Our Neck of the Woods

Wednesday afternoon Kendall wanted to get out of the house. The kids were not going to take a nap, so we all got in the car and I took the camera along for the ride.

We drove up to the top of a hill to take a picture of Nyimba, on our way, we saw one of our church members, Shekson and we decided to stop for a quick hello.

While Kendall was talking with Shekson, a gentleman began to ask me if I would "take a snap of him with his bike" (tengani snap!) This was hilarious! These bikes that Zambians ride are HEAVY, they weigh about 30 lbs. and are made of steel.

We began our journey again, not quite knowing where we were heading. Then I began to think and I suggested that we go and visit our friends at Ukhose! We drove through the boma (town center) on our way. Here are some things we see in the boma on a regular basis.

Bike taxis. These men will go to the market and pick up passengers and take them where they need to go! Remember that those bikes are not light nor easy to steer. Imagine driving one with a grown adult on the back!

Women walking home from the market.

A bus pulled in from Lusaka heading to Chipata. Women selling bananas and mangos run to the windows to sell the BEST bananas in Zambia, Nyimba bananas! Men from shops will also come to the window to collect money and purchase drinks or talk time for cell phones while the passengers stay on the bus.

Nyimba Secondary (High) Boarding School. In the foreground is the soccer field and the basketball goals are in the far right corner of the field.

Almost to Ukhose! In the background is the eastern portion of the Nyimba boma. During the dry season you can see our house from here! Right in the center of the picture you can see two women, one with a yellow jug on her head, they are coming from the borehole with water for baths and dinner.

We soon begin to hear, "BAMBO KENDALL!!!" as we drive through the villages and these two  boys began running alongside our truck. They ran for about 600 meters until we reached the Daka's house. They were so happy that we had come to visit them. These two boys attend Ukhose Baptist Church.

Their little sister wasn't far behind! She was so precious! She ran so fast to come and greet us!

She made it and after all of that running, she was still smiling!

When the truck stopped, they ran to greet Lily, Easton, and Lauren in the truck.

Here is where Ukhose is meeting until they finish their new building. This is Africa...church under a tree. I wonder if the churches Jesus preached at looked a bit like this?

Easton got out of the truck to see "his friends". In Zambia, it is very normal for you to say that you are friends with someone after only meeting them one time. It is precious because Easton says that all Zambian children "awre my fwiends"! They boys love to touch his hair because it is so soft, like a teddy bear.

I was so happy to see Mrs. Daka (David's wife). It has been so long and I was excited! We talked and I asked her if I could start teaching the women at Ukhose Baptist and she said "YES!!" I will begin teaching the women at Ukhose on Wednesdays at 2p.m., please pray that I would be wise in what I teach them. They are women that are excited about their walk with the Lord and are telling people about Jesus. They are true disciples of Jesus Christ and I am thrilled to begin teaching them in February.

If you have kept up with our blog, you have heard about a man named David Daka. The "Seeds Produce Roots" post tells his amazing testimony. He is a man that is FULL of the JOY of the Lord! Kendall will be baptizing him on Sunday! He came to see us from the new church plot. He is building a church building for the congregation to meet in! Ukhose has only been a church since September! Can you tell they are excited about their new life in Jesus?!!

Easton's friends gathered together for a picture!

Then Lily brought out the soccer ball from our car...and the FUN started!

David and Kendall finalized the program for the baptism service on Sunday. The man in the yellow shirt is also a member of the church. When he saw us drive up, he ran over with his notebook and pen and the women gathered mats and a chair because they thought we were there to teach them. They are so eager to learn about God's Word. Kendall will be leading a Bible Study there two times a week starting next week. This church should be called Antioch because they have already started two new preaching points in far away villages and begun e evangelism in two others!

Futbol (soccer) continued!

Where's Kendall? Can you find him?

The futbol went up the hill. The kids followed it everywhere in hopes to get a chance to kick it.

And it went left! I took about 15 pictures in continuous mode, it is like a cartoon as I flash through them, wish I could have posted them all, it is awesome!

Mrs. Daka with her baby girl

She is so happy all of the time now, can you tell she knows Jesus?! Her joy is indescribable and her peace is abundant.

And the azungu (white people) were on their way home after a fun afternoon making a surprise visit to our good friends and brothers and sisters in Christ at Ukhose.

After living in Nyimba for two years now, it is the best feeling to know that we have true friends here. They welcome us with open arms and want nothing more than to share life with us. What a blessing!

Thanks for joining us in our neck of the woods for an afternoon!