We are here! It took us awhile to get all the internet connection information, sorry for the delay. The first two weeks of ministry have been wonderful. When the Grand Island team was here we had a very special time together. We did get the Medical Clinic painted inside and out. It looks so pretty all white. We then went into Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia and did ministry there.
We visited one orphanage, 6 schools, showed the Jesus film and did a lot of overeating at the Manda Hill Mall. We were with other teams from Georgia, Alabama and Iowa. We all connected as we had a wonderful of sharing our love for Christ with one another as we spent alot of time riding the bus going from school to school.
We had only one bad accident. Our friend Kevin Hiegel was working with a saw and cut his index finger almost off. He was taken to a medical clinic in Lusaka and the removed most of the finger. Prayers were answered as Kevin received great medical care and is here now with us working away. He has such a great love for the Lord that you just cannot slow him down.
Paul started on the trusses for our staff house. We cannot put the roof on until the container arrives with the steel. Our little cabin is feeling like home and I have it as organized as I can. I did my first laundry today and I forgot how good clothes smell when they are dried outside. I do not have to cook for us until the end of July as that is when the short term mission teams are done for the year. Paul is going to buy a charcoal grill so we will have that to cook on. I cannot wait to see what kind of meals I learn to cook. We have had lots of rice, beans, vegetables, fruit, eggs and peanut butter sandwiches. The sky is so beautiful here it is impossible to describe. I spoke today to a group today of interdenominational women and that was a real blessing. I trust God to bless these women as HE uses me to carry HIS message.
Here are our phone numbers: From the US you dial 01126 0977703559 or Paul is 01126 0978951911.
You will need to call and find out what the country code is for Zambia as you enter it before our phone number. I know it is expensive to call and our reception is not that good sometimes. I guess texting is much cheaper so I will try to do that to you if I can figure that out. What a tech world we live in. It is after 9:00 pm here so you know what that means!! Bed time for the Schlick's!!! I will send out our address when we get one!!
I will try to get updates on our web page once a week. Thank you all for your prayers as we adjust to our new home, new friends, new church family and new culture.
"God said, who will go for Me, and we said "Send us."
You are loved by Jesus and us. -Paul & Lori
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.
7/1/09
One Sat. June 20th Paul was baptized in the Chongwe river by Pastor David Chawala. It was a very special celebration of Paul's public declaration of his faith. Most of the Nebraska team was able to be there, the other teams and all the visiting pastor's. It was a blessing to so many. I continue to see Paul grow in his walk with the Lord.
Life here is so different in so many ways. Paul and I have the nicest one roomcabin here because it is painted on the inside and has a ceiling in it. This makes it much warmer. We have a double bed frame and use our sleeping bags and l blanket for our bedding. The window we just cover with a towel and 2 windows have glass in them. We are eating mostly rice, beans, boiled eggs, PB sandwiches and a piece of fruit with the evening meal. Maybe meat once a week just depends on if any is available.
The singing here is so beautiful it is hard to describe. The harmony just seems to flow from the men, women and children. I am doing a lot more reading in the word, devotional reading and getting in a good daily walk. I will need to build up my leg strength to climb Mt. Kazema more often. The few Americans that are here sit around a campfire each evening enjoying the company, coffee, coke lite and a cookie. It is worth the price of the ticket to see the Zambian sky at night. It is just so bright and the Milky Way is brilliant across the sky.
Today Paul went to town with some others and they have a list of stops a mile long. It really is no fun to go to town. The traffic in Lusaka is crazy and any errand you need to accomplish you will stand in line and wait. I will need to get my driver’s license and that will take 4 trips to town. It is harder for Paul, as it seems he does not wait in line to patiently. We both will learn.
I sat in on an English class one of the visiting Americans was teaching. The ladies want me to take it over! We will wait and see how God leads on that. I think I would need to get a few tips from a teacher in American how to start with adults who have very little English. I have cleaned up my cabin for today and will look for who needs some help.
Friday 7/3/09
It was a busy day today. We went to town and purchased 95 Toyota Highlight Surf, it is a 4 wheel drive that sits very high so it will be able to maneuver the very bad roads. The only decent roads are the main two in the city of Lusaka. The side roads in the city are just really bad so you need a tough vehicle to get around. It will be a challenge for me to learn to drive one the left hand side let alone in the big city.
We also adopted a small terrier dog named “Jess”. She is 8 years old and needed a good home, now she has found one. Kevin has the 13 trusses made for our staff house roof. When the shipping container arrives Paul will be able to put the roof on. Two men from the Minnesota team are staying at the college next week to do the wiring on our staff house and the bath house, so once again God provides in a wonderful way.
