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Tuesday 9/1

Paul & Henry went to town on errands, and Jess and I decided to stay home and have an exciting girls’ day at home. You know, laundry, cleaning, organizing once again. There is always cleaning and laundry to do. One of the students told me I needed to learn how to do laundry by hand. I told him I did know how, but preferred the machine to do it :). I did show him I can do my dishes by hand. He was not impressed.

Guess what I did today?? I colored my own hair for the first time and it did not turn out green, I am so thankful. My friend Diana sent me the supplies to color my hair so it was pretty mess proof. Paul called and he is bringing home Pizza; no cooking tonight!

September 1 was my OLDER sister Gayle's birthday. I am so glad she will always be my older, wiser sister. My other sister's Carol and Jolene called me from Applebee's where they were celebrating Gayle's birthday. My Dad and step-Mom were also there so I got to visit with everyone. That was too cool.

We got an email from Rae Osenbaugh who does our web page, and she is sending us a care package with surprises in it!!! Now we can check the post office with a vengeance.

I finished the last half of the New Testament and am starting at the beginning of the NT and will add a Psalm and Proverb each day. It has been such a blessing for me to spend more time in the Word. It seems like I give God .05 cents and He gives me $1000.00 in return. I am always so amazed by the gifts I receive when I am obedient to read His word.

Thursday 9/3

I painted all day with music from my MP3 player and it was a great day. I did get a lot done and tried my best to stay out of the sun. The sun is just so intense here, even when the temp. is not that high. Paul is digging the 6 deep holes for the water tower to be cemented into. He and Joe are working hard, as that ground is solid rock sometimes. Paul is planning on the tower people coming on Monday. The 4 workers finished the 6 deep holes the next day and Paul showed me how they had to break up this BIG rock to keep digging. Amazing what they can do with simple tools and a lot of muscle.

Our newly planted flowers, marigolds and zinnias are starting to come up, also the lettuce, spinach, radishes and peas have recently been planted. Paul is so excited as he watches them grow. You see he is the one with the green thumb. I on the other hand had trouble keeping the silk or plastic plants dusted :). We all have out gifts!! Almost full moon this pm, I don't even need the flash light for the evening outings. The only sound I hear in the night is distant dogs howling. It is very, very quiet.

Today, Paul was up at 5:00 am and getting coffee made and the day started. You know his favorite saying to the workers is, "We're burning daylight". The workers love to repeat this back to him.

Saturday 9/5

Jess and I started the day out in the sunrise with our quiet time books. Two different workers brought Paul sacks of manure. They were very nice gifts for them to carry in large bags; for who knows how far they had to carry them. We have received gifts of banana and mango trees, sweet potatoes, misc veggies, and lots of smiles. The people love to share when they can, and even when it means they might be short for their own meal. Some of the visiting teams left Paul and I some of the items they brought with them. Notebooks, colors, pencils and pens, markers and other good stuff. I am sharing these with the workers on Fridays or Saturdays as a Thank You for their hard work. Not much to me, but they are grateful. It is hard for me to remember these simple gifts are a lot to them.

A lot of the workers wear t shirts that came from church groups that have been here. I see lots of church names on shirts, camp names and VBS shirts. It is fun to see the different shirts with Christian symbols on them. It reminds me each time I see one of the generous giving spirits of my American brothers and sisters. The visiting teams all give of their time and money to make the trip over to Zambia and bring as many items to share as they can. They have brought teaching materials, candy, fabric, and so many other creative gifts. I am so happy to meet the people from the short term visiting teams. Maybe, just maybe God is calling you to come over for a visit us and experience Zambia.

The time at the Bible college campus will be so fun and refreshing to your spirit. Working on the buildings, painting with Lori, landscaping, and cleaning.

When the Pastors are here, what a joy for them to hear about your life in America, your families, your work and your faith. How did you come to know Jesus? Do you know Jesus? How do you live out your faith? What are your struggles in your faith walk? They love to share their lives with you and brag about their families. They love questions about their church or church's and their other ministries. Going on a short term mission trip can be life changing. They can open your eyes and hearts to a much bigger world. I know it did mine. God is so good and I can only imagine how it warms His heart to see His children love and share with others. This is true in our own families, work and neighbor hoods. It is just that Zambia has the awesome night sky and sunrises and sun set, and a "famous" coffee club in the evenings you are always welcome to join.

Don't forget all missionaries need prayer and support. All 3 are missionaries. Did you know when you pray and support the workers in the field you are a missionary? I also thought it was just the workers in the field, but now that I am in the field I have come to realize my sister's and brother's who pray and support us are just as much a missionary as we are. So, to my fellow missionaries, let us work together for one "Mission, to love. To love as God directs, and use the gift God gave each one of us, to love. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, strength and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself. Love: God did makes His plan pretty simple.

