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.
Update 7/10/10
Little known facts: Paul and Lori have been blessed to have 8 dogs in their 35 years of marriage. Bart, Ashton, Pup, Astro, Mike, Jake, Jess and Jess #2.
Greetings in the name of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ!
Whew, it has been a busy place around the college. On June 26th Paul and Chad went to town and picked up Pastor David Dresser from Mainsburg, PA where he is the Pastor at Bakerburg Community Church. Pastor Dave will be teaching the book of Romans to the freshmen and sophomore classes. We had Pastor Dave, Chad & Amber for French toast and eggs his first evening at the college.
Chad & Amber were gone for one week with friends doing some sightseeing near Livingstone and other areas. We really missed them but were so thankful they were able to connect with old friends and have a great time. I took care of their cat “Vera” while they were gone and she continue to grow bigger in her pregnancy and she continues to show “Jess” that she is the boss.
Justin one of the sophomore students gave a great message on Sunday from Second Peter, Pastor Dave was very blessed and impressed with the message Justin gave. Paul took Pastor Dave on a tour of the college and he could not believe the improvements and progress that had been done at the college. To God be the glory as HE is the giver of all good things and HE continues to have his guiding hand on His mission for the college.
I spent a few days getting the house in order and re-arranging things since we are now sleeping in the second bedroom with the regular mattress. It didn’t matter how many covers we put underneath us on the waterbed it was still too cold to sleep on. Once again God provides for us with a nice warm mattress to sleep on. You know how some people have a summer home and a winter home. Well we have a summer bedroom and a winter bedroom :)
Today I was in the classroom with the students as they all took 1 ½ hours to work on their water painting skills. It is fun to watch them create and they hand in their art work to me and I continue to mount it on note cards to sell in the gift shop. They all seem to enjoy the time they can spend painting and encouraging one another in the progress they are making.
Pastor Dave is a very easy guest to have in our home and has not complained about any meal we have served. He is very gracious and we are once again blessed to meet a godly man who loves the Lord, loves the mission of the college to train up young men and women to share the truth and love of the Bible. I was able to visit with his wife Karen in PA and we are sure she will join Pastor Dave on his next trip over to teach.
We praise God for the wonderful healing our son Ben had from the dental surgery he needed to have done.
Last day of June today and that just doesn’t seem possible. Today was a laundry day of just washing blankets and getting caught up on that type of thing. We bought a lot of bananas from a neighbor for the students and they were grateful for the treat. It is so different here to realize a banana is really a treat for the students and that they are so grateful for such a simple act of kindness. They continue to humble me with my attitude of always thinking I need more. God has provided for us far beyond what we really need. I need to keep this as my focus, a thankful heart full of praise for all we have been blessed with.
The gardens are now producing enough that the ladies who come for bible study on Thursdays buy some of the garden produce to take home. We bless the neighbors as God blesses the college.
It seems the students are having a lot of nose bleeds with the dryer climate. We just have them lay down with a cold compress and that seems to take care of it. I guess some people are just more prone to that problem. They continue to call me “Mom” or “Dr. Lori” as I give out my untrained medical advice and a lot of Tylenol, ibuprofen and sore muscle rub.
The internet has been kind of a pain this past week. When I want to work on it, it does not cooperate or my computer doesn’t want to cooperate some of the time. When we return to the states for a visit in October I think we will have to look at replacing my lap top. I did bake some peanut butter bars today as cookies just take too much time. Some dear person sent us some chocolate chips so I was able to throw them in the mix. Pastor Dave and Paul were very appreciative of my efforts.
Paul has gotten some of the ceiling molding put in at the clinic and it looks really nice. He still has to put up the little skinny boards that hold up the ceiling sheets. I am sure this skinny boards have a name, maybe stringers??
Chad, Paul and an area worker Yonie have put on the steel roof sheeting on staff house #13. It is the pretty green color roof like ours is. Lou, Iris and their 11 year old son will be arriving in October to live in this staff house so the men are working hard to have it ready. I think the painting crew will be called in before too long.