Brian and Kelly have been a great help to us in so many ways. Kelly is letting me use her automatic washing machine!! I never thought I would have such a blessing. I will try and do better on the updates but it has been a learning process to use the internet time and finding out where and when it comes in the best.
I helped the Minnesota team brick & mortar on staff house #13 yesterday. It was work but so much fun. I had the crew singing some songs and it was so cool to work side by side with other believers for a common goal.
Lewis with Gospelink has been in contact with us and has expressed his gratitude for God leading Paul and I to Zambia. It will be an adventure to see the process of the Bible College grow and to be a part of changing lives for eternity. I hope to get a few pictures on the next update; we will see how that goes.
Monday, July 6, 2009
No celebration on July 4. It was pretty quiet here. We did put some used water bottles with the lids still on and let them explode. That was the extent of our fireworks. Sunday was a little quite with the teams leaving at 1:00 pm. The morning service included lots of singing, as usual and Rob, an American from Maryland, gave a wonderful message on the qualities of leadership.
Today lots of men are working to dig ditches for the wiring for staff house #1 and bath house #1. This is a lot of hand work by hand from everyone. My quiet time today was reading II Thessalonians on the 2nd coming of Christ. I have a few questions for Pastor Al who is from Georgia and doing the teaching for this session. We will go to town on Wed. to return the teams to the airport.
Paul, Kevin and I hope to find a propane refrigerator in Lusaka. Please pray for God’s direction on this. We hope to go on a short drive thru Safari before Kevin leaves, so please pray that this would work out. Today was a very busy, hard working day for everyone.
Rich and Jason put in all the electrical wiring for our house and for the bath house behind us. Paul and Kevin did some ditch digging and shoveled a lot of dirt. Paul and Kevin work so well together and I know Paul and I will grieve over his departure. The students here are learning a lot this week about Biblical counseling from Pastor Al. It is a great series and I was allowed to sit in on a few sessions.
Our new little dog Jess is such a blessing to our hearts and we already love her. I best get ready to go down for the evening meal. I think we will have some watermelon tonight!
Thursday 7-16-09
Kevin Hiegel is on his way back to Nebraska today. He will get in touch with you about putting some pictures on our site. Paul's baptism was very special.
Paul & Kevin put stringers on the roof of our house so it is ready for the tin when it arrives on the container. Today I did laundry in Kelly's washing machine and I really do enjoy hanging the cloths on the line, it reminds me of when I was a little girl. We hope to get a washing machine of our own when the house is ready. Kevin bought us a generator to run the washing machine.
Paul, Kevin and Brian did some cattle round up tonight as 3 cows ate a lot of cabbage from a near by garden. Sooooo, the men herded the 3 cows into an unfinished classroom and blocked the doorway. They thought when the owner showed up they could say "You owe us for so many cabbages. When Henry returned to the campus he told the men that the cows are allowed to roam free from June - Nov as the people are suppose to have a fence around the gardens. I guess the cows have right of passage!! Henry said they could be BIG trouble if the cows were not released right away.
We spent the day in town as we needed to pick up Pastor Matt at the airport. We continue to work out the bugs in our internet service. Paul did not have any luck at the car dealership on getting the papers to get the insurance. He was not a happy camper. When we arrived back at the college all the ladies and students were lined up singing "Welcome to Kazemba" for Pastor Matt. I do believe he felt very welcomed!
On Wednesday I went to Pastor Matt's History class today and really learned a lot. My history & geography are very poor. This gave me a unique opportunity to learn along with the students. Pastor Matt said he really enjoyed the student's in the morning and the pastors in the evening. I am sure he is getting lots of questions. Kevin & Pastor Matt climbed to the top of Mt. Kazemba together and had a fun experience. This was a neat thing for Kevin to do on his last night.
Today, Thursday, Paul and I dropped Kevin off at the airport and we both cried. He has blessed us in so many ways while he has been here. He really challenged us to be in God's word more and we are taking him up on that.
7/13.
I continue to sit in on Pastor Matt's world history classes. I am learning so much as my history and geography are not up to par. I will need to study hard this weekend to past the quiz in Monday. After each day's material we get a quiz the next morning. As I journal this evening I hear the children of the college staff singing away. 'Keep on walking in the light, keep on walking in the light, keep on walking in the light, walking in the light of God". What a wonderful way to relax listening to the children sing.
Tonight is steaks on the grill up at Brian & Kelly's. We had a wonderful evening with American food and fellowship.
