Hi, honestly don’t know where to start… How can it be mid March already? Last time I checked it was early February..
Here I sit in the new administration/training centre building… with electricity, phones and internet, all at the same time! The past month has been a true test of patience and perseverance on everyone’s’ part. God’s faithfulness is always present! Went to the phone company to have the lines transferred, you know how in the states you call, they flip a switch and presto you have service. NOT so here… The phone company had to put up additional poles to bring the service down the road and string cables. It was quite the undertaking for them but only took 18 days, from the first day we informed them we were changing locations. I popped my head in their offices daily to check on how they were progressing… it is coming they reassured me each day.
The country director wanted us to “shift” (that is what they call moving here) by February 28th. The offices were 90% complete but the electrical installation and inspection had not occurred so we had no power. That began three weeks of struggles with ZESCO (the power company). We had ordered a transformer six months ago (it is coming) and still had not received it until three weeks ago. Unlike the states where the inspection would provide a checklist of items to be repaired, each time ZESCO staff came on site and found one issue they would point it out and say they could not continue (trust me, David asked..). That involved resolving the issue, trying to arrange for them to return and when they reviewed the corrected problem they would continue, find another and I think you can see where I’m going here… Each time David would drive to ZESCO, pick up the inspectors, walk them around and then drive them back. During this time the offices were a maze of extension cords and strips, like snakes everywhere. One generator was powering all the WHIZ offices, whenever someone tried to print another persons’ computer went off. It was funny (sort of) , we were all lost… The building is so large compared to the spaces WHIZ occupied previously finding the restrooms were a challenge. Last Wednesday when ZESCO finally flipped the switch we cheered, everyone was walking around turning lights on and off and smiling!
The guest house presented another challenge, not only electricity but completing the kitchen and making sure all the appliances were connected and working properly. Last Friday night (in pouring down rain, of course) we began moving the team from the old guest house to the new. First we discovered that someone had locked all the bedroom doors and the keys were nowhere to be found. Then the usual things, no hot water, door handles falling off in peoples’ hands, a mini plague of tiny frogs and a bat… the “usual” new house things. This IWU team has been unbelieveable, what troopers! They have been excited about being the first team to inhabit the new guest house. It is beautiful! Brightly painted rooms with African print curtains (made by Ba Judy and the local tailoring project). The kitchen is so nice and big with tile counters and handmade cupboards with glass doors.
David and I also moved this month. The WHIZ property had a home on it that a WHIZ staff family used to live in before being transferred to South Africa. The house has been renovated using left over building materials and we took residence last week. It looks nice, painted the same as the buildings and all of the structures are looking good. It’s great because we are now close to the guest house and offices and can be available for teams 24/7. It’s nice… Hot water, a shower (thank you Lord), a faucet that mixes cold and hot water (what a treat) and DA_DA…(drumroll please..)…wireless internet that spans the property. J
In the midst of all, the knitting classes have continued and the ladies are doing so well. Last week everyone completed their first sock, what a celebration that was, they were so happy! If you could have seen them, putting the sock on and walking all over strutting their “stuff” (sock). Now on to the second one.. I’m hoping a few people from teams are bringing more needles and yarn so we will be able to address the waiting list that has accumulated. There are 30 more ladies that want to learn… One of the ladies has been bringing her bible and she reads to us while we knit. I love spending time with them.
Socks is missing Martin! She has the run of all the property and Martin taught her to be quite a good watchdog. She’s still not fully grown but doesn’t know that.. Our neighbors have a number of large guard dogs. When they step foot on the property she goes wild and I am a nervous wreck. So far they have let her spout off but not sure how long that will last.. Wilma is finally showing her face, she hid for a few days after we moved but is now happily chasing a new and large family of geckos.
So strange, standing in the grocery today listening to Neil Diamond singing about “Coming to America”. Surreal.. I have become quite friendly with almost every grocer in town as buying for this team for three months has me running to the store often. Stainfords’, the small local market, is where I usually buy bottled water for teams. They see me walk in the door and out come the staff to carry water. The name for water here is manzi, so we are now referred to by many as “The Manzis”.
I miss my candy gang… in the old offices we were surrounded by homes, the church and school. The kids always passed by on their way back and forth to school. I hope they find me! Next Tuesday the next team arrives and they don’t stop coming until November. We are looking forward to meeting/reacquainting with the team members and sharing all the great things God is doing here.
This month has had us facing many challenges and trials but through it all God has been with us and guiding our steps. He never leaves us or forsakes us and through each situation He is teaching us. It’s difficult to see that when it’s happening but David and I both know that He brought us here for reasons we may not realize in this lifetime. We do know our relationships with the Zambian people continue to grow and strengthen and we are very content here. Thank you for your ongoing prayers and encouragement, during the last month you carried us many times.
Blessings,
Ba David and Mrs David “Manzi”
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