Pastor Dave gave the message on Sunday to “Guard our Hearts”. This was a good reminder to all of us present in the English service. Steven, Abby, Emma & Josiah were all able to attend along with their eight friends from the states who were able to spend a night at the college. Steven provided food and cooked it with the help from Lucy & Christine for everyone at the college for a July 4th celebration. Thank you Steven & Abby. The American young people played the student’s in a soccer game. The student’s won the game, but I hear the visitors put up a tough battle.
I was able to get a lot of note cards wrote so I could send them back with Pastor Dave to mail them for us. He graciously carried other correspondence back to the states that needed mailed. It is just cheaper and quicker to send things back with our visitors then to mail it from here.
We were able to call Paul’s sister Lori and her husband Bob to wish them a happy 4th of July. It was good to hear their voices and visit with them for a short time.
Samuel, one of the freshmen students recited his 40 verses today and earned himself one of the leather bound Greek study bibles. He was so excited and shared his joy with the other students. I think almost half of the students have earned their bibles. I am amazed by their diligence to study and memorize God’s word.
We took Pastor Dave into town in the afternoon and we all checked into a motel then headed off to the movie theater to see “Toy Story #3”. It was a cute movie and we all enjoyed the popcorn and had a wonderful meal in the evening before retiring at the motel. The nice bathtubs and hot water were a real treat. We were able to watch Germany and Spain play in a playoff game in the world cup on the TV set in our room and that was kind of fun. We are trying to get into the spirit of soccer and the world cup; it is just kind of a challenge for us. We all met Pastor David Daka at a restaurant in the morning to share breakfast and have some good fellowship. We had Pastor Dave to the airport two hours before his departure and off he went. I told his wife Karen to tell his congregation they were lucky to get him back, as we would keep him at the college any day.
Jess and I took a prayer walk around the big garden area and checked out the fence the neighboring workers put up. They have it all done and it is a BIG area. The cows won’t be able to get in and the water supply from the two new water tanks will supply all the water needed for this big garden area. Savior, one of the freshmen student’s is in charge of this garden area and he was out there watering and just singing away. I know I have shared this before but some of the nicer blessings at living here at the college are that someone is always singing praise songs, the brilliant night sky and the area African beauty. God is so good to give of the gift of music and to be able to offer it up to Him as a sacrifice of praise.
Until next time, may you all continue to walk strong with Jesus and grow in His grace and knowledge?
Little known facts: In 1970 when Paul started his freshmen year at Central Catholic he had to wear a shirt and tie. When Lori starter her freshmen year at Northwest the girls had to wear a dress or skirt almost down to the knee.
Time for a story:
Once upon a time, in a far away land lived an older couple named Paul & Lori. Paul was a fine strong handsome man, and well Lori had a special beauty all her own. They had moved over to this far away land called Zambia on a Hugh continent called Africa. Why you ask? Well all they knew was that God laid on their hearts that they were to go and serve at a Bible College being built by a Christian mission organization called Gospelink. Now Paul or Lori had no big degrees behind their names, just plain ordinary folks, but at their church Pastor Curt Holzworth said in a message one Sunday morning that God uses ordinary people who will just say “Yes” to His call. Well, I guess that was them because they have been working hard this past year and still are just ordinary folks.
Most of their families thought it was kind of a scary thing to be doing, but now that they have been there for over one year their families are not so afraid for them. They were very blessed to have many friends, brothers and sisters in Christ who wanted them out of the country so they supported them with finances, encouragement and lots of prayers. It is hard for ordinary folks to understand such wonderful love from people they sometimes did not even know. They are learning that is how God works a lot of the time.
As I write this story about Paul and Lori I could list the things that God has done at the college during this past year, but the list would be too long and take just too much of my time as I “Angel Sophie” am in charge of watching over things here at the college.
I will go over some things that have happened this past week. The big world cup in soccer was played on Sunday, Spain against the Netherlands. Well Spain won, but it was no matter as the staff and students watched the game down at the shop equal amounts of students were cheering for each team. Pop, popcorn & roasted marshmallows were the treats for the game and I do believe that a good time was had by all. One of the students had one of those long horns they blow at soccer games so a lot of horn blowing went on during the game.