Well, Sat is here and the plasters are hard at work, even on Sat. They are working on our new house today. Plastering the floor. Just wait until we move into our new home. Home, needs to ba a sage place. A place we go to rest and to find peach. Sounds a lot like home can just be like sitting in our Father's lap to find rest, peace and love.

As the men work today I get to listen to their music on the radio, visiting, laughing and calling out directions to one another. It is amazing how the workers who are digging post holes for the garden are so round. They look like they were dug with a post hole digger, but they were dug with a crude ax and an iron rod thingmigie. (Yes, “thingmigie” is a technical word.)

I best sign off. Have a great week learning and growing with Jesus.

You are loved by Jesus and us.

Monday 9/7

Once upon a time, in a far away land there was this crazy missionary we'll call Lori. Well Lori was making her second driving trip into town, and let's just say it was an eventful, very long day.

Lori picked up Kelly and Hailey at 6:00 am, as Hailey had a Dr's appt. at 8:00 am. Hailey had not been felling well. It was determined she had a urinary tract infection and was put on antibiotics and they want to see her again in one week. Lori & Kelly also had appointment at this same clinic to have a Dr. look at some suspicious moles. After the doctor saw us, we made appointments for 5:30 the same day with the "Specialist" doctor as that's when he sees patients.

Well, that left the entire day for Kelly, Hailey and Lori to get errands done. Brunch at Kilimanjaro’s was the first thing in order. Hailey had a waffle with ice cream on the top. (That girl knows what will make her feel better.) Kelly and I spent time on the internet and got some things done. Kelly when across the hallway and had her broken glasses fixed, new eye exam and ordered new glasses. She really needs them.

We went to Game which is like a small K-Mart store and bought a few items. They have a better selection of cookies and that will be a good surprise for Paul. Then we went to the Arcades Mall and Lori went to Spar and bought groceries. Kelly spent some time at an internet store while Hailey and I spent two hours in the Zain internet and cell phone store.

Dear Hailey sat and colored with the new book and colors I got for her. She is the sweetest little girl. I stood at the counter in Zain for 2 hours and worked with 4 different people to get our internet modem working. Everything here is a long process. I thanked God for His provision for the day, as Hailey and I went to a sit down outdoor internet cafe to make sure everything was working, and it was!! Yahoo.

Now the plot thickens.... and the girls head off to Manda Hill and on the way Lori drives straight in a lane that is only for turning! Who knew?? Well the police lady standing in the middle of the road knew and she waved me over, right in front of the Police station :). Well, of course Lori tries her sweet smile and charming personality to talk her way out of a ticket but to no avail. Lori walked inside the police station and the woman officer wrote up the ticket. She told me the charge was $130,000 K. (which would be around $26).

Ok Lori says, will you just write me out a receipt. Well it just so happens they do not have their receipt book???? Lori told her she could not pay the fine with out a receipt. She told Lori to stop back later that day and she would have the book. So, then Kelly, Hailey and I left and I dropped them off and Kelly was going to order pizza for me to take home to Paul, and her and Hailey would have some ice cream while Lori stopped back at the police station, later in the afternoon. Lori goes into the station ready to pay the fine.

Well guess what?? They still have no receipt book. The woman officer told Lori she could pay just half price which would be $130,00. Lori says "You told me this morning that the cost was just $130,000. Oh know they say that is the half-price amount. Lori told them they could write me out a receipt on plain paper, sign and date it and she would be on her way to pick up Kelly and Hailey. Well, now they said they could not do that, as it would not be official.

So Lori said I will just have to stop back next time I was in town because I would not give them any money with out a receipt. OK they say and I walk to my Toyota. Well, as I am backing out the officer waves me back in!! Lori gets out once again and walk in to the station, (3rd time today) and the one lady officer who pulled Lori over told her she would rip up the ticket?? Finally!! Well Lori told them thank-you and left, but she still wondered if the ticket will ever be torn up and if she will end up on the 10 most wanted traffic violaters!! Kind of scary.

I know Lori did the right thing as she was told never to pay a fine unless you are given a receipt as a lot of the time the police just pocket the money.

Lori drove away laughing and thanking God for not having to pay a fine and just the joy of meeting more of the city officials in Lusaka. Well, Lori picks up Kelly and Hailey and off we go to the specialty clinic to see the doctor. The doctor. does start seeing patient's at 5:30 pm and we both get our moles removed. Lori's had to be sent in to a lab to have it checked out. It was dark as the tired trio left for the college. Now bare in mind Lori had never before driven this two-lane highway with no center line and no edge lines marked. Also, it’s so hard to see the many people walking right along side the highway. Very dangerous. It is very hard to see when the big trucks and buses are coming toward you as the lights blind you for a few seconds. Well, despite the two traffic tickets in only two trips to town Lori made, she feels she is a good driver. They arrived safely back at the college around 8:30 pm very tired and very thankful to God for traveling mercies.

