The Crane

We love to hear stories of how God is working in amazing ways at Namwianga! This week we received a report from Ellie Hamby who has been there since early June. The mission is trying to get a radio station up and going. The tower and other basic equipment were sent over from the US on two different containers. One container has already arrived, so Ellie and Andrew Sibwaalu, the maintenance supervisor, have been trying to get the tower erected. Here is Ellie's account of what happened.

It is interesting doing anything in Zambia, and the scenario surrounding the erection of the radio tower was no different. The company that we contracted with to build the tower was having no luck getting a crane company from Lusaka to come to Namwianga to assist in erecting the tower. They could get one to come, but the company wanted to charge $500 per hour. It would take at least 6 hours for them to get here and that was just one way. The tower team working at Namwianga talked to our maintenance director, Andrew Sibwaalu, and asked him to help them locate a crane. Andrew came to me on Wednesday to see if anyone was going to Choma (about 40 miles away). I told him no and suggested he take a bus or a taxi and go see what he could do. To my surprise, a huge truck with a crane arrived at the tower site three hours later!

Here's Andrew's story. He hired a taxi in Kalomo and was on his way to Choma. As they were driving toward Choma, he was amazed to see a big truck with a crane meeting them on the road headed toward Kalomo. Andrew got the taxi driver to turn around and catch up with the truck. Andrew asked the crew on the truck where they were going and found out they were headed for Livingstone (another 100 miles down the road) to do a job. Andrew then asked, “Would you mind taking a small deviation and go to Namwianga to help us erect the first four sections of our radio tower?" They said they would and agreed to do it for a very reasonable fee. They came to the mission and worked for about three hours and then left for Livingstone. While they were there, I (Ellie) talked to them and asked if they would move the other container that is going to house the studio to a place near the base of the tower. They said they would stop on their way back from Livingstone on Monday or Tuesday and place the container in the right spot. Again, they agreed to do this for a very reasonable price. God is amazing to arrange a crane appearing on the road between Choma and Livingstone at just the right time. I (Ellie) have been on the roads in Zambia many times over the years and have never seen a crane being moved.

Update - June 29

We spent four wonderful days at Blue Haven last week.  We stayed in the cabin pictured above, but spent most of our days at the camp.  We were blessed to be part of rich worship assemblies and once again marveled at the beautiful singing.  We taught classes each day while we were there and enjoyed our interactions with the campers and counselors.  On Tuesday we did a special presentation for the counselors and encouraged them to consider short- or long-term mission work after they graduate from college.  We renewed old friendships and made some great new ones.  

We left Thursday morning for the 12-hour drive back to Austin so that I could be ready for my all-important appointment on Friday morning to get set up for radiation treatments.  We had been out of cell phone range all week, so when we approached Lubbock on Thursday afternoon I checked our voicemail.  James from the Oncology Center had been trying to reach me since Monday.  When I called him back, he informed me that my Friday morning appointment would have to be rescheduled since the CAT scan machine would be out of service beginning Friday morning and would not be up and working again until July 7.  He wanted to schedule me for Thursday afternoon, but since it was 2:30 and we were seven hours away from Austin, that wasn't an option.  I had horrible visions of delaying treatments and our return to Africa for an additional 10 days.  I was especially frustrated that James hadn't tried to try to e-mail me--I had figured that as long as we were getting our e-mails I was in contact with the outside world.  Poor James said he'd talk to the doctor and see what he could do.  He called back a few minutes later assuring me that Dr. Nuesch was insisting that I get the radiation set up and started as soon as possible (bless you, Dr. Nuesch).  The technician from his office agreed to meet me in Round Rock on Friday and use the CAT scan machine there to do the set up.   Whew!  

The appointment on Friday went well.  Now Dr. Nuesch will use the CAT scan to determine the exact radiation plan, and I'll start treatments on Tuesday.  The treatments are supposed to last just a few minutes, and I'll be having one each weekday for the next six and a half weeks.   That will put us at mid-August.  Hopefully I can then rest for a couple of weeks and be ready to head back to Zambia in early September.  

For now we are pretty tied down to Austin.  We are hoping to do some presentations about our Zambian work at area congregations.  If you know of a congregation or group that might be interested in hearing about the work there, please let us know.  

How to Pray for Someone Dealing with Cancer

I have often struggled to know how to pray for someone who is fighting a long-term illness like cancer. Usually my prayers for others have been vague requests for healing and for strength for the patient and the family.

Now I am the cancer patient in need of prayer, and I suddenly understand how much more specific intercessory prayers can be. I have been blessed to hear the targeted, heart-felt prayers of my Christian friends as they have lifted me up before the Father. From them and from my experience, I offer the following suggestions as you pray for me or for others who are fighting cancer.

I believe that God works through the physicians, technicians, and caregivers who are treating me. I have seen how much precision and knowledge is involved in procedures, lab work, diagnosis, and treatment plans. I think it is certainly appropriate to pray for the medical personnel, asking God to use their skills and to guide them in their interpretations of medical reports, and in their decisions about diagnosis and treatment plans.

When possible, pray for the doctors by name. My main oncologist is Dr. Hellerstedt, and she oversees my treatment plan.  Dr. Nuesch (pronounced New-ish) is my radiation oncologist. Tomorrow (June 30) he will be determining the plan for my 33 radiation treatments. This requires a high degree of skill and precision to ensure that the correct radiation is used in exactly the right areas, so prayers for Dr. Nuesch are in order. A good outcome also relies on machines that work correctly and technicians who follow the prescribed plan, so that, too, can be a matter of prayer.  

Some of my prayer warriors have asked for specific times when I will be in surgery or in treatment and have committed to pray for me at those times. Beginning on Tuesday, I will have radiation at 10:00 every weekday, and your prayers are much appreciated.

Cancer is a frightening disease that can easily overwhelm the patient’s thinking and lifestyle. I have heard my friends pray that I will have peace and confidence as I face treatments. I have felt God’s peace throughout my ordeal, often feeling that I am riding on the wings of those prayers.

Cancer affects the entire family. They, too, are frightened and have had their lives changed by this unwelcome interruption. How comforting it is to know that friends are praying for David, Sara, John, and Leah, as well as for David’s parents and our siblings.

At times, I have found it difficult to think clearly, especially when I’ve been overwhelmed by information about cancer and treatments. Prayers for clear thinking are certainly appropriate.

My desire is that God will be glorified by whatever happens. I am constantly aware that my attitude and my faith are on display to the medical personnel and to my friends and family as I deal with this disease. I need prayers that I will be able to show God’s power at work in me so that God receives the glory.