Gideon, one of the sophomore students gave the message on Sunday at the English service and gave a challenging message on walking in the spirit or walking in the flesh. He used a good illustration of clear glasses, one with clean water and one with dirty water. How do we want our live to be lived out? Clean and bright for Christ, or dirty, dragged down by the flesh. It gave Paul & Lori something to think about the rest of that day.
They had a scary incident with one of the students who fainted and it was very hard to get him revived. He was taken to a medical clinic to be checked out and is now doing fine.
It seems there are always fires burning down the tall grass all over Zambia. During the day and evenings there is always smoke in the air. The college had a pretty big fire near the shop area but the students and staff watched over it and beat out the flames or made a fire break when necessary. Sometimes the fires are started deliberately to burn off the grass and brush, but sometimes a spark can blow from one area to another and the fires can get out of control, especially with the winds. July has been windy and cool at night but oh so beautiful during the day.
Little Fred, this two year old who lives with David & Christine is a bright spot in the day. He runs to Paul for a ride on the gator or Paul’s Honda motorcycle. They look cute going around the college drive on the motorcycle. Little Fred also runs to Lori, but only for a cookie treat.
Lori was able to type up some scripture poems that one of the students wrote. That was fun for her to see the style of what he called poems. To Lori it seemed more like just scripture being written down, but maybe this was just the thoughts of scripture by one student.
Four of the windows in one of the classrooms were able to be closed up and this helped a lot with the wind, and the students and teachers felt this was a great improvement.
John continues to keep compound #1 looking good and he really does a super job on cleaning about anything. Rugs, cars, big comforters, he has been a wonderful blessing to the college staff.
It has been reported by some of the staff and students on compound #1 that Lori cannot seem to tell her items on the clothes line from someone else’s. Amber and Lori were making up a bed in one of the cabins for the next teachers arriving. As the bed was being made Amber says “These really look like my sheets”. Well, yes they did end up being her sheets that Lori had taken off the line and just put with the college sheets. All Lori could say in here defense was…….well really nothing…
Paul & Lori went to Lusaka on Wednesday morning as Pastor Matt Whitman and Pastor Aron Utecht from Nebraska would be arriving in the afternoon to begin teaching at the college.
Chad & Amber had given Lori a massage, pedicure and manicure gift certificate for her birthday in May and she was able to use it that morning. There is nothing like a few hours in a beauty salon to make a woman feel human again. Short spiky haircut, pretty nails, relaxed muscles and Lori felt she could take on the day!
Some of the staff and students were lined up singing to welcome Pastor Matt and Pastor Aron. It was an easy evening getting them settles into their cabin, nice meal and early to bed so they would be ready for their first day of classes. Pastor Aron is teaching some books from the Old Testament and Pastor Matt is teaching church history. This is the second trip over to teach for both of them and they are excited to be here and loved seeing the temporary library being used by many of the students.
I have to list some of the great stuff they were able to bring over for Paul & Lori:
A big hard drive loaded with a lot of movies and more storage space then they’ll ever need.
A Canon power shot digital camera with big storage car – flash drive with 2 big cards
Drill charger that Dick Strickland sent – caulking gun, chocolate in many forms - soup mixes, brownie, cake mixes – ham sticks, jerky sticks – Chunky peanut butter, Hormel Chile, no beans – Two ladies Christian novels – 2 really nice flashlights form Quentin, Coffee and coffee grinder from Murry & Marilyn – spiral notebooks and who knows what else they might still have in their suitcases. I am sure a big thank you goes out to their wives, Camilla and Jen for doing some of the shopping.
It is a wonderful thing the teachers do in coming over to teach at the college. They need the support of their churches and families to have them while they are away from home for the two weeks and other supporters to help with the cost of the trip. Paul and Lori have been very blessed to have too many Godly men who love the Lord sat around their table with them for laughter and fellowship. Since I am the angle looking over the place I have noticed that every single person who has come to the college whether to teach or to do mission work seem to say they always receive more blessings then they could ever give. Isn’t that just the way God works!!
