This page contains updates on our life here in Zambia. Please check back often for news of us and our mission. Scroll down for older entries; there are also links to other months on the home page.
Bless you to everyone who is reading these diary pages. Thank you for caring about us enough to check in and see what is going on. We celebrate that our God, the only God is on His throne and HE is in control. Thank you Lord.
Please forgive me if I repeat myself as sometimes I forget to mark my diary notebook where I left off and I don’t want to waste internet time to check our last entry. Paul is starting his work every morning between 6-6:30 am. We are morning people and always have been, but as a lot of you know we crash about 9 pm and are pretty worthless after that.
12/30 I taught at the Thursday Bible study and Mildred translated for me. When she cannot find the right word other ladies will help her with their opinion of what word she should use. Of course it could be in three different languages they are suggesting fromJ. Only 12 ladies present as most of them are working in the fields. One of the ladies told me until the corn reaches a certain height the birds have to chased away morning and afternoon.
I guess in some areas it is the birds and other areas the monkeys who can really damage and eat a lot of the corn. The monkeys are kind of like an American raccoon as they go from ear to ear/ stalk to stalk and just take a bite or two out of one ear then move on to destroy some more corn. Pesky varmints!!!
Friday is cleaning the house a little better than usual day. I take out all the rugs, sweep and scrub. John shakes out all the rugs and cleans the good ones on his knees with a brush. When he is done with them they look really nice. When he first sees me on Friday morning he smiles and says “Cleaning day right?” His wife Vicki is expecting their sixth child. I am sure he is a good father as he is so kind and loves to brag about his kids :)
On New Year’s Day we headed into town for groceries. We thought we would do a few other errands but most of the stores were closed for the holiday. We did get groceries and had a nice meal at Rhapsody’s then headed back to the college. Little Jess is always glad to see us.
Manda Hill is the mall that they have built on to and tried to modernize. They put in two escalators and one elevator. After 3 weeks the escalators are broke and as many people that get on the elevator it won’t be long that will be broke also. Even though the stores in this big mall area were all closed the mall was packed with people just walking around. Some of the fast food restaurants were open so everyone was eating and walking around. It looked like a mall in America :)
On the way home the pop trailer in Chongwe was open so we were able to trade in empty bottles for new one of Coke lite. We also stopped along one of the road side markets and bought mangos, banana, and tomatoes. We like the green skinned mangos better than the orange ones as you get a little bit of mango and not all seed. It sure seems like God gave this fruit a bigger seed than necessary. We try to stop at a small road side stand with only like 3 or 4 women as then we can buy something from each one of them. They all are shouting to us to buy from them and this can be a bit over whelming for me. Paul is good to stop at the smaller places so I don’t have to buy from 10 ladies I am such a push over :)
Pastor Arnot gave the first message at church in the New Year. Quiet day with some nice relaxing on the patio. I did fix a new chicken dish for supper, it was kind of like a stir fry but with creamy sauce and we had it over brown rice. I have found some rice that usually turns out well. I was not having such good luck with the regular white rice. No minute rice here for me to cheat a little with.
My family back in Nebraska were celebrating the family Christmas on 1/2/11. They called me and I was able to visit with our son Ben, Dad, Step Mom, siblings and nieces and even Sam my great-nephew. It was bitter-sweet as I would of loved to have been there for the day to celebrate with them. My good friend Diana also gave me a call so that helped me not to be too sad.
Paul has hired four village neighbor men to do some slashing on the campus before the grass gets any taller. They have worked hard all week and it is amazing to me how much slashing four men can get done. Pump company men were out to check out the pump that had failed but it turned out that only the re-set button needed to be pushed. Of course no one had showed Paul where this button was, but now he knows. Paul felt bad they made the trip out for something so simple so he paid them some money for fuel. I thought that was really nice and helps to keep the company wanting to give us great service.
I have been walking some this past week and that has felt good. It makes me mad & sad that I still struggle with my weight and over eating in a county where my neighbors do not enough to eat. Please pray for me to lose some weight, and be healthier.
