the wheels on the bus go round and round

The wheels on our mini bus-- Baby Bertha-- that is...

just a portion of the crowd before the ceremony started

I thought you might like to see a few pictures and read part of the email I sent home two weeks ago after attending the graduation at Sikalongo Bible Institute (SBI), about an hour from Nahumba. 

Being part of leadership training here in Zambia is an incredible opportunity.

"I wish you could have been here today-- sandwiched somewhere among the 19+ bodies packed in our 16-passenger bus as we tootled our way to Sikalongo and back. It was an experience I wouldn't want to trade... an experience I won't forget for a long, long time.

Heather and I wanted to attend the Sikalongo Bible Institute graduation, not only because we'd never been to an SBI graduation, but also because our church's intern pastor was graduating this August. 

the graduates entered singing a song

"After the music, message, and diploma presentations, we filed out of the church and shook hands with all the graduates and special people. Those who brought gifts presented them to the graduates. Gifts included chickens, mattresses, pots, and blankets.

We walked over to SBI for lunch. First, we drank/ate chibwantu-- traditional soured maize drink. (It's sort of like drinking water that tastes like yogurt but has little pieces of cooked maize throughout, so it's chewy. It has to be constantly stirred because the maize pieces settle to the bottom of the cup.)

There wasn't nearly enough food for all the guests, but since we came from out of town, we stayed to eat. When the plates of food finally came, they were piled with nshima, meat, and cabbage. 

Pastor Mainga, who interned at our church earlier this year, receiving his diploma

"Eventually we collected all our passengers again and I turned the bus toward home. 

There's not really a way to describe the feeling of being together with these Zambian friends today. Despite the many uncomfortable moments also peppered throughout the day... It was great!

Wish you could have been here too."

Mrs. Pastor Mungo (Mr. Mungo is also a pastor)