Well Lori decided not to mention the traffic violation to her husband Paul until in the morning when they were both rested. Well do you know what that Paul said? He said" Well Lori you have drove to town twice and received two tickets. Our supporters are going to think they are just paying for your fines!! Yes, he really did say that.

So, the moral of this story is to not pay a fine unless you get a receipt, try not to get a ticket when you drive and be thankful for friends who were with you.

Thursday 9/10 – Monday 9/14

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, from Zambia,

We are doing well and continue to learn and grow. It seems like I don't have much to report and yet the week flew by. It has been very hot and windy and I continue to feel like I am in Nebraska. It does cool off nicely about 4:00 pm. I would appreciate prayers for adjustment to the heat, as the next three months it just gets hotter.

Faith and I went up one afternoon and took out Kelly's braided extensions that she had in. It went very well as Faith did a great job and I just sort of followed along. Kelly has had hers done in different African ways, and her own hair is so long and pretty the ladies doing her hair always make it look nice.

The memory verse Cheryl and I are memorizing together is Isaiah 25:1. I was able to recite it to the students this am. The students are working out behind our house in the garden area. I was able to start the day in prayer with them after reciting the verse and bless their work for the day. They are an excellent group of young men and Paul and I will learn much from getting to know them. They go to classes this afternoon, and it is pretty cool in the classroom. It really is a lot cooler in our cabin too, so I stay in it in the afternoons. I am doing pretty well with the student’s names and they are very kind when I get them mixed up.

The college staff is having a contest for the students to clean up and make certain areas look beautiful!! The students are divided into 3 teams with one team having the shop and medical clinic area, one team having compound 3 & 4 area and one team having compound 5 & 6 area. There will be cash prizes at the end of the contest in November. The students are already having a lot of fun with it and come to Paul and I for flower seeds and ideas!!

The workers are have completed the one fence around the garden area behind compounds 1, 2 & 3, and are now starting the next fence around the bigger garden are near compound 14 & 15. It is amazing to me how much work it is for them and yet they visit, laugh and sing while they work. The posts all have to be cut, the tree branches are striped and the strips are used to tie the branch's that have been sized on to the tree posts. It is amazing and very sturdy.

The area men really appreciate Gospelink and the work the college provides for them and their families. It is fun for us getting to know the workers and their different personalities, and their different names.

Henry is teaching the students on the Old Testament this quarter, or this section whatever it is called. Henry told me he really enjoys teaching and I know the student's are learning a lot from him.

Lucy and I are out of paint for now, buy I know Paul has plans to get some more.

Over the weekend I was not feeling very well, but today I seem to have bounced back. I was very blessed to get phone calls from my Fun Sister Carol and from my Dad this weekend. I have been feeling a bit homesick I think so it was wonderful to hear their voices and hear news from home. Some times the phone connection is not the best, but if you call back then it can be great? Who knows why.

I have no driving stories for you, as I have not been to town. I am not sure Paul will support my next driving mission.

Paul did get the motorcycle he wanted, A Honda Bushlander dirt bike. He is zipping around on it and is able to do a better job of checking on area around the campus, and saving him some steps. He would never admit it, but all the walking was making him pretty tired. He still thinks he can do the work of a 25 year old. When we did all the clean up in 1982 from the big tornados in Grand Island my family nick named Paul the "Marathon Man" because he just never quit. I do not even try to keep up with him. I do pray extra for him and ask you to do the same.

Thank you all who have prayed for the vehicle situation here at the college as things are going great and prayers are being answered.

One of our worker's named Peter, brother died. He was only in his 40's. Please pray for Peter and his family. Henry and Lucy went to a wedding a two funerals this past week. It seems like there are a lot of both of these events here. I know this happens every where but I guess we notice it more here, with such few people here at the college we notice more when they happen.

We continue to wait for the water tower men to arrive. It is supposed to be today, so that would be wonderful.

I think I smell extra sweet or extra bad (I have not decided which), as the flies are my constant companions when I am outside. They don't seem to bother Paul, and the heat so far has not bothered Paul, so could it be I am just a wimp?? Surely not!!

Paul has made the neatest form out of wood for the men to use when pouring the small porches for the cabins. It works really well. He also made this cute little garden cultivator out of plumbing pipe and the men want him to show them how to make them. It is small and would only work for small areas like flowers and such. I guess he will have to design a bigger one!!

I am reading in the New Testament and a Psalm and Proverb each day. Kevin Hiegel continues to check in on Paul and I and see how we are doing with time in the word.

I guess I best sign off and get some work done. Thank you all for your financial support and your prayer support and your cards, letters and care packages. Nina Strickland is our personal secretary and if you need any ideas of things to send us you can check in with her. We are humbled by the support and love we have received. I know your prayers have been the key of our adjustment here going so well.

You are loved by Jesus and us.

