Upon arrival

Most of you have been directed to this site to read updates on our short time here in Zambia. It’s true, that is the primary reason for starting a blog at this time, but I hope it will be something I continue to use to share stories, experience, thoughts, lessons learned, and photos, whether traveling or not. I hope you enjoy what you read. I hope it makes you stop and think, evaluate, be thankful and pray. Prayer, after all, is something we could all do a little more of.

So...Zambia! As our South African Airways flight from Johannesburg descended upon Livingstone, the captain directed our attention to the mist rising from Victoria Falls in the distance. With Namibia directly behind us, Botswana and Zimbabwe on the right, and Zambia on the left, we navigated along the Zambezi River until we reached the small airport. After collecting all 24 checked bags (12 people) and 24 carry-on bags, we piled into two vehicles for the last leg of our journey to Namwianga. I have seen roads much worse than those we drove on to get here, but potholes are potholes, and sometimes there is no avoiding them. Needless to say, the ride was a bit bumpy at times, but, with help from the Chinese, Zambia is working to improve their roads. Along the way we passed several children on their way home from school, families doing laundry by a small pond, and small herds of cattle grazing along the road. At one point there was a beautiful cow in the road. He decided to stroll right in front of the car in front of us. Eventually he decided to walk on the grass instead of the road. Our driver, Donald, laughed and told us this story:

There was a cow, a goat and a dog going on the road. The cow paid his fare to use the road, the goat did not pay, and the dog paid, but he was not given his change. That is why the cow walks on the road like he owns it, because he has paid the fare. The goat, runs away from the road when cars pass, because he is in debt and in fear of being caught. And the dog chases after vehicles on the road because he wants his change back.

Upon arrival at the large campus of the Namwianga Mission, I was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful vegetation. Around all the buildings are large blooming poinsettias, orange trees, papaya trees, hibiscus, and several other flowering and fruit bearing plants. We went for a walk around campus this morning, and saw the school and college nearby. This afternoon two of our professors are meeting with the mission superintendent to set up a schedule for our work here. This morning we discussed the different work we plan to do with the infants and toddlers in the orphanage, the children in the schools, and perhaps some of the patients at the medical center. I am very excited about the opportunities that we have here and a little overwhelmed by the great need. I’m certain we will not be able to do everything we want to in our 6-week stay, but I am also confident that the work we will be able to accomplish will make a difference and be the start of something bigger.

The photo is of our group in front of the Namwianga school. Mrs. McLain sacrificed being in the photo to take the picture.