I’ll close with the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:10b-11. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Bernard and Jason Update

Meagan sent me the latest news on Bernard and Jason.  Bernard is doing well with his father and new stepmother.  He is attending preschool and even gets to call Meagan and talk to her on the phone occasionally.

Jason's grandmother came to Namwianga and talked with Cecelia Siafwiyo,  the housemother for the Haven.  The grandmother says she cannot take Jason and doesn't think there is anyone else in the family who can or should have him.  The Merritts have decided that he will move in with them at Eric's House.  He will have a bright future there with lots of attention from the other boys and many opportunities to develop his incredible athletic ability.  And we will be able to see him all the time!  

I miss the little guys and can't wait to get back to Namwianga and see them again.  Keep them in your prayers.

To BOCC Parents of Blue Haven Campers

Just a quick report on the Brentwood Oaks campers who are a Blue Haven this session: Everyone seems healthy and happy. All of them are telling me that they are having a great time, and not a single one will admit to being homesick. I served in the lunch line today and made sure to check on the youngest boys as they came through. They are all clean, and they assured me that they are taking showers every night. Moms, breathe a little easier--your kids are doing fine.

Looking Up, Continued

I continue to be amazed at the blessings God is sending our way.

On Monday I met with the radiation oncologist, a very helpful doctor who grew up in South America as the child of missionaries.

My second surgery on Tuesday was a breeze, barely slowing me down for a few hours. On Wednesday we were able to make a quick trip to Fort Worth to see Carly Branscum (daughter of long-time friends Cary and Pam) sing a solo in the finale of the Summer Spectacular musical. I’ll admit I slept all the way home and was pretty worn out the next day, but it was worth it.

On Thursday I met with a nutritionist. It turns out that she is from South Africa! Since my follow-up care will have to be in Johannesburg or Capetown, she offered to help me find medical professionals or help with any other needs when the time comes.

The pathology report came back on Friday showing clear margins, so now I am set to begin radiation treatments the first of July. We left Friday afternoon and drove to Abilene where we spent the night with Don and Laura Oldenburg, our co-workers at Namwianga. They have been back in the US since late February because Don is also battling cancer. He has already been through his chemotherapy and just started on radiation treatments this week. We have a good-natured contest going to see which of us can make it back to Namwianga first. Laura is a nurse who has worked in oncology, so she has been very helpful to me, and it was great to visit with them.

On Saturday we traveled on to Camp Blue Haven in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Sara and John were campers here from the time they were old enough to go, and we spent eight summers teaching Bible during second session, so this place is near and dear to our hearts. We had a warm welcome from old friends as well as the many BOCC campers who are here. The cool mountain air and the rugged beauty of the mountains just add to the joy of being at a place that is aptly described as “a mile and half toward heaven.”

The camper talent show on Saturday night brought back many memories, and we loved seeing our Brentwood campers in action. Many of them are former students from my second grade classes, so that made it extra special for me.

We are staying in a beautiful log cabin nestled in the pines of the Blue Canyon. The temperatures were down in the 50s last night. Today the sun is shining, the air is crisp and clear, and we are headed for Sunday morning worship with the campers.

We are richly blest.

Good Report

The pathology report from my surgery showed sufficient clear margins.  We are rejoicing.

Right now we are headed for Camp Blue Haven in Las Vegas, New Mexico.  Leah's aunt and uncle have a cabin in the Blue Canyon, and we are going to spend a few days there before my radiation treatments start.  We will be there during second session at the camp--the session we attended as Bible teachers for many years.  We're looking forward to re-connecting with some of our fellow teachers from years past, and we'll also get to see the Brentwood Oaks campers who are there now.  An added bonus will be cool mountain air--a welcome relief from Austin's oppressive heat.  

The Parents of the Groom

David and I probably haven't been this dressed up since our own wedding 32 years ago.  We thoroughly enjoyed the joyous day--definitely one of the happiest in my life!  God is good all the time.

The Wedding

John and Leah's wedding on Saturday evening was beautiful.  We had a wonderful time with family and friends rejoicing over God's goodness in bringing these two together.  

Surgery Report

My surgery on Tuesday went well.  I had a general anesthetic this time, so I spent an extra hour in recovery.  Other than that, everything is great.  The pathology report is due back on Friday--we're praying for clear margins greater than 2 millimeters.  

I have met with the radiology oncologist and will start radiation treatments on July 1.  

Thank you for your prayers and concern.

More Surgery

I am scheduled for a second surgery on Tuesday, the 17th.  Although the pathology report for the first surgery showed no invasive cancer, it also showed that there was not a wide enough margin, or area of clear tissue around the cancer site.  This time the surgeon will take another layer for examination to make sure that all of the cancer has been removed.  It should be even simpler than the first surgery and will require very little recuperation time.

It does set back the start of radiation treatments for another two weeks, but that gives us some time to do a little more traveling.  

We continue to be blessed by the prayers and concern from family, friends, and blog readers.  We appreciate you!

Looking Up

This week I have once again been reflecting on the life lessons I've learned from my chickens (see an earlier post). I remember feeling such pity for the terrified hens who cowered in the corner of the pen, blinded by fear and unaware of the bread chunks that were being thrown into the pen for them. As I have faced a diagnosis with cancer, interrupted life plans, and an uncertain future, I have vowed that I will keep looking up and recognizing the blessings God is trying to shower on me.

Here's this week's list. My surgery on Tuesday went well and my recovery has been unexpectedly easy. I feel great! The pathology report looks good with no signs of invasive cancer. I have been able to spend lots of time with Sara, John, and Leah in the past week. I am surrounded by a wonderful, caring church family and a rock-solid group of friends to care for me. I've gotten many e-mails and cards with messages of encouragement and concern. I have time to rest when I need to. People from Texas to Zambia are praying for me, and I feel like I am riding on the wings of prayer. God is good all the time.

I am richly blest.

This week I will meet with the surgeon on Tuesday and my oncologist on Wednesday to develop the rest of my treatment plan. Next Saturday is John and Leah's wedding in Brady, so we'll be busy getting ready for that.

Surgery

My surgery today was quick and uneventful.  I was able to go home after just an hour in the recovery room.  I'm feeling great and enjoying lots of TLC from friends and family.  

Surgery Scheduled

I met with the surgeon yesterday and have out-patient surgery scheduled for Tuesday, June 3.  

