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.
Zambia Diary October 2009
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Friday 10/2
I am in an internet cafe this am while Paul continues the work at the college. Henry dropped me off at Manda Hill so I could get some email done. I need to get groceries and shop for a printer. I have about 5 hours before Henry picks me up. This week has gone by so fast!! Paul and I have very hard this week on compound getting the cabins ready with the plaster workers and the grounds area of the compound cleaned up. We have a visiting team from Iowa arriving on Saturday. They will do some teaching and what ever projects that meet their gifts and talents. We are so looking forward to meeting friends we just haven't met yet!

I did get the restroom, shower area of the shop cleaned and even the windows washed. I hope to get it painted and looking really snazzy! I cleaned the windows on the cabins in #1 that had glass put in them and Paul made sure there were screens on the other windows. I forgot how nice a window does look when it is clean. This was not a high priority for me in the states.

The students are cleaning out the Blue Bus and Paul told them I had cleaned buses for l0 years with my Dad and they better do a good job as I would be the inspector! We will have to see how they do. It is fun to watch the students all work on their areas they were assigned to for the "Student Campus Clean" contest.  They are all working hard and seem to having fun with it. The areas are really starting to look landscaped.

Lucy and Kristin are working hard getting their homes clean for when the teams come. The ladies are planning what groceries are needed for the teams, students and pastors while they are here. It is a big job cooking for so many and I am so THANKFUL that is not in my job description!  Keep in mind I would do it if called upon but who knows what people would get to eat!! Lucy and the ladies do an amazing job all with smiles and a servant’s heart. The cabins on #1 all look so nice with the new cement step on each one of them. Just those things can be such a blessing when you are used to just using a cement block. All the little blessing are so fun to receive and praise God for.

Did I tell you about the homemade soup "I" made?  I took carrots, potatoes, onions from the garden and added some grilled pork and brown gravy mix. Paul was very skeptical about my idea of vegetable soup as when I try anything like this it does not turn out.  Well, guess what??  It was wonderful and enough for two meals.  Paul was very pleasantly surprised, and we both enjoyed something different.

Here is a question, Is duct tape an international product?? Someone with have to Google this for me and let me know. Do they use this in China, Austria you know, world-wide.  This is just something I pondered as I used some duct tape.  You can tell I am a very deep thinker :)

Well I better sign off and get to the errand list. Have a great week-end, and be sure and tell God thank you for the loved ones in your life.
You are loved by Jesus and us.

Friday 10/9
It has been a busy couple of weeks getting ready for the visiting Iowa team and the visiting pastor's. There are around 40 pastors here to work and learn and four people on the Iowa Team. Pastor Todd, Brad, Michael and Laurie are here from Ankeny, Iowa. Pastor Todd is doing the teaching to the students and the pastors.

The Iowa team is amazing! And they are getting so much accomplished! Brad is a builder: he is overseeing the installation of ceilings in a few cabins. Michael is just doing everything we ask him to do. He has helped the students with their gardening work and has both learned from them and given them a few tips. He has helped Paul greatly by organizing the store rooms with the electrical and plumbing supplies. He has repaired chain saws and skill saws and repairs on other equipment. He is really doing a super job in lots of areas.

Laurie and I have been going to the area Kazemba School and helping the teachers in whatever area they need us. We have got to use the student's library time to read stories to the children from the Christian books Laurie brought with her. The children have taught us new songs and we have taught them so new ones. It was fun. With the older grades we were able to share our stories of how Jesus came into our lives and how He as changed our lived. We have to drag the questions out of the students, but with some encouragement we do get a few questions. It always amazes me how they don't ask silly questions, but questions about the Bible and about how God and the Bible are viewed in America.

The Pastors and students are both learning a lot from Pastor Todd as the Holy Spirit opens up hearts and ears. I have heard many comments on what they have learned from the book of Timothy and from all the interaction in the class room. In the evening after the meal, there is a question and answer time for anyone who wants to attend and most of the Pastor's attend as the student's are studying and doing their homework.  I am hearing great questions, and again a lot of interaction between Pastor Todd, Brad, Michael, Laurie and the pastors.

