Refreshment

our mini group of four

After my first year at Nahumba, I realized I was in hunger-mode for enriching, challenging spiritual food. While I was in the States, I tried to brainstorm ideas of ways this need could be met throughout the upcoming year. When I returned to Zambia in December, I met with a local veteran missionary friend and we decided to meet for a weekly Bible study for mutual support and encouragement.

This Bible study has been a weekly highlight for the past couple months. It’s just been four of us, but we've had rich times of fellowship, refreshment, and inspiration.

saying good-bye to Grace in Livingstone

The next three months will be different, however. Last week Sara and I bid our friends adieu at the Livingstone airport until June.

We’ll see what refreshing times God has for Sara and me these next few months since we won’t be meeting for our weekly study.

Welcome

(the bulletin board as you enter our house)

Let's Have a Party!

the birthday boy!

Luga (our neighbor) turned seven a few days ago. To celebrate, he invited seven friends for a birthday party. Sara and I stopped over mid-party to shoot some pictures for Luga to share with his grandkids someday ;). Until then, though, I figured you might enjoy a peek at Luga’s celebration.

Luga + seven friends

Depending on where you’re from, it might have been quite some time since you attended an outdoor birthday party in February—complete with water balloons and a piñata! Weehah!

this birthday boy is READY

go girl!

run for the candy

this child.is.so.cute
(and to think she's my neighbor!?!)

team blue

instructions

team red

love these smiles :)

Luga's birthday gift from his parents.
What a COOL tree house!

Yip.Yip. Pizza Night

There's something fun about inviting a friend over for an evening of pizza, good company,

a movie, and Sara's brownies!

that's avocado with Italian seasoned fresh veggies on the bottom
and chicken bbq on the top!

we took a Picnic

On a recent trip to Sikalongo (an hour out into the bush), Sara, a friend and I got a little lost. But, we were beautifully lost. We knew where we were and how to get back to the main route, and we soaked in the colorful scenery sans people. After the “lost” trip, Sara and I dreamed up the idea of a taking a picnic lunch out in the bush on our next Sikalongo expedition.

the set up

the view

Recently, we again had business calling us to Sikalongo, so, when Wednesday dawned sunny and beautiful, Sara started hard boiling eggs, and I went to work in the office finishing a multitude of details for the Sikalongo meeting.

It was well after lunch time by the time we finally left Nahumba, but we were still determined to take our lunch break in the bush. We drove along until we found an area with a pretty view and a bonus scrubby shade bush. Then, we parked the truck, unloaded our camp chairs, pulled our egg salad sandwiches out of the cooler, and enjoyed our picnic.

A handful of folks passed—one vehicle, a few bicycles, and a couple pedestrians. I’m sure they all thought we were pretty nutty, but Sara and I had a grand time.

...it wasn't exactly a waterfront picnic...

After tea (Sara even packed tea cups!) and chocolate, we loaded our chairs back in the truck and left that blissful place, pressing on to Sikalongo for our business.

The sun was screaming out brilliant colors in the western sky by the time we bumped our way back home to Nahumba. What a delightful afternoon. I can’t wait for another picnic.

Work...

In Process...

Kwacha.Word.Excel.Access.Email.Phone.Notepad.Computer.Water.Laptop.Paper.Cash Box.ChequeBook.Contracts.Receipts.Copies.Scanner.Printer.Calendar.Receipts.Pen.Envelopes.

Extra bonus- necessary, but not always present: internet access IN the office.

Roasted Mealies

In general, Zambians act surprised when they see me enjoying roasted mealies (fire toasted maize). For clarification, maize is a distant relative of sweet corn. Local maize is neither sweet nor tender, but I still enjoy yanking the massive, freshly roasted kernels off the cob for a starchy snack… however, my jaw gets so tired of chewing it’s difficult to eat more than half a cob of mealies at a time. (Our deacon loves roasted maize so much he can eat at least three cobs in one sitting!) I don’t cook the local treat myself (way too much work for half a cob at a time), but I occasionally enjoy the tough, roasted goodness from street vendors or at friends’ houses.