Have you ever spent 2.3million on groceries? Well that was our bill at the checkout the other day as we prepare for the EMI team - they must be big eaters!! Wednesday Donald heads to Lusaka and the team arrives on Thursday. It will be all go then in making sure that their visit is as successful as we can possibly make it. Please pray that the team settles in quickly and has excellent insights regarding the sight and how we can use it and develop the best master plan possible.
Well this morning we had the most encouraging phone call from our home church family, Riverbend Bible Church. We were all able to talk to our church family. They were gathered for a Sunday evening potluck meal, especially to talk to us and they broadcast the phone call over the church sound system. It was so good to talk with ‘home’ and field many questions about the ministry here and life in general. Katie enjoyed saying hello to friends as did Gwen as she answered questions about her work here (and her fears of lizards, bats...).
The areas of primary need that we identified were the need of an administrator, the need of discretionary funding for the Bible School budget, the need of infrastructure development. As well as this we spoke of the village visitation programme and the need to make this even more effective by more regular visitation to the rural areas. It has been amazing how God has opened doors into the hearts and lives of the people here. This extended visit by our church has certainly deepened our partnership and enabled us to have an even more clear view of the issues that are faced in ministering in rural village life Zambia.
Well our formal spiritual training programmes are complete. We have travelled thousands of kilometres in bringing the Word of God to our brothers and sisters and the response has been a huge blessing. But the next two weeks will be pivotal as we face the future of our partnership here. The spiritual work continues (less formally) as we work together with our partners. Would you please pray that in the busyness of these two weeks that we will see an even greater bond and partnership established with the Bible School staff and board. Systems are being put in place, help in reporting, growth in friendship and love in the Lord. Your partnership in prayer is vital to all of this and the success of what we do together. Sola Deo Gloria
Monday, August 30, 2010
Fires around our house!
fire just down the hill
the water fight - amazing we had enough water!!As I am writing this Donald and Katie are outside having a water fight! I hope they don’t use up all the water! Oh Donald has now decided to have the soap outside with him and is having a shower under the hose! Katie is giving hem instruction on how to wash his armpit!!! I guess it is rather hot at the moment. They are having a lot of fun!
This morning at 7am we had a call on Donald’s mobile phone from our church back in NZ. It was so nice to talk to people from home and I must admit had a tear in my eye as I watched Katie smile from ear to ear as she watched us talking and then when she was able to talk to her friends. It was certainly a lovely way to start our day.
Today we went to the English Speaking Church which is at the Bible School. It is like going back in time with no music (just a brother to start the hymns). They also have the old redemption hymnbook and the Mission Praise Book. At least they were songs that we knew and for once could sing along. They have two services in the morning. At the first one everyone is there and then when ministry starts the children go out to Sunday School. The second one is the breaking of bread and it is really weird as there is hardly anyone who attends! It is also a very short service.
After church Donald decided we would go and check out the lodge in Samfya. He was thinking that maybe in the future teams could stay there. It was very nice and even has a restaurant (Samfya style). While we were there Mr and Mrs Fuller pulled up wondering what we were doing. We ended up all having lunch together there which was really nice. Then we headed off for a Sunday drive. We saw another beautiful lake but couldn’t figure out how to get to it which was a shame. There were lots of people living out there which was also a surprise. There was even a great big SDA Conference centre. The conference centre just had lost of sticks that people tied reads around to make themselves little huts to sleep in.
Well we are back home now and as I said Donald and Katie are having a water fight! I am now typing up recipes for us to use while the EMI team are here. The reason I am typing and not just taking the books down there is that Patricia (my interpreter) wants to learn all the recipes that I am doing. She is really lovely and really wants to learn – not only cooking things but anything that will help her with her walk with God and how to look after her family. She is a wonderful godly woman whom I have a lot of respect for. I think she is thirties. I have written about her and her family before.