Henry, David and Paul keep busy keeping everything running smoothly. The ladies in the kitchen, Lucy, Kristine, Mildred, Patricia, Dorothy and others all work hard to serve great meals. Nshema, rice, beans, vegetables, oranges, apples, porridge, boiled eggs, peanut butter bread and different meats are served each day.

The Iowa team is getting so much done that they have set the bar pretty high for the next team!! :). We have a teacher and some workers coming again from the States later this month to help us with more projects. It will be great. So much progress is being made at the campus, our repeat visitor's won't believe all the changes. Just think, you can sign up now for a wonderful experience of a 2 week mission trip to Zambia and it will make your world so much bigger and your life so much fuller. I best sign off and get ready to go help at school. Talk with you soon. We love and appreciate you.

Sunday 10/11
Greetings from Zambia in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
God is faithful and we have been blessed here in so many ways. It has been a busy few weeks with around 40 national pastors and the 4 team members from Ankeny, Iowa. We have been busy with lots of projects and the time is flying by. 

The pastors have worked on a compound building some cabins and completing other cement work. The cement was poured for the bore hole area. A 2 foot trench was dug by the pastors from the top of the hill, where the new water towers are, and then are across the road and are heading the trench to the bore hole. They have 3 days left here and I know they will get it dug a lot farther. They are digging through hard, hard ground with BIG rocks. It is hard, HOT work.

Did I mention how HOT it is here?? We continue to sweat from the beginning of the day to the end. Guess what?  We got our first African rain today 10-11-09, it was some good sprinkling and it smelled so good. Fresh rain!! We found out our little dog Jess does not like thunder so it could be a long rainy season for her.

Many jobs are being completed by the Iowa team along with the pastor's. Brad and 3 pastors, Henry, Benson and Matt have put 2 ceilings in 2 of the cabins, Laurie and I are painting the inside of two cabins and we also have visited Kazemba school 2 different days to help the teachers. The children are such fun and they listen so well and are so respectful.  Pastor Todd is doing great with his teaching the student's in the morning and the pastors in the pm.

Michel, from Iowa has done so many jobs for Paul that the shop is looking pretty full with all the tools and equipment Michael was able to repair. He did some great organizing of plumbing and electrical supplies. We call the pastors who are digging the trench to the bore hole the "Stone Breakers"!!. Michael even joined them for some stone breaking! The ladies continue to fix great meals and I will try to get some recipes for you to try.

This morning we did the prayer hike up Mt. Kazemba. It was a beautiful morning and we started early to beat the heat. It was a very holy time with testimonies shared of how the power of God had worked in their lives this past week at the college. The prayer time was very special and once again God was glorified and His children were blessed.

Pastor Todd shared a devotional from Proverbs 30 and preached from Rev 3:14 and other passages. The part that really hit me was "God is most glorified when I find my full satisfaction in Him".  What God wants me to do has nothing to do with the outside. Have the fellowship with Jesus that leave me fully satisfied and Him glorified.  Pastor Todd is a great preacher/teacher and the First Family church in Ankeny is very blessed to have him.


Again, "God is most glorified in me, when I am most satisfied in Him".  May I bring glory to our Lord!

This week after Laurie and I were at the school we headed to Chongwe to check the post office for mail. No love was found in the mail box:(.  I stopped at the Coca Cola trailer and they did have coke lite so I stocked up.  I then stopped at a street vendor selling some food items. I bought some tomatoes, fritters (very deep fat fried dough, as Paul loves these) and then I bought some muffin-like things. Laurie was shocked that I might actually eat these items since I did not know the vendor and it was kind of a shady looking food stand. But never fail, I did eat the muffin and I talked Laurie into trying some! Neither of us got sick and it was another new adventure for Laurie.

I DID NOT get a traffic violation while driving to Chongwe, just so you know.
 
I must again thank the supports who gave us the money for our Toyota, as if not, we would be riding in a mini van made for 12 people with 20+ people in it along with suitcases, packages, goats, chickens and what ever else might need a ride. Of course this would be in 100 degree heat with some of us not showering for quite some time:). I love our Toyota!

Pastor Todd has spent some time working hard trying to get our new printer that we brought from the states with us and he also could not get it to work. There is no WalMart here for me to return it to!!  We will buy a new one and make sure the computer store we buy it from hooks it up for us and that it works. I do thank Pastor Todd for all his effort on it. 

