We are thinking about you. Many ask about Tiffan—the daughter who visited last January—mostly it is boys who ask! They also ask about Aaron because most of our Sponsored kids knew of his health problems. They are very grateful that our family is well and genuinely say that they are so happy Aaron is well and for his wife and for us! We have seen many of our special students; some had come to see even before we arrived. Too special!
Rich and I are settling in after six days in Zambia. Our Zambia work permits made passing through Immigration at Livingstone a five-minute job—unreal! AND, all our luggage arrived—if you can imagine! We finally both slept last night so today our heads are more on task. We've paid for over two thirds of the students so far. I've reviewed as many term 1 and 2 reports as I've received and have had many pep talks with the kids!
This morning three of the boys (Daniel from Sikalongo, Oberty from Monze High, and Fletcher from Chipepo) were here bright and early. I made porridge for myself and the boys. Rich had mini-wheats (our only box! - and then he'll be into Zamflakes!). We had tea and porridge and then had a morning devo with the boys—too special. Daniel closed in prayer (he is another one of these extremely grateful and humble kids) with an excellent report card. Both his parents died when he was a baby and he lives with his blind, divorced aunt who has two of her own daughters to educate! What a grateful and pleasant boy!
I mended Innocent's pants yesterday. Innocent is a new student who I enrolled and he has the sweetest smile. He is in grade 7. He had come to me asking for another uniform and I'd just bought him one last January. "But Madam, my pants are short!" he complained, and sure enough Innocent is a few inches taller! When he brought me the pants the crotch was ripped out as well both sides were split. I found Ruhtt's sewing machine and had them fixed within thirty minutes. I had Innocent pick out the old hem and then I ironed them out and they'll be fine for one more term! Then, what does Innocent say, "But madam, my shoes have ended!"? I said for him to go back to the school, because I'd need more time to think of what to do about shoes!! What can I do about those? Duct tape?!
We paid fees at Zimba school—about a forty-minute drive from here. We have twelve kids there. We had lots of fun reuniting with them. I had taken a photo of Brittel's tongue last year after he'd eaten a green freezee and had the kids guess whose tongue this might be. It was a fun contest and the kids just died of laughter looking at the tongue photo!
Zesco, the Zambian power company has daily "load shedding" power shortages. They publish the times in the newspaper, but it seems to me that they don't always follow the schedule. Because we were jet lagged this week, lights out at 8pm is quite okay since for now trying to sleep is a good thing to do. I think we're recovered for now, but Zesco is not and will keep on with the power outages—tonight we had a cold supper. Hunger has set in early around here, poor maize crop—about 87% failure in this area.
For those that know BK - I saw him today and we had a short but warm greeting. He was at the bank (the bank was closed, but he was still able to do business through the locked iron grate!). What a guy!
I bought mealie meal for our kids who will come tomorrow—ouch the price is up and also the price of maize seed and fertilizer! As well, the kwacha is now trading at K3300 per dollar (was 3600 - 3800 last Dec/Jan). So, things are more expensive!
Richard and I are auditing two Harding classes (Tonga and African History) on Monday through Thursday each week from 0630 to 0800. The classes are very good. As auditing students we just sit; we don't put our hands up!
Well tomorrow the sponsored kids are coming early; I've ordered buns and we'll have tea and then get to work! I have two college girls who clean inside and some high school girls who do laundry. As well, some kids are coming that have had some 'issues'—that should be interesting and hopefully produce something better for the kids. We'll see.
Our friend Derrick Siapegwa, the goat boy, is ill and I'm not sure what his trouble is. I'll be seeing him again on Sunday; he doesn't look well at all. We may need to get him to a better medical situation. Pray for Derrick, please.
We think about our family and church family every day. We appreciate that we can do this kind of work together here. Richard is quite comfortable. Some of our chocolate chips are still in the freezer and he says he's given up trying to sneak them out because, "You've buried them at the bottom of the freezer," but honestly, I didn't! Anyway, they might still be around when I get some cookie baking ingredients and get an accurate Zesco power-out schedule!