Paul and I are both suffering with heat rash in different places on our bodies, I will give you not more informationJ Paul is wearing padded knee pads so he does have bad rash area behind his knees where the knee pads hook up. I know these are small things, but please pray the rashes to go away. I don’t need anything else to whine about beside the heat, but then again it is something different so maybe that is ok :)
Betty’s diabetes continues to be a major health issue for her. Please pray for her. I think she takes insulin for the diabetes but then runs out and she waits until she can afford more. She does this cycle over and over. I can tell she never fells just quite right. She has a really sweet spirit and the area ladies like to stop for a chat and encourage her and get encouragement from her. Betty was able to teach bible study on Thursday. We had 12 ladies again with two new ladies who walked for over an hour to get to the college. They were really looking to get more information about the college, but stayed for craft time and made two greeting cards each, then joined us for bible study. One of the ladies just moved a village from Lusaka. She is a trained teacher and teaches adult literacy. She plans of visiting with Lewis when he is here about possibility teaching the class using the college class room. It is awesome how God continues to bless the area with people wanting to help each other.
One of the young moms in the area asked me for a 20 Katha loan. I gave her the loan and she came back in two weeks and worked the day for me. The entire time she worked she had her two years old on her back. I kept taking out snacks and treats for them and even gave her little girl a doll. She loved her “baby.”
We received 2 ½ inches of rain after 8 days of hot, dry weather. My Dad always told the hot humid weather is what makes the corn grow. I do my best to remember that as the sweat is pouring down my face.
I continue to work on a baby afghan I started like 3 years ago and still don’t have done. Now I am motivated to get it done to give Christine for baby “Paul”. Oh, didn’t I tell you they named the baby Paul. I told Christine I thought we had enough Pauls on the campus but they didn’t care. Paul is very honored that they chose his name.
Today as I type this Sat. 1/8 is has been overcast all day and has rained once again off and on. It looks like we could be receiving more rain today. We are kind of low on groceries at this time with no bread. Tuna and crackers are always good with macaroni and cheese. Scrambled eggs and bacon are one of Paul’s favorite meals too. Beans & wieners don’t take any bread either. Tonight we will be having one of those chicken noodle Bear Creek soup mixes. If you have never tried this brand it is the best. We really the flavor and all you do are adding water. Now that is my kind of cooking.
Well that is enough for now. Be encouraged with a verse from Proverbs 19:21 – Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Altogether, side by side let us keep our eyes on Jesus.
You are loved by Jesus and us.
1/24/11
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ we celebrate Gods goodness with you.
Ps 103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is with me, bless His holy name.
We are well and life at the college is busy. Lewis completed the student orientation last week giving a test over the student handbook. The students told me it was hard and they needed to review some of the topics. Rich, Keith, Mel, Yonnie and Paul are putting the rafters up on 5 cabins on #2 compounds where the female students will move into once the cabins are ready.
Please pray for Betty Mulenga as her sister passed away from complications of diabetes. I know this scares Betty as she struggles with diabetes herself.
We had 15 ladies at bible study this week and I taught from Matthew 14:23-33. The ladies all appreciated my illustration of Peter stepping out of the boat, as I took a great big step forward and showed the big step of faith Peter had to take to go on the water when Jesus said “Come”. Before Paul & I came to Zambia our mission team at home did a study called “If you want to walk on water you have to get out of the boat”. It was a great study and a challenge to step out of my comfort zone when God calls.
One of the female students got stung by really bad some type of insect and has some welts on her arms. She missed one day of orientation but she is healing and feeling much better. Some of the men have had problems with hives and heat rash. The humidity has been really high the past two weeks and remains so.
Pray for our friend John Ziemba who keeps compound #1 grass and landscaping looking good. He struggles with recurring headaches in the mornings. Please pray for relief and healing for his headaches.
The men on the work team didn’t know quite what to think of the minnows (kapenta) and the caterpillars for supper one night. Most of them did give each item but taste but did decline them the next timeJ. I did serve peanut butter bars and some crispy bars later on that evening and the pans were empty when they left. Rich Opsata did have to point out that I did burn the crispy bars as well as the peanut butter bars!! Thank you Rich.