Laurie and I have become good friends and she has helped me with the girlfriend talk while we were painting. She is a wonderful lady who has been through some great loss, yet she praises God that He has walked with her each step of the way. She is going to a Bible college in Iowa and hopes to be a missionary or what ever area the Lord would lead her into.

One afternoon Laurie and I just sat on the patio area and had some wonderful ice tea, as it was HOT and we tried to think cool thoughts.

Sat. afternoon the men all gathered to watch on TV, Zambia vs Egypt in the "football" game. Egypt won so the men were pretty quiet. They love their football here as much as we love our football in Nebraska.

Last night we had a special time with the Iowa team of fellowship and prayer after the evening meal. Brad spent some special time praying for Paul, I and the ministry of Gospelink. It was again, very special.  I will be sending some pictures, so look for them on the album page. Thank you to everyone who has signed our guest book and left some comments, and yes, Eva Lou I am still scraping mortar and trying to have a good attitude!!

You are all loved by Jesus and us.

It has been a very busy week with the many pastors and the Iowa team here. I re-read my last update and I saw that I had shared a lot of the items that have been done these past two weeks. I will try not to repeat myself, but no guarantees.  Lucy and Christine wanted me to share at a ladies meeting this weekend. I told them no, as it is still very hard to be with a big group who only speak their language and I would of had to travel some distance, which is never any fun on African roads and sleeping in tents with strangers. I must say I am getting better at these things, and I want to share what the power of God's love has done in my life, but I think I still need some adjustment time. The ladies here want me to work on learning the language and are willing to start classes with me. Pray for me that I would be disciplined in what is needed to learn a new language.

Just so you know the people are calling me "Dr." All I have done is handed out Tylenol and ibuprofen, dressed some cuts and scrapes and I am a Dr. I guess all the men and women who go to college for years and years, just need to come to Zambia to receive the title Dr. I always tell them no, I have had no medical training, but they still call me Dr. when I help them.

One night during/after the evening meal I walked around the bath house and saw a fire burning down by the generator house. I called Paul and he quick rode his dirt bike down. I then found Henry and David, some of the Iowa team and they all went down also. I was beating out the flames beside Henry and all of us were able to get it under control very quickly. Michael from Iowa has much experience in fire control and he thought we would have to dig a fire wall, but it burned down well and that was not necessary. A water pipe was broken during the fire event and Paul thought we would have to drain the tank but after some time Paul and David were able to patch up the pipe for the evening until it could be fixed in the am. The evening service was almost over when we were finished with the fire project but were we able to hear some wonderful singing from the Pastor's while we worked.

Pastor Todd washed out his clothes the African way, and got some pictures for proof. Oh guess what?  We (well, almost all the Americans) got our first taste of caterpillars. What can I say?? It kind of tasted like bitter coffee to me, and Paul didn't think they were too bad. I will just save my share for the national people who love them. It was an interesting food item to try!! Brad shared his experiences in town with Davis and the driving, preaching and visiting some of the tougher areas. He did get to see some things in Lusaka. He went to a wedding with Davis and was able to preach in one church.

Laurie got her air braded like mine today. I told her it would take 3 -4 hours but it took all day!! I forgot when I had mine done that there were usually 2 or 3 girls working on it at a time. Well anyway Laurie loved it and it will be fun for her to share her African hair with her friends at Bible College. As Laurie got her hair done I kind of cheated and had a day of catching up on some other stuff. I walked around and saw the progress on the trench being dug, on the fence around the big garden and all the cement work being done.  Go men go!!  Of course the ladies continue to work hard preparing the meals for all of us.

Henry brought a big load of lumber back from town today, so Paul, Brad & Michael were all excited for the smell of sawdust and worked hard in the shop. They looked like they were having fun and just playing with the tools, like little boys. They got some projects started but I will let Paul tell you about those.

Pastor Todd continues to teach the students and pastors and I am hearing how much they are learning from some of the New Testament books. The afternoon sessions with the pastors is so helpful to them as they can all ask questions not only from Pastor Todd but from each other and share ideas and get some solutions for areas in their churches. It is a great time for learning and fellowship for all of the pastors.

