Our last few months have been so busy with teams from the states partnering with us in various ministries. Our first team from FBC Clanton, Alabama camped in the middle of the bush, in a camping area prepared for us by our Zambian brothers and sisters. They even built us a bush toilet (down wind). We had an awesome time teaching, playing, singing, dancing and fellowshipping with the believers from the Mpanza church, who also had a campsite next to us. We ended the week with the Jesus Film, and new believers were added to the church.
Our second team from Wynne Baptist Church, Wynne, Arkansas camped on the shores of Lake Kariba in an area known as Sinazongwe. This team worked alongside us and two small groups of Zambian believers in doing evangelism, Bible storying, and teaching new believers. Two new Bible study groups were started, which means we have lots of work ahead of us.
God did great things through both of these teams, but I have to tell you the story of how God worked through this last team. It is a story that began one year ago:
One year ago, this same team, with a few different faces, came to do prayer walking, survey work, and evangelism in the Sinazongwe area. For us, it was a brand new area, and we were looking to see where God might be at work in bringing people to Himself and starting new churches.
As the team walked the streets of Sinazongwe, they talked to many people, shared the good news, gave out tracts, and prayed for people. They saw very few people accept Christ during the actual week of their ministry, although two new Bible study groups were planted from this ministry.
One member of the team, Cathy, talked to a young lady on the street who said she was a prostitute. She did not accept Christ, but was given a booklet to read. On the front of the booklet was the question, “If you died today, do you know for sure that you would go to heaven.” Cathy went home burdened for this young lady, and throughout the year prayed for her and asked others to pray as well.
On the third day of ministry, one year later, part of our group went to the town of Sinazeze to do evangelism with the Bible study group there. Just before reaching the town, the truck broke down. We walked to town and divided up into groups, going out into the villages evangelizing with the Bible study group.
After a few hours, we met back in town and found out that the truck was still broken down. While we waited for transportation to pick us up and carry us back to camp, we went into the shops and invited people to come to a Jesus Film Crusade we would be having on the weekend.
When we came to the end of the shops, we stood around talking to some people while we waited for our ride. One of our Zambian translators came to me and said, “There is a woman across the street that says you must come and see her. She wants to know why you are here.” This made me a little nervous, but I crossed the road with a few other members of the team.
The young lady that met us began questioning us. She said she worked with the town council and wanted to know who we were, what we were doing, and warned us not to be giving out things and make promises that we would not keep. I assured here that we were not here to give out things accept for the good news of Jesus. Then I reached in my pocket and said, “Well there is one thing we are giving out, and it is this little booklet.” When I handed it to her I said, “On the front it asks a question, ‘If you died today do you know for sure that you would go to heaven.”
She looked at me and said, “You asked me that same question last year. You don’t remember me, do you? I met you in Sinazongwe in front of the shops and you asked me this same question.” I had to admit I did not remember her.
I then asked her, “Well, what was your answer last year?” to which she replied, “No, I do not know if I will go to heaven.”
A young Zambian believer who was standing with me said to her, “Why don’t you know, you’ve had a year to read the book. Why haven’t you responded?” I can’t remember what she said, but I asked her, “What is your answer this year?”
She replied, “I still don’t know, and I haven’t responded because I have some hidden sins that I need to get rid of first. I am an adulteress (prostitute).”
Seeing a table and chairs nearby, we sat down together. I then explained that she did not have to wait until she quit sinning before accepting Christ. I explained that if she would give her life to Christ, He would help her to put away her sinful life. This young lady was ready to give her life to Christ, and right there with two men at the next table watching and listening while they drank their beers, this young woman accepted Christ .
By now you have probably figured out that this was Precious, the same young lady that Cathy had witnessed to the previous year. Wow, what a great God we serve. He is at work in the hearts of people even we do not see it. It may take a year, or longer, but His Word will never return void! I can’t wait till next year to meet others whose lives were touched by the ministry of this team this year.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
A Zambian Valentine’s Day
Okay, I know we haven’t written in a long time; we hope you haven’t given up on us. We have had phone problems off and on since Christmas, which means we have had email problems since we still use the old-fashioned dial up. Now that our phone seems to be working, we will try again to blog. Let us begin by telling you about our Zambian Valentine’s Day party.
We often have parties for the youth from our church on special occasions, because we meet with them weekly for Bible study. However, for Valentine’s Day we decided to do something special for the adults of our church in Gwembe. Although Zambians have Valentine’s Day on their calendar, in the rural areas very few celebrate it or really know what it’s about.