Sept 14-20

Greetings from Zambia!

The country of beautiful night skies and people who love to handshake, visit and smile :)

It was a great week, but it went by too fast. You know what "they" say. Time flies when you're having fun.

I don't know if Paul's sister Lori who lives in Doniphan would approve but I have cutting up the towels she let me bring with me for curtains in the cabin. Thank you, Lori. The students and Lucy are planting sweet corn that came from the midwest. It will be wonderful having great sweet corn in a few months. (The Nationals call it baby corn). My lap top is so frustrating. The mouse jumps all over the place and it is not as fast as Paul's. I don't get it as we had my computer all cleaned up before we left. Grrr.

Today, 2 vehicles were sold that we were praying for to be sold. Thank you for your prayers.

Jess and I spent most of the day in the cabin as it is just so hot outside. I can get lots of reading done, sewing a little and some spider solitare.

Paul kept very busy today with the men installing the water towers needing different tools through out the day. I am again so thankful for the dirt bike. I never thought I would say that. Even though Paul did lots of running on different projects he was laughing and still had his sense of humor at the end of a hard day. Of course his wife blessed him with another excellent tuna helper meal for supper. What's not to love about ending the day with tuna!

I hate to admit this, but we bought a fan from Brian & Kelly and I used it this evening. It is just so hot anyway, but a woman over 50 is hot most the time anyway.

I was sitting outside the cabin this am having my quiet time and I heard one of the working whistling "Bringing in the Sheaves" You just never know what hymn you will hear sung, hummed or whistled. This always surprises me.

Eight ladies from the Grace Baptist church down the road a piece are coming to see me today for some work. They asked if I had any work they could do to earn money for their ladies convention. I said sure, and then thought, what will I have them do?? The only thing I could think of was helping me clean up compound one and I asked Lucy if it was ok to have them rake and pick up and she assured me it was. Well the night before they came I told Kelly about it and said I did not know how I was going to keep them busy. She was very happy to have the ladies go to her house and help get things ready for the "garage sale". It worked out very well and lots of work was done for two days. A few of the ladies, Carol & Justina could speak some English so things went along well.

Again, I hope sometime to get some pictures sent to the web page, but I am still working out the kinks on this process. Where is Nina, my personal secretary when I need her :)

Paul is in the cabin working on administrative stuff. I feel guilty that I am not helping him enough with this stuff, but he is so good at it and I am not so good at it, that I just have to get the ice tea and coke lite while he works!

Today the men are working on plastering the big room in our staff house. Pretty exciting. I think the workers like it the best when I do not supervise. Really, I don't I just always try to walk by and tell them it looks good and thank them for their hard work.(Now I don't want this to come as a shock to those of you who really know me, but, I can be nice when I want to be!!)

Two ladies, Mable and Go Go, (which means grandma) stayed with me today and we hoed (is hoed a word?) weeds, raked weeds, and I had to take breaks and hold Mable's baby girl Elliott. It was tough but I wanted her to have a break :)

Friday, was a long day. Paul and I spent most of the day in Lusaka getting errands done with Henry. Here is a break down of our day:

8:20, Paul and I stuck in Lusaka traffic behind Henry as we are following him as he takes his car to a mechanic.

Stop 1 - Steel store

Stop 2 , 9:00 bolt store, did not have the items the men needed.

Stop 3, 9:15 Another bolt store, bought bolts

Stop 4, 9:45 Bank, guess what, doing bank business. The parking lot was so full, and I mean full even cars were parked behind cars that could never get out even if they needed to. We had to pay a guard to get a spot of us to part.

Stop 5 10:15 Battery Store. Buy 2 new batteries. This was one of the nicest business places I have been to in Lusaka. We were parked in the shade as that was wonderful as we ended up staying there for 11:30 am while Henry had to go around the corner and take care of some more paper work. I am so thankful we had a nice spot in the shade and the men at the battery store were nice enough to let us stay parked in side one of their big bay areas.

Stop 6 11:45, Stop at Henry's mechanic and look at an engine with him. Looks like an engine all right :)

Stop 7 Manda Hill Mall for lunch and groceries, hot, very hot. Did I mention I was hot and getting cranky.

Stop 8 Tomato Stand on the way home

Stop 9 Chongwe, for gas and Coke lite trailer, but of course the man was closed for 2 hour lunch.

Stop 10 Post Office, We got 2 packages!!! Thank you Rae and Nina!! Now I have to stop being cranky and hurry home to open our mail!

Great stuff in the packages: Gift bags, 3D picture book, Pastor Mike's sermon's on CD and sermon notes and 2 new movies!!

The flies are making me cranky. I think the flies have it out just for me. They have their radar lock on me and won't give up until I run into the cabin to hide. Poor little ol Lori, like the National people do not have to battle these pesky varmits. Attitude check.

