The rains keep coming. It has rained every day for two weeks now. We are slogging through mud to get to our classes, and we don't leave the house without an umbrella or rain jacket. The roads are slick with the layer of gooey mud, but there is little room between potholes to work up enough speed for any sliding around.
The classroom I teach in has a metal roof and no ceiling. When the downpours come, the noise of the rain on the roof is deafening. No matter how loud I talk, the students can't hear me. I have to resort to writing instructions on the board as we wait for the rain to let up. Last week I had English classes at 3:00 and 5:00. Then I was scheduled to teach the college women's Bible class at 7:00. At 3:00 a huge thunderstorm came through and I had only about 15 minutes of class time when the students could hear me. By the time class ended, the sun had come out and the skies were clear. At 5:15 another storm blew in and that class also had to sit and read from the board until the rain stopped a half hour later. I was all set to walk out the door for the evening Bible class when the power went off. By this time the campus was darkened, so no electricity meant no class. It was just one of those days!
We have enjoyed a quick visit from Christopher Harmon and his mother Belinda. Christopher works with a foundation that is drilling water wells in the area. Belinda spent Monday with the well drilling team visiting job sites. Then on Tuesday I took her on a campus tour and we visited the market in Kalomo. Both Christopher and Belinda are delightful guests and we have enjoyed their time with us.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
News and Notes - January 23
During our furlough I was amazed at how many people told me that they read the blog, especially the ones who say they check it every day. To those devoted readers I can only offer my apologies for not writing much lately. We have been extremely busy trying to catch up from being gone six weeks and at the same time getting a new school year started.
We had been concerned about the lack of rainfall during November. While we were in the US, we heard reports that the rainfall was sketchy in this area, and we wondered if this would be one of the years of drought and famine.
Then the rains came! It has rained almost every day since we got back, and many of those rains have been downpours. Our back yard resembled a swamp for most of the weekend. Our water cisterns for storing rainwater have filled over and over again. The native farmers assure us that although the rains came late the crops will do well with this much moisture. We are thankful.
The rains have also brought out the critters. We have gotten used to sleeping through roosters crowing and donkeys braying, but the croaking of frogs and the cacophony of crickets is about to send us over the edge. The other night we forgot and left our sneakers outside on the veranda. When I started putting mine on the next day, one of those noisy frogs jumped out and hopped away. My days are full of surprises of one kind or another!
We had been concerned about the lack of rainfall during November. While we were in the US, we heard reports that the rainfall was sketchy in this area, and we wondered if this would be one of the years of drought and famine.
Then the rains came! It has rained almost every day since we got back, and many of those rains have been downpours. Our back yard resembled a swamp for most of the weekend. Our water cisterns for storing rainwater have filled over and over again. The native farmers assure us that although the rains came late the crops will do well with this much moisture. We are thankful.
The rains have also brought out the critters. We have gotten used to sleeping through roosters crowing and donkeys braying, but the croaking of frogs and the cacophony of crickets is about to send us over the edge. The other night we forgot and left our sneakers outside on the veranda. When I started putting mine on the next day, one of those noisy frogs jumped out and hopped away. My days are full of surprises of one kind or another!
Appreciation Dinner
Friday night we began a series of appreciation dinners to honor the faculty and staff at Namwianga Mission. Our first group to attend included the teachers at the secondary school. We are always amazed at how quickly news travels at Namwianga. We distributed invitations on the Monday, and within hours the campus was buzzing with talk about this big event. Before long we began getting inquiries about whether or not other employees could to be invited. We explained that we would host everyone at some point, but that we could only do a group at a time because of space limitations. That seemed to please everyone.
We set up tables and chairs on our veranda and decorated with tablecloths from the US and flowers from our yard. It always takes a little “zam-genuity” to pull things off in Zambia. The tablecloths kept blowing away, so we tied them in knots underneath the tables to hold them in place. We only had two real vases, so we improvised with glass jars and tied red bandanas around the screw tops. We were pleased with the results and declared it a “Martha Stewart” moment for us.
The dinner was to begin at 6:00. At 3:00 a huge thunderstorm with torrential rains blew in. We moved all the tables back toward the wall of the house and out of the rain. When the rain let up, we had to sweep out the water that had flooded the veranda floor, mop it up as best we could, and hope for the best. A light rain continued to fall as our guests arrived with umbrellas in hand. David took our vehicle and drove around to the far corners of the mission to pick up some of the teachers. In true Zambian style it was after 7:00 before we could begin the meal.
We had debated about what to serve at a dinner like this: should we serve Zambian traditional foods or American-style dishes? The Zambians we consulted thought that our guests would appreciate and enjoy American food, so the menu was chicken and rice casserole, cooked carrots, cole slaw, rolls, and cake. Most of the guests seemed to like the food and several went back for seconds.
The rain cleared while we ate. After the dinner, David presented a message to the teachers about the importance of their work. The headmaster also spoke words of encouragement. Apparently the teachers have not had many evenings like this, and all expressed their gratitude as they headed for home.
