Muli buti,
It’s beautiful here this time of year. We are headed into “winter”, which means gorgeous sunny and balmy days with chilly mornings and evenings. Perfect weather! David prefers the extreme heat but this is my cup of tea. To the locals it is very cold and many heavy coats and hats are seen along with moms carrying babies on their backs with chitenges and blankets wrapped around them.
I was reflecting the other day on how different our lives are here compared to the states.. I’ve learned a family of two can survive with two towels, one set of sheets can be used for 18 months straight (weekly washing, of course) and hold up just fine, it’s possible to cook without packaged shredded cheese, various insects, frogs, geckos and pets can all exist (and possibly expire) in the same house (with us) and there are times plaids and prints DO go together. Several years ago I could never have imagined what life would look like now. The most important thing David and I have learned is that each morning we need to pray for Gods’ guidance throughout the day and trust that he will take care of us, no matter what situations we incur. We used to “think” we were doing this but we’ve gained a totally new perspective on relying on God for all our needs. It’s very simple, we just have to do it! I was always so impatient.. like well God you must be busy so I’ll take over now. His will is so much better than mine!
We read something the other day during our devotions which really spoke to us “God knows what we truly need. Even though many Christians live in poverty and endure hardship, God gives them the spiritual nourishment they need in order to live for him. If we have a relationship with God, we have all we need, despite our circumstances.” This is so true of the Zambian people, there is so much to be learned here.
Socks IS pregnant and expecting in the next week or so, I think. I’m excited, never had a dog that had pups. She’s getting bigger everyday and nesting in the bed we made her on the back porch. Wilma (the cat) goes out and lays with her and cleans her. I think these puppies will have two moms! Socks continues to win the hearts of the teams that come through and can be seen stationed outside the guest house just in case someone should “need” her.
I have been power walking in the mornings and seeing the same groups of people during my walks. It’s fun, some mornings school kids will try to “race” me, the ladies pump their arms and smile at me and I see the same old man every morning. He must work nights, because he’s always carrying his brazier (small cooking/heating grill), wearing his knit cap and carrying many items. He walks towards me swinging the brazier, which is still putting out lots of heat, hesitates, smiles and gives me a thumbs up. I look forward to seeing him everyday. Got a big compliment the other day, I am “strong for a old lady”…J
David is working with me with teams and he’s really enjoying it. The majority of odds and ends of the building project are complete so he has more time now, before WHIZ comes up with another project for him. WHIZ had their first training in the new centre and housed 36 people in the guest house. It went very well and people were very impressed with the centre and accommodations.
Great experience yesterday, travelled with a team to a trust and we ladies learned how to build an oven out of a small hill and the Zambian ladies learned how to make a cake. They dug out a square hole in the side of the hill, heated it up with twigs and bark and when it was hot enough we scooped out all the “coals” and then put the cake in and closed the hole with a sheet of metal. The heat from the ground bakes the cake! I had no idea! It was done in about 50 minutes and the ladies loved it! I also spent sometime teaching a number of ladies how to make socks and sweaters. It was great fun and it’s such a wonderful way to interact with people. They love the different color yarn and the textures. Circular needles are fascinating to them. I’m already getting low on yarn and needles so if anyone has any, let me know and maybe you can send it with a team that is coming this way.
We’re very busy right now, drop off one team on Saturday and pick up another team of 15 the same day. Please pray for our strength and health. Our responsibilities with teams starts months before they arrive and continues long after they leave. We love what we do but it can be emotionally and physically draining. Thank you for your continued prayers and support, we are blessed to have so many partners in our ministry. Again, thanks for the emails and notes, we love reading them. Thinking about the wonders of spring in Michigan and do miss those smells - freshly mowed grass, the air after it rains and all the flowers! Check out our new pictures on Facebook, especially the ones of the oven.
Blessings,
Ba David and Mrs. David
P.S. How does spell check know where I am and that words are spelled differently (like honor and center - honour and centre) here?
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