Today I spoke to Lucy and told her that it is not long before we leave and told her that every time Donald comes home from Zambia people ask how she is. I also told her that she is not forgotten. She told me to tell everyone that she is happy!
Copper has just decide to have a stroll through the house! He is wet from the water fight! He is just checking out what we are doing!
Copper the dog is still causing havoc! Yesterday Donald and Katie went down the hill to the lake for a swim and tied copper to the tyre but didn't put the tyre around a pipe in the back yard. Well he dragged the tyre half way down the hill. I saw him with some children and not realising that he was still tied to the tyre called him to come home. He tried but then i realised that he was tied to the tyre and the kids had the tyre. Ummmm I wondered what was going to happen. The kids heard me call Copper and so decided to roll the tyre up the the hill to me! They just about go the tyre with Copper attached home when Copper heard Katie scream. Donald had picked her up and dunked her in the water. Well that Copper (we still don't know how he did it) he got off the leash and took off down to the lake. He had a blast swimming in the lake. On his way home he chased the kids who were trying to get him home and when they were out of his range, they giggled and squealed with delight! I gave the boys a drink and some biscuits for their efforts.
People have been asking for prayer points from me and Katie and so here are a few for our final weeks in Zambia:
• As Katie and I are working with women serving the EMI team that we would be a good example – for me as a Christian woman and also for the both of us as they see a mother and daughter serve together.
• We would like to be able to leave Samfya with the team so that Donald doesn’t have to do another trip from Lusaka and back. So we need to be able to organise another vechile. Katie and I would like to see if we could find another game park to go to... We really want to see a lion in Africa. I know, I know it isn’t a ministry thing but we would REALLY like to see some.
• For me as I prepare to leave that I don’t become frustrated with the way things happen here – like the power and water situation. I have been coping fine with it so far but I don’t want to blow it in our last few weeks.
• That I will be a good example in front of the other women as a wife, mother and servant as we serve the EMI team. (I know it is sort of a repeat of the first one but it is a bit different).
• As you know Katie and I reacted to the Anti-malaria drug and so have not been taking any. Please pray for the three of us and our general health but also that in our last days here we won’t get malaria! The mosquitoes are starting to come out a bit more at the moment. We have had a few tummy bugs but not many and none of any consequence so we are very thankful for our good health so far. My diabetes has been great with my readings between 5.5 and 5.7 (for those who know about the readings!).
• For safety in our travels. Donald has to go and pick up the EMI team from Lusaka which is about an 8 hour drive and then (hopefully) we will all be going back with him. Then we fly to Joberg to Port Elizabeth and drive to Jefferies Bay, then back to Port Elizabeth and back to Joberg. From there we fly to Heathrow, London and hiring a car and driving to Scotland and back. Then it is to Los Angles and then home to NZ. So as you can see lots of travelling to do between now and actually getting home to the Hawkes Bay!
Well I had better to and finish typing these recipes. We are going to meet at 10.00am on Monday to start baking. I have been so thankful for my Rally Cookbook, the HCS cookbook and my Alison Holst muffin book. They have been so great. I did bring a diabetic book here as well but can’t get most of the ingredients here – ummmmm oh well that hasn’t been an issue.
The neighbours have lit a fire just across the road to get rid of the long grass etc. The fire is quite big and we can hear the crackling noise it is making. I sure hope it doesn’t jump across the road and come up the hill to see us.
Oh well time to go. Again it was soooo nice to hear from church this morning.
Love
Gwen
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Mambalima Conference
Greetings all. I have just returned from two nights at the Mambalima Conference. Thousands of people were in attendance, all camped out beside the Luapula River. It was hot (35C as I left) and dusty, but they were all enjoying the fellowship, teaching and choirs!
I was able to teach two sessions on Christian Marriage, bringing the challenge to the people to let the Word of God bring changes to their culture, both as Zambians and also as members of CMML churches. There seemed to be good responses and it is so encouraging to see so many people taking notes as the Word is opened. I would say that the smaller leadership conferences are much more strategic and beneficial, however this was a wonderful opportunity to proclaim God’s truth and also encourage the work of Samfya Bible School.