Now that we have the decorating, menu, and program figured out, we're planning dinners for the next three Friday nights to make sure that every mission employee is included.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Heat Wave and Other News
Many of our friends and family members have e-mailed us about the ice storm and have sent us pictures of the winter wonderland blanketing the middle section of the US. Meanwhile, we are sweltering in the heat! Long-term missionary Sheri Sears says she can't remember a January this hot. Unlike the dry October heat, these high temperatures are accompanied by humidity since this is the rainy season. Thankfully we have had afternoon thunderstorms to cool off the evenings.
On Monday I decided to keep track of how many times someone knocked on our door. Everyone in the household got into the project as we tallied our visitors on a large post-it note. The final count at the end of the day was 26, and for part of the afternoon we had posted a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door!
Our new houseguest is Elizabeth Woodruff from Searcy, Arkansas. She is here at Namwianga for a couple of months. Elizabeth spends her days working at The Haven and helping with the sports program at NCSS. She's already been initiated into the joys and frustrations of life here in Africa--her luggage went to Nairobi, Kenya, instead of Zambia. She finally got it five days after her arrival at Namwianga.
On Monday I decided to keep track of how many times someone knocked on our door. Everyone in the household got into the project as we tallied our visitors on a large post-it note. The final count at the end of the day was 26, and for part of the afternoon we had posted a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door!
Our new houseguest is Elizabeth Woodruff from Searcy, Arkansas. She is here at Namwianga for a couple of months. Elizabeth spends her days working at The Haven and helping with the sports program at NCSS. She's already been initiated into the joys and frustrations of life here in Africa--her luggage went to Nairobi, Kenya, instead of Zambia. She finally got it five days after her arrival at Namwianga.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Sendoff
Brentwood Oaks, our sponsoring congregation in Austin, knows how to treat missionaries! Every step of our experience in Zambia has been blessed, prayed for, and supported by the generous and loving members at Brentwood.
We had daily opportunities to enjoy this blessing during our furlough as we were hosted for meals time and time again. We were repeatedly assured that our friends pray for us. Many admit to being avid blog readers who share our joys and disappointments through the internet. Others committed their resources to helping the orphans and needy at Namwianga Mission. There were countless hugs and words of encouragement at every turn.
We thought it couldn’t get any better. But we were wrong.
Last Sunday night the congregation had its monthly Sunday night singing devotional. They had announced that there would be a reception for us following the evening service, and we looked forward to that opportunity for one last time with them before we left to return to Zambia on Tuesday.
What they didn’t tell us was that the congregation had secretly learned to sing “Wabota Munzi Waba Jesu,” our favorite Tonga song (and the first one on the Namwianga Sings! CD). Michele Broadway had written out the music and the phonetic pronunciation of the words. She provided each Care Group leader with copies of the music and words, as well as a recording of the Namwianga choir singing the song. The Care Groups learned the song at their meetings and then the congregation practiced singing it together on a Wednesday night while we were away traveling.
At the end of Sunday evening’s devotional, one of the elders called us up to the front and had us stand as he led the congregation in singing a beautiful, stirring rendition of the song—in perfect Tonga! We stood there and watched even little children singing the words with confidence, and we were touched to the heart.
As it was when we first left for Zambia in 2005, leaving our loved ones behind to return was a wrenching experience. We are comforted and strengthened as we see a description of our brothers and sisters at Brentwood expressed in Philemon 1:7 – Your love has given us great joy and encouragement, because you have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
We had daily opportunities to enjoy this blessing during our furlough as we were hosted for meals time and time again. We were repeatedly assured that our friends pray for us. Many admit to being avid blog readers who share our joys and disappointments through the internet. Others committed their resources to helping the orphans and needy at Namwianga Mission. There were countless hugs and words of encouragement at every turn.
We thought it couldn’t get any better. But we were wrong.
Last Sunday night the congregation had its monthly Sunday night singing devotional. They had announced that there would be a reception for us following the evening service, and we looked forward to that opportunity for one last time with them before we left to return to Zambia on Tuesday.
What they didn’t tell us was that the congregation had secretly learned to sing “Wabota Munzi Waba Jesu,” our favorite Tonga song (and the first one on the Namwianga Sings! CD). Michele Broadway had written out the music and the phonetic pronunciation of the words. She provided each Care Group leader with copies of the music and words, as well as a recording of the Namwianga choir singing the song. The Care Groups learned the song at their meetings and then the congregation practiced singing it together on a Wednesday night while we were away traveling.
At the end of Sunday evening’s devotional, one of the elders called us up to the front and had us stand as he led the congregation in singing a beautiful, stirring rendition of the song—in perfect Tonga! We stood there and watched even little children singing the words with confidence, and we were touched to the heart.
