The final instalment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . of Mum and Dad's trip :)

I am seriously behind!!! It seems to be a struggle to get these things out now.  Combo of no/poor internet and busyness.

After spending the night in Lusaka we attempted to make our way back to Kabwe.  Our plan was slightly foiled by the buses being booked out all morning.  However we had another option, to taxi back, more expensive but better then waiting around in Lusaka.  Once we arrived back we went to the OM base and did the dam walk which has water lillies (for Mum)

 and then had lunch at the fig tree café (mmmm lemon meringue pie for Dad AND ME!!!).

Not how we saw it, but the water lilly patch one evening.

We then went to the Kabwe green markets (different from the Livingstone markets, people don’t harass you so much.) bought some veges, but I think the best bit of that was showing Mum and Dad the fish and catepillars that are for sale there.  Jono and I haven’t braved those yet! (Mum and Dad weren’t keen either!)

Sunday we went to church.  4 hour Zambian church service for Mum and Dad.  Quite different I imagine.  Perhaps they would like to comment about it!  It was quite challenging- a guy talking about how God is good all the time, despite the fact he’s going through struggles and couldn't really afford food that week.

Monday we started the day at the OM base for the devotional time.  Then we took Mum and Dad to Bethesda so they could see where I work, me in action kinda.  Once school finished we did a home visit to the Bethesda kid who hadn’t been at school for 2 months, to find that he needed to see the Dr (Jono took him later that week).  They pulled out their best chairs (that are rickety) for Dad and Jono to sit on.  Then we went to Nakoli school which is one of the schools OM has set up in partnership with one of the churches here.  From there we headed back to the base for a late lunch.  We showed them around the base and introduced them to some of the people there.  On the way home we drove a little way through Makalulu which is one of the shanti compounds here, this is where Bethesda is starting to branch into.  Peter and Brendah had generously offered to host us for a Zambian meal, which was lovely (and of course included Nshima).  The best Zambian food I’ve had here!

I love this, "Asphalt Roads Zambia", with a dirt road in front of it.  Sign on the way to Bethesda

Beatrice sitting in a box of balls - we have to make the most of what we can :)

Saw this sign near where we did the home visit

Eric walking - OH YEAH!

Come into class one day and what do I see Clement sitting there with these fancy shades on, what a crack up!

Unfortunately blurry,  but I really like it all the same!

Lovely smiles boys!

Tuesday we took Mum and Dad to the airport at Lusaka it would have been great to have had them for longer, but a REAL blessing to have had them for the time they were here.  We did a couple of other bits and pieces around Lusaka before heading home.  

And why didn't I take any photos of this bit of the trip! I've had to pad it with other photos (ut oh! Out of sequence, hopefully I don't repeat them!) so it's more interesting.

The part week that was (post holiday)

-          Upon return from holiday, we discover OM base is a hive of activity with the Love Africa conference coming up that weekend, I don’t think I’ve seen it so busy, everyone with their jobs to do.  

-          Wednesday Sandra and I taught the Bethesda children as Brenda was away.  What a tiring morning!  Huge respect to all the teachers out there!! I suspect the task would have been easier could I have spoken Bemba!

Just some more random Bethesda pics

Beatrice actually smiling, which is amazing, as she normally cries!

-          Jono took the Bethesda child mentioned earlier to the Dr.  This finally happened after several weeks of me prompting Bethesda staff that we should investigate why he hasn’t been there for so long.  It’s a learning/educational process!

-          The community clinic had a good turn out, with regular patients, which is good. 

-          The shoe ministry was back with a vengance!  Jono thought that it was over when we left for holiday.  He’d left the shoes with the UK shoes sorted on shelves.  Some people were going to tie them, count them and package them up.  There are 2 lots of donated shoes some from the UK and some from the US.  We return to find that all the shoes have been mixed up (although generally in separate boxes) and piled at the back of the book store, blocking the garage door.  They wanted to know how many there were, so Jono went and asked who he thought had been in charge of the shoes in his absence, only to find the shoes weren’t counted.  So we spent most of Thursday moving shoes.  It took quite some effort (and some muscles!) to move the boxes away from the garage door so we could open it.  Not the easiest task when there is limited space and big heavy boxes! Then the US shoes had to be transported to another location, which wasn’t ready till the end of the day.  Luckily we had some helpers right at the end of the day.  However we didn’t finish.  Friday was more of the same, shoes shoes SHOES!!  One perk is that Bethesda (i.e. me) has acquired some lovely shoes for the children!

Random picture

One of the many Abnormal/es that go past

Prayer thanks
- For safety while we've been travelling
- For the weeks holiday we've just had (more to come on that)

Prayer requests
- For continued safety on the roads
- That my physio registration will come through (haven't heard anything, sick of chasing)
- That we will really enjoy our time here (We've been feeling a bit busy/flat the last little while) and will connect well with locals and fellow missionaries
- That we'll put God in top spot followed by our marriage.

Bethesda prayer requests
- Wheelchair camp seemed to go off pretty smoothly, so thanks for that.
- On the way back from wheelchair camp one of the Lake Tanganika team ran over and therefore killed a two year old that ran out in front of the truck he was driving.  He got out to try to help and was beaten up by the community (which is sad since it wasn't his fault), the truck was also beaten.  Both he and the grieving family need your prayers.
- For unity amongst the team (different personality styles continue to be in conflict)
- For safety as we travel, we are heading up to Kitwe to visit another disability school.
- For the land application
- For healing for our patients
- For increased financial support
- For the Bethesda support groups to grow in number and spiritually.

OM prayer requests
- For the classes that have just started/about to start
- For finances to build dormitories.
- For the new leader (Melvin who has been leading OM Zambia is leaving for South Africa at some stage, I assume in the new year)