Paul shared his testimony tonight with the Iowa team and that is always a special time to hear someone's story of the power of God in their lives. It is also so good for us to continue to tell our story and to bless others. This afternoon Paul, myself, and Davis took the Iowa team into the Zebra lodge for the night with their departure the next day. We went out to eat at a nice restaurant but did get bit by a few mosquitoes. Pesty varments!! Wonderful meal and fellowship then we turned in for the evening. Well off to the airport the next morning and I only cried a short time saying good-bye. It is amazing how close you can come to new friends when we all have the bond of our Savior Jesus Christ. Before Pastor Todd left he put the music from the book by Beth Moore "Voices of the Faithful" on my MP3 player. What a blessing. I love the book, now I can listen to the music. It is just again what my heart needed. Isn't it an amazing thing how God knows just what we need and supplies it just at the right time. I think that is so cool of God to meet our needs that way. His timing, not mine.

Before Laurie left she helped me clean and organize our kitchen cabin which was getting crowded with other stuff and kind of inviting critters to come on in!! We did get things done and I think the critters can just go elsewhere for any crumbs!! My brother in law "Rockin Rod" always says if you keep things clean you won't have varmints. I have found this to be true, even in Africa.

Uncle Luca, one of the students is staying overnight in our cabin to take care of Jess as we stay overnight with the Iowa team in town. All of the students are an uncle to our little Jess!! We always bring treats back for the students when we go to town and they are so appreciative of the candy, chips and cookies that we share.

On Thursday after the Iowa team left, Paul, Henry and David did errands together so I again got to drive our Toyota around Lusaka, and guess what?? No ticket and no one even stopped me. I must be improving in my driving skills. The men's errands when smoothly and Paul and I were able to get back to the college around 3:00 pm. Of course we brought pizza home with us from town, so no cooking!!

Well I best sign off and get to work.
Remember, you are all loved by Jesus and us.

Friday 10/16
Two of my sisters, Carol and Jolene, have birthdays this week. Yes, they are both younger than me.
I worked most of the am making new folders for my pictures and did practice sending a few. Pastor Todd from Iowa will be proud of my progress. 

Ruth, Anna and Joy all stopped by for me to put more medicine on the sore’s of Ruth and Anna. I don’t know if it is because I am just not used to it but the sores and scrapes just look worse on their legs. Last evening a little boy “Peoples” was brought to our door as his leg was caught in the bicycle spokes. These scrapes looked no good. Peoples was a trooper as I poured on the peroxide, ointment and bandages. Peoples was always cautious with me anyway, now he will not probably even look at me since I hurt him. Paul was a great help and all went well. I just keep the peroxide, gauze, band aids and ointment on hand. The teams had all left a good supply so that is nice.

Lucy and Christine are at ladies conference teaching and singing for the 3 day weekend. They both are very gifted and share their gifts with the body of Christ.

The student’s continue to work hard with the “College clean campus” contest. It is fun to see their enthusiasm and what original ideas they have to landscape and just do the little touches around the campus. It is cool how they try to hide what they are doing from each other, which of course is impossible as all the work is being done outside.

The Iowa team has taught us some new food choices. Not only can you put the choc. Chips they brought with them on the porridge in the am you can add the chips to the peanut butter sandwiches!! It is like a Reece’s candy bar on bread. Yum!! The team also brought shakers of sugar & cinnamon to share along with “Toni’s Original Creole Seasoning”. It says it is good on everything so we will have to try it out on the chicken and fish anyway.
My hair braids had to come out as it was time. Paul told me it was not looking cool anymore with the entire grey hair showing at the top. He is just so sweet to point out the obvious to me.

Paul got a wooden window made for a cabin, painted and installed. WOW, does it look nice. It makes my painting look really good.

My sister Carol called tonight, so she must have known I was feeling a bit lonely. We had a great visit and she caught me up on all the family happenings. It is so good to hear from home.  Paul and I have been expecting a package from our Phoenix family and it has not arrived. We are concerned as we know they spent a lot of money to mail it and a lot on the contents. We prayed for God in His wisdom to find it and deliver it to the Chongwe post office.

Monday 10/19
WE RECEIVED 2 PACKAGES FROM AMERICA!!