Brian and Kelly had their garage sale today. Wow, the people that came! They told us a lot of people would show up and they did. By the end of the day almost everything was sold. It was a long day for Brian & Kelly but they considered it a success as they got rid of lots of stuff and got to visit with people.

Monday 9/21

Jess and I took a walk up to see the water towers being installed. They look like towers all right. Tall metal pieces painted green, that look like they could hold something up at the top. Again, looks like a tower to me :) I hear the cows in the near area. It is so cool to see the big fence the men continue to work on. It will keep those pesky cows out. Moo, Moo. Just so you know these cows do wear big bells around their necks so if I use my imagination I can pretend I am hearing the sound of church bells!! Well it's worth a try anyway.

Today at 2:00 pm the students invited me to join them in their Bible Study. I was honored to be invited and they studied Luke 12:35-40. A good discussion was held on eternal salvation, with differing views. I shared with the students that this one issue has been debated by theologians for years and will continue. I know I just want to be ready, and I want you to be ready as it teaches in Luke 12, for no one knows the day or hour of our Lord Jesus Christ's return. Like the song People Get Ready! I was so impressed with the students as they shared back in forth. Always in a respectful manner and they always backed up what they were sharing with scripture. I again was humbled.

Paul continues to weed his garden, radishes, peas, peppers, spinach, lettuce and lot of flowers. He is the one with the green thumb remember. Paul insisted on having radishes with supper tonight. They are the size of a pea, maybe a corn kernel. I told him I would wait until they were the size of a quarter then I would have a radish sandwich. My Dad and I still love a good radish sandwich. I grew up eating these and having one brings back good memories. I guess it is no different than having any veggie sandwich.

I continue to write so our friends can read what is going and wonder what on earth Lori is doing? Well, Lucy and I are waiting for Paul to get some more paint :). Lucy and Henry have a very busy week this week as their adopted son is getting married this weekend. This will be a big event as Henry and Lucy are very well loved and know so many people. The wedding takes place in Manika, their home area.

The ladies from Grace Baptist and I cleaned out the inside of the clinic and some of the landscaped rock area, then the ladies went on up the hill to help Kelly again.

We wish Paul's Dad, Ted Schlick a very Happy B. Day! If you know Paul's day then you would know where Paul gets his sense of humor and his love for a good practical joke. We hear reports on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Yankees and NE Cornhuskers from our son Ben and our friend Terry Christensen. No ESPN. I didn't know how Paul would survive without TV of any kind but God is faithful and sustaining him with Andy Griffin DVD's.

The air and wind both feel like rain is coming but I guess it to early for that, but it sure reminds us of the build-up for rain. I guess they have some awesome thunder storms here, so I will have to compare them to the ones in the Midwest. I will keep you informed when they happen.

The workers usually get paid on Friday or Saturday depending on their schedules. Paul or David take care of this and when I can I try to have some kind of treat to give them, but I don't always.

After the students Bible study time they did their worship practice for Sunday. It is such a blessing to hear them. When they have their prayer time it is usually everyone praying out loud at the same time, for shared prayer requests and the matters on their own hearts. It is again very different from the style of prayer we are used to, but oh so refreshing to join them as they worship and praise God with passion in their voices. To hear them pray is very special. I think for me getting out of my comfort zone in any area helps me grow. Most of the time when I have been involved in prayer time with a National friend I walk away feeling like I had been standing on Holy ground before the thrond of grace. Of course I have also felt this when praying with friends back in the states, but I am learning it all depends on where my heart is and am I allowing the spirit to have reign in my life. I do know I want to be in that sacred place more and more.

Paul and I have it so good here that I feel kind of guilty. I know a lot of people thought we would be living on shema and beans as I did, but with refrigeration we can eat just like American's only more limited. I seem to think we would be more spiritual if we were suffering more. I am so grateful we are not, but I have read many stories of missionaries who have suffered so much as the serve in a foreign country, that I just don't feel like we measure up, if you know what I mean.

I do know I want to put pictures of people with this diary, but I still continue to have problems with this process. I can get them on the computer, but they don't seem to want to transfer so I can email them. I will continue to work on this.

Talk about a variety of information this time. I am just so grateful to you for caring for us and reading this. If when you are reading this you would like to click on the guest book at the bottom of the web page I would love to hear just a comment from you. I feel like I do all the talking. The guest book is quicker then an email and you are already on this page, so just drop us a quick note of encouragement or a prayer request.

I best go and try to help Lucy with any preparations for the wedding.

Thank you all for loving us so well.

You are loved by Jesus and us!

This update is from Paul:

Monday 9/21/09

Well it has now been a full 3 months of living in Africa and I've driven to town over a dozen times and still have not gotten one ticket!!

When I started this adventure I wondered what God would show me or what He wanted me to learn. I don't know if I've learned the 3 things he put in of me, but I am now aware of them. They are patience, tolerance and acceptance. The tolerance and acceptance I'm doing pretty well with but the patience is my downfall.

