We've been 4 months now in Zambia - Where did the time go?

It is amazing to think that it has already been more than 4 months that we have been in Zambia. It feels like yesterday that we arrived in Lusaka but at the same time it feels like ages ago. It is a mixed bag of emotions looking back over these past 4 months but time certainly went very fast.

One thing that certainly stands out is the friendliness of the people in Zambia. In general, people are very open and friendly and eager to start a conversation. It is part of their culture to have large groups of friends and having a "muzungu" (white person) as a friend is something special. We have been very blessed to be able to work with a great group of people in the office as well as with the mamas in the homes. They all have a passion for the orphans and try to do the best they can with the limited resources they have. With the funding from the US and Canada the basics are covered but there is a need for more funding, especially since the kids are getting older and a growing number of them is off to boarding school. It is like in a normal family where we often say; "little kids, small expenses, big kids, big expenses". The same it true here with the kids growing up. We certainly could use more funding for education related expenses so if you have some money to spare, please consider sponsoring a child. Your reward will be the biggest smile in the world and a new friend in Zambia.

The other thing that we had to get used to is the pace of things. We knew beforehand that things take longer here than what we are used in North America but it is only when you really live here that it hits home. On one hand it is "relaxing" not to have the pace that we are used to but in other situations you would like things to get done quickly. Our patience has been tested many times and I am sure that there will be many more times to come. The other thing is that there are often unforeseen circumstances that throw off your plans, whether this is a vehicle that breaks down, running out of money, no electricity or whatever it may be. Life is just not as predictable as it would be back home. You are taught to sort of take it day by day and not to worry too much about what is next. In a way it is biblical not to worry about the future but we are so used to planning ahead that not having a plan that covers a couple of days (or even weeks) feels odd.

Last week we didn't post a blog since we were in the middle of getting our vehicle across the border which was an eventful experience and it has not been fully completed yet. Last week Friday Humphray lost his phone and we couldn't reach him anymore so we got worried after a few days without contact. Then on Monday afternoon this week, he suddenly shows up at the office with the vehicle as one big surprise. As it turned out, they had allowed him to drive to Lusaka without clearing the vehicle but since he had no phone he was not able to let us know. We were all relieved to see him back in the office and with the vehicle. This coming week we'll try to get it cleared and hopefully registered so that we can start using our own set of wheels.

Last week Gert visited "Old MacDonald's" farm on the outskirts of Lusaka which is a farm project supported by Farming God's Way (which is now Foundations for Farming). They have an impressive operation going on with a lot of different vegetables, fruit trees and farm animals. On about one hectare they are able to grow enough food for the street kids ministry as well as sell some of the surplus and generate income that way. Phil Bailey who normally works in Petauke (about 300km east of Lusaka) is the one that set up the farm and has an exceptional knowledge of all the plans, trees, etc. He works with the philosophy that for every disease God has already provide a medicine. Nature is full of medicines and most medicines that we take have active ingredients that are originally from plants but now often made synthetically. In Africa there are many medicinal plants and trees and Phil is very much aware of all the benefits of these plants. It would be great to use his knowledge and experience and start a similar operation in Nyangwena. There is a lot of potential for farming but it has to be done the right way, God's way. And the different farms that Phil supports are proof to that.

Then on this coming Tuesday Machteld will leave for a visit to Canada for about two and a half weeks. She will be able to catch up with some friends in Acton as well as visit some friends in White Rock for a few days. Machteld will come back a couple of days after Kim and Anneloes arrive in Lusaka. So for the coming two weeks it will be a bit different in the house with Machteld gone. It almost feels like that we are really home here now and that when someone leaves it is only for a short while and then comes back. Since we are here most of the year we probably should call this home and it certainly feels like it. But at the same time, we know that our real home is in Acton and we will always look forward to coming "home" again in November. Machteld will have the privilege to see the church expansion all finished before the rest of us. George Wang's pictures are great to see but don't compare to the real thing. I am sure it is very different from when we left in January.

We look forward to a week with lots of happenings and in everything we hope to be "Shining Light and Showing Love" to the people around us. We serve an amazing God.