We thank God for this answered prayer as there was lots of love in the 2 packages. Dwayne, Deb and family, thank you so much for all the love!!

From my Phoenix Family: This includes my brother Dwayne and his wife Deb who is an official Fun Sister, their two sons Wesley and Dean, Deb’s Mom Joan Bialy and their extended family also.

I have to list the gifts: 9 hours of Dirty Jobs DVD’s, Chez-It crackers (Paul’s favorite), Mac & Cheese. Candy and Gum, 2 motorcycle magazines, Motorcycle filters for Paul’s dirt bike, Funny singing card from Wes & Dean, 10 movies and a cute pair of designer flip flops in my Bronze Goddess colors. Yes the Princess of Quite a Lot is me!! Of course if you are a child of the King you are too a Princess or a Prince.  I am so thankful to be a child of God.

Wow, what a gift.  Now I am going to have to start being nice to my brother!!!

Rae O. from Grand Island sent us some children’s story books, a neat drawing book for the students and the cutest fold up storage boxes about the size of a shoe box. I mean these are a bright green color with circles on them and they are shouting cute and look so fun on my shelf with all the stationary and misc. items in them. Thank you so much for all the great stuff.

Paul and I followed Henry into town for the list of errands before Kris, Jack, and Brad arrive tonight from the US. We found a fuel shortage when we got to Lusaka and the lines and traffic were unbelievable. Paul and I started the process of applying for our Zambian driver’s license. Paul has an international driver’s license and has showed it to the guards on the roads with no problems, but we thought we could go ahead and get the official Zambia license.

Paul and I ate lunch at a wonderful Italian restaurant for the first time and it sure was good. We found a new place to PIZZA! Yum.  One of the students is taking care of Jess for us and his request was for Chicken & Chips. It won’t be fresh when we get it back but he said he didn’t care.

Pastor Todd loaded on my MP3 player the music that goes with the book “Voices of the Faithful”. It is wonderful music and has blessed me greatly already.

Monday morning – We picked up Kris, Bobbi and Jack from the airport last night and the entire luggage arrived but one piece and it will be delivered latter in the day.  We exchanged the American money and went souvenir shopping. I didn’t want to shop but what could I do???? I only bought some postcards so I did not do too much damage.  We arrived back at the college around 2:00 pm and the men were able to settle in their cabins, but then they all got right to work. Of course I had to put away groceries, check the email, put in some laundry and just get organized once again.

Poor little Jess missed us so much she was just nuts!! She whined and howled for a long time!! The student’s will be doing some studies on basic carpentry this week and some hands on work in the shop. Please pray for safety for everyone here on the campus this week as lots is going on.  Well I better sign off and get some outside work done. Once again fellow followers of Jesus, thank you all for your support for us as we serve in Zambia.

You are loved by Jesus and us.

Sat 10/24
It is hot as usual. Jess and I often sit in the cabin with a fan while Paul toughs it out while working on the landscaping and weeding veggies and flowers. The students have been watering the gardens most of the day, and it is paying off: the gardens look really great.
We received a knock on our door one evening and Lexon brought his little son Peoples over as he had gotten his little foot caught in the bicycle spokes while he rode on the back. He was really crying as the cuts and scrapes looked very painful. We used the peroxide, ointment, gauze and tape and fixed him up. He of course cried and Paul and I felt so bad for him. Peoples was still leery of me anyway so now he will not probably even look at me:(. I did offer him some bubble gum when we were done and that seemed to help a lot.
The next day Ruth and Anna stopped by to have me look at their sores on their legs and they did look a lot better after I treated them 2 day earlier. We just took care of them and reminded them to keep them as clean as possible. I always tell them when they shower to clean them good with soap.

Wow, oh Wow !! The students are cleaning and landscaping like they are really working for the contest prize! Gideon has built such NICE landscape area around one of the trees—we call it Gideon's round about!  We can drive our vehicles all the way around it! I will try to get a picture.

One new food item the Iowa team shared while they were here is to add chocolate chips to the peanut butter sandwiches. It is like eating a Reece's candy bar on bread! Who knew this would be so good:).  Oh the little things that bring us joy!. The Iowa team left us some sugar/cinnamon combo shaker, and some "Tony's Origian Creole Seasoning" and it says "It's good on anything"/ We will just have to see about that!

