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01/07

Little known facts:

Paul once hid outside in a trash can in the alley so he would not have to go to the Dentist.

Lori liked going to the Dentist and was always a good girl and got to pick out a prize from the treasure chest.

I have not journaled for over a week so here goes. We have been working really hard on getting the house ready for our guests at the end of this month. We now have: A pretty green roof with matching shutters, windows with screens and glass, painted floors, painted walls, bed frames with matching headboards. I was also given a new broom and a new mop, so Paul reminds me daily I am one lucky woman!! Nothing like a new broom and mop to spell romance. Now all we need for our usual date is a drive thru to McDonald’s .

We bought a different stove as the previous one was set up for gas/electric. The only part that was gas was one burner. Not so good. The one we bought has four gas burners and a gas oven. I made my first attempt at baking with a brownie mix and they were GREAT. They were not burned in any spot. Paul spread some marshmallow cream that Lewis left us over the brownies and just smiled and smiled.

I am sitting icing my knee more today. We bought 4 rugs for the house. Two bigger ones and two throw rugs. They are really pretty and we both really liked them. Colors, of course are in my color pallet, greens, rusts, creams, tans all in squares with the colors intermixed. The tan in the rugs matches the tan on the walls. Very pretty. I was filled with such joy as God provided such pretty things for us. To find the rugs in just the right colors at a good price. To find two cans of matching green paint on a hardware store shelf, rusty lids, yet was great floor enamel paint and covered wonderfully. God does care so much about the little things in our lives; He loves to give His children gifts as any loving father does.

We have the waterbed set up in our bedroom and a really nice queen size extra thick queen size mattress in the guest room. Someone donated some great quality mattress for the staff members and sent them on the container. We are all grateful. Kevin, Carol and Diana all called this week so we are feeling very loved.

We received two packages this week also. One from the Fun Hansen Family, again with all the colored confetti all over when we opened it up. What is with that???” . Pretty Christmas box with cute Christmas tins of candy canes, all individual ally wrapped us to share with the kids. Beautiful card, Nebraska Rain Ponchos, Christmas Peeps candy, calendars, DVD’s from ladies' retreat and some fun little toys so our inner child can play.

The 2nd package we received was from Mrs. Marble and the children at One-R school, a rural school outside of Grand Island. As I read the note that came with the package I cried to think these children chose Paul & me to be their “Care Project”. What an honor. The children all colored pictures and wrote us some notes of thanks and encouragement. The pictures were mostly snow related. Snow falling, snow forts, snowmen, snow ball fights. This gave us a good reminder of what the weather has been like in Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa and many other states. It is warm, sunny, rainy and just beautiful here. Wish you were here with us. We are now eating the second crop of sweet corn and many different veggies from the garden. We are going to be trying out some baked squash soon.

When Lewis was here for his visit. He & Leah gave us 2 sets of really nice queen size deep pocket sheets. They are great and even work on the waterbed. One set will go on the nice new mattress in the Teacher’s Cabin. We will have teachers from the states on a waiting list to teach here at the college. The great students, pretty campus, nice bathhouses, friendly people, meeting new friends, beautiful night sky, great experience and a really nice teacher’s cabin to stay in, complete with custom made furniture, windows and African Décor.

As you can see we have pretty much been working on getting the house done. We still need to paint the bathroom and install a sink, and make the thing that holds the sink. You know one of those vanity things I think they call them. I sure hope Paul builds it with lots of drawers for my make-up and hair care products as I have not used them since I have been here.

We got a great deal on some quality cream colored paint and this will be used for the inside of many of the cabins. The new plaster men, from town are Peter and Amel. They are really working hard on the student cabins and getting them ready for guess what???? To be painted I will be teaching the students how to paint and Peter and Amel want to learn also. They all desire to have lessons from a professional painter. Yes, that is me!!

Little Jess continues to be scared to death of the storms. The last big rain was well over 9” with thunder and lightning all night. Needless to say I had a dog wrapped around my neck and head all night. She shivers so hard she shakes the bed. Of course she gets to sleep all the next day so no big deal to her. We are thinking about getting her some doggie medication to take the edge off her fears.

Paul continues putting miles on the Honda as he checks on the workers and makes many trips to the shop and back. Everyone knows where Paul is when they hear the buzz of the saws in the shop. The men all stop in the shop and check on the latest project that Paul is working on. Oh yeah, the tool thing. I think Paul stands in front of the large tool cabinet he built and just scans all the choices’ he has to work with. Thank you to everyone who donated so many tools. Paul uses extensively two drills that were given to him. One from Jack & Kris that drills really well through cement, and the other one from Ed that is so cool. It has 3 battery packs with it so it is always ready to go. It drills about anything I guess. Paul uses these drills like a cowboy in the old west used his pistols. One on each hip, ready to draw, (I mean drill) at any moment. Instead of “Wild Bill” or” Wyatt Erp”, we here at the college have “Wild Paul, fastest drill in the west”. I mean in south/central Africa. Paul has a built a custom rack on the back of his Honda for a tool box. He can never have the drills or other man tools far from his reach. As the sun rises here in Zambia we hear the call of “Wild Paul”, “Come on we’re burning daylight”.

