Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Yes, I know that it has been a long time since many of you thought about the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.  However, many of you may not know that the official cut off date is May 31st.  So, perhaps some of you would like to give again real quick before it closes out.  You can go to:  https://netcommunity.imb.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=229
As missionaries we also give to this offering.  In the past,  those of us in Zambia have had fun with an auction to raise money for this offering.  I just visited a friends blog where their group of missionaries did the same thing recently.  She even has pictures and prices of things that missionaries paid top dollar for.  If you would like to read about it please go to:  http://tothebridgeandback.blogspot.com/  and scroll down to the post titled "Lottie Moon Fundraiser."

New Puppy

 Last Saturday we finally found a new puppy for our family.  It is 2/3 Rhodesian Ridgeback and 1/3 Alsation.  It took us a long time to come up with a name but in the end we all agreed on Xena.  Many of you know that while we were in the states one of our dogs died and the other ran away just leaving us with one. We are so thankful to have found a little puppy that needed a home.

 She has the sweetest little face!

 Justin and Xena

 Hannah got out one of her little baby beds and Xena took right to it.

 River Belle has enjoyed watching the puppy this week.

 Hannah and Xena

Ibis Gardens

While we were at Ibis this past week I got to keep River Belle for Sky while she taught the participants PILAT.  It was so much fun to be able to spend time with her.  

During the mornings the participants have about an hour with someone in administration to prepare them for what lies ahead once they get to their place of service.  Then Sky teaches them PILAT which is a language learning tool up until lunch.  After lunch they get to enjoy some free time except for one afternoon where they meet with someone to debrief their experience at 40/40.

Orville and Suzan enjoying some down time.

The kids always enjoy swimming even if it is a little cold.

Sally and Alex with the kids.

Alex with the kids

Langiwe and Mary

River Belle playing out under a tree.

Suzie and River Belle

Hannah and River Belle

Our 40/40 group

Please pray for all of these participants that have now all gone back to their place of service.  Pray for them as they learn language and culture in their countries.  

Ashley, Sally, and Alyssa

Our family with Anna Grace.  She used to live in Zambia so we already knew her.  It sure was neat to be able to spend some time with her this past month and see the wonderful young woman that she has become.

Two weeks before 40/40 began we did not know who we were going to get to teach the children.  While we were at our mission meeting in Malawi we met Sally.  She agreed to come and be the teacher this time.  She did a great job!  We are so thankful for her sacrifice to come and be our teacher for a month.

Amberly, Ashley, Alyssa, and Daly

Anna Grace, Ashley, Jessica, Alyssa, Alex, and Jamie

Amberly, Matt, Daly, and Atie

The last night we always have a program.  The kids acted out a story they had learned.  They even got some of the adults involved.

 Jane Ann, Adrienne, and Amberly sang a song and showed many different ways to use a chitenge.  It was so cute!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banquet

 Each year we take out the staff for a special banquet while the participants are at their homestay.  The ladies love to get all dressed up!

 Bob and Linda Allen

 Sally and Renee

 Just for fun!

 Me, Hannah, and Matilda

 Justin with the ladies

 Justin with two of the camp staff.

The kitchen staff girls with me and Janet.

Homestays

 Jamie is all packed up and ready to go on her homestay.

  A homestay is where each of our participants and their families go and live with a Zambian family for 3 nights.  They get to work alongside of their host family in their fields.  The women get to cook, wash clothes, and wash dishes alongside the wife.  Then they sleep in the same home with them also.  This is usually a highlight for most participants.  This is an opportunity for the participants to take all that they have learned over the past month and then apply to this situation.  We are so thankful for our friends who have hosted so many 40/40 participants.

Bertha and her two children hosted a few of our journeygirls.

 Some have to be delivered in a truck because their homestay is quite far but then several stay in close by villages that they can walk to.

 They have to carry their things with them.

This is where Anna Grace, Jessica, and Ashley stayed.

Bush Camp

Most people enjoy bush camp the best.  Here are just some random pics. taken throughout bush camp.  The pic. above Hannah, Katie, Elizabeth, and Daly are soaking their feet to try to get them clean.  I think this was even after their bath.

School still continues at bush camp.

Everyday, Daly would practice her reading with Sally.

The participants riding into the boma to do one of their DFA's.

Jane Ann buying some fritas.  Yum!

Janet

Renee was our camp nurse.  She is so much fun!

Two of our participants out asking questions in a nearby village.

Here are some of our kitchen staff.  We appreciate so much all of their hard work.

Kevin

Jessica, Alyssa, and Bertha coming back from their DFA.

Jane Ann and Bart sharing their appreciation to all the helpers.

Saying bye and thank you are very important.

Mat and Janet handle the logistical side of the program.  They do such a great job and we are very thankful for their faithfulness each time.

This was our home for 12 days.

 

Petauke