We put up the few decorations we had for Valentine’s Day, baked up some biscuits (scones in Zambia) in the shape of hearts, made a strawberry cake, popcorn, and of course a red drink, and prepared some games. We had no idea how many would come. In Zambia, even if you ask the people to RSVP, you would never have an accurate count. We just prayed that we wouldn’t have too many or too few. The Lord answered our prayers, and we had 16 adults arrive for the party.
We started out with a game called, “I Have Never” in which each person has to stand in the middle of a circle and think of something they have never done that they think everyone else has done. In America we might say something like, “I have never been to Red Lobster.” Here it was things like, “I have never eaten a field mouse” or “I have never tasted lion.”
The next activity was writing a fill-in the blank love story together. We went around the room and I asked each person to help us fill in the blanks. Although they did not know why I wanted adjectives, verbs, people, places and things, they were very ready to help. When we read the completed story, they laughed and laughed. Zambians have difficult lives, so it was great to see them laughing so much.
Our final indoor game was a simplified version of “Family Feud.” Instead of families, we divided into teams. We had polled one of our Zambian friends for the answers. Just to give you an idea of the questions, “Name the top 5 gifts that Zambian women want to receive on special occasions?” The answers were similar to answers we might hear from American women, but one stuck out to me—cell phones. In this day and age, to have a cell phone in Zambia is to have status.
The final game, Hillbilly Golf, was played outside; it was a great hit. We had two teams, red and blue. Each team won a game, so there were no losers.
We ended the party with food and a short Bible study on God’s awesome love. Just as it was pouring down rain during the Bible study, so Wes explained that God pours out His awesome love on us who have chosen to believe in His Son Jesus. “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” I John 3:3.
As we ended the party, we gave each participant a button to wear on their lapel that said, “I am loved.” You would think we had given them a million dollars. It was a great Valentine's Day in Zambia!
We often have parties for the youth from our church on special occasions, because we meet with them weekly for Bible study. However, for Valentine’s Day we decided to do something special for the adults of our church in Gwembe. Although Zambians have Valentine’s Day on their calendar, in the rural areas very few celebrate it or really know what it’s about.
We put up the few decorations we had for Valentine’s Day, baked up some biscuits (scones in Zambia) in the shape of hearts, made a strawberry cake, popcorn, and of course a red drink, and prepared some games. We had no idea how many would come. In Zambia, even if you ask the people to RSVP, you would never have an accurate count. We just prayed that we wouldn’t have too many or too few. The Lord answered our prayers, and we had 16 adults arrive for the party.
We started out with a game called, “I Have Never” in which each person has to stand in the middle of a circle and think of something they have never done that they think everyone else has done. In America we might say something like, “I have never been to Red Lobster.” Here it was things like, “I have never eaten a field mouse” or “I have never tasted lion.”
The next activity was writing a fill-in the blank love story together. We went around the room and I asked each person to help us fill in the blanks. Although they did not know why I wanted adjectives, verbs, people, places and things, they were very ready to help. When we read the completed story, they laughed and laughed. Zambians have difficult lives, so it was great to see them laughing so much.
Our final indoor game was a simplified version of “Family Feud.” Instead of families, we divided into teams. We had polled one of our Zambian friends for the answers. Just to give you an idea of the questions, “Name the top 5 gifts that Zambian women want to receive on special occasions?” The answers were similar to answers we might hear from American women, but one stuck out to me—cell phones. In this day and age, to have a cell phone in Zambia is to have status.
The final game, Hillbilly Golf, was played outside; it was a great hit. We had two teams, red and blue. Each team won a game, so there were no losers.
We ended the party with food and a short Bible study on God’s awesome love. Just as it was pouring down rain during the Bible study, so Wes explained that God pours out His awesome love on us who have chosen to believe in His Son Jesus. “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” I John 3:3.
As we ended the party, we gave each participant a button to wear on their lapel that said, “I am loved.” You would think we had given them a million dollars. It was a great Valentine's Day in Zambia!
Friday, January 2, 2009
The Rolling Truck
Recently we were on our way to a Bible study about two hours from our home when we happened upon an accident. A tractor-trailer had gone off the road and hit a tree, possibly due to the rains. Two other trucks had stopped to help and as we went around the first truck, we had to stop behind the second truck which was not completely off the road. Another tractor trailer was coming in the opposite lane, so Wes was waiting for this truck to go by so he could go around the parked truck safely. Suddenly I noticed that the parked truck was backing up straight toward us. Wes didn’t seem to notice so I said (of course in a very calm voice), “Wes, that truck is coming straight at us!” Wes, hooted his hooter (the Zambian term for honking your horn), and assumed the truck would stop. When it kept coming closer and closer, I said (once again very calmly), “Wes, you have to do something; it is still coming straight at us!” Wes made a quick decision to squeeze between the truck coming in the opposite lane and the truck that was backing up toward us. There was just enough room to pass through, and when we got up to where we could see the cab of the truck on our left, we noticed that there was no driver! We continued on down the road praying that the people standing on the road would see the truck backing toward them. We also said a prayer of thanksgiving, realizing that the Lord had truly protected us from a bad situation. Sometimes God allows us to “see” His protection, but how many times does He protect us from dangers we never know!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Would I Have Been Smiling?