Gwen & I are now in full swing to prepare for the arrival of the EMI team next week. Gwen will co-ordinate the food and we need to make a supply trip to Mansa. Thanks for your ongoing prayers, we are all in good health and enjoying the blessings of the Lord in this place.
I was able to teach two sessions on Christian Marriage, bringing the challenge to the people to let the Word of God bring changes to their culture, both as Zambians and also as members of CMML churches. There seemed to be good responses and it is so encouraging to see so many people taking notes as the Word is opened. I would say that the smaller leadership conferences are much more strategic and beneficial, however this was a wonderful opportunity to proclaim God’s truth and also encourage the work of Samfya Bible School.
Gwen & I are now in full swing to prepare for the arrival of the EMI team next week. Gwen will co-ordinate the food and we need to make a supply trip to Mansa. Thanks for your ongoing prayers, we are all in good health and enjoying the blessings of the Lord in this place.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
We are home
Hi there everyone,
It is now Monday night. We are back in Samfya and had a safe journey home! Gosh the entry into Lusaka was a bit difficult, but Donald did us all proud with no incidences – thank goodness. There were cars going everywhere, overtaking where they shouldn’t and having to push their way in. At one point Donald even pulled right over as the car overtaking cars in front of us almost had a head on collision! It really was rather scary! Also it is really hard to see people walking on the roads (and there are many), not only because their skin is so dark but also because is no road lighting or markings! Makes for very hard driving.
On the way we saw a bus that was in a ditch on the side of the road. It looks like the driver might have fallen asleep! There aren’t so many pot holes anymore on this part of the journey which is nice but there are still a few.
This morning we headed off to Lusaka Bible Society and picked up 11 boxes of Bemba Bibles which had 24 bibles in each box, and said our Goodbyes to Paul, Janet and Lily. Thankfully we were coming home with only the three of us with only one hand luggage bag so there was plenty of room. Katie at one point even stretched out and went to sleep in the back! The Atkinson’s will fly out tomorrow for home! It was really nice to have them here and sharing our home.
The Bibles are loaded in the car and Donald gets a phone call from our elders. So he stands outside the Bible Society as that is where he can hear the best (even then it was really hard). Katie and I wait in the car. Walking past was a man pulling a cart with what looked like a pie warmer on it and in it were some sausage rolls and pie looking items. I decide that I would like a photo but by the time I get the camera out and ready he had gone. Well this lady who was going past started yelling at me and asked me why I had taken a photo of her! I told her that I hadn’t then she was even more offended and said why didn’t you take a photo. I told her that I didn’t want a photo of her and motioned with my hands for her to go away. She kept yelling at me and (naughty me) said what a stupid woman! A man (who wasn’t even with her) asked me why I was picking a fight with that woman. I told him she was picking a fight with me and so he kept walking. What a lovely start to the day!
Well true to form so far for Donald in Africa he was pulled over by the traffic police AGAIN! This time however we had had some warning and Donald was making sure he was doing just under 100kms! They pulled us over, shook Donald hand and mine then tried to tell Donald that he was doing 112kms. He told them no he wasn’,t so the police officer said oh well I will only give you the minimum fine. Donald just looked at him and I said but he wasn’t doing that speed! He ended up just saying oh well just go – so we did. I think he thought we would just pay him – maybe he didn’t realise we were locals hahahahaha
We went through so many police stops today which really was a nuisance! At one of the stops the police officer asked where we were going and where had we come from. Then he waved to another guy and he came over. I thought oh what is he going to say now! He was actually an immigration officer and checked our Nationals cards and Donald’s work visa looked inside the car and waved us on. We think they were looking for illegal people as there are many and it was on the road that goes to Tanzania!