As it was when we first left for Zambia in 2005, leaving our loved ones behind to return was a wrenching experience. We are comforted and strengthened as we see a description of our brothers and sisters at Brentwood expressed in Philemon 1:7 – Your love has given us great joy and encouragement, because you have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Creature Comforts
Here are the top five creature comforts we enjoyed in the US (in no particular order).
1. Mexican food
2. Paved roads
3. Padded pews
4. Not having to sleep under a mosquito net
5. Public restrooms equipped with toilet paper, warm water, soap, and a way to dry hands. We spent five weeks in the US and never failed to find public restrooms with all of the above.
1. Mexican food
2. Paved roads
3. Padded pews
4. Not having to sleep under a mosquito net
5. Public restrooms equipped with toilet paper, warm water, soap, and a way to dry hands. We spent five weeks in the US and never failed to find public restrooms with all of the above.
Home at Last
We are bleary-eyed, jet-lagged, and bone-weary, but we are home in Zambia at last. The journey included eight hours in a car, 18 hours in the air on two different flights, three hours of standing in line, one hour in a bus switching airports in London, and 15 hours waiting around in airports. We left Austin early Tuesday morning and arrived back at Namwianga Thursday afternoon.
When we left Zambia in late November, the rains had just begun and the countryside was still dry and brown. We arrived today to find everything lush, green, and beautiful.
Tonight (Thursday) we are unpacking and putting away the many items that were given to us or that we purchased on our trip. We're also packing away the winter sweaters and fleece jackets we wore in the US--we won't need them here until June.
I'll blog more about our last few days in the States when I've had some sleep!
When we left Zambia in late November, the rains had just begun and the countryside was still dry and brown. We arrived today to find everything lush, green, and beautiful.
Tonight (Thursday) we are unpacking and putting away the many items that were given to us or that we purchased on our trip. We're also packing away the winter sweaters and fleece jackets we wore in the US--we won't need them here until June.
I'll blog more about our last few days in the States when I've had some sleep!
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Update - January 6
We are back in Austin after a week on the road visiting my family and friends. We drove to Missouri on the 27th and stayed until the 31st. Sara drove up with us and John flew in on Friday the 29th. That night we had a gathering of my nieces and nephews--an outstanding bunch I am extremely proud of! Some spirited game-playing brought out my competitive streak (my team won) and revealed a possible inherited tendency toward competitiveness in the relatives, as well as a tendency for my nieces to marry really smart guys who also like to win (I was on their team).
Saturday the 30th we had our official family gathering and managed to have all the immediate family there--but not all at the same time. A stomach bug swept through the ranks causing some to leave early and others to arrive late. Oh well--we almost had the whole group there for the photos.
David preached at Mt. Vernon on Sunday. This is the congregation where I grew up, and it is always a nostalgic and joyful experience to visit there. The Sunday School teacher who inspired me is now frail--but still smiling and beautiful. I reminded her of the many great times we had with her and her husband. They took our group of giggly junior high girls to the lake and taught us to water ski on Table Rock Lake. Barbara also encouraged us to memorize scriptures, and the verses I learned then are still with me. Through the years I have often thought of her and hoped that I have been able to influence students in my classes the way she influenced me.
We stayed in Tulsa with Sara Sunday night and then drove on by ourselves to Searcy for another visit with David's parents. We made it back to Austin on Thursday and are now busy making our last minute preparations before we leave to return to Zambia on Tuesday.
Saturday the 30th we had our official family gathering and managed to have all the immediate family there--but not all at the same time. A stomach bug swept through the ranks causing some to leave early and others to arrive late. Oh well--we almost had the whole group there for the photos.
David preached at Mt. Vernon on Sunday. This is the congregation where I grew up, and it is always a nostalgic and joyful experience to visit there. The Sunday School teacher who inspired me is now frail--but still smiling and beautiful. I reminded her of the many great times we had with her and her husband. They took our group of giggly junior high girls to the lake and taught us to water ski on Table Rock Lake. Barbara also encouraged us to memorize scriptures, and the verses I learned then are still with me. Through the years I have often thought of her and hoped that I have been able to influence students in my classes the way she influenced me.
We stayed in Tulsa with Sara Sunday night and then drove on by ourselves to Searcy for another visit with David's parents. We made it back to Austin on Thursday and are now busy making our last minute preparations before we leave to return to Zambia on Tuesday.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Update - December 26
On Sunday we made a presentation at Brentwood Oaks, our sponsoring congregation. As we talked about the things we are doing, we mentioned repeatedly the many ways that BOCC supports the efforts at Namwianga. We are so blessed to have such a generous and caring church family.
On the 17th we shared our work with the church at Salado, a town about an hour north of Austin. This congregation has a heart for children at Namwianga. Their members now support six babies at The Haven orphanage and seven high school and college students.
The meals, parties, and gatherings continue as we meet with individuals and small groups to talk about our work. On the 27th we are heading for Missouri to spend a few days with my family. David is scheduled to speak at the Mt. Vernon church on Sunday the 31st. Then we'll go to Searcy for another visit with David's parents before coming back to Austin the first weekend in January. We return to Zambia on January 9.