Whenever we go to town it is an 8 - 10 hour day with many stops and always waiting in line. I remember when I went in the hospital office to pay Kevin's bill and the lady was playing games on her computer and not even acknowledging that I was there waiting. The computer was plugged in under her desk, and without her knowing I unplugged her monitor. She looked around and everyone else's computer's were working so then she helped me. Sometimes I just have to get creative.

We are still waiting on the backhoe, white truck repairs and the men to finish the water towers.

I've found if I can look past all of the little problems and focus on the big picture of what we are doing here I do have patience after all. Most things out here are going very well, some vehicles have been sold, others fixed or purchased.

Many buildings are being finished and painted, thousands of feet of fences are being built and corn and vegetables are already coming up, now that we can keep the cows out!

The students are working in the gardens early in the morning while it is cool but not until after prayers which start at 4:00 am and they do it on their own incentive.

The students are the big picture. They are the reason we are doing this because they give all of the Glory to God.

I always wanted to build big fancy structures in America so when I as gone everyone would say that is what Paul built and they would remember me: boy that was a selfish attitude! It doesn't matter any more if I'm remembered or not, it does matter that God is not forgotten and HE is why I came here.

Oh yeah, to all my biker buddies—remember how I sold all my bikes at home so I could get one here? Well, now I have one!! I went from a 1600 cc Kawaski Mean Streak, to a 200cc Honda Bushlander; but boy, is it fun and a lot less walking! When I went to buy it is another story in patience and if you want to hear it you will just have to come on over on a 2 week mission trip and I will tell it to you.

I still don't know why God chose me except one Sunday Pastor Curt said "God love to use Nobody's", so here I am.

Bless all of you for your support.

Paul

Saturday 9/26

This week has been so busy and I don't think I've updated now for 2 weeks so again I ask your patience as this will be kind of a beautiful mosaic of life in Zambia these past two weeks.

Still no paint so I am getting to do some organization. We are praying for the shipping container with the roofing material to arrive in October so we can move into staff house #1 in November. Life in cabin #1 has been going great and God continues to go before us, as neither one of us has "cabin" fever yet. Praise God for the water tower project success!!! Paul was working with the men all last week and all three new tower's and water tanks are up!! God is just so cool!! I wonder what God thinks of me saying HE is cool? I hope HE is smiling. HE does know me well and my sense of humor.

Paul just zips all over the campus on his dirt bike checking on projects. Although it seems to me he might think of some things that need checked on just to go and ride the bike :). Well tonight he tried French toast and eggs, and he gave up on the French toast because we have a cheap skillet and it did not work so good. We will try again in the future.

Well the big new is the Wedding this weekend of Justina and Bridget. (Justina is the male groom). This was a BIG deal in the life of Henry and Lucy and their whole community that they grew up in. Please pray for this newly married couple as they begin their lives together.

Well the Wedding Party (we call it a bridal shower) really started at 11:00 am and ended at 7:00 pm but really it did not end at all, as the LOUD music played all night long, which I heard from at least half mile away. I can say one thing. The Zambian's love their music and they love it LOUD. I thought I was at a rock concert, not a bridal shower :). The Zambia women can dance! They were having so much fun and were just so glad to be together dancing in church for the Lord.

The shower started with a few hours of dancing, the the Bride and her Matron walked down the isle covered with a sheet size piece of fabric. They bride and matron had to sit on a mattress on the floor with their legs out in front of them for a long time with the cover on them and it was HOT!! Did I mention that it was HOT!! I was basically sweating for 48 plus hours. Well after more singing and dancing the bride and matron got to come out of the cover. (The matron is an older lady that the bride's family picks to support her on the wedding day).

The biggest difference in their weddings is that the bride is not allowed to smile or look up or even think of looking happy about getting married. She looked down the whole time, I never saw her eyes the whole day. Lucy told me this is showing respect to all the people but especially to her own family as it represents the sadness she feels about leaving her own family. Everyone has brought a gift, and these have been placed up front, then at the appointed time each person walks upfront, get their gift and presents it to the bride and shares some words to her if they want. She does open the gifts at that time. Then it is a big deal, as 2 round decorated cakes have been prepared and the bride then can get up and presents one cake to each set of parents. These same cakes are used again at the wedding for presentation.

At one point in the shower the groom and his groomsmen all walk to the music down the isle all of them looking down. The groom kneels in front of his soon to be bride and presents her a gift in a bag and some artificial flowers. The soon to be bride still cannot look up and the men all walk out after this presentation. An elaborate huge amount of food has been prepared. I don't know I think around l00 ladies were at the shower. The meal was delicious with rice/sauce, potatoes, spaghetti noodles, chicken wings and a muffin. I don't think most of those ladies usually at that much in 3 days. Everyone was blessed by the generosity of the host family. (Mostly Henry & Lucy). Well the shower ended around 6 or 7 then everyone left to bed down somewhere for the night. 4 ladies and I went out side to sit and wait for Lucy to tell us where we were to sleep. After an hour or so of waiting one of the ladies went and got a straw mat and we all laid down on this. It was pretty cool laying under the beautiful night sky on a mat with 4 Zambian women I did not know. I think we all fell asleep for awhile.