We get to the place where the bus was and took a photo. Donald looks across the other side of the road and some men who were sitting there we holding their hand out wanting money for us taking a photo! Donald just said you have got to be kidding to them and we left. They were just after a quick dollar!!
At the Serenji Junction we picked up a hitchhiker! She was a 24 year old American girl. She is with the peace corps here. There are so many of these people here. We dropped her off at the Samfya turnoff and she caught a taxi back to her village.
We got back to Samfya and Donald pulls into Peter’s house to find out when they (Donald, Peter and Francis) were leaving to go to the Mambelema conference only to find out that their accommodation has been paid for from tonight! So home we come, he packs his bag, while I made him something for dinner and he has gone. He will be back on Wednesday or maybe Thursday. He is teaching at 8:00am in the morning but wasn’t sure about when the next session was!
Donald had a tummy bug last week – I am sure it was because he had been doing so much. He also hadn’t had a good nights sleep for a while as for some reason
Copper had decided that he needed a toilet stop in the middle of the night. Thankfully he isn’t doing that anymore! I hope Donald will some time to rest before he goes to pick up the EMI Team. The arrive on 2nd of Semptember, So Donald has to drive to Lusaka again! It will be pretty full on until they leave and then he will have to take them down again, drive back and a few days later we leave!
It looks like I will be organising the catering for the team so while Donald is away will put together a menu and then we will be going to Mansa (probably on Monday) to get the supplies from Shoprite, then I will start baking for them for time they are here. Ummm looks like another busy time for us!
This week Katie will be trying to finish all her schoolwork. She will also have to do her job at SCCP. The American girls are leaving there this week so that means Katie’s job will also be finished!
Oh I don’t know if I told you but we met the Fullers the other day and went to their home for dinner which was a nice treat. We got to know them a little bit as well and hopefully they can come to our place before we leave.
Just after Donald left tonight the power went off and it is now 7:30 and it is still off. I hope it comes on soon. This is probably the part that gets to me the most – not having power as when it is dark there isn’t much to do when the power is off.
Well I had better stop moaning and go and tuck Katie in.
Good night everyone
Gwen
It is now Monday night. We are back in Samfya and had a safe journey home! Gosh the entry into Lusaka was a bit difficult, but Donald did us all proud with no incidences – thank goodness. There were cars going everywhere, overtaking where they shouldn’t and having to push their way in. At one point Donald even pulled right over as the car overtaking cars in front of us almost had a head on collision! It really was rather scary! Also it is really hard to see people walking on the roads (and there are many), not only because their skin is so dark but also because is no road lighting or markings! Makes for very hard driving.
On the way we saw a bus that was in a ditch on the side of the road. It looks like the driver might have fallen asleep! There aren’t so many pot holes anymore on this part of the journey which is nice but there are still a few.
This morning we headed off to Lusaka Bible Society and picked up 11 boxes of Bemba Bibles which had 24 bibles in each box, and said our Goodbyes to Paul, Janet and Lily. Thankfully we were coming home with only the three of us with only one hand luggage bag so there was plenty of room. Katie at one point even stretched out and went to sleep in the back! The Atkinson’s will fly out tomorrow for home! It was really nice to have them here and sharing our home.
The Bibles are loaded in the car and Donald gets a phone call from our elders. So he stands outside the Bible Society as that is where he can hear the best (even then it was really hard). Katie and I wait in the car. Walking past was a man pulling a cart with what looked like a pie warmer on it and in it were some sausage rolls and pie looking items. I decide that I would like a photo but by the time I get the camera out and ready he had gone. Well this lady who was going past started yelling at me and asked me why I had taken a photo of her! I told her that I hadn’t then she was even more offended and said why didn’t you take a photo. I told her that I didn’t want a photo of her and motioned with my hands for her to go away. She kept yelling at me and (naughty me) said what a stupid woman! A man (who wasn’t even with her) asked me why I was picking a fight with that woman. I told him she was picking a fight with me and so he kept walking. What a lovely start to the day!