On the 17th we shared our work with the church at Salado, a town about an hour north of Austin. This congregation has a heart for children at Namwianga. Their members now support six babies at The Haven orphanage and seven high school and college students.
The meals, parties, and gatherings continue as we meet with individuals and small groups to talk about our work. On the 27th we are heading for Missouri to spend a few days with my family. David is scheduled to speak at the Mt. Vernon church on Sunday the 31st. Then we'll go to Searcy for another visit with David's parents before coming back to Austin the first weekend in January. We return to Zambia on January 9.
Christmas
Here's our family photo taken on Christmas Eve. For those of you who don't know us, here's some information on Sara and John. Sara graduated from Harding University in 2004. She now teaches math at a middle school in Tulsa, Oklahoma. John lives in Austin and works for an electrical supply company.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Update - December 16
We enjoyed a quiet two days with David's parents in Searcy and then returned to Austin on Wednesday. We both managed to come down with head colds and have been miserable. I ended up having to back out on a couple of events Thursday so I could stay in and recuperate. The irony is that I spent 18 months in Africa without ever having to miss a day of work, and then came back to the US and got sick! We're both doing better now and hopefully have revived our immunity to American viruses.
Here are a few more things I am appreciating about American life:
Organization and efficiency -- I'm amazed at how quickly I can get things done here.
Medical care -- I've had three medical appointments this week. I would have taken that for granted before, but now I realize what an incredible blessing it is to have so much knowledge, skill, and technology available just a few minutes away. At Namwianga I would have had to fly to Johannesburg, South Africa, to get comparable medical care.
The highways -- I know I've mentioned this before, but I still can't take for granted the smooth, wide roads. And driving at night! In Zambia we try to stay off the roads after dark because of the narrow roads, ubiquitous pedestrians, and straying wild animals. Here we can drive at night, opening up a whole new world of possibilities.
And yet I miss my life at Namwianga.
I miss the sunrises and sunsets--God's artwork on daily display. David and I usually watch the sunrise on our morning walk and then enjoy the sunset from our veranda. Here I've been too preoccupied to notice them.
I miss the simplicity of having fewer choices to make.
I miss our co-workers, both Zambian and American. I wonder how they are doing and long to catch up on the news from the Mission.
I realized yesterday that I have changed from my time in Africa. God has used the many experiences, frustrations, and faith experiences of the past year and a half to do some needed work on my attitudes. I was having some tests done at a lab yesterday and ended up waiting for the better part of two hours because of a scheduling problem and a computer failure. Part of that time I was lying in a darkened room and couldn't even enjoy the novel I'd brought along. The lab tech came in at one point to apologize, and I assured her that I was just fine. I meant what I said. I wasn't impatient, angry, or irritated. In fact, I just enjoyed the quiet and the rest as a good time to pray and meditate. My pre-Africa attitude would have been total frustration as I would have mentally listed all the things I could have and should have been doing during that time. Thank you, Lord, for teaching me the joy of waiting patiently. I still have a long way to go in that area, but I'm very grateful for small steps.
I am constantly reminded of the Zambian saying "Ciindi Coonse Leza Mubotu." All the time, God is good.
Here are a few more things I am appreciating about American life:
Organization and efficiency -- I'm amazed at how quickly I can get things done here.
Medical care -- I've had three medical appointments this week. I would have taken that for granted before, but now I realize what an incredible blessing it is to have so much knowledge, skill, and technology available just a few minutes away. At Namwianga I would have had to fly to Johannesburg, South Africa, to get comparable medical care.
The highways -- I know I've mentioned this before, but I still can't take for granted the smooth, wide roads. And driving at night! In Zambia we try to stay off the roads after dark because of the narrow roads, ubiquitous pedestrians, and straying wild animals. Here we can drive at night, opening up a whole new world of possibilities.
And yet I miss my life at Namwianga.
I miss the sunrises and sunsets--God's artwork on daily display. David and I usually watch the sunrise on our morning walk and then enjoy the sunset from our veranda. Here I've been too preoccupied to notice them.
I miss the simplicity of having fewer choices to make.
I miss our co-workers, both Zambian and American. I wonder how they are doing and long to catch up on the news from the Mission.
I realized yesterday that I have changed from my time in Africa. God has used the many experiences, frustrations, and faith experiences of the past year and a half to do some needed work on my attitudes. I was having some tests done at a lab yesterday and ended up waiting for the better part of two hours because of a scheduling problem and a computer failure. Part of that time I was lying in a darkened room and couldn't even enjoy the novel I'd brought along. The lab tech came in at one point to apologize, and I assured her that I was just fine. I meant what I said. I wasn't impatient, angry, or irritated. In fact, I just enjoyed the quiet and the rest as a good time to pray and meditate. My pre-Africa attitude would have been total frustration as I would have mentally listed all the things I could have and should have been doing during that time. Thank you, Lord, for teaching me the joy of waiting patiently. I still have a long way to go in that area, but I'm very grateful for small steps.