I've had a new thought about the next few months.  Zambians, especially Tonga speakers, tend to reverse Rs and Ls.  They say they are "leady to go" and tell us to "turn light at the next corner" and announce "let us play."  So it's likely that many of them will say that I have BLEST cancer instead of breast cancer.  That sounds good to me!  I've decided that I'll have BLEST cancer.

So far that has been very accurate.  We are overwhelmed with expressions of concern and encouragement.  We met with Ellie Hamby in Abilene and have figured out how to get our responsibilities at Namwianga covered for the next three months, thanks to the many people who stepped up and volunteered to help.  

God is good--all the time.

Life Interrupted

I have often thought that the best description of my time as a Zambian missionary would be “Life Interrupted.” The title fits on many fronts. My life as a teacher in the US was interrupted when we sailed off on our adventure to Africa. My life in Africa is one interruption after another—people knocking on the door, a constant stream of visitors, chores to be done, power outages, water shortages, and endless inconveniences.

Those interruptions pale by comparison to the one I am now facing. I have been diagnosed with breast cancer. The problem showed up on a routine yearly mammogram, and the initial diagnosis indicates that the cancer is in a very early stage—Stage 0 on a scale of 0 to 4. The kind of cancer I have is called Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS), and if I have to have cancer, I guess it’s one of the milder forms to have. It is not life-threatening; the five-year survival rate is nearly 100%, and chemotherapy is not required as part of the treatment.

This is, however, a colossal interruption in my life plans! My head is reeling with all of the things that I need and want to be doing in Africa, and my heart is aching for the people I miss over there. And as much as I love my children, family, and friends here in America, this is not where I want to be past my son’s wedding date on June 14.

I met with an oncologist Thursday and have an appointment with my surgeon on Wednesday. The treatment plan is to schedule a lumpectomy for the first week in June if the surgeon is available. Then after John and Leah’s wedding on June 14, I will have six and a half weeks of radiation therapy. My oncologist agrees that if all goes well I can return to Africa soon after I complete the radiation treatments.

For now, I ask for your prayers. My desire is to get back to Africa as soon as possible and continue my work there. More than that, however, is my desire to do God’s will, so please pray that whatever happens, God will be glorified. Pray that the surgery can be scheduled quickly and will show no additional cancer. Pray for my doctors as they interpret test results and plan treatment. Pray for David, who is, as he has always been, solid as a rock in times of trouble. Sara, John, and Leah need God’s strength to deal with this shock—especially since John and Leah are in the middle of planning a wedding. Pray for the Zambian students who will be without a teacher and sponsorship coordinator while I’m recovering. Pray that God will send someone who can fill in for me during the next few months.

And remember my recent blog about the lesson from the chickens? I wrote that during the time I was waiting for a diagnosis, and I was preaching to myself. Pray that I’ll keep looking up and recognizing the help God is sending and the blessings that are falling on me.

If you want to know more about DCIS, a good web site is www.breastcancer.org. And ladies, schedule those yearly mammograms!

I will keep my progress posted on the blog. Encouraging comments are welcome, and if you don’t want your comment posted for others to read, just let me know and I will enjoy it privately.

Update - May 23, 2008

We have been incredibly busy this month with family gatherings.  The first weekend in May we traveled to the Baytown, Texas, area to celebrate the 60th wedding anniversary of David's parents.  

Jake and Margaret have spent their lives serving the Lord and are an inspiration to us. In the late sixties Jake left his job in Baytown with Exxon and their family moved to Rochester, New York, with the Exodus movement.  They stayed there working with the Southside congregation until 1981.  Then Jake and Margaret moved to Searcy where Jake studied in the Christian Communications Program at Harding for two years.   After graduation Jake spent the next ten years preaching for congregations in Arkansas.  

The reception for Jake and Margaret was a wonderful reunion time as they were able to visit with many friends and relatives.  Remarkably, many of the original wedding party were at the reception, including the flower girl, ring bearer, all the groomsmen, and all but one of the bridesmaids.

It was a joy to celebrate this occasion with them.

Another Lesson from My Chickens

I have been surprised that so many friends and relatives tell me they enjoy my chicken stories! And I will confess that right now I miss my feathered friends and their antics. Maybe it’s because I learn a lot about myself from watching them. Here’s one of those chicken lessons.

Not all is sweetness and light in the chicken pen. I have learned from my observations of coop life that the terms hen-pecked, pecking order, and old biddy have very real meanings. This is especially evident when I add a new hen to my fowl community. It’s not pretty. The older hens, secure in their established pecking order, make sure the newcomer knows her place.

The welcoming routine is both fascinating and horrible. The new hen is dropped into the pen. Exhausted from struggling against her human captor, she flees to a corner and crouches. At least two of the old biddies strut over, cocking their heads as they fix their beady eyes on the new chicken. They watch her closely, and if she dares to move too quickly, they’ll deliver a strong peck to keep her down.

Eventually they will decide that she’s sufficiently cowed, and they’ll walk away. When the new hen gathers her courage, she’ll cautiously stand, shake out her feathers, and make her way to the food trough. There she’ll be met by a hostile ring of hens who will stick their tail feathers in her face and make sure she doesn’t get a bite until they have first stuffed themselves.

For the next week, the new hen is ostracized and subjected to hostility that might be compared to a junior high girls’ clique at its very worst. When the pecking order is firmly established and the senior hens are sure the newcomer understands it, the new hen is finally accepted into the brood and life goes on.

After watching this agonizing ritual a couple of times, I decided that I would try to help the next tortured newcomer during her adjustment. I took out crusts of stale bread. The older hens crowded near the fence, ready to jump for their share. I threw some in for them, and then while they were busy eating, I lobbed some extra big pieces to the newcomer who was hiding in the back corner of the pen.

I wish I could tell you that my kindness was gratefully acknowledged—that the abused one grabbed the airborne morsel and feasted in peace. But it didn’t happen that way. The new hen was so terrified that she didn’t even look up to observe the falling gift. Driven by fear, she ran away. The food dropped to the ground and was soon gobbled up by the undeserving tormentors.

I tried again and again, with each new pen addition. The same thing happened every time. First I was shocked, then sad, and then frustrated Why wouldn’t those silly hens look up and see their help and relief coming?

One day it dawned on me that I may be like my misguided fowl friends. Maybe my terror over life's uncertainties sends me running wildly just when God is trying to help me. And maybe I'm so panicked during my hard times that I don’t recognize the blessings God is showering on me. Could I be letting others gobble up the good things God intended for me while I cower in faithless fear?