Well true to form so far for Donald in Africa he was pulled over by the traffic police AGAIN! This time however we had had some warning and Donald was making sure he was doing just under 100kms! They pulled us over, shook Donald hand and mine then tried to tell Donald that he was doing 112kms. He told them no he wasn’,t so the police officer said oh well I will only give you the minimum fine. Donald just looked at him and I said but he wasn’t doing that speed! He ended up just saying oh well just go – so we did. I think he thought we would just pay him – maybe he didn’t realise we were locals hahahahaha
We went through so many police stops today which really was a nuisance! At one of the stops the police officer asked where we were going and where had we come from. Then he waved to another guy and he came over. I thought oh what is he going to say now! He was actually an immigration officer and checked our Nationals cards and Donald’s work visa looked inside the car and waved us on. We think they were looking for illegal people as there are many and it was on the road that goes to Tanzania!
We get to the place where the bus was and took a photo. Donald looks across the other side of the road and some men who were sitting there we holding their hand out wanting money for us taking a photo! Donald just said you have got to be kidding to them and we left. They were just after a quick dollar!!
At the Serenji Junction we picked up a hitchhiker! She was a 24 year old American girl. She is with the peace corps here. There are so many of these people here. We dropped her off at the Samfya turnoff and she caught a taxi back to her village.
We got back to Samfya and Donald pulls into Peter’s house to find out when they (Donald, Peter and Francis) were leaving to go to the Mambelema conference only to find out that their accommodation has been paid for from tonight! So home we come, he packs his bag, while I made him something for dinner and he has gone. He will be back on Wednesday or maybe Thursday. He is teaching at 8:00am in the morning but wasn’t sure about when the next session was!
Donald had a tummy bug last week – I am sure it was because he had been doing so much. He also hadn’t had a good nights sleep for a while as for some reason
Copper had decided that he needed a toilet stop in the middle of the night. Thankfully he isn’t doing that anymore! I hope Donald will some time to rest before he goes to pick up the EMI Team. The arrive on 2nd of Semptember, So Donald has to drive to Lusaka again! It will be pretty full on until they leave and then he will have to take them down again, drive back and a few days later we leave!
It looks like I will be organising the catering for the team so while Donald is away will put together a menu and then we will be going to Mansa (probably on Monday) to get the supplies from Shoprite, then I will start baking for them for time they are here. Ummm looks like another busy time for us!
This week Katie will be trying to finish all her schoolwork. She will also have to do her job at SCCP. The American girls are leaving there this week so that means Katie’s job will also be finished!
Oh I don’t know if I told you but we met the Fullers the other day and went to their home for dinner which was a nice treat. We got to know them a little bit as well and hopefully they can come to our place before we leave.
Just after Donald left tonight the power went off and it is now 7:30 and it is still off. I hope it comes on soon. This is probably the part that gets to me the most – not having power as when it is dark there isn’t much to do when the power is off.
Well I had better stop moaning and go and tuck Katie in.
Good night everyone
Gwen
This Weekend
Today is Saturday. The wind has died down and now it is very hot. Yesterday was over 30 and today I think is much hotter! This morning we went for a boat ride on Lake Bangweulu. The lake was so still and it was really lovely with a gentle breeze that kept us at just a right temperature. We tried to buy fish off the fishermen in the boats but they only had those tiny little fish! We took a photo of one boats catch of the tiny little fish and then just as we were ready to go the man asked for money as we had taken a photo. I told him no and that if it was going to cost us I would just delete the photo. So then he said he wanted the camera! I just laughed at him and said NO!
As we were going along we saw lots of people washing clothes, dishes and themselves. We saw lots of women with no tops on and one lady also decided to wave at us. She did not mind at all that she was topless. Along further and a very skinny old man was also bathing. Lots and lots of children who would wave out and yell hello!