One interesting thing we have both experienced on our trips to town and doing business in the cities is that many of the businesses do not seem to have receipt books?? We figure the receipt books must be very expensive here as we have had to wait many times while they look for a receipt or even go buy one. Now these are big businesses, not Mom & Pop stores. We have said to them; just write it on a plain piece of paper with your name and the date. No, that is never accepted as they all seem to like to play “where is the receipt book”.

Zambians are a people who love to talk and visit with each other. It again took us by surprise that everyone, no matter how poor seem to have a cell phone and can afford the talk time for the phone. It has been our experience that some people in the stores here would much rather talk on their phones, or visit with their friends as to acknowledge that you are a customer in the store. Again, we thought customer service would be the opposite here. We really have not shopped anywhere that the employees greet you and act like they are glad you came into the store. Again, not something we expected. We just have so much to learn and to experience. It seems the Africans go at a slower pace in all areas of life we have witnessed. Easy going about their time schedules, broken down vehicles, unexpected anything they just seem to take it in stride and not get too bent out of shape. Where I see Americans always in a hurry, not to patient with upsets in their schedules or unexpected breakdowns of anything. It seems like if Americans and Africans got mixed up together would come out just right.

We help them, they help us and we both are better societies for it. Kind of like when the Body of Christ works together, each doing their own part what a beautiful picture and a sweet aroma to our Father God.

Today Paul & Jess are taking an after lunch cat nap. It is cloudy and cool here so we might be getting more rain this evening. Our rain gauge holds only 9 inches so when I said the last rain was over 9 inches it is because the rain gauge was full to over flowing. I did not think we could drive into town after all the rain, but the next morning off we went. Paul did a super job of driving, but the mud and water we drove through made me a little nervous.

Everything here is so green and just beautiful. Looking out in the distance from the Bible College campus the rolling hills, the trees and all the green is just so pretty. We thank God for all the needed rains and sunshine. We pray for people everywhere to receive the weather they need to raise the food for their existence.

I have been challenged by many of you to slowdown and rest my knee. While I am typing this my knee is up with an ice pack on it, ibuprofen has been taken and I have not walked on it much today. It is good to rest and read some of the Christian Fiction books for girls that have been sent to me. Thank you to everyone who has blessed me with these books.

Well, hope you didn’t fall asleep reading all this. Stay tuned for next update when I decide what little known facts to start with. You never know what you might learn. We appreciate you all, more then you’ll ever know.

You are loved by Jesus and us

Paul & Lori

1/14/10

Little know facts: When Paul was in high school, he and some other Jr. & Sr. boys could take their shotguns to school and just keep them in their lockers, to go hunting after school, with the Principal's ok. (Boy have times changed).

The only time sweet little Lori got in trouble at school was in her Sr. year (1974) they let the girls wear slacks but NO jeans.

Being the rebel I am, I wore jeans one day and had to have detention after school!! I was a bad girl.

Busy, busy, busy. A lot of you have heard about Paul's fall from the ladder. He is doing better with the pain being the worse in the morning when he gets up. On Monday the ladder he was on in our house slipped out from under him and he fell hard on top of the ladder and it knocked the wind out of him. It took him awhile to get his breathing back to normal. We went into Lusaka for an xray and the Dr. said nothing broken just badly bruised. I had given Paul 800 mh of ibuprofin and the Dr. about had the big one and was ready to turn me into the better wives bureau. I guess here 200 mg is normal and if pain persists they will up it to 400 mg. Well, at any rate Paul is doing much better and we thank everyone for your prayers.

We hit pay dirt once again at the post office. Many Chirstmas cards and greetings from family and friends and two big packages!! I must list some items that were sent: Two BIG jars of extra crunchy PB, 3 t-shirts for Paul, (He has lost so much weight all his clothes are too big), Big jar of multi vitamins and a BIG box of granola bars, Herbal tea, CHOCOLATE:), cashews, family pictures, gum, fun self contained paint brushes, car/bike magazines and even dog chews for Jess!!! Thank you everyone as we had Christmas a little late!!!

Paul and I worked on getting some of the boxes we brought we us down to the house for me to sort through. Yikes, I brought to much stuff!! I thought we sold all our STUFF, but guess what, I still have some. I guess I will just have to re-box it mark it and use it for gifts and giveaways in the future.