I am constantly reminded of the Zambian saying "Ciindi Coonse Leza Mubotu." All the time, God is good.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Update on Activities - December 9
One week now in the USA and we are still reveling in long, hot showers, delicious food, and smooth roads. We’ve managed to readjust to American culture quite well so far. I won’t even mention how many times I’ve already been to Wal-Mart . . .
The members at our sponsoring congregation, Brentwood Oaks, have been wonderful in welcoming us back and treating us like royalty. We have been hosted for breakfast, lunch, and dinner almost every day this week--and have the extra pounds to show for it. We returned to Brentwood Christian School to do chapel presentations on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Wednesday I spoke for Ladies’ Bible Class and enjoyed their monthly potluck dinner with them. We’ve met with World Bible School teachers, the elders, and the mission committee. Thursday night was the BCS Partnership Dinner, and we were able to enjoy that with our son John and other dear friends.
John has been with us for at least a short time every day and it has been a joy to get caught up with him and once again appreciate his wonderful sense of humor. I reserved one night this week to prepare a home-cooked meal for him including his favorites: fried chicken strips, mashed potatoes and gravy, and chocolate oatmeal no-bake cookies.
Now we’re taking a breather from all the hectic activity and visiting Sara in Tulsa. We arrived Friday afternoon and met her at Foster Middle School where she teaches pre-algebra. She introduced us to her principal who made us extremely proud by telling us what a fantastic teacher Sara is. Then we visited her classroom and saw the incredible technology she has at her fingertips—a Smart Board that projects directly from her computer or from a slate she can carry around the room and write on. We tried not to be jealous!
Sunday after church we’re heading for Searcy, Arkansas, to spend a couple of days with David’s parents.
We received one piece of very sad news from Namwianga. Our friend and co-worker, John Kambulu, died on Wednesday morning. He worked with us for years on the medical mission and always impressed us with his great smile, gorgeous singing voice, and kind spirit. John leaves behind a wife and three children. We grieve from afar, wishing we could be there to share this time with John’s family and with our other friends who grieve for him. Please keep the Kambulu family in your prayers.
The members at our sponsoring congregation, Brentwood Oaks, have been wonderful in welcoming us back and treating us like royalty. We have been hosted for breakfast, lunch, and dinner almost every day this week--and have the extra pounds to show for it. We returned to Brentwood Christian School to do chapel presentations on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Wednesday I spoke for Ladies’ Bible Class and enjoyed their monthly potluck dinner with them. We’ve met with World Bible School teachers, the elders, and the mission committee. Thursday night was the BCS Partnership Dinner, and we were able to enjoy that with our son John and other dear friends.
John has been with us for at least a short time every day and it has been a joy to get caught up with him and once again appreciate his wonderful sense of humor. I reserved one night this week to prepare a home-cooked meal for him including his favorites: fried chicken strips, mashed potatoes and gravy, and chocolate oatmeal no-bake cookies.
Now we’re taking a breather from all the hectic activity and visiting Sara in Tulsa. We arrived Friday afternoon and met her at Foster Middle School where she teaches pre-algebra. She introduced us to her principal who made us extremely proud by telling us what a fantastic teacher Sara is. Then we visited her classroom and saw the incredible technology she has at her fingertips—a Smart Board that projects directly from her computer or from a slate she can carry around the room and write on. We tried not to be jealous!
Sunday after church we’re heading for Searcy, Arkansas, to spend a couple of days with David’s parents.
We received one piece of very sad news from Namwianga. Our friend and co-worker, John Kambulu, died on Wednesday morning. He worked with us for years on the medical mission and always impressed us with his great smile, gorgeous singing voice, and kind spirit. John leaves behind a wife and three children. We grieve from afar, wishing we could be there to share this time with John’s family and with our other friends who grieve for him. Please keep the Kambulu family in your prayers.
Monday, December 04, 2006
You Know You're Back in Texas When
One of our favorite moments on the trip back to America occurred in the Dallas airport. We were in the Passport Control area waiting to go through Immigration. The employees were wearing cowboy hats with their official vests-- a welcome sight for us. As we approached the row of booths wondering where we should go next, a white-haired lady in a hat and vest called out, "Now just move on down there 'til they holler atcha!" Ah, it's good to be back in Texas!
Here are some other "new" sights and experiences we've had in the last three days:
Paved roads
Paved roads without potholes
Roads with more than two lanes
Beautiful homes that are not surrounded by concrete walls topped with barbed wire or broken glass
Parking lots--lots and lots of parking lots! (We are accustomed to having the ONLY vehicle parked outside the church building--when there is a church building.)
Hugs, hugs, and more hugs--Zambians do not customarily hug, so we've gotten more hugs in these few days than we had in the previous year and a half.