Sunday, 9/27

Lucy came and picked us up and took Kristine and me to a very nice ladies house named Musanka who was a school teacher near by who lived with her husband and two children. She was an excellent hostess and I have never felt more welcomed.

Her house was pretty rough inside and out, but she did her best to display her items that were precious to her. It was a 3 bedroom house with 6 people and no indoor bathroom. She had asked two young teenage girls to come live with her as she said she was lonely with just her husband and two children!! I thought she was amazing. Of course these 2 girls helped with the cooking and cleaning and taking care of the baby. The two girls were just so greatful the Musanka's family took them in. The two girls just stared at me and giggled like girls do. I have to say it has been a while since I have seen a white person. It takes some getting used to being the only white person in a crowd. We are always treated with the highest of respect and given a place of honor wherever we have gone. I did get to take my first bath with a grass fence surrounding me, it was a new experience in this great adventure we are on.

Again, Musanka did all the work of cooking and preparing the bath and was just so sweet. The ladies all sweep the dirt around their homes, because even if it is dirt, they want their home to look as nice as it can. Ok now back to the shower. I was on the party committee for the shower so we all paid $20 and this went for her gift, but also we all wore matching white polo shirts and matching shtangi, remember the shtangi's are the piece of fabric that most all the women wear wrapped around them over their other clothes. So again I am honored to be on the committee and get to match the other 20 plus ladies at the shower. Well, the gift we purchased was a BIG secret for the day and it was hidden behind hanging sheets. Well again, at the proper time I was selected to climb up and down off a chair for a few times and unclip the cloths pins holding the sheets to reveal the gift from the committee. It was a very nice Display (we call it a china hutch) and it was full of dishes with the bottom part being full of food. I guess this was a VERY NICE gift for this area. Everyone was very impressed I guess. The ladies here seem to really put a lot of stock in having dishes to serve on. It is a little difficult being at an event where English is seldom spoken by anyone. Did I mention it was HOT!! I went outside whenever I could just to catch a breeze.

Here is another thing about these dear ladies. They wear like 6 layers of cloths, even when it is this hot!! I do not know how the bride and matron did not just pass out sitting under that sheet for so long in the heat. The people all carry a cloth with them to either wipe the sweat from their heads, or also to wipe the dust of their shoes. I am humbles how these women wear such beautiful dresses and shoes, and I kind of looked under dressed, in my skirt and blouse.

Oh, another thing, you who know me, know I hate chickens unless they are dead on my plate. (This all stems back from a few bad experiences as a child.) Well, God again in HIS all knowing sends me to Africa where, wherever I go there are chickens!! Of course know one keeps them in a pen, them roam all over. So as I go sit outside at the shower and sit down on a cement block, I have 3 chickens sneak up on me from the back ready to attack and kill me!! I know this because they had that Killer look in their eyes. Well, let’s just say a few rocks sent them a packing and I did survive the ordeal.

Well I best sign off for now but stay tuned and I will share more about the wedding day and I have so much to tell you about how special the church services have been with the students, student preaching and teaching. They are an awesome group of young men. Just think, when you come over in 2010 you will be able to meet them!! Did I mention that when they sing, I am sure the angles are applauding! Oh yeah, I better go.

Thank you all for loving us.

Monday 9/28

This week will be busy as Paul and I have a list of things we want to get done. When I am done typing this I need to clean out our house as the plaster workers finished up the floor and it is a big mess to clean up. Paul is lining up the work for the men with the plastering of cabin on compound one to be finished to visiting work teams can stay in them. The plaster workers have the new steps poured on the cabins and they look so nice. Lucy, Kristin and I have much painting to do!! I will write more on the wedding but as Paul says: “I am burning daylight.”

I just want you all to know how much your emails and packages mean to us. We feel the love when we hear from you.

Prayer requests: Water tower project get completed this week and the final bill be reduced for their slow service. Blue bus to be finished and run great for a long time. Visiting work teams to have safe travel and the work safety while they are here. For God to continue to bless the work of Gospelink as they serve many National Pastor's and the Bible College continues to grow. The crops in the gardens are all coming up very nice, praise God for this. The fence around the big garden progress is going great. Praise God for the wedding weekend going so well for all the family. Praise God for Paul's dirt bike and how effective it makes his time. Praise God for all the beautiful people of Zambia who are loving on us and making us feel so welcome. Pray for the shipping container to arrive with lots of supplies on it and for Paul and I to be able to move into the staff house on #1 in November. Pray Paul and Lori stay focused on one project at a time as we both want to get so much done.