Thursday and Friday a transformation happened to my daughter – she had her hair done African Style! Fanny came to our place and it took 10 hours to do Katie’s hair! She now has braids with wool woven in it. It has made her hair look very thick. She can’t even get a hair tie in it and it has to be tied back with a piece of wool! Lily is still in the process of getting her hair done as I write this. She is also having beads put in her hair. Katie’s hair has taken a lot longer to do as she has a lot of it and even though Lily’s hair is longer there isn’t as much of it! It will be interesting to see how long it lasts!
Tomorrow Donald is teaching at Mwamfule CMML Church then we will all drive to Lusaka. Monday we will say our goodbyes to the Atkinsons and we will pick up boxes of bibles from the Bible Society and then drive back to Samfya. Then on Tuesday Donald heads off to Mambelema to the big conference. He will be there a couple of days.
Soon the EMI Team will be here. Donald will drive to Lusaka again to pick them up! A few days after they leave, we leave Samfya! I got it wrong before. We now only have 3 weeks left here in Samfya! The time has gone fast.
Last night we had Lucy and Elizabeth Chama here for dinner and tonight we have Fanny and Chipampe. They are the girls who live at Agnes and Levy’s home. They have been very kind to Katie.
As I am writing this the power has gone off and Donald and Paul had gone down to the lodge at the bottom of the hill to watch the All Blacks v South Africa game! Ohhhh dear their generator isn’t working, I think I can hear them all coming up the hill so I had better sign off and get the dinner on the table. They are here now and have said that they had organised with the staff at the lodge to watch the rugby game. Then all the locals came in and they changed it to the soccer. Donald and Paul complained as they had organised it earlier. They did change it back for about 15 minutes then it got turned back to the soccer. They made a deal that Donald and Paul could watch the second half of the game but guess what – the power went off so they did not get to watch the end of the game!
Hi to all our friends out there,
Gwen
As we were going along we saw lots of people washing clothes, dishes and themselves. We saw lots of women with no tops on and one lady also decided to wave at us. She did not mind at all that she was topless. Along further and a very skinny old man was also bathing. Lots and lots of children who would wave out and yell hello!
Thursday and Friday a transformation happened to my daughter – she had her hair done African Style! Fanny came to our place and it took 10 hours to do Katie’s hair! She now has braids with wool woven in it. It has made her hair look very thick. She can’t even get a hair tie in it and it has to be tied back with a piece of wool! Lily is still in the process of getting her hair done as I write this. She is also having beads put in her hair. Katie’s hair has taken a lot longer to do as she has a lot of it and even though Lily’s hair is longer there isn’t as much of it! It will be interesting to see how long it lasts!
Tomorrow Donald is teaching at Mwamfule CMML Church then we will all drive to Lusaka. Monday we will say our goodbyes to the Atkinsons and we will pick up boxes of bibles from the Bible Society and then drive back to Samfya. Then on Tuesday Donald heads off to Mambelema to the big conference. He will be there a couple of days.
Soon the EMI Team will be here. Donald will drive to Lusaka again to pick them up! A few days after they leave, we leave Samfya! I got it wrong before. We now only have 3 weeks left here in Samfya! The time has gone fast.
Last night we had Lucy and Elizabeth Chama here for dinner and tonight we have Fanny and Chipampe. They are the girls who live at Agnes and Levy’s home. They have been very kind to Katie.
As I am writing this the power has gone off and Donald and Paul had gone down to the lodge at the bottom of the hill to watch the All Blacks v South Africa game! Ohhhh dear their generator isn’t working, I think I can hear them all coming up the hill so I had better sign off and get the dinner on the table. They are here now and have said that they had organised with the staff at the lodge to watch the rugby game. Then all the locals came in and they changed it to the soccer. Donald and Paul complained as they had organised it earlier. They did change it back for about 15 minutes then it got turned back to the soccer. They made a deal that Donald and Paul could watch the second half of the game but guess what – the power went off so they did not get to watch the end of the game!
Hi to all our friends out there,
Gwen
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