Five Years in Zambia

April 21, 2007 our family of 4 (at the time) arrived on a British Airways flight at 6am. We were greeted with lots of smiles and hugs from people that we barely knew. April 21, 2012, we cannot believe that 5 years have passed and those people that met us at the airport have become our family away from home. Nyimba really has become our home. When we travel somewhere, our kids always ask, "when are we going home?" I ask, "which home?" They quickly reply, "Nyimba home!" It is such an answer to many prayers and a huge blessing that our kids call this place home. God has called us here but He has also placed a love in our children's hearts for Nyimba too! Each year, April 21st is a celebration for our family as we look back over the past year.
This year, we packed up the car and decided to go and visit "our" Zambian family that we have adopted like they are apart of us! They had no idea that we were coming. When we arrived Bertha and Gershom were in their field harvesting their corn and pumpkins. We saw two huge piles of corn that would need to be put in their storage bin. We worked quickly to get the corn put away before they arrived home. After one hour and nine people working the task was complete. When they arrived from the field, you should have seen the shock on their faces. They were overwhelmed with surprise that someone had put their maize (corn) away! Then to add to the shock, the kids and I came out from their backyard to greet them! Kendall had gone into town to buy supplies and buy lunch for them. We shared a meal with them and then they kids (Lily, Easton, Lauren, and Cynthia) all took turns singing songs that they loved. We laughed and sang with them. I cannot think of a better way to celebrate 5 years in Zambia than to be with a family that has known us since we first arrived in Zambia. Bertha and Gershom hosted us in their home for 3 nights while we were going through the 40 day and 40 night missionary orientation.
What a special day for all of us! We will never forget it! Again, we are SO blessed to be missionaries in Zambia and so thankful for the IMB for sending us and for SBC churches for supporting us as we share Christ with the Nsenga People of Zambia and Mozambique! Thank you all for loving and supporting us through the years!