Paul put the first window in the new teaching Pastor's cabin and it looks great. Nice screen and it is painted a pretty green to match the roof. The visiting Pastors and teachers will have their own cabin, with a new double bed in case they bring their spouse. Did I mention the Kris & Bobbi made a matching desk to go with the bed!!!! You should see Kris and Bobbi working in the woodworking shop. I hear the saws, routers and other misc. power tools going most of the day. They do not even take a break except they do eat lunch. You just would not believe all the work they are getting done. I will type a list of things at the end of next week.
Paul does his wood working in the morning while Kris is teaching, then Paul knows to stand back as Kris and Bobbi have the saw dust flying!! Paul is really enjoying their company and THE MEN can talk power tools and sawdust all day. They are all just covered with sawdust at the end of the day.

I sure hope someone calls me tonight as I was feeling a bit lonely today.
No call, No love:(.
I will be working on a newsletter with Nina and hope to get that to everyone on our list. I think Nina will email those that we have those address's for and snail mail the others.
Yes!! My sister Carol called me the next night, so I did get some love and some good girl talk. God knows just when I need a phone call to reconnect with friends and family. Isn't that wonderful that God cares so much about every detail of our lives.

Kris, Bobbi and Jack brought us some great treats!! Granola bars, Peanut Butter Extra Crunchy and instant tea!! We were soooooooooooo happy. They brought too many wood working tools and stuff to mention and 2 new tires for the gator. The gator is getting a lot of use this week as Jack & Kris are hauling stuff back and forth.

Somewhere this week I lost a day. Henry informed me that it is Friday today!! I guess time does fly when you are working hard and having fun.

Here is a story. Davis was telling me that in Zambia when a young man wants to marry he points out the young lady to his parents. If the parents say no, she is lazy and does not cook well or work hard, then they encourage the son to pick another lady. When a man marries a woman who is a good homemaker and creative with her care of her home and children, hard worker the people say the man is VERY blessed. Davis told Paul this as they see me working hard and told Paul he is very blessed. Wasn't that just the nicest thing for Davis to say? Davis & Judy Daka have a new grandson, and they are naming him "Davis".

Yesterday, the workers were working on digging yet another trench to bury the wire going from the solar house to the class room. We now have power to the classroom thanks to Jack!!  Jack has also put lights in all the rooms in the shop building. It is so exciting just having light in new places. Jack just continues to work on one project after another.

Did I mention that Kris made a "Big Screen" projector screen from plywood and painted it white. He is showing a different movie each evening for students and staff. Everyone is enjoying this special treat. Kris brought a nice projector and a good selection of movies.
Paul is enjoying watching his "Dirty Jobs" dvd's from our Phoenix family. It is fun to hear things that we watched at home. Just these little things help so much.

I had one of the national men stop and ask me for some soap. Well I did give him a bar of soap, but after I thought about it I guess I should of had him do something for us in return. I need to remember not just to give things away but to ask them to give something back in return. This helps them not get in the habit of just expecting things given to them when ever they ask, also to have the opportunity to earn the item they are asking for. I have so much to learn.

Once again today the men worked all day in the shop and I painted all day. I got a second coat on a cabin and it was harder as we got a great deal on some paint, but it is kind of old and clumpy. It is good paint and covers really well I just have to pick out the clumps and this takes more time. Paul is looking for a hand mixer that he saw and thinks if he can mix it good enough the clumps will blend in. We will see. I hope so as it would make the painting go quicker. I am reminded by what Lewis Nelms told me. "Lori, if you like to paint you are in paradise". :)

Remember, You are all loved by Jesus and us.

Sunday 10/25 – Friday 10-30

This am we did a prayer walk up Mt. Kazemba with the team, students, Henry and David. It was again a very special time of song, testimony of the power of God’s love, shared prayer requests and much prayer.
Bobby from South Caroling taught Sunday school this morning and Kris from Delaware shared a great message.
Paul, David and one of the students went to the Chief’s house to measure all his windows for glass. The Chief was very appreciative for their time and service to him.  The Chief will be visiting on Friday so everyone is excited and preparing for his visit. A special meal is planned and the campus grounds are all spiffed up!  (Is spiffed a word??)

