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.
Hello all you dear friends from across the USA, HOW ARE YOU DOING??
Remember you can drop us a note on the guest book, while you read the diary :)
We miss you all so much. With the students still gone on their break and no work teams here it is kind of quiet. I must say it is good to have a break but we miss our friends, old and new alike. We can’t wait until next year when most of you return to build on our friendship and to meet new friends.
It was a quiet week this past week and it seems all I accomplished was some spring cleaning. The dust comes right back in, just like in your homes, but here I need to keep the dirty out or the bugs come in. I do report that the bugs are not near as bad I had imagined they would be, but still bad enough. Warm weather is returning and so are the flies. I think after being here for one year I would say that the winter months, April, May, June July are my favorite as it is cooler and less flies. You know it is all about my comfort :) NOT.
The gardens are doing super and the fences keep the cows out. Right now the peas, cabbage, rape, lettuce types, onions are all ready and serving the college well. The potatoes look great and so do the tomatoes. They will be ready when the students return and when the camp starts next week. God is so good.
Paul adjusted our screen door this week so no pesky flies could sneak through the crack. He even put an arm, chain like thing on my African box that I use as a desk. With this installed the lid will stay open without me having to hold it open with my head as I get things in and out. Very nice. I am sorry to report that Jess is afraid of Vera (Chad & Amber’s cat). Vera is just being a good Mom and protecting her kittens, but poor Jess just doesn’t know what she is doing wrong. We just all laugh at them as they work out their boundaries. I think Jess may have gotten demoted to Princess and Vera is now the Queen. These animals of ours bring us such joy.
David, John and Arnot are watering the gardens while the students are on break. This has kept them busy and the crops looking good. Last week John got out the little push mower so I know spring is here. With all the new grass John has planted these past months he will even have more to mow this spring and summer. I think he likes it.
I continue to hear the buzz of the saws as Chad & Paul cut boards for the clinic ceiling. Chad has been installing all the electrical boxes and tubing in the clinic, while Paul does the finish work on the ceiling. Each day the clinic takes another step toward completion. Paul & Chad have done some pricing on tile for the clinic floor and some samples are being delivered out to the college along with some other supplies. Please pray for God to guide the selection of the national nurse that will be hired and for the support that will need to be raised for her to work here at the clinic.
Paul & Chad went a little nuts at the nursery in town. I think they bought 8 coffee trees and plan to buy more. I purchased 2 rose bushes to add to the ones behind the house. Paul had me outside holding the end of the measuring tape while he measured the distance between trees and the hammered in the stakes where they are to be planted. I must say I do make a very good supervisor . I am becoming more like a Zambian as I can give an opinion on anything, even if I know absolutely nothing about the subject. Just ask Paul, as I was able to give my two cents worth on the tree planning :)
The days have been beautiful, so whenever I can I work out on the patio. Like now for instance, I am typing this update while Jess & I enjoy the patio. I wish you could all sit here with me and see the beautiful view of Mt. Kazemba, the surrounding cabins, classrooms and the library. These buildings are in progress but oh how God shows me the big picture and the lives that are being trained here for His Glory. When I think of all the potential for growth in young lives as the college grows it is amazing. I continue to hear that still small voice telling me what a wonderful, exciting time it is to be here at the college as nothing but good will come from teaching God’s word to so many young people who long to serve Him.
We are getting excited as September 22nd is rapidly approaching. Paul and I will escort 14 students, Henry and Lucy back to Chicago, Illinois where they will begin their 5 week time in the mid-west. They will pretty much be in the Des Moines area so we ask you to pray for traveling mercies and for the trip to be a blessing to each Zambian and to each American whose life they get to touch. Please pray for more student scholarships to be raised then we could ever ask or imagine. It is a wonderful thing to do the part God has called us to do (obey) and then stand back and watch our mighty God work out His plans for His glory. It is such an exciting journey being a Jesus-follower. Amber and I were just visiting today about the excitement of being a Christian. I know, and Amber is learning at a young age, that the longer we serve God, the sweeter He grows.
I would also ask for your prayers as Paul & I visit in the states that God would supply the needed people to meet our monthly support. Our God is rich and we know He will lead whomever He chooses to support us in HIS work here at the college. We both want to bring God honor with our words and actions here at the college and at home as we share the progress and the continued work that needs done. We are just so excited for show and tell when we get home. It’s like we get to bring all the news of progress back to our friends and family and share with them all the growth, all the stories, all the life changes, all the great things we have seen God do these past 15 months. It is going to be GREAT!!
Watch out America, here come the IBC students and some of the staff to share all that God is doing.
Well I best sign off and go do my prayer walk around the campus. This time is one of the best parts of my day, besides Jess gets to go with me.
You are loved by Jesus and us.
08/08/10
8/8/10
Little Know Facts: I think I am running out of facts about us for now, I will have to think of some moreJ
Greeting to everyone from the land of the sun.