Padded church pews (ahhhhhh)
Clean public restrooms with toilet paper
Sleeping without a mosquito net (another ahhhhh)
A nice, thick Sunday newspaper
Here are some other "new" sights and experiences we've had in the last three days:
Paved roads
Paved roads without potholes
Roads with more than two lanes
Beautiful homes that are not surrounded by concrete walls topped with barbed wire or broken glass
Parking lots--lots and lots of parking lots! (We are accustomed to having the ONLY vehicle parked outside the church building--when there is a church building.)
Hugs, hugs, and more hugs--Zambians do not customarily hug, so we've gotten more hugs in these few days than we had in the previous year and a half.
Padded church pews (ahhhhhh)
Clean public restrooms with toilet paper
Sleeping without a mosquito net (another ahhhhh)
A nice, thick Sunday newspaper
Back in the USA
I apologize for not updating the blog sooner! We have been on three continents in the last week and have been incredibly busy.
Lauren, David, and I left last Monday and drove to Lusaka. We spent the night in Lusaka and caught a flight to London on Tuesday. We stayed with my niece and her husband in London while we saw the sights of London on Wednesday and Thursday. Our whirlwind tour included Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, the Tower of London, National Gallery, and the British Museum.
On Friday we flew from London to Dallas where Lauren left us to head for Arkansas. David and Karan Bridgwater, dear friends from Zambia Medical Mission, met us at the airport and took us straight to David Bridgwater's dental office. David (Gregersen) went from a cramped airliner seat to the dentist's chair. He had broken off a tooth last summer, and David Bridgwater volunteered to work on it when we came back to the states. David got his tooth pulled and then the Bridgwaters took us out for real American-style hamburgers.
Michele Broadway came from Austin and picked us up. We'll be staying with Michele and her husband Mark during our time in Austin.
We spent Saturday afternoon with our son John. Saturday night we met several couples in Salado for dinner at the Stagecoach Inn. It was a wonderful time of getting caught up on family events and news as we enjoyed our meal together.
Today (Sunday) was a joyful time of reunion with our church family at Brentwood Oaks. We were reminded once again of how blessed we are to have such a loving, caring, and prayerful supporting congregation.
That's the best I can do in my bleary-eyed state of jet lag. More to come!
Lauren, David, and I left last Monday and drove to Lusaka. We spent the night in Lusaka and caught a flight to London on Tuesday. We stayed with my niece and her husband in London while we saw the sights of London on Wednesday and Thursday. Our whirlwind tour included Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, the Tower of London, National Gallery, and the British Museum.
On Friday we flew from London to Dallas where Lauren left us to head for Arkansas. David and Karan Bridgwater, dear friends from Zambia Medical Mission, met us at the airport and took us straight to David Bridgwater's dental office. David (Gregersen) went from a cramped airliner seat to the dentist's chair. He had broken off a tooth last summer, and David Bridgwater volunteered to work on it when we came back to the states. David got his tooth pulled and then the Bridgwaters took us out for real American-style hamburgers.
Michele Broadway came from Austin and picked us up. We'll be staying with Michele and her husband Mark during our time in Austin.
We spent Saturday afternoon with our son John. Saturday night we met several couples in Salado for dinner at the Stagecoach Inn. It was a wonderful time of getting caught up on family events and news as we enjoyed our meal together.
Today (Sunday) was a joyful time of reunion with our church family at Brentwood Oaks. We were reminded once again of how blessed we are to have such a loving, caring, and prayerful supporting congregation.
That's the best I can do in my bleary-eyed state of jet lag. More to come!
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Furlough
The duffle bags are out and the packing has begun for our first furlough. We are leaving Monday morning, November 27, for Lusaka where we'll spend the day doing errands. On Tuesday we will fly to London where we will spend two days with my niece and her husband. Then it's off to Dallas on Friday for an overnight stay with the Bridgwaters. David Bridgwater is a dentist who comes on the medical mission, and he has offered to do our dental work for us. We'll make it to Austin on Saturday to begin five weeks of seeing family and friends in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
So what do missionaries dream about when they plan a furlough? Hugging our kids is number one on the list. Although Sara was here last summer, we haven't seen John for 18 months. Then we tend to focus on which restaurants we'll visit, followed by fantasies of long, hot, guilt-free (almost) showers. We anticipate catching up with friends and family, seeing how the young children in our lives have grown up, and telling lots and lots of stories about our African experiences.
Our missionary friends tell us to be prepared for reverse culture shock. After living in a land of poverty, the extravagance of the American lifestyle can be disconcerting, they say. More than one has told us that the first trip to Walmart is as overwhelming as our first trip to the open air market was here. They also warn us that we will feel out of touch as people refer to current events, movies, TV, and advertisements that we have not been a part of. It will be interesting to see how all of these things play out in the next few weeks.
We plan to continue posting to the blog at least weekly, and we will be accessible by e-mail and by phone through the Brentwood Oaks church office in Austin. We covet your prayers in this new adventure!