Four students: Noah, Enoch, Lwando and Joshua recited their forty verses this week to Lori. It is such a humbling experience for her to listen to these young men hide God’s word in their hearts. Their leather bound Greek study bibles will be presented to them in the Sunday church service. The verses they are memorizing are all on the Deity of Christ. John 1:1-18, Philippians 2:5-11 and Hebrews 1:1-14. We here at the college are just so proud of the entire group of students.
Pastor Matt & Pastor Aron brought a stronger waffle bat and heavy ball to teach the students a little baseball. Daniel, a friend of Chad & Amber’s who is from Spain, was visiting so he was also playing. The baseball game was truly an international event. Paul & Lori have never laughed as hard as they watch the students learning and playing baseball. It was just hilarious, as you can imagine. Fun was had by everyone.
Pastor Matt also brought a heavy nerf-like football to show the students what a football was shaped like and once again, much laughter as the students practiced throwing the new ball around.
One evening Pastor Matt spent showing Lori how to best work with making files and folders for the pictures she wanted to store on the camera. He still needs to give her a few lessons on all the different functions of the new Canon camera he brought over for her & Paul.
Did we mention the exciting news that Chad & Amber’s cat “Vera” had 3 kittens?? Well dear Vera did have these kittens but one of them did die. The other two are doing well and starting to open their eyes. Amber is being very protective of her feline family and reports that they are all doing well.
As this story draws to a close this week, I want to remind all of you to read the guest editorials under the Impressions button on Paul & Lori’s web page. This week’s “Impression” is by Bethany Opsata from Minnesota.
I, Angel Sophie pray for all of you to continue to walk strong with Jesus.
Little Known Facts: In 1974, Lori’s senior year of high school she tried out for the Jr. Miss Pageant. For the talent section, she had no talent, so she read a poem, sitting on a tall stool, in a silver glittering pant suit with a young girl playing guitar music behind her. Let’s just say she didn’t win any talent award or any award whatsoeverJ (But she & her dear friend Diana had a blast)
Paul arrived in jeans and a t-shirt before the pageant and gave Lori a rose!
Greetings from the land of a million fires!
Well, I guess I better explain that opening. Fires have been burning around the college for the past 2 months. Most of the fires are started on purpose to burn off the tall dead grasses from the land, but there are also a lot of them that get started by the fly away sparks. We have had most of the tall grass around the college burned by now. One day this week a big fire broke out and was heading close to our new wooden fence around the big garden area. Pastor Aron had just started the afternoon teaching session, when we interrupted him and asked if he and the students could help control the fire. Well, everyone was off and running. The students are all experienced in this: they tore tree branches off the trees and used these to beat the flames out. (This works really well) Pastor Aron and Pastor Matt were included in this fire fighting event. Amber and I supervised and took pictures. Pastor Matt also took some pictures and got some really cool shots. I hope to get some to put into the photo gallery. The men made some fire breaks along the roadside so the fire would not jump the road and go where we did not want it to go. The fire did behave itself and stayed where it was suppose to. This afternoon with fires burning all around, I just stayed in the garden doing some of the watering now that the students are gone on break. It just seems so strange that while I am watering a very big garden space with a very small garden hose, the flames and smoke just go about their business as if I am not even here.
It is weird for someone like me who likes things fast and easy, that God has placed me where things are slow and hard. I am learning the pros and cons of both of these situations. Doing anything in the garden is still a mystery to me. I am watering things that I don’t have a clue what they are, I am sure when I am pulling weeds out and I am also pulling out some things I should not be. When I ask Chimbasa, our head gardener, a question, he just looks at me and smile, like “I can’t believe she does not know that.” Every time I go down to the garden and pick some onions, carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, or whatever else I know what to do with I just smile. Again it just seems so weird that I am here in Zambia gardening, with my own hands and cleaning and cooking raw produce. I just don’t know if I will ever get use to the fact that vegetables don’t come cleaned and all cut up in a nice package. Who knew?????