Yes, I say land of the sun. It has started to warm up and I cannot say I am happy about it. Paul, Chad & Amber are all excited about the warm up. I guess for me the shorts and tank tops are just around the corner.
This week Paul was able to install the curtain tie back that Diana H. sent with Kevin H. They look really nice and my curtains are very happy. Did you know curtains could smile? Well, anyway they look very nice.
The last two Sundays Pastor Arnot has given very good messages at the English service and has challenged us in our walk with Jesus. One thing I think is cool is that when we sing a hymn from the songbook we sing all the stanzas. No short cuts, we have to sing the whole song. It has been a blessing to me to hear and sing a lot of the hymns I am familiar with. It is also wonderful to hear Paul sing each week as I have not heard him do much of that. It is another blessing from God to hear Paul continue to pray, praise and sing each week.
Paul, Chad, Amber and I all went into town last Sunday after church for groceries and errands. We spent the night in town, went to a movie and had a little break. It was nice and we all had a good time. We had hoped to go and see the eye Dr. again but the office was closed because of a holiday. The Honda shop was also closed so we were not able to get a new tube for the motorcycle. We will need to remember when the holidays are and not plan to go into town on those days. It does seem to us like there is a holiday once a week. I am sure that is just us :)
We try to call our son Ben every weekend and we are so thankful to hear his voice and to hear about his week. We are REALLY looking forward to spending time with him when we go back home in September for a visit. We have friends checking out the possibility for us to rent a small RV while we are home. We will see how that all works out.
Paul & Chad took a field day to one of the neighboring villages and took some sugar and beans as a thank you for the tour they were given. They were given some sugarcane to bring home and really enjoyed the visit and the tour.
Serah, Joy, Ruth & Anna are all girls under 11 years of age. Serah is Arnot & Betty’s granddaughter who is here visiting. All four of the girls spent time drawing me a picture. Each one of them made a nice funky envelope to put the picture in they had made me. It was so cute to see them all march up to the house and honor me with gifts they had made. I was sitting out on the patio and each of the girls read me the message they had put on the cards. It was just the sweetest thing ever. They all put in there that they loved me :) one of them called me: grandma. One of them said I was a good woman :) I mean really, how cute is that. Well needless to say it made my day. I was able to bless them back by giving them a color/activity book to share so I’m sure I will be getting more pictures.
We had 54 ladies at bible study this week as we studied from Ephesians chapter 3. It was nice to see the ladies open up a bit with some prayer requests. Please continue to pray for the leaders to have insight into the needs of the ladies and how to best minister to them and make any improvements in the format of the study that might be needed.
I drove to Lusaka on Saturday and Amber was able to ride with me. I had an appointment with the eye Dr. at 9:30 am and I was in and out of her office in 15 minutes. That has to be a record. I would ask for continued prayer for healing of my left eye. The Doctor put me on two different medications and I need to go back and see her in one week. I would also ask you to pray for wisdom for me as I could know how I am getting these eye infections so I can stop the recurrence of them. It is kind of scary not knowing what I am doing to get these infections. Thank you for your prayers. Amber and I had to drive to two different pharmacies to get the medicine but that was not too bad. We had to bring pizza home for the guys and that made us all happy to share pizza and a movie that evening.
Paul continued to work on the putting the finish boards on the clinic ceiling this past week. The six smaller rooms still need to be done. I painted the first coat on the 8 windows in staff house #13 this past week. When we get more paint I will be able to do the second coat. It is amazing to me how much wood and paint goes into making just one window. Paul is so good, and so patient with making things with wood. I, on the other hand, am not so patient with doing something creative. I like painting as I can listen to my praise music and sing while I paint. Kind of like that song “Singing in the Rain” only I get to sing while I paint :)
Staff house #13 has a beautiful view of Mt. Kazema so I am able to enjoy the scenery as I paint. When the workers walk by and hear me singing they all just smile and wave. Little Jess likes it when I am down at #13 as she gets to come along and when the workers bush dogs go by she enjoys chasing them. I thought I was going to have to break up a dog fight, but fortunately the other dog ended up running away. Jess thinks she is pretty tough as long as the other animal is going in the other direction. Jess is afraid of “Vera”, Chad & Amber’s cat, and she is also afraid of the cows roaming the campus. Again, she is brave and like to bark, until the animal turns around to chase her, then she runs for the house. I am praying God will help Jess understand that when we are in the states for our visit she will know we are coming back. She already has abandonment issues, so I do pray she gets along well and is here to greet us when we return.
It won’t be long the tickets will be purchased for the trip back home. We are really getting excited. If you would want to start praying now for traveling mercies for the journey and for God to receive the Glory for any praise we might receive. It seem people think anyone who is a missionary are somehow “more special” or different than the average believer. I am sure people who know us know we are not so special and we just happen to be serving here at the Bible College in Zambia. I think Paul & I are reminded every day that we are here in Africa that God does choose to do His work through ordinary people.