Lori & Paul show their new dog, Jess. The man between them is Pastor Al Haywood from Georgia. He was with the last team that came (after the Nebraska team left).
7/18. Matt spent the day in town with the Kalliveg family. Paul and I continue to work on getting the mortar off the windows in our new house. I found a really nice Christian radio station. Most of the teaching is in English with the music a nice mix of tribal and English. I really miss "My Bridge Radio" but cannot afford the time on internet to listen to it. If you see Gordon or Taryn or anyone from Mission Nebraska, tell them "Hi" from Lori & Paul.
7/19
We went to watch out first soccer (football) game with the students playing an area school. Pastor Matt played the first half and did a great job. The students really enjoyed the game. The game only started an hour late which is pretty normal for Africa. The road to get to this other school was so bad it is a wonder we made it. I gave my tennis shoes to one of the boys playing soccer in bare feet. I was only able to help one young man, but I know he will be blessed by them.
The internet continues to be frustrating when you know it should work but does not. One night before Kevin left we cooked steaks and veggies on our new Weber grill and had a feast in our small cabin. It tasted so good to have a change from the rice, beans and cabbage. We bought Kevin a nice farewell breakfast before we put him on the plane. It was very sad to see him go. It is windy again today and this week at Kazemba.
7/20
I am really blessed to continue sitting in on Pastor Matt's classes. He does a great job of communicating his love of history. The student and pastor's have expressed their appreciation for all they are learning.
7/22
Pastor Zulu one of the visiting pastor's here for 2 weeks shared with us his history with Gospelink and how thankful he is for Gospelink and his support's for all their support. If the people who sponsor pastor's through Gospelink could meet their pastor's they would see how hard they work and how committed they are to share the love of Jesus. The support means they can minister full time and take of their families needs. Most pastors have dependents in their home besides their own children. They are amazing how they live in community of family and really take care of one another. Paul and I feel very blessed by God to be called here to serve among these gently giving people.
7/23
Paul was able to fix a very expensive planer today. This will help a lot in his construction work. Paul has made wooden boxes to keep all the different nails in and sorted. I plan on assisting him in the organizing the storage area's with lot's of tool, plumbing and electrical stuff.
Praise!! A family in Grand Island is buying us a propane refrigerator and an automatic washing machine. I will be so spoiled. We will set these up when our house is done. We will use the 2nd bedroom for a kitchen, utility, bedroom. It will be wonderful when some of our friend's and family come to visit!!! Tonight is Pizza night at Brian & Kelly's, Paul, Matt and I are looking forward to this.
Pastor Matt had his last history session this morning. The Pastors and students ask some great questions. Pastor Matt also taught the students the basics of volleyball and how to run some plays. I know he was just continuing what Audrey Jensen and Lydia Myers had stated when they were here.
7/24
Today we take Pastor Matt to the airport. I will cry.
Paul and I will have to buy groceries today as we start doing our own meals tonight. It will be a lot of PBJ sandwiches, egg sandwiches, pasta and sauce and meat on the grill now that we can put some meat in Brian & Kelly's freezer. I don't know what we would do without them. They have been here since October and have paved the way for us in many ways. It will be wonderful when we get moved into our 4 room house. It will seem huge after living in the cabin.
Saturday 7/25
Yesterday Paul, Brian and I took Matt into town for a great “farewell” breakfast. Lots of meat choices for Matt! We then went to an internet café and worked online for a few hours before we took Matt to the airport, of course I cried to see our friend go.
Paul, Brian and I went to buy groceries but “Shop Rite” was closed due to a strike. Who knew? We then went to another grocery store and bought what we needed. Paul and I needed to buy 2 big totes to store our groceries in to keep the critters out.
Just an FYI: I have not even seen any critters except for cute geckos.
Last night Paul and I had our first alone meal at home. Tuna sandwiches and chips and it tasted wonderful. We used our new totes as TV trays and watched a John Wayne movie. It felt just like at home in Nebraska in our old living room! Today is laundry time with 4 loads. I am again so thankful Kelly lets me use her machine. It will be wonderful when our house is done and I have my own machine. I now have to wash my own dishes in a small dishpan, but we have a water faucet nearby that makes it much easier. The clothes line is really close, too.
God continues to bless us in so many ways. We had a great meeting with Brian & Kelly working out our different responsibilities.
Sunday 7/26
Sunday school at 9:00 and church at 10:00 am. It is a small group today with just 12 adults and children. Pastor Dave taught on the body of Christ working together for God’s glory, and we all have gifts from God and He wants us to use them.