My chicken lesson has given me new resolve. When I’m afraid, I’m going to look up. I’m going to watch for God’s help and recognize it when it comes.

Georgia Hobby

We spent Mother's Day weekend in Searcy with David's parents.  On Sunday morning David preached at the Cloverdale church, and there we were privileged to visit with Georgia Hobby.  Mrs. Hobby and her husband, Alvin, were missionaries at Namwianga for 38 years.  Her heart is still in the work there, and she was eager to hear about our work.  She told us not long ago that she still dreams in Tonga occasionally.  

Missionaries like Mrs. Hobby are an inspiration to us.  Their level of commitment and the hardships they endured put us to shame.  Mrs. Hobby told us on Sunday that they stayed 15 years in Zambia before they came home on their first furlough!  

 

Peace Corps Friendship

Shown here with us is Jalle (Jah-LEE) Gibesa, the Peace Corps worker who served the Kalomo area for the past two years.  Jalle quickly became a treasured friend and we enjoyed her visits immensely.  I've said before that I have the utmost respect for the hardy Peace Corps volunteers.  They live alone in thatched huts with no electricity or running water and rely on bicycles for transportation.  We have found them to be deeply committed to helping the Zambian people.  We've also discovered that they are able to find humor in the direst of circumstances, and we have enjoyed the many hilarious stories they tell us about their adventures.  

We took this photo when Jalle came to tell us goodbye.  She has completed her two-year stint in the Peace Corps and has now returned to the US.  She plans to become a doctor.  I'm confident that her experiences serving in Zambia will make her an especially competent and caring physician.  

Women's Meeting, Last One

Here is the final installment of Roy Merritt's report on the women's meeting.

Top Photo:  Women formed prayer groups on the lawn while waiting for meals.

Middle photo:  The men worked 18 hours a day to feed the crowd.  It took three hours to serve each meal, with supper often ending after 9:00 p.m.

Lower photo:  Food at last!  

More Photos of the Women's Meeting

I can only imagine how wonderful the singing was when all these ladies praised the Lord together!  

Women's Meeting, Part 2

Roy Merritt continues:

Numbers eventually reached 4000 women and uncounted numbers of children.  Men hauled all the benches from the auditorium, all the classroom chairs, and all the benches from the dining halls and packed them in the high school quadrangle.  

The photographer could not get high enough to picture everyone in one frame.  

Report of the Women's Meeting

Roy Merritt sent out a report of the national women's meeting that was held at Namwianga last week.   He writes:

Women of the Zambian church gather once a year.  This year we were the hosts.  We expected 2,000 to 2,500.  Men of the Namwianga congregation prepared the campus and braced themselves to cook for such a crowd.  Our high school dormitories handle about 300, and our college looks after about 200.  We knew our facilities would be on overload.  And so they came . . .

and they came . . .

and they CAME!

Bernard Goes Home

Meagan sent me this picture of Bernard showing off for the camera.  It's the last picture I'll have of him for a few weeks, because Bernard has now gone home to live with his father and stepmother.  They followed the required procedure by coming to the orphanage and living there for a week to bond with Bernard.  Meagan reports that Bernard seemed to readily bond with the stepmother, and that she was very kind and caring.  She's already told Meagan that we are welcome to come visit and will even meet us in Choma if we give her a call ahead of time.  I'm so happy for Bernard, but I'm going to miss this little guy!  

Update - April 25

We have spent the past week traveling to Missouri and Arkansas.  My family gathered in Mt. Vernon, Missouri, for the weekend, so we were able to visit with my brother and sisters and their families.  David preached at the Mt. Vernon congregation on Sunday morning.  I grew up with the good people there, and it is always a joy to be reunited with them and to see how the Lord is blessing their work.  

Monday through Wednesday we were in Searcy with David's family.  We also got to spend some time on the Harding campus and spoke to the Harding in Zambia group that will be coming in September.  We found some of last year's HIZ students as well and had fun getting caught up on Namwianga news with them.   Shawn and Donna Daggett will be joining Janice Bingham in leading the 2008 group, and we had a chance to meet and talk about upcoming plans. We also enjoyed seeing the Rackleys who led the 2007 group.   

This weekend we are off to HEB Foundation Camp for the Brentwood Oaks family retreat.  

Mother's Day Gift Suggestion

We would like to suggest a mother's day gift that can make a difference for mothers and children in Zambia.  A donation of $10 will purchase two Clean Delivery Kits (CDKs).  These will be given to expectant mothers during Zambia Medical Mission this summer and throughout the year at Namwianga Rural Health Center.  We will be targeting mothers who will not have access to a hospital or other health facility for delivery.

Each year about 60 million women in developing countries give birth with only the help of an untrained attendant or family member or with no help at all.  Many of these deliveries take place at home and often in a small hut in a remote village.  The infection rate is high, with some 1600 women per day dying from complications associated with pregnancy or childbirth, according to the World Health Organization.  Many of these infections can be avoided when Clean Delivery Kits (CDKs) are used.  Each kit includes the following supplies:  bar of soap, square yard of plastic sheeting, razor blade and string for the umbilical cord, cotton cloth to wrap baby, candle and matches, pain relievers, vitamins, disposable gloves, and sealed bag for packaging.  

We are making a special drive for Mother's Day by encouraging family and friends to donate to Zambia Mission in honor of their mother or special friend.  A personal note will be sent to inform each recipient of her gift.  If you are interested, please make checks to Zambia Mission and send them to the following address:  Zambia Mission, 658 E. N. 21st Street, Abilene, TX  79601.  Mother's Day is May 11, so please send in your requests as soon as possible.  

News from Namwianga

While we are in the United States, Namwianga is hosting the national women's meeting. The mission has been preparing for this event for many months, knowing that women from all over Zambia would be coming.  The turnout is far beyond expectations--the largest women's meeting ever.  Here are excerpts from a report sent by Kathi Merritt:

At last count there were 3,640.  They haven't finished registering.  The count will go well over 4,000.  All the dorms, both in the college and secondary school, are full.  All the classrooms, both in the  college and secondary, are full.  Verandas are full.  The auditorium is full. And tents have been put up.  All the benches and chairs have been moved to the quad.  All the sound equipment has been moved to the quad.  Tonight additional lights were put up there.  

The men are tired of cooking.  It takes about three hours to feed the group, and then the cooking starts immediately for the next meal.  

Church on Sunday will be in the quad. I asked Shadreck to get some pictures from the roof.  It should look like a flower garden with all the brightly coloured headscarves. 

