More Days in Zambia

It is Sunday evening, and another hot and full day has been completed. Today the sun shone brightly and it must have reached 30 degrees once again. We did not receive any rain, but we could see some dark clouds gathering in the horizon before dark. It is time for more rain, so that the temperatures will drop a few degrees. The people here are saying that the rains so far have been quite local. They are looking for more general and far-reaching rains; so are we.

Yesterday was a planting day. We took the sponsored kids that leave near Namwianga out to the farm to plant maize. It was a fairly easy job because the tractor did most of the work. The field was ploughed and the rows were drawn out. All we had to do was to drop the seeds into the rows. Then they tied a large tree branch behind the tractor and dragged it all over the field to cover the seeds. I am not sure about this method of covering the seeds. I think that maybe the seeds got scattered around. We will see when the plants begin to sprout. If I had to do it again, I would just have the kids use a hoe to cover the seeds. The hard work will come when it is time to fertilize and weed. The kids will love that as much as some others I know who had to weed in a garden a few years ago.

This morning we went to church at Twin Fountains. Heinz had invited me to preach, and so I am getting good use of one particular sermon. On the way to church, I told Sue that she was going to hear the sermon for the third time. She helped me out by telling me that it was fine because she knows that there is little time in the schedule to prepare for such things. Heinz then asked me to preach the same sermon at the Good Hope church so I guess Sue will get to hear it at least one more time.

After church, we had a wonderful meal and a relaxing visit on the Müller veranda. What a peaceful place! It is cool and quiet; it overlooks a beautiful green valley. The food was excellent. And, oh yes, there was the meeting with Heinz to discuss progress and the future of Good Hope School.

At 2:30, we set off for our 2:00 meeting at Katungu school. We decided that the visit and peaceful atmosphere on the Müller veranda was more important than being on time. We are becoming quite Zambian! However, poor Kadonsi, who tends to be on time, was at the school for a full hour before we arrived. We picked up Wilson, the education secretary, and took him with us. Once at Katungu, we dropped off Wilson, and then went for another twenty minute drive to fetch the head teacher. It was a difficult meeting involving personal problems of a couple of the staff. It is sure good to have Kadonsi and Wilson for such things; they both conduct themselves very professionally.

Following the meeting we delivered seed and fertilizer to two of the churches in the area. The churches have agreed to work together as a congregation to plant a field of maize, which when harvested will be used to help out the very poor in their communities.

It was just getting dark by the time we got home, and now at 8:15, I am finishing this email.

The power is off again, but Sue can cook like most Zambian ladies, outside, using the brazier, fueled by charcoal! The pot boiled over and she had to sweep the outside kitchen!!

Anyway, it was a yummy stew and you know how camping food is—always better than regular cooking!

Today was a great day, church at Twin Fountains and then a meeting out at Katungu and the sun is down now and mosquitoes are nipping at us while we e-mail outside! (It's where the internet reception is!)