Paul has been his usual hard working self making me some great items. A long window bench, a nice 3 tier heavy shelf to sit beside the stove to keep dishes, towels and cooking stuff on, and then he made me a kitchen island!!! It is so cool. I can use if for counter space when I am preparing one of my gourmet meals (Tuna helper or a sandwich).

Our dear friend Nina is making curtains for our home a second time as they were in a box that has ended up missing. We must have at least 3 boxes that didn't make the container, or have just disappeared since we arrived. Of course the curtains Nina had already made were in one of those boxes:) We were both so sad, as that is the finishing touch, are pretty curtains. Well, Paul & Diana will be bringing us our custom made curtains when they arrive here later this month. I have all our books and my knick knacks sitting around so it is starting to feel like home. All our neighbors want to come see the house, and when they are inside they say "Very American".

That is good as I am an American and I want my home to reflect that. We have Two Nebraska Banner like things hanging up. One on our front door and one on our guest room door so know one will doubt where our home is.

I purchased some really pretty Christian posters at hobby lobby before I left, so know Paul will need to make frames for them. He is thinking the student's can do this as part of their carpentry class. I think that is an excellent idea. I brought some for Lucy & Christine and some smalled ones to use for gifts.

Sunday am 1/10, nice 2 inch rain last pm. Paul has more flowers and radishes planted and they are coming up already. It was a quite day, as I don't think I saw anyone out after church.. Pastor David taught SS and Pastor Arnot gave the message. We are excited to have Pastor Arnot and his wife Betty here as new staff at the college. They now take the title of the wisest and oldest staff at the college. Paul and I were the oldest, but definitely not the wisest before they arrived.

I hope to get some pictures of the beautiful rainbows that are out in the sky this pm. This rainbow had more shades of color then I have ever seen. It was just a perfect one and there was a double rainbow for awhile. We had this beautiful view from out patio with ice tea and our dog at our side. We felt it didn't get any better for that space of time. We were quiet and grateful.

I have now painted the bathroom area 2 coats. Today I paint the floor and I think we will be DONE painting on the inside.

I must confess with all this work I have not had my devotion time and Bible reading time as faithful this past week. I can sure tell in my spirit when I am not faithful to reading God's word. I am back on track, and God once again forgives me, picks me up and sets me on HIS solid ground and I grow closer to Him. Please pray for Pastor Cliff, Pastor Paul and Diana to arrive safely and for the flights to go smooth and for them to be able to sleep en route as much as possible.

Well, I best get to it. I am burning daylight!!

You are loved by Jesus and us.

Update 1/18

Little known facts:

Paul & I only went snow skiing together once, but it was great. We went to Eldora ski resort and even did the night skiing. This was Paul's first time ever skiing and he picked it right up. The night skiiing was so beautiful with the lights marking the ski path, the snow falling so pretty and we had the slopes pretty much to ourselves. This was a fun adventure.

Here is what has been happening this past week.

Paul continues to make me good stuff!! I know have a custom made trash can to fit under the kitchen island and he even installed a toilet paper holder. I am one lucky woman:) We were able to put the fridge into our house so that is just plain wonderful. I do not have to go outside to the other cabin to get the cold stuff. I really am getting pretty spoiled. We do need to get a bathroom sink and vanity in, but all in good time.

I am sure you have heard enough about my painting adventures, but guess what I did now?? I painted the bathroom floor the wrong color green!!!! What was I thinking?? I had to repaint the floor with the floor enamel paint that I should of used the first time. Oh well, now the floor paint might last longer.

Paul was excited to find a lizard outside that we had not seen before. He might of been hurt as he did not care how close we got or if we took his picture. He looked kind of delicate for a lizard, but another unique creature by God. Paul found a really cool white flower that looked like a petunia with arms lifting up to praise God.

We are expecting another load of building sand this week for the plaster men. They got so much done in just one week it is amazing. Now when the sophomore students return their cabins will all be plastered. I think I will do some teaching on painting and let each of them paint their own cabin.

A lot of mowing and slashing of the grass has been going on.

We bought a push mower so John could use it and switch off from using the slasher knife thing to give his shoulder a rest.

Our son Ben celebrated his 32nd birthday last week so it was great to visit with him and we were able to sent his cash gift to him with a push of a button. Technology can be a wonderful thing. We are really missing Ben, family and friends back home. I know the visit from Paul, Diana and Cliff next week will be refreshing.

Little Jess continues to gain weight and does not look like the same dog we got 6 months ago. She looks healthy and loves to run down to the shop to visit Paul.

The back hoe men have come out for some more repair and adjustment on the back hoe, so Paul is waiting for that to be done and start using it.