 

And More Visitors

Steve and Joan Mann (center) have been involved in Zambia missions since the 80s. I consider them our kindred spirits as they share our passion for the work and have willingly opened their lives and their resources to us. They spend part of every year in Zambia, most recently coming in February and staying through early April. This year they hosted several other friends who came to work and minister with them. Lynn Anderson (see previous blog entry) is Steve’s cousin, and the Manns were instrumental in getting Lynn and Carolyn to come to Namwianga. Sam and Paulette Hawkins (shown at left) from Regina, Canada, made their first trip to Africa in March and jumped right in to all the work. They were willing to try any new experience and were great sports about it all. Bob and Kathy (right) were returning to Namwianga for a second time and proved once again that their many talents can make a difference. Bob is a fix-it person and was constantly busy with repair jobs. He also borrowed some heavy equipment and worked on the roads, endearing himself to us in a big way! Kathy made curtains, cooked, and did anything else that needed done, showcasing her servant heart.

Albert and MaryAnn French (not pictured), also from Cananda, spent six weeks in Zambia. They took over the Seven Fountains orphanage so that Rod and Sue Calder could enjoy a three-month furlough in the US.

Visitors

We were blessed to have many wonderful visitors at Namwianga in March. There were so many things happening that I didn’t get a chance to write about them at the time. Lynn and Carolyn Anderson came in early March. Lynn led a spiritual emphasis week on campus, preaching Sunday through Wednesday nights, giving chapel talks, and teaching Bible classes. The students responded enthusiastically to his lessons and his interactions with them. David and I benefited greatly from the time we spent with Lynn and Carolyn.

Family News

Here’s the most recent photo of our family, and those who know us will notice a new face. We are thrilled to announce that John is engaged to Leah Vickers and will be getting married June 14!

We have known Leah’s extended family for many years and have watched her grow up with our kids at Camp Blue Haven through the years. She is a wonderfully talented, beautiful, and sweet person, and we know she is a blessing from God for John and our family.

Pleasures of the Unreal World

Two weeks into our American stay, I can list at least ten things we enjoy about being back

1. Clean public restrooms with soap, warm water, and paper towels
2. Long, hot showers (but I still feel guilty. . .)
3. WATER FOUNTAINS--I had forgotten about these wonderful conveniences until we got to the Atlanta airport
4. No roadblocks manned by guards with AK-47s.
5. Padded church pews and individual communion cups
6. Dr. Pepper
7. No potholes (although we did find one in a parking lot recently)
8. Unlimited Internet access - guilt-free
9. No one is knocking at our door!
10. Electricity all the time

Water Pump and Playground

Water is scarce in southern Africa. Most communities struggle to provide an adequate supply of clean water for the residents. Mazabbuka, a town about 150 miles north of us, has found a creative solution. The pump for the community well is a merry-go-round. As children spin the metal wheel, they pump water to supply individual needs and to fill the nearby storage tank. We have driven past this well many times, and we always see a happy crowd of children playing as they pump the well. Mothers watch in the background while water flows into their buckets.

Update - April 11

David has quickly recovered from his bout with malaria.  We have been SO thankful for the counsel of fellow missionaries Sheri Sears and Brian and Sondra Davis.  They advised us to take malaria drugs with us just in case and told us of other missionaries who spent their furloughs trying to get diagnosed and treated in the US--a difficult situation since most American doctors know little about malaria, and the drugs are not readily available.   Our last stop in Zambia before the airport was at the pharmacy, and we are glad we did!

We flew into DFW on Wednesday and are now in Fort Worth visiting our friends the Branscums for a couple of days before going to Austin on Saturday.  

For the rest of our furlough (through mid-June), I will post occasional updates on our activities and blog the stories and photos of Zambia that I didn't have the time or bandwidth to cover while we were there.  

Missionary Retreat

This is the group of missionaries that gathered March 28 - 30 at Mapepe Bible College for a retreat.  Included are Fielden and Janet Allison from Tanzania; Diedre Hulvey, Meagan Hawley, Louisa Duke, and Sheri Sears from Namwianga; Brian and Sondra Davis with Bryson and Noah from Mumena Mission in Solwezi, Zambia;  Mark and Era Thiesen with Eric and Dana from Namikonga Mission in Malawi; and David and Lorie French with Natasha and Susan from Mapepe.  Also shown are the retreat presenters Eddie and Carol Hendricks from Richmond, Virginia, and Grady King from Irving, Texas.  We had a wonderful time together and are already looking forward to our next gathering. 

Update - April 7

The last post seems like months ago rather than just one week.  We have packed many miles into the past eight days.

We planned to leave Namwianga on Monday, March 31, at noon to head for Livingstone.  Getting packed and ready to leave was quite a challenge.   By 6:40 on Monday morning we had already said goodbye to five overnight guests and answered the door three times!  Then  our original transportation plan for getting to Livingstone fell through and we had to come up with a quick Plan B.  We were on our way at 2:00 Monday afternoon.  

We spent Monday night in Livingstone and flew out on Tuesday.  Fifty-one hours later we finally landed in another world--Honolulu!  David's cousin Paul lives in Kailua and invited us to spend a few days in his guesthouse on our way home to Texas.  Our travel agent in Livingstone managed to get us extremely cheap tickets if we were willing to spend enough time in a plane, and here we are!  

So far we have enjoyed seeing the Waikiki beach area and the Kailua beach near the guesthouse where we are staying.  Over the weekend we made a two-day jaunt to the big island and hiked across the Kilauea Iki crater.  We also watched lava flow into the ocean.  On Sunday after church we took a trip up to the northern shore of Oahu island with Paul and two of his children.  

By the time we returned from that excursion, David was miserable with symptoms of malaria. He went straight to bed and hasn't been up much in the last 24 hours.  Thankfully, we heeded the advice of seasoned missionaries and brought a round of malaria treatment with us. He started taking the medication this morning, and hopefully he will be back up and around in time for our Tuesday night flight back to the mainland.  

Our plan is to spend a couple of days with our friends the Branscums in Fort Worth and then arrive in Austin on Saturday.  

Update - March 30

We are in Lusaka at Mapepe Bible College where we have been attending a retreat for missionaries who serve in central and southern Africa. It has been an incredible time of fellowship and spiritual feeding for all of us. We have discovered an instant bond with those who understand all the challenges and joys of living and working over here.

Eddie and Carol Hendricks from Richmond, Virginia, and Grady King from Irving, Texas, have been the presenters for the retreat. Grady is a dear friend from David's college days at OCC, so we have delighted in getting caught up with him.