Busy evening with Pastor Matt showing Paul the BIG hard drive box, thing a ma jig that he brought over for us. According to Matt it will store more information on it then we will ever need. “Cool” I say??? Well anyway, Matt tired his hardest to bring me up a notch in my picture taking, transferring and organizing skills on my computer. A big THANK YOU to Pastor Matt for his patience in teaching me these new skills. Matt also spent some time with me showing me all the cool things the camera can do that he brought for us. Of course everything looks so easy and smooth when he does it, and I try it and I just make it way harder than it needs to be. I have been told in the past that I do, do that. Paul was very happy with some of the zombie movies that were brought over and I of course was happy with the chick flick, little house on the prairie like movies that were brought over.
This week Moses, James, Enoch, Noah and Lawando recited their 40 verses. They were all so excited and I was so proud of them. They allow me to give them a hug and I always tell them how proud I am of them for working hard to hide God’s word in their hearts. The Hebrew Greek study bible was presented to them during the Sunday Service.
When Pastor Dave Dressler was here he taught the students the hymn “Make me a stranger”. Well if Pastor Dave could have heard them this morning he would be really smiling. They were singing this hymn very loudly with a lot of drums, sticks and hand clapping and it didn’t quit sound the same, but it was really a cool beat and I just had to go up to the class room and dance a little with the students. It was great. Thank you Pastor Dave for teaching the students a new hymn.
Pastor Aron gave the message on Sunday at both the English and Nyanja services. The message was on the supremacy of Jesus Christ and I was just so proud of him and his love for God and God’s word just shines through him. I had to keep telling the students and anyone else I met that Matt & Aron were both from our home church. I like to brag on the hometown boys! This morning Pastor Matt gave me his last two pop tarts!! This is sacrificial love for a sister in Christ.
Well, it happened. I saw Paul relax a little bit and have some fun, Yes I said it, FUN. Matt, Aron and Paul got a game of Home Run Derby going. I just heard a lot of laughter and the bat hitting the ball. Boys and their toys: they had a blast.
Chad & Amber came over for the last supper with Matt & Aron Tuesday night. We had the bacon, French toast and eggs breakfast for supper meal. It was very good and the fellowship around the table was even better then the meal.
We had a nice afternoon in town the day before we took Matt & Aron to the airport. We saw a movie, rested at the Zebra motel, then went out for a nice evening meal. We even treated ourselves to ice cream. The next day, Thursday Matt & Aron got to the airport on time and I didn’t even cry until after we left the airport. Sigh, we miss them already.
We brought home some more strawberry plants and a yellow rose bush. John had them planted almost before we could get them out of the Toyota. I now have 3 rose bushes and hope to add a few more. I just cannot get over how long they last after I cut them and bring them into the house. They look so pretty in the vase. I just love the simplicity of a rose and they remind me that only God could create such a thing of beauty.
With all the fires burning these past months I have been once again so thankful that Paul has his Honda Bushlander. He is able to just zip all over the campus and check to make sure the fires are not getting too close to where they could do some damage. He reminds me of the cowboys riding herd over the ranch land checking to make sure everything is all right. You know, John Wayne on a motorcycle :) I will sign off for now and see if I can get some of those fire pictures sent to Rae. In case I haven’t told you, Rae is a friend from our home church that does our web site for us. She is very patient with me and we are so thankful for all the work she does for us.
This week’s memory verses from church: John 13: 34-35
Love one another, as I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.
You are loved by Jesus and us.
Update 07/31/10
Little Known Facts: Paul grew up in Grand Island, a city boy. Little league baseball. Lori grew up in the country with horses, sheep, kittens and chickens. Lori showed horses in 4-H growing up with her siblings.
Greetings from the ordinary couple.
You did know that God likes to use ordinary people didn’t you? Well if you are ordinary and are willing to say “Yes”, watch out and see what God can do.
It seems like it has been kind of a quiet week as I sit and write about it, any yet the week has just flown by.
Pastor Arnot gave the Sunday message at the English service how God sometimes humbles us before He calls us to leadership, just like He did Moses. We were a small group of 10 in the service with the students gone.
