe is giving them valuable knowledge and experience. We enjoyed touring the new buildings on campus and hearing about the classes and activities the students engage in.

Back at Namwianga, the campus is deserted. The students have all gone home for the break, including those who had stayed longer for special classes. Most of the women on campus are away attending the church's national women's meeting in Mazabuka. The quiet won't last too long, however. Tomorrow there will be 51 college students back for two days of intensive training before they head for northern Zambia. They are part of the Northreach evangelism effort which places teachers and student teachers in remote areas where there is no church or a newly planted church. In addition to their practice teaching duties, these students will be involved in evangelism and leadership development. The work goes on!