This afternoon we will head back to Namwianga and frantically finish our last minute preparations to leave for our furlough. We plan to go to Livingstone on Monday afternoon and spend the night before we fly out on Tuesday afternoon.

Sunday with the Boys

I picked up Jason and Bernard Sunday morning so they could spend the day with us. We took them on an outreach to Nazilongo, and this time they both did great—no meltdowns like the first time we tried it. They were worn out from all the excitement and took three-hour naps Sunday afternoon. While they were sleeping, we had our own excitement when I found a cobra on the back veranda. I caught a glimpse of it as I was going in the back door—the snake was hooded and flicking its tongue at me. David kept an eye on it while I went next door and got our neighbor’s son to come kill it. This one was only two feet long. (The last one we killed by the veranda steps was almost six feet in length.)

Meagan, Louisa, and newcomer Diedre Hulvey came over at 4:00 for our second annual egg dyeing event. Jason and Bernard helped us decorate the chocolate bunny cake, although as you can tell from the picture they were a bit overwhelmed. We dyed the eggs using our homemade dye, candle wax, and the ever-handy duct tape to create designs.

It was hard to take Jason and Bernard home after dinner. We are leaving to go back to the US on furlough, so this was the last time I will see them for a while. I managed an extra hug and kiss at the Haven before they ran off to join their buddies, and then I had a lonely ride home thinking about how much I will miss my little guys.

Training to Teach

These 20 ladies are all second and third year students at George Benson Christian College. In the second term of this year (May - August), they will be doing their student teaching. Many of them will be part of the Northreach effort and will be placed at schools in Luapula and Northern Provinces where they will work with new congregations or help to plant new churches. Several of the ladies will be working with new churches planted in Southern Province. All of them will have opportunities to work with local congregations while they are student teaching.

On Saturday I held a training session with them and showed them how to use the Beginner's Bible to teach children's Bible classes. We discussed ways to use children's classes as an outreach to the community through Saturday Bible School or after school Bible clubs. Each of them received a copy of the Beginner's Bible to take with her, as well as curriculum plans and instructions for activities. Won't it be exciting to see how God works through these talented women?

Bernard and Jason

Bernard and Jason came over for a few hours last week. After dinner I stuck them in the bathtub and watched the fun. Since they usually share bath time with 20 other toddlers, they don't have the luxury of playing in the tub at the orphanage. There were many giggles and splashes and smiles as they enjoyed themselves at my house.

HIZ Chicks Update

You may remember that Harding University students Courtney and Kelsey took care of three orphan chicks during their stay at Namwianga. Little Autumn, Larry, and Harold then came back to us when Courtney and Kelsey returned to the US.

Autumn died suddenly a month later, and Harold had an eye problem and lost sight in one eye. The good news is that Harold and Larry are both doing great now, although they are really Harriet (top) and Laurie. It’s easy to spot these two—they are always together and tend to stay a little apart from the other chickens in the pen.

Courtney and Kelsey, your babies are all grown up!

Chicks!

I haven’t written about the henhouse lately, and I’m sure many of you are hungry for a fowl update. (“Many” may be a stretch, but my niece did mention that I hadn’t blogged any chicken news for a while.)

David decided we needed some guineas. They are unique looking birds that are reported to be good protection because they make noise when possible intruders are around. Besides that, he likes dark meat, and guineas are supposedly all dark meat.

So he bought ten guinea eggs for a whopping $1.50 and put them under one of our setting hens. Sure enough, a month later, we had little guinea chicks. At first the mother hen would have nothing to do with them, so we gathered them up and put the tiny fluff balls in our well-used “orphan box” under a lamp. I was not happy about this development, because we are headed back to the US for a furlough soon and I really didn’t have time to take care of them and didn’t want to leave them behind for someone else to have to deal with.

David consulted with our next-door neighbor who advised us to put the hen into the box with the chicks for three days and let them bond. Hmmm. Great idea, but we weren’t observant enough to know which of the five red hens in our coop was the mother. And the hen certainly wasn’t rushing over to claim these little aliens. The chicks spent the night in the box.

Monday morning the gardener rescued us. He knew exactly which hen had been sitting on the eggs, and he dropped her into the box with them. For the first few minutes she stayed on her side and the babies watched her from the far corner. Remembering our bad experience with Cruella, I was ready to pounce at the first sign of any murderous intent from the hen, but she seemed content to just sit and cluck. Then David reached in to put a container of water in the box, and Mother Hen flew into action. She swooped those babies under her wings and sat on them, her beady eyes just daring David to try to touch those chicks!

From then on, Mother Hen was a natural. She took over her maternal duties without complaint, and at the end of three days of bonding proudly joined her fowl friends in the coop, guineas in tow. The rest of the chickens don’t seem to care that these babies are a little different in color and run a little faster than their young ones. I love happy endings!

Update - March 15

The Harding Academy group headed for Livingstone on Thursday morning. They were a wonderful addition to our campus, and we were privileged to host them.

I said in an earlier blog that the Harding students would leave a bit of themselves here at the Mission. That proved to be true in a very literal sense, because many of them left behind clothes and other items to be given away! Yesterday I gathered up all the donated items and spread them out on my veranda. The sponsored students at the high school came over and selected six items each to keep. They had a great time sorting through blue jeans, skirts, T-shirts, towels, and shoes to find what they wanted.

The Harding students also left us some of their snack foods. True confession: I ate three packages of Pop-Tarts on Thursday. (I didn't even really like Pop-Tarts when we lived in the US!) We also received granola bars, trail mix, and sugar coated cereals. Yes, the Harding Academy left fond memories in our household.

Update for March 12

Today was Youth Day in Zambia, so there were no classes at the schools. Namwianga Secondary scheduled sports and games all day and invited the Harding group to participate. The Academy fielded teams in volleyball, basketball, netball, and soccer. The girls managed to win their netball game, even though it was their first time to play!

This afternoon most of the students went to the orphanage to say goodbye to the babies and caregivers. Tonight after dinner we had the Merritts and their Eric's House children come over for a devotional and S'mores. A good time was had by all.

On a sad note, baby Whitney died at the orphanage this morning. She was premature at birth and had struggled throughout her two-month life. Last week Meagan had asked the Harding students to give her extra attention, so for her last few days on earth Whitney had been held and loved tenderly. Her short life will leave a lasting impression on the students who came to know her and care for her.