We had Arnot, Betty and daughter Maria over for supper. It was a very nice evening of food and fellowship. Maria had to leave early as she was shy. :)
I want to take a line and tell you about some of the little things I have appreciated lately. Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens; no, wait that is a song, I’ll try again.
Our little dog Jess has to be at the top of the list. I love the pampered chef stuff I had shipped on the container. My favorite thing is the kitchen shears; I think Paul and I both use them 15 times a day. The plastic zip lock bags are just wonderful. The chunky peanut butter people brought over for us is great and we keep many different things in the plastic jars when empty. I love my curtains Nina made for us. We appreciate so much all the great stuff the teams brought over for us. Having a washing machine, fridge and stove are just more wonderful then I can express. I love our little house and the furniture we have. I like having sweatshirts to stay warm in and shorts to stay cool in. I am thankful we have soap and shampoo and a towel to dry off with. Rugs to put on the cold cement floor are wonderful. A bathroom in the house and a sink. Solar power is no little thing but we really do appreciate it. All the great memories of the wonderful new friends we made over the summer from the mission teams.
We bought a little table lamp at the store but could not get it to work. We gave it to Chad to look at and he broke it further:) I don’t think the store will take it back now. It just seems like even the little things are a lot harder here. I guess that is to be expected but it still surprises us when something as simple as buying stamps can turn into an ordeal.
We are getting excited about returning to the states for a visit in September. We know the time with family and friends will go by fast but we can’t wait to see everyone and share all about the college and the wonderful students. Please pray for the students and staff that we will be traveling with as everything will be so new to them. Pray for the church bodies that are sponsoring this trip to be greatly blessed for their sacrifice and all the time and planning they have put in - Pray for no one to get sick - for plane schedules to go smoothly – for the student’s to share what is on their hearts when they are visiting with people – for the American’s who have the privilege to meet them – for many student scholarships to be raised at $50 a month – for the students to appreciate the differences between Zambia & America and be able to keep only the things that will bring them closer to God – for God to receive all the Glory as these students share their stories and African songs with people. There are just so many details to pray for: Good ticket price, students to be blessed by the host families they stay with and feel the connection that we all have in Christ. For the whole experience to bring them closer to God and the desire to return and share what they have learned with their national brothers and sisters. For the college class they will be taking while in Iowa. For the student’s and host families to see the hand of God moving and for God to receive all the Glory for the success of the trip. Safety with all the traveling they will be doing and for students to stay healthy and not get over tired. For the whole trip experience to bring the students closer to God and strengthens their walk and commitment to God.
Please pray for Chad & Amber as they plan to return to the states in November. Pray for their safety and the ministry they will have to others while they are home. Pray for their monthly support to be raised as they have committed to stay long term. Please pray for them and for us to seek God for ideas and what He would have for us in raising support.
Paul & Chad have been working on getting in the septic system on compound #13. The plasterers are doing the cabins on compound #8.
My Fun sister Carol sent me this big fridge magnet with the outline of a dog paw. It reads “Who saved who?” It made me think about “Who saved You?” I thought that would be a good bumper sticker. Of course Jesus is the answer, to most of our questions::)
One afternoon Betty and I sat on the patio and I taught her how to crochet. Keep in mind I only know the very basics but Betty caught on really quickly and now has herself a hot padJ. She was so excited to learn this new skill.
This week was an all time high for attendance at the ladies bible study on Thursday. 56 ladies were present. We went through the 2nd chapter of Ephesians. The ladies were all given a head of cabbage after class and were very thankful. With the students on break and the cabbage ready, it was nice to be able to share with our neighbors.
I am sure I have left off somethings to pray for, but you get the idea of all the details that need to come together by us getting down on our knees.
As we bring rose bushes home, John continues to plant them for us. I have had beautiful yellow and red roses on my table for once month now. It is great. Whenever I look at a rose I think how could anyone look at a rose and not know there is a God.
Well, I best sign off and get some laundry done. It has been super windy this past week. The clothes dry well but the dust is everywhere and the wind just keeps blowing. Reminds me of Nebraska.