We just had 3 inches of rain on Sat and 2 inches on Sunday. It was wonderful as the crops were starting to get dry. We pray for all the area to get the rain and sunshine they need for a successful harvest.

Pastor David taught SS and Pastor Arnott preached the sermon on Sunday. We are really blessed with Pastor Arnott here, and are looking forward to meeting his wife Betty.

Thank you to everyone who has sent movies and books as we have really be blessed by both. I know I am forgetting some stuff, but who knows I might remember it next update. We hope to get a newsletter out this month if I can get my act together to get the information to Nina.

Nina has again made us curtains for the house and Paul & Diana will bring them for us. We will put some pictures up once we get the curtains up.

Know, you are all loved by Jesus and us.

Update 1/29/10

Little known facts:

When Paul & Lori were dating their senior year of high school, it was snowing, deep drifts. Paul got his little Corvair stuck and had Lori get out and push! I should have known that something was not with this situation:

Paul has been clearing some land for more garden space with the backhoe. In this area watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes, potatoes and whatever else Henry & David know would grow well and be good for the student’s and visitors.

Mildred, Faith and Sara will be the first female students attending the college. They are staying in a compound #1 cabin near us so we now have neighbors and it is wonderful!! All the cabins on compound #1 are plastered and only 2 left to paint.

Paul made the bathroom vanity today, so our next step will be buying a sink. The sink will be the only one in the house so it will be used for many jobs.

We had 3 men, Joe, Jerrod & Dillon from Iowa visit us for a few days. They were here to view the college since they are active supporters of Gospelink. We really were blessed by their visit, and again, everyone who comes to the college is very impressed and is the nicest people. We have found one of the greatest benefits of being here at the college is getting to meet all the giving American’s who visit. Dillion is a native of South Africa and it is wonderful to see him giving back to Africa.

We took Joe, Dillion and Jerrod out to eat at a nice restaurant the night before they left for Uganda. We had a wonderful time of fellowship and were blessed by some beautiful rain, (down pour would be more like it).

The timing of the men leaving and Paul, Diana & Cliff arriving was just perfect. After the men left the airport we only waited like 45 minutes and Paul, Diana & Cliff arrived. Two suitcases of Paul & Diana’s did not show up. The airline said they should arrive on Thursday. Henry & Davis loaded up the entire luggage in the white truck and we all headed off to Manda Hill. We had a wonderful breakfast, exchanged money, and then went to market area to buy some souvenirs. We stopped at a grocery store and stocked up and headed out to the college. We had a wonderful welcome by the students, ladies and children. All singing and handing us flowers for the guests' welcome. Cliff stay was in the Teacher’s Cabin and he was very impressed with the new cabin accommodations. Pretty green bed frame, new queen size mattress, desk, chair, nightstand, shelf/clothes hanger, and dresser, not to mention the room decorated in African décor.

Paul & Diana stayed in newly finished guest room. It was wonderful to share our new home with them.

Diana and started our first morning together just visiting and catching up on news from home. She shared the book “Watch & Pray” that she is currently reading and we both were challenged to look at our prayer requests in a different light.

Paul & Cliff started their teaching that very afternoon.

Diana & I started to wash the windows in our house. It took us a longggggg time as the windows had silicone putty on them so we had to scrape it off. We of course we able to visit and laugh while we worked and got a lot accomplished.

Diana & I painted the newly made vanity first coat of white oil based paint. After the first coat you could hardly tell we painted it, so much of the paint soaked in. The next day, Diana did the second coat while I did some catching up on the computer work.

One day we cleaned up a cabin that is being for storage right now. It was again great to have help with so many projects.

On Thursday Paul made a trip into town to pick up Paul & Diana’s lost luggage. It was waiting at the Lusaka airport and we were all grateful for that. The first thing we did when Diana unpacked the suitcases was shout for joy that the curtains that Nina sewed for us had arrived safely. We hung them up right away and it made such a difference. It made out house look nice, complete and so homey. Thank you Nina for making us a 2nd set of curtains as the first set did not arrive from America.

Diana brought a sewing machine with her so her first job was to cut off and hem 2 pair of slacks I had and make them into Capri’s since I am hot all of the time. She then cut off and hemmed two of the bedroom curtains that were sent over, as when I gave Nina the measurements we did not have the headboards of the bed made, so I did not make allowance for that. Diana plans to teach me how to run the sewing machine so I can at least sew a hem. Keep in mind I have never done anything with a sewing machine so it could be a challenge for us.

Cliff & Paul report that the teaching time with the student’s is going very well. Cliff is teaching the Gospel course to the freshmen and Paul is teaching World Views to the sophomores.