Thursday morning the Harding group leaves for Livingstone. They will see Victoria Falls on Thursday and then go to Chobe Game Park on Friday. Saturday they will head back to America, leaving behind a bit of themselves and taking along memories and changed hearts.

Prayer Request

Don and Laura Oldenburg have been our co-workers here since February, 2007, and have become our dear friends. They have been tremendous assets to the Mission as Don worked with the Finance Office and Laura worked to get our hospital ready to open. They left in late February of this year to return to the states so that Don could have surgery. We were devastated to learn yesterday that Don has been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsils, and the cancer has already spread into his lymph nodes. Don will begin chemotherapy on Wednesday, March 12, in Abilene. Please pray for Don and Laura during this difficult time.

The Day After The Babies Spent The Night

I heard that the babies did pretty well during their overnight stay on Monday night. I'm guessing that there was some lost sleep, though. These are scenes from the guesthouse after lunch on Tuesday.

Update for March 11

On Tuesday the team had another day of working at the orphanage and tutoring at the nearby school. Tuesday night a singing group from Mutala came and presented a program of their songs.

Wednesday is a Zambian national holiday called Youth Day. The Harding students will be joining the Namwianga Secondary students for sports and games.

No illnesses yet. Mr Harrell, the pharmacist on the team who came along to take care of medical problems, has been blissfully unoccupied with that area and has been busy doing other things.

Parents, you can be very proud of the way your children are pitching in to help with whatever needs done. As we get ready for meals, the two questions we hear are, "What are we having?" and "Can I help with anything?"

They are not complaining about the food, the heat, the work, the frequent power outages, or anything else. We are blessed to have them here.

Babies!

Shown here are some of the babies who spent the night with the Harding Academy girls. It will be interesting to find out how much actual sleep occurred in the guesthouse!

To Harding Academy Parents

You can send a message to your child by posting a comment on the blog. I will receive it as an e-mail before it is posted and can print it out and give it to him/her. Please specify if you do NOT want the comment to also appear on the blog.

We are seven hours ahead of you, so the last message I can deliver will be Thursday morning our time/Wednesday night your time.

Harding Academy Update - March 10

I'm posting the blog late today because we had no electricity for several hours Monday evening. Dinner was already cooked by then, so the only real challenge was washing the dishes by flashlight.

This morning the Harding students worked at the orphanage with the babies and toddlers. In the afternoon they went to Namwianga Basic School and tutored pupils there.

Tonight the guesthouse where the female students are staying has a few extra guests. The girls brought babies from the orphanage to spend the night. It was such a delight to watch them holding and loving the babies this evening. The youngest baby is a tiny one-month-old, and the oldest is Sally, a busy toddler. There are bottles, blankets, and diapers everywhere in the house. The guys have pitched in to help by bringing food to the girls at dinner time, cleaning up the kitchen and dishes, and I even saw one brave guy who will remain nameless carrying a big pink diaper bag back from the orphanage this afternoon.

There may not be much sleeping in that house tonight, but there will be lots of love given and received, and there will be memories made that will last a lifetime.

We continue to give thanks that everyone is healthy and doing well.

Sunday at Kasibi

What a day we have had! This morning we combined the 12 Canadians who are here with the 24 students and leaders from Harding for a trip out to the beautiful village of Kasibi. We took the Land Cruiser, two double cab pickups, and a flatbed truck. Most of the students and some of the adults ended up on the flatbed truck--outfitted in style with chairs. The road to Kasibi is pretty bad; however, none of the vehicles had any major problems navigating the potholes and ravines.

We had to park the vehicles about a quarter of a mile away from the church building and walk the rest of the way. The bridge over the creek consisted of about six logs fastened together. We all managed to make it across without incident, cheered on by a warm welcome from the women of the congregation as they sang and clapped for us.

We tried to squeeze into the Kasibi building, but when it became apparent we weren't all going to fit, we moved outside under the trees and enjoyed a wonderful time of worship with the Kasibi congregation.

Afterward we gathered in the yard in front of Leonard Sichimwa's house for a traditional Zambian meal of chicken, nshima, and goat. Leonard was kind enough to add non-traditional chocolate cake and Kool-Aid for us.

Then the Kasibi Village Band arrived with their homemade instruments and performed. I told one of our Canadian visitors that afternoons like these are called "National Geographic Moments" when you feel like you have stepped into the pages of National Geographic!

The rain came just as we were leaving Kasibi--a gentle shower that pretty well drenched the riders on the back of the truck. Their enthusiasm wasn't dampened, however!

Back at Namwianga, the gang headed for the Merritt's house and spent a couple of hours putting together "Baby Packs" that will be given to caregivers who receive formula from the Mission. In cases where a baby's mother has died, an aunt or grandmother will often volunteer to take care of the child. The orphanage provides formula for the first year or two of the baby's life. A Baby Pack containing a diaper, plastic pants, diaper pins, bottle, clothing item, and blanket is given to each caregiver to help her meet the baby's needs.

Some of the Harding students volunteered to take babies home for the evening. The lucky babies were held, cuddled, and cooed over during dinner and the evening church service. I heard at least one student saying sadly about her new little one, "I don't want to take her back to the orphanage." What an experience the students have had--they will never hear about orphans in Africa without a tug on their hearts from the time they spent here.

Other happenings throughout the weekend: the Harding students have made friends with Namwianga students through working together and interactions on campus. Some attended a movie together in the auditorium on Saturday night. There were some soccer games today as well, and more are sure to come.

I've already fallen asleep at my keyboard once while I was typing this blog, so please forgive any typos and errors. Everyone is still healthy, and I can't think of a time when any other group of this size managed to avoid illness this long. As we recited in church today, "God is good all the time."

Work Crew

Here is our Harding/Namwianga Secondary crew right before they headed off to work on the roads Saturday morning.

Another Day, More Adventures

It’s not even 10:00 as I write this, and the Harding crew at our house is getting ready for bed after a day filled with activities. This morning each Harding student was paired with one of the sponsored students at Namwianga Secondary. We all ate breakfast together and then divided into three groups to work on sections of the road that were damaged by the recent rains. Students dug dirt, shoveled gravel, and filled potholes all morning.

Then this afternoon we had a Vacation Bible School for children who live in or near the Mission. We had planned to have this event out on the soccer field, but the threat of rain moved us indoors to the church auditorium. The excitement of 306 children singing at the top of their lungs was incredible! The Harding students used flip charts, role plays, puppets, games, and crafts to teach the children about God’s love. We ended the afternoon with a craft project in which the kids made visors lettered with “Jesu Ulandiyanda” (“Jesus loves me” in Tonga).