I just have to tell you about my hair. I did get it corn rowed and what an experience. It took four hours and four ladies doing it. Well it was too the middle of my back to after 2 days of that I had Mildred (David & Kristin's daughter cut it to shoulder length. Well, here are the 3 looks I can have: #1 the cowardly lion from the Wizard of Oz, #1 Cleopatra, #3 My mother when I just put a bandana on my head. It has been again another new experience. I hope to get some pictures on the web, I know I keep telling you this but again I just can't be burning daylight!!!

I best go and get to cleaning.

Tuesday 9/29

One previous Sunday Big Isaac shared his testimony. I wish everyone who supports students and pastors could have been present. He came from a very poor background as most Nationals do, he was sent with a relative to live and was abused in many ways.

He did not think he would ever graduate from grade 12 but he did and he knew his education would probably be over. God had a plan and an American sponsored a student to attend the college and by God's grace he was chosen. Isaac's face just beamed as he shared the joy of being at the college and praise and gratitude for all of the excellent American & National teacher's who have taught him.

As I have visited with the student's their attitudes are all the same, so humble and grateful to God for the privilege of more education in a Christian environment. As each of you give to sponsor a student or Pastor thru Gospelink you are saving lives for eternity. These students and Pastor's all have a heart open wide to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the people their lives come in contact with. The other day one of the student's was heading off into the bush by himself and we yelled where are you going? He just smiled and he said to Evangelize. Amazing to me, and again humbles me.

I don't know why God chose Paul and I to have the privilege to meet these students and so many Pastors but we will be forever changed and forever grateful.

The students are all excited about the books coming over on the container. We will use a completed cabin with shelves for a temporary library until the big one is completed. This way the students will have good access to the books and the books will be in a safe, well used space.

(I guess you have figured out it seems hard for me to just list a few things:)

The ladies from Grace Baptist church did some work for us and were so grateful to earn some money for their ladies special meetings. The ladies here know how to work hard, so it helps me not to whine (so much) and to keep my eye on them and their example. Once again I must mention Eva Lou from Minnesota who worked me to the numbs while she was here. As I clean off more mortar and just clean up in general I think of her giving, working hard spirit. It is fun to learn some of the language and the people are all so pleased to know I am trying. You should seem them. When I greet them in one of their many languages they just laugh and smile because they know I am trying, but I must sound so funny to them, and who knows what I really am pronouncing.

I bought a rug made by Mable's mother and a rug made by Isaac for a wedding gift for Henry and Lucy's son and daughter-in-law.

I must jump ahead to the wedding now. Paul and David arrived about 10:00 and the wedding started around 11:00 am or so on Saturday 9/26. Paul was ushered right up front to sit in a place of honor with Pastor Davis Daka, Pastor Henry and Pastor David. I watched standing in the back as from the previous day I know how hot it would get, as the church was packed to running over. The bride walked up the aisle with her assigned matron. Earlier the groom and groomsmen walked up. The bride and groom got to sit on chairs with the attendants as Pastor Daka shared the message. (Boy can he bring it!!!! Loud and long!!") I didn't understand most of it, but I know what I did was a very strict message on the covenant of marriage and the importance of being faithful to one another. At one point in the ceremony Paul was called upon to say a blessing over the couple. Keep in mind they don't know us, we don't know them and yet they honor us. I helped drive the wedding party to an area lake for pictures. I guess this is like very unusual to have a professional photographer and they took the pictures. Again, they asked me to be in some of the bridal party pictures. It just is hard to think that it is an honor for them to have us at their wedding when they don't even know us. They are always so generous. Well as you can imagine lots of car honking of the 4 cars present, decorations on the cars as we proceeded back to the reception area. There was lots of food, dancing, laughing and singing.

Paul and I left early as they had wore us out with the very loud music. Henry said they partied into the night and everyone had a wonderful time. Henry and Lucy came back on Monday and they look exhausted.

Did I already give an update on the water towers and water tanks? Well they all are up and look great. The first one is working great and water pressure is great. The 2nd two have to have the pipes hooked up to the pump yet. That will take a lot of hard work and digging from the towers to the well. Lots of progress is being made on the fence also. The students are working today cleaning out the inside of the blue bus. Paul told them I did this for 10 years with my Dad so I would be a tough inspector.

I did get to a ladies’ "hen party" this week and I could not understand much but I could tell they liked having me there and would laugh at my questions. Once again you can tell Kevin Hiegel that since he has left Paul is working me like a rented mule:) Once Kevin left I guess I am not the one to do all the work:). Well I hope this if filling you in on our days as so much work is being done. Today, I clean bathrooms so pray for me to be brave!!

You are all so precious to us, and you know you are loved by Jesus and us!