I haven’t done well at keeping up with our blog. We’ve been so busy that I can’t seem to keep my head above water. Speaking of water, this past week we went to do a Bible study in one of our new areas, but when we arrived in the small town of Sinazeze, so did the rains. We sat in front of one of the shops in town and waited out the storm, wondering if we would have Bible study.
After the rain slowed down we went to see if the people wanted to meet. We entered the village of the old man who keeps the Bible study going—he’s probably in his 70s. He is the cutest little old man. He loves to dance and sing and his toothless smile just grabs your heart.
When we drove up to the village, we noticed that the young men of the village had taken cover in the kitchen hut--a somewhat open area with a thatched roof. As we looked to the left, there was the little old man crouching down in the doorway of his hut. Why didn’t we have our camera? His small hut was up on stilts and looked more like a chicken coop. The doorway was only about half the size of a normal doorway, but there he was grinning from ear to ear, trying to keep dry.
I turned to Wes and asked, “Is that his hut?” Sure enough, it was. I felt so sad for the little man, yet he didn’t seem to be unhappy, he was just glad to be dry.
If that was me, would I have been smiling? I doubt it! I’m spoiled. I have a big house, tiled floors, nice furniture, a good roof to keep me dry, and many luxuries of life. This little man lives in a house made of mud and sticks, and yet he is still able to smile.
After the rain slowed down we went to see if the people wanted to meet. We entered the village of the old man who keeps the Bible study going—he’s probably in his 70s. He is the cutest little old man. He loves to dance and sing and his toothless smile just grabs your heart.
When we drove up to the village, we noticed that the young men of the village had taken cover in the kitchen hut--a somewhat open area with a thatched roof. As we looked to the left, there was the little old man crouching down in the doorway of his hut. Why didn’t we have our camera? His small hut was up on stilts and looked more like a chicken coop. The doorway was only about half the size of a normal doorway, but there he was grinning from ear to ear, trying to keep dry.
I turned to Wes and asked, “Is that his hut?” Sure enough, it was. I felt so sad for the little man, yet he didn’t seem to be unhappy, he was just glad to be dry.
If that was me, would I have been smiling? I doubt it! I’m spoiled. I have a big house, tiled floors, nice furniture, a good roof to keep me dry, and many luxuries of life. This little man lives in a house made of mud and sticks, and yet he is still able to smile.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
It Was Only a Dream
It was only a dream!” We have all said those words at one time or another, and most of the time that is true. But every now and then, especially here in Africa, we hear about dreams that have great meaning. Let me share one of these with you.
Elizabeth accepted Christ as her Savior about 5 years ago. Since that time, she has been faithfully praying for her family to know and experience her wonderful Savior. Well, this story is not about her, but about her father.
Mr. Chungu is a kind and gentle man. He is 69 years old and has been a Catholic all his life; a good church-goer. Mr. Chungu recently started working for us in our yard. You might be thinking, “He is too old.” Actually, he says the work in our yard is “like playing compared to his previous job.”
Recently, I went outside to talk to Mr. Chungu. In our conversation, I invited him to come and visit our church sometime. I also gave him a pamphlet titled, “I’m a Pretty Good Person.” I asked him to read it and tell me what he thought.
A few days later, I asked him about the pamphlet. He said it was good and that he understood it. We talked for a few minutes, and I shared with him that it is Jesus who saves us from our sin, not our good works. He agreed and went back to work.
The next Sunday, Mr. Chungu came to visit our church. The message being preached by one of our leaders (a man named Dimas) was from Matthew 18:1-4. The disciples had asked Jesus who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. To answer their question, Jesus called a little child to come to Him and said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
The following day when Mr. Chungu came to work, Dimas, the one who had preached the message, was also at my home. I asked Mr. Chungu what he learned from the sermon. He then began to share with me how he had returned to his home on Sunday thinking a lot about the sermon. When he fell asleep that night, he had a dream. In the dream Jesus was teaching the children. As He was teaching, He looked up and saw Mr. Chungu standing nearby. He invited him to come to Him.