Tomorrow we’re going out with a group of Canadians who are also here working at the Mission. We’ll visit the church at Kasibi, a beautiful village that is home to our beloved Zambia Medical Mission cook Leonard Sichimwa. He’s promised us chicken, goat, and nshima after the worship service. We’ll also get to hear the Kasibi Village Band.

Everyone in the Harding group is still healthy and happy as far as I can tell.

The Adventures Just Keep on Happening!

This morning the Harding Academy students walked up to the Haven 1 (baby orphanage) and Haven 2 (toddlers) to give special attention to the little ones there. The students were divided into two groups, and the groups rotated their time at each house. Meagan had planned all this and had made the assignments of students to babies. She said she almost cried just seeing all the babies being held and loved!

This afternoon the Harding group went to the nearby village of Wasawange and observed daily activities there. They also held an impromptu VBS with about 30 or 40 of the children in the village and had a wonderful time with them.

Tonight we loaded into the Land Cruiser and two pickups and traveled over some typically rough bush roads to Mutala to attend the Friday night Bible study there. We gathered in the local schoolroom with candles and a lantern for lighting. Mark Benton spoke with Rodgers as his translator. The singing was incredible, both when we sang as a congregation and when singing groups (including the Harding students) presented their gifts of songs afterward.

The riders in my vehicle got an extra adventure on the way home. I was following David and got behind a little bit and lost sight of him in the dark. I went the wrong way at a fork in the road. We ended up parallel to the right road, but couldn't quite make it back to that road because of one narrow place between a tree and a stump. Mark helped out by taking the wheel and backing up the truck to turn it around, and then I managed to backtrack and get onto the right road. No mission trip is complete without at least one "lost in the bush" story, so I guess I've done my part!

Tomorrow the students will be paired with high school students from Namwianga Secondary to work on the roads in the morning. Then in the afternoon we've invited all the children on the mission to a Vacation Bible School.

Everyone is still healthy and everyone seems to have a wonderful attitude. They are a blessing to us!

Harding Academy, Day 2

The Harding Academy students have had a busy and exciting day. We had originally scheduled them to be at secondary chapel this morning at 6:30, but after seeing how bleary-eyed they were last night, we let them sleep in a little longer. After an 8:00 breakfast, they loaded onto a flatbed truck for a tour of Namwianga. They saw the clinic, the schools, the college, and then they spent some time with the orphans.

This afternoon Louisa had arranged for them to visit Kalomo Hospital. For this trip we had reserved the school's blue lorry (truck). They grabbed the chairs from our front veranda and put them on the flatbed so they could travel in style and comfort.

The students visited two wards in the hospital and sang for the patients who were there. Then they went to the Family Shelter and sang. Next it was off to the market for an introduction to shopping and bargaining Kalomo style.

So far everyone is still healthy--an unusual occurrence for a group of this size. Tomorrow they will spend the morning working with the babies and toddlers at the orphanage. In the afternoon they will visit Wasawange village to get a glimpse of village life.

Harding Academy Arrives!

A group of high school seniors and chaperones arrived today from Harding Academy in Searcy. We are thrilled to have them here, especially since David's nephew Wil is one of them. They had a relatively uneventful flight and--miraculously--arrived with all of their personal luggage! The only bag missing is one that was full of goodies for Louisa and Meagan. We'll share some of the good stuff we received until it gets here.

Tomorrow morning they'll be going on a tour of Namwianga and get a look at the places where they'll be working during the week they are here. Then tomorrow afternoon we've planned a trip to the market in Kalomo and a visit to Kalomo Hospital where they'll sing for the patients.

One of their ministries will be to play with and love on the babies and toddlers at the orphanage. Meagan has assigned each Harding student two infants and two toddlers to give special attention to. I made sure Wil has my little Jason as one of his!

I will try to post a little bit every day to keep the Harding parents informed about their kids.

Sunday Morning Outreaches

On Sunday mornings the vehicles start up and the students climb in to head for village churches and other ministry points. Here are some of the groups.

This singing group went with David to Sinazongwe. David reported that they sang all the way there and all the way back. He loved it.

The Helping Hands Club has a secondary group and a college group. Both groups went out on the yellow bus to encourage two different congregations in the Kalomo area. The driver of the bus is shown here--he preached for one of the services.


The newest outreach group is the prison ministry. Kenneth Siaziyu (third from left) is a teacher at the college. He recruited several of the college men to go with him to the Kalomo prison and minister to the inmates. There have already been 14 baptisms. Kenneth also challenged the entire student body to donate soap and clothing for the prisoners, and the students responded generously

Bananas

David is showing off our first crop of bananas. We planted the banana trees right after we moved into our house in September of 2005. These are the typical Zambian bananas--tiny but very tasty.

Surprises

Sunday's outreach brought some pleasant surprises. Don and Laura Oldenburg and I took a group of high school boys on an outreach to the Tara congregation about an hour away. (David ended up having to drive on another outreach at the last minute.)

We arrived a few minutes before the worship service began. Laura and I sat down on the women's side of the building and were greeted by two ladies in the row ahead of us. One lady had a four-year-old son who couldn't seem to keep his eyes off of us. He looked like a healthy, happy child, and we enjoyed watching him as much as he enjoyed watching us. The mother sang with obvious enthusiasm during the worship and gave me the overall impression that she was a committed member of the congregation. Later one of the students we had brought with us introduced me to the woman, and I found out that she is my special little Bernard's new stepmother! (Bernard's biological mother died in childbirth; Bernard's father has since remarried.) Bernard's father was in Choma on Sunday, so I didn't get to meet him, but I did assure the stepmother that Bernard is old enough now for them to come get him from the orphanage and take him to live with them. I was thrilled to meet her and find out that Bernard will be going to a home with Christian parents and a sweet big brother. I'm also thankful that Bernard will be living close enough that I can visit him every now and then to see how he's doing.

When the sermon started, the thirty or so children in the congregation got up and went outside for Sunday School. The other lady who was sitting in front of us left with them to be their teacher. After the service ended, she led the children back in and took them up to the front of the building where they sang a song and acted out the story of Naaman. The teacher carried with her one of the Beginner's Bibles that I had given out during teacher training classes in 2006! It was a joy for me to see that teachers are continuing to use the Bibles and doing the activities that I taught them.

Once again I am reminded of the Zambian saying: God is good all the time. All the time God is good.