Paul, Rich, Keith, Mel and Yonnie have almost finished putting the roofs on all 5 cabins. These cabins have the rich brown color tin that looks really nice. Paul will be putting on all the screens on the smaller windows next.
Pray for the Mancari family as they are borrowing a vehicle that broke down near Chongwe on their way to Lusaka. They have had their share of challenges since they have been in Zambia so please pray for God to support them and encourage them.
Pastor Cliff Morris along with friends Pastor Mark, Jack, John and Dan all arrived on Saturday and we thank you for your prayers for their safe arrival. Pastor Cliff gave the message at the English service yesterday and you can sure tell he loves God’s word and he loves to serve here at the college. The team brought us MANY goodies so we are feeling loved and so grateful for them carrying the stuff over in their suitcases. Just some of the items they brought us were: new hand towels, chunky peanut butter, hanging hooks, folgers coffee packets, Hormel Chile No beans, and bags of individually wrapped candy. I know they brought some electrical stuff and lots of caulking for the new library windows. Jack & Rich have been working on the solar system and checking everything out in that area. We are just so thankful for the solar house and all the power it provides to the college. A light on, a fan, a computer being able to be charged. Isn’t electricity a wonderful thing :)
Today 01/24/11, Dan, John and Jack are starting to install the library windows. The have two in already and they look really nice. It will be so cool for the teachers and students to be able to use the wings of the library until more classrooms are complete. Pastor Cliff is teaching the first year students and Pastor Mark is teaching the 2nd & 3rd year students. This is Pastor Mark, his dad Jack and Dan’s first time here at the college and they bring with them all the excitement with them from their home churches, friends and family who support them.
Thank you Georgia, Delaware, South Carolina, Minnesota for sending men with great hearts to serve here at the college. They have been a blessing to everyone at the college and touched many lives already. Our patio seems to be the location of the coffee club at this time. All I have to do is heat the water and the men help themselves. It is a win-win deal.
The work continues and I will keep you posted on the progress. Paul has stopped working on the clinic floor to help with other projects but he will get back to it as soon as he can. We continue to have nice rains and high humidity but they tell me that is what makes the corn grow. We now have two goats here on campus as we will attempt to raise some goats for the students as they all seem to like goat meat as part of their evening meal. I have never tried it and don’t intend to. Somethings for me are best left inexperienced. Little Jess continue to be afraid of all the rain and thunder so she sticks close to me all the time.
Keep those cards, letters and emails coming as then we know you are thinking of us and keeping us posted on what is going on in your world and in the world.
May each of you continue to grow in the love and knowledge of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.
You are loved by Jesus and us.
1/30/11
Love from the International Bible College in Zambia.
Can you believe January 2011 is almost over?? Well Paul and I cannot as the new students are settling into their routine with Pastor Cliff & Pastor Mark teaching the first courses of the year.
Pastor Mark is teaching “The Theology of Worship”.
Rich, Keith and Lewis all arrived safely back in the states. Rich & Keith did make sure five of the roofs were done on #2 before they left. Keith did some plumbing projects along with helping Rich with the wiring of many cabins. Paul finished the cabins with doors and screens on all five of the cabins. The female student’s love being closer to a bath house. Dan, John and Jack completed the install ion of the twelve windows in the library. The look just great!! I sweep out all the cabins and the girls moved in with the help of some of the male student’s moving their beds over. All this went very well. Two of the students had to move the mosquito nets from the old cabins and they did a super job.
One evening Lou & Iris had Mel, Rich & Keith over for the evening meal and some good fellowship which was reported to be enjoyed by everyone. Then the men all gathered on our patio and had some popcorn I had made and again enjoyed some male bonding time. Jess and I relaxed in our chair in the house.
Pastor Mark installed the printer that Lewis brought with him so it is great to be able to print things from the computer again. Today I took some time and wrote some cards to send back to the USA. It always makes me feel closer to people when I hand write a card, but I am so thankful for the internet so we can communicate with so many of you who love us at one time.