Pastor Henry shared on that as Christians we need to live out our faith so the world can see the difference in us, and want what we have. Paul and I made toast on the grill for breakfast and lunch was potatoes and eggs. This all tasted great and that called for a Sunday afternoon nap. It is very quiet here with the students gone on break and the pastors gone. Babies crying, children singing and the sound of the graceful wind blowing.
All is right in our world tonight.
Mon 7/27
Paul and I have pictures colored by Joe & Hailey Kallevig in our home and they are of butterflies. These always remind me of our new life in Christ. It is another beautiful morning at Mt. Kazemba.
Henry, Lucy, Kristine, Carol and a number of children left in their new car this am. This is a big deal for Henry and Lucy as this is the first vehicle they have ever owned. They were all smiles from ear to ear as they drove away, with Paul and me at the road waving our congratulations.
Last night Paul and I found a pretty vine growing up the side of a cabin with big green and brown gourd like things hanging from it. One of the local boys used a stick and knocked one of the brown ones down. The boy told us they use the insides in the shower. Paul peeled one and sure enough it looked exactly like the loofah sponges we buy in a fancy bath store! Go figure! Paul told me I was one lucky woman to have a loofah and also a broom with a long handle!!
Count your many blessings, name them one by one!
Tues 7/28
I am thankful that when Kevin Hiegel was here he really challenged me to spend more time in the word. I have been faithful to the challenge and disciplined myself to start the day with my devotionals and reading from the word. It has been a sweet time between me and the Lord. Even as an “old” Christian I still struggle with this daily discipline. It has been so good to start fresh in our new home starting the day in God’s word.
Today is cloudy and overcast all day, but still a good day for painting. I did all the inside window trim and painted the one guestroom, kitchen, utility room walls. I will need to wait and do the other 3 rooms when the replastering is done. I hope to start on the outside tomorrow.
Paul made a new door opening in the shop heading out to the locked court yard area. He has started making the door for this new entry. The 6 workers under David’s supervision are going around and cleaning up each compound on the outside. Lots of cement to be piled up by the road side to fill up potholes when we get the backhoe running.
Little Jess pretty much runs around now but she is being a good dog and staying close to home. Our movie selection for tonight is Homeward Bound.
Wed 7/29
I am reading in Hebrews today. Jesus is superior in every way to angel’s men and demon’s. Go Jesus! I am so thankful we win in the end because of our dear Jesus. Painting windows outside today. Paul finished the door for the new doorway; it looks really nice so now I get to paint that too. I did get a lot of sun on my arms today, but I did have on my sunscreen.
Willie Hunter called us this evening just to check in and remind us he is praying for us and if we have any concerns or prayer request to let him know. He is a huge blessing to Gospelink and we are so glad we were able to meet with him when he was in Grand Island.
Thursday 7/30
I cook and of course Lucy is a great cook. We had fried and boiled chicken, veggies, spaghetti noodles and cookies. The food and fellowship were really a blessing.
I have been reading in Hebrews 3 thru 6 today. What truths had God to remind me of?
Paul & Henry had to go into town today for errands: Pay the mechanic for a new engine for the white truck, paper work on Henry’s car, well drilling prices from different companies and of course a grocery run.
The workers were looking for Paul this morning and asked me where the Big Man was. I think they are referring to his leadership and not his size.
The "coffee club" is not the same with just Paul and I. We just sit around the small cooker with the coffee pot and miss our American friends.
I think of Eva Lou from Minnesota who helped me clean some of the mortar off floors and windows. She is an amazing woman and I hope to be like her as I grow in my faith. She works very hard, a great spirit and travels half way around the world to serve in how ever she is needed. Go Eva Lou!
My sister Carol gave me Beth Moore’s book “Voices of the Faithful” in December. It has blessed me so much. It really helped me prepare for my time here in Zambia. It is a daily devotional written by missionaries all over the world and each day seems to be on what I needed to hear. Last month’s theme was God Working and this month the theme is on Contentment. I cannot wait to read it each day. My 3 sister’s Gayle, Carol and Jolene are missing me, but I know God will reward them for sharing me with my new sister’s in Christ.
I best sign off and get to painting. Some of the worker’s commented on how hard I work yesterday. I told them yes, I liked to work hard as I think about working for God and want Him to be able to say at the day’s end, "well done, good and faithful servant". It was nice to be able to share with them my focus on God and wanting to please Him, not man. I will daily need to remind myself of this.
Thank you all for your prayers and comments on the guest page of our web page. It is so encouraging to hear from people who care about us. The internet is till touchy but I think we are getting better with it; it all depends on the day. I best sign off and get to working hard on the painting. Bless you.
