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| View From the road, November |
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| View from the Road in January |
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| Porch and Front Entrance |
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| Living Room |
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| Kitchen |
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| Bed Room |
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| Guest House |
We're very comfortably settled here with such amenities as safe water from the tap (most of the time), hot water (most of the time), electricity (most of the time) and internet connection (most of the time), space radio that gives us BBC and NPR (most of the time). The microwave, toaster, coffee-maker and electric skillet all need to be rotated from the same electrical outlet. We have an indoor flush toilet. These are things taken for granted in Western society but which are lacking for most of the people here in Zambia and the inconvenience of unreliable utilities is minor indeed. Of course, as campers, we have our back-up systems including a marvelous kerosene cooker which uses 10 wicks to produce an intense blue oxidizing flame which is very efficient and hot enough to do popcorn.
Everything takes a longer time to accomplish and daily plans are consistently interrupted.
Zambia is very wet, very green and pleasantly cool at night and temperate during the day. However, one neglects to take an umbrella anywhere, anytime at his own risk.
We've been able to visit five different churches so far and we've been blessed by the faithfulness to the Word we've experienced in each and by the warm welcome which we receive exactly the same way in every congregation - "In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" clap, clap, clap.
Last week we took a bus trip to Lusaka for Gene to attend a meeting of donor agencies to the BIC church in Zambia. The movie on the way up was "Fireproof" and it was interesting to be in this setting with Africans to view a movie in which a white man is challenged and ministered to by African-Americans, and who also risks his life to save an African-American child in a fire. The message about relationships and particularly about a husband's behavior towards his wife was profound in this setting. Our return trip was not as pleasant as the driver pushed the bus to its limits - probably over 120 k per hour which is terrifying when sharing these narrow roads with large trucks.
Earlier this month Gene went north of Lusaka by truck to retrieve two large boxes (1500 pounds each) of books, tools, computers, clothing and some personal items which we had packed back in April of last year. We were hoping these supplies would have arrived before we did, but that was not to be. The biggest challenge was getting them off the truck and into storage here. We hired 10 men in Choma to help with the task. We finally got the boxes off but not without a lot of pushing and shoving and even more talking and discussing. We're quite happy this ordeal is over.
It has been a tradition for many years here in Zambia to publish a monthly newsletter, Intercom, which is sent to a wide range of people in Zambia and the US who have served here or have interest in the life of the BIC church in Zambia. We have picked up the responsibility of continuing publication of the Intercom and our first edition was released just this week. If you would like to be on this mailing list, just drop us an emai.
We are watching green beans, soybeans, carrots and lettuce grow in our little experimental garden. We haven't committed too much seed to the ground yet until we get a feel for its condition. It is mostly very sandy and it takes a while to get it built up with some good compost which we're making. Oh, yes, we have had a few radishes already.
On January 22 we travelled to Macha for the memorial service for Esther Kalambo, who was killed a year ago in an automobile accident. It was a powerfully moving spiritual experience which was not only a fitting tribute to this remarkable woman, but more importantly, it gave honor and glory to the Lord whom Esther loved and served. Daughter Mutinta read a touching poem, all Esther's children and their families sang two songs, and son Michelo provided fitting remarks. This was followed by the most sincere and heart-felt tribute by Esther's husband, Mr. Kalambo, who concluded his sharing with an incredibly moving quote from Proverbs 31:28-30. Son Chilobe preached his heart out with what was essentially a gospel message and Dr. Dorothy Gish gave an excellent tribute, building on what others had shared before her. The entire service was sensitively led by Overseer M. Munsaka. And it did not rain at the graveside!
Sunday afternoon we took a walk in towards Choma and had a delightful encounter with a church-planting pastor and his wife from a Pentecostal church. They were repairing the ditches in front of their house where we just started talking. After a while they invited us inside and served some freshly-cooked maize and orange drink. They are working hard at teaching their 5-year-old English which they all speak very well. We hope to see them at our home next Sunday.