So what do missionaries dream about when they plan a furlough? Hugging our kids is number one on the list. Although Sara was here last summer, we haven't seen John for 18 months. Then we tend to focus on which restaurants we'll visit, followed by fantasies of long, hot, guilt-free (almost) showers. We anticipate catching up with friends and family, seeing how the young children in our lives have grown up, and telling lots and lots of stories about our African experiences.
Our missionary friends tell us to be prepared for reverse culture shock. After living in a land of poverty, the extravagance of the American lifestyle can be disconcerting, they say. More than one has told us that the first trip to Walmart is as overwhelming as our first trip to the open air market was here. They also warn us that we will feel out of touch as people refer to current events, movies, TV, and advertisements that we have not been a part of. It will be interesting to see how all of these things play out in the next few weeks.
We plan to continue posting to the blog at least weekly, and we will be accessible by e-mail and by phone through the Brentwood Oaks church office in Austin. We covet your prayers in this new adventure!
Friday, November 24, 2006
Mary Beth's Reflections
Mary Beth McCown, shown above with Ruhtt Mbumwae, agreed to record her reflections on her time with us. She writes:I will always remember our trip to Zambia. As guests of the Gregersens we spent 15 days meeting the people and going to the places that readers of this blog have visited in print. Since returning three days ago I have awakened with a Tonga gospel song in my mind the last two mornings. Shadowing the Gregersens led to our learning Tonga phrases and the Tonga handshake so we could politely meet and greet dozens of people at the school, in the community schools, in outlying villages as well as the town and marketplace in Lusaka.
I will always remember Jane, the hospitable head mistress of the Chiili community school whose nshema, dried fish, goat offal with gravy we enjoyed eating Zambian style with the fingers of our right hand. While the men were in worship Linda and I and Jane led a Bible class with 30+ children. Telling the story of Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego was doubly animated as Jane translated for me as I gestured even more than usual to keep the children’s attention while they awaited translation. These children related to this story because they live with fiery furnances their parents use to fire mud bricks for structures in their community. This trip into the boonies was my favorite adventure.
I will always remember the effects of AIDS on Zambian family infrastructure. I visited
two orphanages, met many orphaned students, heard of several abandoned orphans and several adults who provide food and shelter for orphaned nieces and nephews. Handling the effects of devastation of AIDS is a way of life here.
We thought we had come to Africa to only shadow the Gregersens. We left with our own experiences and impressions of unforgettable people like Peter, Rogers, Ruhtt, Jane, Prince, and those melodic Tongan gospel songs deeply imbedded in our memories. Those 15 days could make a couple of former missionaries homesick for the peculiar calling to cross-cultural ministry!
Enormous Fun
We were blessed to have Roger and Mary Beth McCown with us for two weeks. We worked with them for 20 years in Austin, but our time together in Zambia brought us even closer. We enjoyed sharing our work and our lives with them, and they offered us some valuable advice and insights from their experience as missionaries in Guatemala.We also shared some just plain fun times. This was their first trip to Africa, and no trip to Africa is complete without seeing the animals. We took a day trip to Chobe Game Park in Botswana. This park is home to the largest herd of elephants in the world, and we saw many of them up close!
The McCowns left for Austin on Monday, leaving us with some wonderful memories of times shared in Africa.
Thanksgiving
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving feast on Thursday. Shown in the top photo with us are Meagan Hawley, Louisa Duke, and Lauren Hickmon. These three young women have become near and dear to our hearts as we have shared the Zambian experience with them. This was the first time Meagan and Lauren had ever been away from home on Thanksgiving, but for all of us it was a memorable time.We invited Robby Banda (lower photo--in front of our buffet) to enjoy his first American-style Thanksgiving with us. Robby is a widower who eats many meals at our table. His quick wit and ready laugh always add a special touch to our times together.
Roger and Mary Beth McCown returned to the US on Monday, but they left behind the decorations, along with the ingredients for sweet potato casserole and green bean casserole. Meagan and Louisa made pecan, apple, and pumpkin pies for the occasion. There was no turkey to be found in Livingstone or Lusaka stores, so we substituted Lauren's favorite, cornflake chicken. The chicken was extremely fresh, since our neighbor Mrs. Moono selected it and dressed it for us on Thursday afternoon. We also had dressing, mashed potatoes, salad, and rolls.
We had a bounty of food, something that we no longer take for granted in a land where many go hungry. Our dinner conversation was sprinkled with joyous laughter as we enjoyed each other's company. I told our gathering that we are friends who have become like family in many ways, so we can call ourselves "frimily." This produced a spontaneous chorus of the tune "We are frimily" and even more laughter.