Kris, Bobby, Jack and many of students did some area evangelism and left food where ever they want. They wanted to meet some physical needs and well as the spiritual needs. Kris continues to show a movie each evening with different attendees each evening. The staff and students are enjoying his efforts in doing this and the big plywood screen help the viewing be very enjoyable.

Kris, Bobby and Paul continue to keep all the power tools buzzing. They are getting so much done.  Jack is working hard “Lighting up the Campus” with his electrical skills. I always tell the men that visit to thank their families for their support in sending the men to do so much work.  The men put the 12 beds together today for the new student’s so they are ready to go. Nightstands made, shelves made and being installed, windows made and being installed, and lots of painting being done by everyone.

Guess What?? It is windy and HOT today. I seem to be the only one complaining about it, so maybe I just need an attitude adjustment??   October is almost over and the rainy season almost here. The shipping container should arrive at the college by the end of November, and then we will keep busy unloading it and getting the roof on the house.  The men continue to play with all the men toys down at the shop. I think they are enjoying all that male bonding around the sawdust flying.  I do like the smell of sawdust so I go down to visit but not for long as Jess and I do not want to get in the way.

We will be taking the team (Kris, Bobby and Jack) to the airport Saturday morning so this always makes me sad. Please pray for their safe travel and a wonderful reunion with their families.  Mildred, David & Christine’s daughter has been doing all the cooking while Lucy and Christine have been at a Baptist Ladies convention most of the week. She is a worker and the food is as wonderful as usual. Mildred has plenty of help from Patricia, Lucy’s sister and the children all seem to help with the serving, peeling lots of potatoes and other veggies. Mildred made some beef stew last evening; it was so good, and everyone was telling her how wonderful it was.

As many of the readers of our diary are also our supporters  we want to remind you that what you are supporting is the Bible teaching of young men who are already doing evangelism and wanting to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. As you sponsor area pastors, these students and your support for us, you are building a place where God is honored each day and where quality education is given to the student’s. Just a pat on the back to thank you and remind you, your support is reaping eternal rewards. It is wonderful that these young men going out to their own communities can share the love of Jesus with the National people in their own languages. Most of the area people can speak at least 3 languages and some of them more then these.  This is being a good steward of the money you give as these students don’t need to learn a new language like most missionaries that are sent to a new country. They are ready to go and share in the languages the people use and are the most comfortable with. Gospelink has the right idea in the way they seek sponsorships of area Pastors and the way you are helping to build this Bible College for solid biblical teaching.
God promise of His word not returning void is powerful and His word goes out with many Gospelink supported Pastors and the students who are being trained here.  Sometimes I forget and believe the devil’s lies that since I am not on the front lines of evangelism my work here is not as important. Then God gently reminds me that all the parts of the body are important, and when the parts work together is when He is most glorified and when His word goes out.

I just need to remember that and stand on the promises of our God. I challenge each of you to do the same.

Remember you are loved by Jesus and us.


Sat 10/31
We depart for the airport at 9:00 am taking Jack, Bobby and Kris to head back to their homes and families. We sure will miss them. All went well and they got in the air with no problems. Paul and I again did errands that needed done in Lusaka. Still a fuel shortage so the cars continue to be lined up and traffic a mess. We went to Manda Hill and Arcades the two main shopping centers. Buy talk time & internet time. Groceries and the hardware store. Of course we ate at a very nice italian restaurant and took a pizza home for the next day. Yummm.

The students all call themselves "Uncles" to Jess and they all take care of her when we have to go to town. She has attended soccer (football) games with them and I am not sure what else she gets included in.
Did I mention this update that it is HOT here. I continue to have hot flashes or power surges as some women call them so it has not been much fun for me being hot, hot all the time :(

We continue to be amazed about the many bird species there are. We will need to buy a book to try and figure them all out. Paul found a baby parrot in our front yard one day this week.  It was just beautiful. It was young and learning how to fly. It let Paul pick it up and then Paul held it in his open hand and it flew away. It was just so cool. Well I best sign off and get some work done.

Please continue to pray for the shipping container to arrive soon, as it would be nice to have a roof :)

You are all loved by Jesus and us.