Luangwa Bridge Baptist Church

Today we traveled two hours (one way) to go to a church at the Luangwa Bridge. It rained all the way there so we were not expecting a big crowd. After hitting a gong outside the church, within just a few minutes people began to come. There were probably about 40 of us all together. This area is known for 3 things: a place to buy fish, beer drinking, and prostitution. Kevin encouraged the church to start reaching out to others and sharing Christ, so the town would change and be a light house for God instead. After the service, they gave us gifts of 3 baskets and two straw hats for Hannah and Justin. We ate lunch with them, and then when we walked back up to the truck we found one of the members washing our truck in the sprinkling rain. It never fails that as we go out to encourage others, we instead are blessed by the people.
We saw something else interesting today that I would like to share with you. During the church service the rain poured down all around us, and even on us a bit. As you can tell from the picture there was just a grass roof, and it had a gap at the top where the rain just came into the church. They had placed a reed mat on the ground for the children to sit on, and the rain was dripping on about 5 of the kids. The kids just sat there and didn't move or complain, but were just happy to be there in the church. It was really kind of sad to me because it seemed no one cared that the children were getting wet. After about 10 min. of this going on, someone finally said that they should move the mat to a dry spot, so they did. What was amazing to me is that those Zambian children didn't even try to move out of the way. It was almost like they didn't think they had another option. I tried to imagine if my kids had been sitting there, or any other American kid for that matter. What would they have done in that situation? You all know they would have complained, made a scene, or at least gotten up and moved. Zambians grow up thinking that personal comfort is a privilege and not a right, whereas Americans are brought up to believe the opposite. Unfortunately, we teach this to our children when they are very young by giving them everything they want to make sure they are comfortable (plus more). I'm not saying we should not make sure our children are well taken care of and comfortable. I guess I am saying that we as Americans should be thankful for the things that we have, and not complain so much when our comforts are taken away... (like electricity, water, phone, good health care, and internet). Maybe you don't have to deal with those things being taken away from you in the USA, but here in Zambia it is something that we as missionaries have to deal with quite often. Pray for us that we would always be thankful for what God allows us to have, and that we would realize that the things we do have are a privilege and not a right.

Zach back to school

Zach traveled on the 18th to Joburg. and then on the 19th he flew to Nairobi, Kenya. We have heard from him and he made it there safely. This is a picture that was taken the morning that he left for Kenya. It is Zach with his roommate for this term, Nathan Dickard. He and Nathan have been friends since they were 6 years old. Nathan and his family use to be missionaries in Zambia with us but a few years ago took another assignment in South Africa. Pray the boys will have a good term together as roommates and in their studies.

Botswana

While traveling home from South Africa we went through the country of Botswana. These are just a few of the pictures I took while we were there. We made a couple of stops along the way. The boys(all 3 of them) saw some rocks over on the side of the road so we decided to stop so they could climb and play for a few minuits. We also stopped at Chobe Safari Lodge right before the border to spend the night. We had never been on a river cruise so we decided to do that since we got there just in time. We enjoyed it but didn't get to see many animals because of the rainy season. Usually, there are many animals coming to drink the water but since there is so much water these days they don't have to come to where we were. We mainly saw hippos, crocodiles, many different types of antelope, and lots of birds. We especially liked staying at the lodge because it was very nice.

This is on the boat we took for the cruise.

Lechwe

This is the place we stayed the first night. I thought it was neat because the house was raised up on poles.

Happy New Year!

These are the people we celebrated New Year's Eve with; from left to right are: Daren, Shawna, Peyton Davis, our family in the back, Dee Ann, Wade, and Michelle Coker, and Kay and Mike Norfleet. We had gumbo for dinner and then had lots of wonderful snacks throughout the evening. We had a time of reflecting on this past year and of looking forward to 2008 and then we prayed for one another. We played games, talked, and ate a lot! We even were able to enjoy some fireworks outside.

Peyton and Hannah making Princess hats.

This was a really fun game to play, however, I was getting quite frustrated with myself trying to figure out how the pieces fit together.

MK Camp

This past week Zach and Justin, along with about 50 other missionary kids from all over Southern Africa went to camp right outside of Joburg. South Africa. A team from the US came to help at the camp and did a great job. The kids had a great time being around the other mk's and being challenged in their relationship with God. One night Zach and some of his friends(pictured below) had the opportunity to play a mini concert for their friends.

Zach, Colson, and Micah getting on the bus. They are so excited!