Over dessert we each shared some of the things we are thankful for. Our blessings are many, and we can say with the Zambians: "Leza mubotu ciindi coonse. Ciindi coonse Leza Mubotu." God is good all the time. All the time, God is good.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Graduation
One thing I love about being here at Namwianga is getting to be Mom to so many of the students. I found out that many times the graduating seniors do not have any family to celebrate with them at the graduation ceremony, so I offered to be a stand-in Mom for any of the sponsored students who didn't have family coming. Obert (far left), Gift, and Decent asked me to be there for them, and I gladly accepted. Obert and Gift both lost their parents when they were very young. Obert was raised by his grandparents, and Gift has only an older brother left in his family. Decent has no father, and his mother and grandmother had no way to get from their remote village to the graduation. I was nervous about doing the right thing, so I asked around to find out just what parents are supposed to do at graduation. I made sure I had cakes ready to give as gifts, and I got there early to get a good seat on the aisle where the graduates would come in. The students entered doing a fun kind of dance step to the gorgeous music of the choir. I joined each of my guys for the walk down the aisle (no dancing for me, thank you!), barely making it to the front with one of them before dashing back to meet the next one. Then when they received their certificates I was there to take a picture, give a big hug, and say, "I'm so proud of you!" Afterward we took more pictures and shared the celebration of this important milestone.
It was a joyous time, and I felt very blessed to be a part of it.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
A Day with Ruhtt Mbumwae
We have been trying to give visitors Roger and Mary Beth McCown as many experiences as possible during their stay with us. With that in mind, Roger, Mary Beth, and I tagged along with Ruhtt Mbumwae on Wednesday as she visited four of the Christian community schools that she oversees.
Our first stop was Simikkakata, the blind community just outside Kalomo. In 1998 Ruhtt and her husband Shepherd found a group of families huddled together by the side of the road. They were blind people who had been gathered from the streets of Livingstone and abandoned with no shelter, food, or assistance to begin a new life on the land provided them. Ruhtt and Shepherd mobilized the George Benson Christian College students to build housing and get a local church congregation started in the new community. More recently a school serving over 400 area children was established in a nearby abandoned building. A new church facility also houses a preschool.
Next we visited Katungu where a brand new classroom block is almost finished. An older structure built by the community is already too small for the needs of a growing school population. As in all of the construction projects Ruhtt manages, the community must provide the labor. The parents of the students mold all the bricks, gather the sand and rocks needed, and assist with the building of the structure under supervision of a contractor. We found a group of women gathered under a tree ready to prepare lunch for all the students. Care International provides food for the school lunch program and mothers take turns coming to cook.
We bumped over rocky roads and narrow paths to Siabalumbi. The new classroom building here was funded by donations from a Christian school in Canada. Now community members at Siabalumbi are constructing additional houses for teachers.
Our last stop was at the community of Mutala. Here the first graders sang for us.
At every school we found students busily working. When we entered their classrooms, the students stood up and greeted us in unison. The teachers were glad to have their students show us the work they were doing. At Katungu, two second grade boys came to the front and proudly read to us. At every school we found parents working on construction projects and preparing lunches. Every classroom had books and teaching resources in use.
These are community schools, which means that the communities rather than the government’s ministry of education initiated the schools. Each began with an active, strong church whose members wanted to reach out to the community. The community members and outside donations provide material and financial support to operate the schools. Each school serves an area that has no other school within 15-20 kilometers of the community. Ruhtt and those who support her are making a difference in the lives of children and families all over this region. We were blessed to spend a day seeing how God is at work in this ministry.
Our first stop was Simikkakata, the blind community just outside Kalomo. In 1998 Ruhtt and her husband Shepherd found a group of families huddled together by the side of the road. They were blind people who had been gathered from the streets of Livingstone and abandoned with no shelter, food, or assistance to begin a new life on the land provided them. Ruhtt and Shepherd mobilized the George Benson Christian College students to build housing and get a local church congregation started in the new community. More recently a school serving over 400 area children was established in a nearby abandoned building. A new church facility also houses a preschool.
Next we visited Katungu where a brand new classroom block is almost finished. An older structure built by the community is already too small for the needs of a growing school population. As in all of the construction projects Ruhtt manages, the community must provide the labor. The parents of the students mold all the bricks, gather the sand and rocks needed, and assist with the building of the structure under supervision of a contractor. We found a group of women gathered under a tree ready to prepare lunch for all the students. Care International provides food for the school lunch program and mothers take turns coming to cook.
We bumped over rocky roads and narrow paths to Siabalumbi. The new classroom building here was funded by donations from a Christian school in Canada. Now community members at Siabalumbi are constructing additional houses for teachers.
Our last stop was at the community of Mutala. Here the first graders sang for us.
At every school we found students busily working. When we entered their classrooms, the students stood up and greeted us in unison. The teachers were glad to have their students show us the work they were doing. At Katungu, two second grade boys came to the front and proudly read to us. At every school we found parents working on construction projects and preparing lunches. Every classroom had books and teaching resources in use.
These are community schools, which means that the communities rather than the government’s ministry of education initiated the schools. Each began with an active, strong church whose members wanted to reach out to the community. The community members and outside donations provide material and financial support to operate the schools. Each school serves an area that has no other school within 15-20 kilometers of the community. Ruhtt and those who support her are making a difference in the lives of children and families all over this region. We were blessed to spend a day seeing how God is at work in this ministry.
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