I want to give a thank you to Cheryl from Minnesota and Allison from Georgia who painted the small patio tables and the posts on the patio a pretty white. We think of you when we are enjoying the patio, so Thanks A Bunch!! Oh yeah, you also painted my kitchen shelving unit and I must say it is looking really nice J
Our memory verse this week from church is Hebrews 12:1-2.
Let us together keep running the race of serving our God to the very end.
You are loved by Jesus and us.
08/29/10
Helloooooooooooooooooooooooo Dear Friends,
It has been a busy two weeks. It does seem to me like every week is busy. I did think time would go by slower here, but I am not finding that the case at all. I guess time does fly by when you are serving the Lord and enjoying the job description He has given you.
I am starting the 2nd coat of paint on the windows in #13. It is going slow as other responsibilities keep calling my name. Paul has been busy putting the glass in the windows and making the screens. Paul & Chad went to town and came back with 20 nice looking coffee trees. The leaves are a really pretty dark green and John helped the guys plant them. The following week when Amber & I went to town we brought back 5 orange trees. It is exciting to see the planning, planting and landscaping that is being done. Whenever I can I sneak a new rose bush in when the men are buying trees. The rose bushes seem to be thriving on the back side of the house with minimal care, and I am so grateful. I love having roses on the table each day.
Paul & Chad got the rafters put up on another wing of the library and also finished the ceiling in the clinic. Chad did all the electrical wiring in the clinic and we had a little lighting ceremony down at the clinic one night. It was fun to see the lights and to thank Chad for his hard work on this project. The floor tiles arrive next week so I think that will be the next big project.
Had a couple nice phone visits with two of my fun sisters, Gayle & Carol back home and two friends, Nina and Diana from home. It is so good to hear voices of loved ones and to feel that connection.
The ladies bible study has gone well the last two weeks as we continue to work our way through Ephesians. The ladies are anxiously awaiting the next craft project, when we will make necklaces to match the earring they have made.
Paul worked on getting a big pile of trees and brush ready for a bon fire for the young people coming next week. All vehicles are running and ready for the busy week coming up.
My Dad’s 83rd birthday was this week, and it was so cool that the birthday card we sent him arrived right on his birthday. He said it made his day when he walked to get the mail and the card from Africa arrived on his birthday. We were so thankful for this and thankful to have both of our Fathers with us here on earth yet and in pretty good health.
Amber, Betty, Lucy and I all helped out at the registration table as the 45 young people registered for the week long camp. Henry, Arnott and Steven directed the young people through the registration process and went over all the details for the week. It was exciting to see the new and excited faces of so many young people. They were all so nice and expressed their gratitude for being at the camp. I got the job of taking two pictures of each of the students and that was fun to visit with them during the photo shoot. The students did have a great week with special speakers/teachers and pastors leading some of the sessions. There was allotted time for football, volleyball and lots of singing hymns and praise songs. It continues to be such a blessing to hear these young people sing praises to our God. All of our praises must be a sweet, sweet sound in His ears. Amber and I were able to sit in on the morning session all week called “The Exchanged Life” seminar. Don Allen a native Texan/Canadian taught the class and his wife Gwen was his support staff. It was a great week of learning and experiencing God’s power over the sin in our lives.
One day a Dr./Health inspector visited the clinic. Paul & I showed him the clinic and explained the room set up. The Dr. was very impressed with the clinic and told Paul he “wished all the medical clinics were this nice”. That was a big encouragement to Paul as he has worked so hard and long on the clinic along with the help of MANY visitors from the states.
The staff from the solar company were out, priced the cost of a solar system for the clinic and the system has now been ordered. The clinic will have its own solar power, hot water and back up generator. Our next step is raising the money about $500 a month to support a national nurse, and then she can help with all the paper work that the government requires. We will need to get more equipment and medication from the states and just a lot of general supplies. It is a process and takes so much more time to get something done here in Zambia then in the states. We have to remind each other of this fact often when we get our shorts in a knot over something
Paul & Chad worked together using the backhoe to clean up the old garbage area. It looks much better and they even made a small hill to plant some vines on to give the landscape a little décor.
Paul & Chad went to town on a Wednesday, spent the night and picked up Mr. Joe Gainey from the airport. He is 73 years old, here to serve the Lord with his many mechanical skills and his gift of encouragement. His son Michael, a welder who was over earlier this year did a lot of welding work for the library. Michael kept telling us about his talented father, so now we have gotten to see Papa Joe in action. Joe and Chad are already hard on work on some of the equipment. Please pray for the safety of the men as they work on the many projects around the college these upcoming weeks. Papa Joe just fits right in and we love him already and just don’t believe some of the things Michael shared about him :)
Well, Grace is not my name and I continue to hurt myself. I was walking and tripped over one of the hundreds of tree stumps that are on the ground. I fell hard, straight down, cut me lip pretty good and bruised my wrist and arms. I do praise God that nothing serious happened and that cuts and bruises do heal. I have a nice purple lip with some pretty bruising underneath my lip.
Some of the students thought it was make-up:)
Please continue to pray for the students and staff to give God the glory in our hearts, words and actions.