It is hot here - we hung our Co-op thermometer in a shady spot by the back door. In the morning it is about 18 degrees and noon it is about 33. By 6 pm it is cooling back down to 18. It will get hotter, this is only the start of heat!
Rich and I are settling in after six days in Zambia. Our Zambia work permits made passing through Immigration at Livingstone a five-minute job—unreal! AND, all our luggage arrived—if you can imagine! We finally both slept last night so today our heads are more on task. We've paid for over two thirds of the students so far. I've reviewed as many term 1 and 2 reports as I've received and have had many pep talks with the kids!
This morning three of the boys (Daniel from Sikalongo, Oberty from Monze High, and Fletcher from Chipepo) were here bright and early. I made porridge for myself and the boys. Rich had mini-wheats (our only box! - and then he'll be into Zamflakes!). We had tea and porridge and then had a morning devo with the boys—too special. Daniel closed in prayer (he is another one of these extremely grateful and humble kids) with an excellent report card. Both his parents died when he was a baby and he lives with his blind, divorced aunt who has two of her own daughters to educate! What a grateful and pleasant boy!
I mended Innocent's pants yesterday. Innocent is a new student who I enrolled and he has the sweetest smile. He is in grade 7. He had come to me asking for another uniform and I'd just bought him one last January. "But Madam, my pants are short!" he complained, and sure enough Innocent is a few inches taller! When he brought me the pants the crotch was ripped out as well both sides were split. I found Ruhtt's sewing machine and had them fixed within thirty minutes. I had Innocent pick out the old hem and then I ironed them out and they'll be fine for one more term! Then, what does Innocent say, "But madam, my shoes have ended!"? I said for him to go back to the school, because I'd need more time to think of what to do about shoes!! What can I do about those? Duct tape?!
We paid fees at Zimba school—about a forty-minute drive from here. We have twelve kids there. We had lots of fun reuniting with them. I had taken a photo of Brittel's tongue last year after he'd eaten a green freezee and had the kids guess whose tongue this might be. It was a fun contest and the kids just died of laughter looking at the tongue photo!
Zesco, the Zambian power company has daily "load shedding" power shortages. They publish the times in the newspaper, but it seems to me that they don't always follow the schedule. Because we were jet lagged this week, lights out at 8pm is quite okay since for now trying to sleep is a good thing to do. I think we're recovered for now, but Zesco is not and will keep on with the power outages—tonight we had a cold supper. Hunger has set in early around here, poor maize crop—about 87% failure in this area.
For those that know BK - I saw him today and we had a short but warm greeting. He was at the bank (the bank was closed, but he was still able to do business through the locked iron grate!). What a guy!
I bought mealie meal for our kids who will come tomorrow—ouch the price is up and also the price of maize seed and fertilizer! As well, the kwacha is now trading at K3300 per dollar (was 3600 - 3800 last Dec/Jan). So, things are more expensive!
Richard and I are auditing two Harding classes (Tonga and African History) on Monday through Thursday each week from 0630 to 0800. The classes are very good. As auditing students we just sit; we don't put our hands up!
Well tomorrow the sponsored kids are coming early; I've ordered buns and we'll have tea and then get to work! I have two college girls who clean inside and some high school girls who do laundry. As well, some kids are coming that have had some 'issues'—that should be interesting and hopefully produce something better for the kids. We'll see.
Our friend Derrick Siapegwa, the goat boy, is ill and I'm not sure what his trouble is. I'll be seeing him again on Sunday; he doesn't look well at all. We may need to get him to a better medical situation. Pray for Derrick, please.
We think about our family and church family every day. We appreciate that we can do this kind of work together here. Richard is quite comfortable. Some of our chocolate chips are still in the freezer and he says he's given up trying to sneak them out because, "You've buried them at the bottom of the freezer," but honestly, I didn't! Anyway, they might still be around when I get some cookie baking ingredients and get an accurate Zesco power-out schedule!
It is hot here - we hung our Co-op thermometer in a shady spot by the back door. In the morning it is about 18 degrees and noon it is about 33. By 6 pm it is cooling back down to 18. It will get hotter, this is only the start of heat!
No comments:
Post a Comment