Lewis was able to meet with all the staff individually and as a group as he was here. Many items were discussed with different plans being ironed out. Henry drove the bus into town with Mel, Rich, Keith and Lewis for an evening meal in Lusaka with Paul & I before the men depart for the states early in the morning. Davis joined us for a wonderful meal at “Mike’s” restaurant. It took a long time to get the food but when it arrived it was very good. After the meal we all went to Zebra Lodge for the night. We saw the men off at the airport and then we went back to town for errands and groceries. A BIG THANK-YOU to all the men on this team who worked so hard and got so much accomplished while they were here, and Lewis this includes you as you worked with us, for us and shared yourself with so many. I always want to give a special thank-you to their families who support them in sending them over to Africa to support the students and staff in so many areas. The work that gets done is wonderful but equally important is the encouragement, love and support all the work teams bring and the love they leave behind for us.
Paul and I did not find any Coke Lite in town :( I think we need our friend Kevin here to find where the people are hiding it. It must be a popular drink here as know stores had any. Paul & I will have to be satisfied with tea for now. Of course we brought two pizzas back with us for supper and I must confess we did not share any. It was great for lunch the next day.
Friday was a great day and answered prayer as Henry was able to get into the shipping container and get off some of the stuff that was sent over. The main thing he was getting off was the electrical wire so the men could wire the library while they were here. Everyone greeted Henry as he arrived back at the college with hugs and handshakes as he is “The Man” who got the needed items off the container. Yahoo, and Praise the Lord!!
Friday is my cleaning day so once again that job got done. I also knocked out five loads of laundry so I was feeling pretty good about the day.
We did pick up some Christmas Cards this week from the post office. Thank you to Dad & Arlene, Mike & Dee Miller, Dale & Barb Lif, Tim, Shawn & Luke Jacobs and Rick and Terri George. It is wonderful to hear from all of you and the cards were beautiful. I packed them away with my Christmas stuff and will enjoy looking at them again this December.
Iris & I worked together all morning moving items from one cabin to the new storage cabin that the men made really nice shelves for. The shelves were made so when we need to use the cabin for students they will be able to be moved elsewhere. Thank you to Dan, John and Jack for building these for us. Also thank you for the paint stuff you put on to improve the performance of the blackboard in the classroom. One big whiteboard was purchased for the teachers to use also.
Saturday evening we had Cliff, Mark, Jack, Dan and John over for supper. Paul grilled pork kabobs on the grill and I did the potatoes and peas. I made some peanut butter bars for dessert and in case Rich Opsata is reading this I did not burn them this time and they tasted great :). After a nice meal we all sat in the living room and shared our stories of how we came to invite Jesus Christ into our lives. It was a special time and such a precious way to get to know one another better.
Today 1/30/11 Pastor Cliff Morris gave the message at church. It was a wonderful reminder to never, never, never give up doing what God has called you to do. A good reminder to not grow weary in doing good. I know Satan loves to beat us down with his lies and it was a very powerful uplifting message. Pastor Mark led the worship and the students shared some of the new songs Pastor Mark had taught them. I could sure tell they loved learning the new songs and were having a special time sharing them with us.
We have had really nice rains this week. Mostly in the evenings but not always. Everything is just so green. Did I tell you Paul bought two goats, “Billie & Millie”?? Well he did so we are hoping to do some goat raising if all works out. We will see how it goes. My brother in law, Larry had some fainting goats at one time. That would be fun to have here but I am afraid if they fainted and fell down they would be lunch! If we have baby goats I will have to be REALLY careful not to make them my friends, it could be tough when the students get hungry. Most of the work teams coming over will be doing a lot of painting. Paul has enough windows built for five or more cabins and they all need painted. Bath house and more cabins are ready to be painted also. We are asking all visiting team members to bring paint brushes, rollers and roller handles. Screens and glass need put in some buildings. We will be waiting for you with a list of jobs that need done and what a BIG blessing you, just you will be to all of us.
We leave you with portion from God’s word.
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5.
Bless you all for your prayers, love and support of us as we serve at the International Bible College in Zambia.