When I asked Mr. Chungu what he thought about the dream, he said, “Jesus is calling me to come to Him. He wants to come into my heart and be my Savior. I must accept him with humility like a little child.” Right there in the yard, Mr. Chungu prayed and invited Jesus to come into His life. He made a commitment to follow Jesus as His Savior and Lord.
No matter what we think about dreams, who can deny the fact that God used this dream in Mr. Chungu’s life to draw Him to salvation.
Elizabeth accepted Christ as her Savior about 5 years ago. Since that time, she has been faithfully praying for her family to know and experience her wonderful Savior. Well, this story is not about her, but about her father.
Mr. Chungu is a kind and gentle man. He is 69 years old and has been a Catholic all his life; a good church-goer. Mr. Chungu recently started working for us in our yard. You might be thinking, “He is too old.” Actually, he says the work in our yard is “like playing compared to his previous job.”
Recently, I went outside to talk to Mr. Chungu. In our conversation, I invited him to come and visit our church sometime. I also gave him a pamphlet titled, “I’m a Pretty Good Person.” I asked him to read it and tell me what he thought.
A few days later, I asked him about the pamphlet. He said it was good and that he understood it. We talked for a few minutes, and I shared with him that it is Jesus who saves us from our sin, not our good works. He agreed and went back to work.
The next Sunday, Mr. Chungu came to visit our church. The message being preached by one of our leaders (a man named Dimas) was from Matthew 18:1-4. The disciples had asked Jesus who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. To answer their question, Jesus called a little child to come to Him and said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
The following day when Mr. Chungu came to work, Dimas, the one who had preached the message, was also at my home. I asked Mr. Chungu what he learned from the sermon. He then began to share with me how he had returned to his home on Sunday thinking a lot about the sermon. When he fell asleep that night, he had a dream. In the dream Jesus was teaching the children. As He was teaching, He looked up and saw Mr. Chungu standing nearby. He invited him to come to Him.
When I asked Mr. Chungu what he thought about the dream, he said, “Jesus is calling me to come to Him. He wants to come into my heart and be my Savior. I must accept him with humility like a little child.” Right there in the yard, Mr. Chungu prayed and invited Jesus to come into His life. He made a commitment to follow Jesus as His Savior and Lord.
No matter what we think about dreams, who can deny the fact that God used this dream in Mr. Chungu’s life to draw Him to salvation.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Anniversary Adventures
August 19th was our thirtieth anniversary of marriage. We wanted to get a way for a few days to celebrate. While working in a new area, Sinazongwe, we discovered that there is a little island across Lake Kariba called "Chete Island.” We checked into the possibility of staying two days and two nights on the island for our anniversary, but because of our busy schedule it would have to be sandwiched in between two Bible studies we had scheduled in the area.
We should have known from the beginning that our anniversary celebration was going to be an adventure. We contacted the only lodge on Chete Island and were told that the owner was out, but could book through her friend who was helping out. We wanted to go over early Friday, have the whole day to enjoy, spend all day Saturday and check out early Sunday morning. The friend in charge said that another couple would be arriving at noon, and asked if we could wait for them so we could travel together on the boat that would ferry us to the island. We agreed thinking we would still have half a day on the island.
We arrived before twelve, ready to go. The boat was there, but the other couple was not. We were served coffee and visited with a young man named Dagonie, who would be our guide. Needless to say, we did not set off for the island until after 3:00 p.m., arriving on the island after 4:00. I was disappointed that we would only have one full day to enjoy our time away.
Chete Island is beautiful, and once we were on the island, I was fine. The scenery was awesome and the camp quite rustic. It wasn't a five-star hotel, but it wasnt' supposed to be. We were each escorted to our tented lodges and then invited to go on a sunset cruise.
We set out in a large motorized banana boat. With hippos all around us, we made our way around the cove where the lodge is located. The water was calm, but filled with hippos that kept an eye on us all the time. Dagonie assured us that they would not come near us because they did not like the sound of the motor. I liked the sound of the motor as it was reassuring to know that it would keep the hippos away—that is until it died. After a few minutes of priming the fuel line, the motor was purring once again, and we set off for the lodge.
After a delicious supper and getting to know the others at the lodge, Dagonie escorted us to our tent (outside the electric fenced area). He informed us that we would most likely be visited by the “resident” elephant that likes to come and greet visitors. They had named the elephant, "Pungwe" which means “all night stay”.
When we settled down for the night, we could hear in the distance the breaking of tree limbs, and there was a strange odor in the air. We both knew, having lived in Africa for some time that the sounds and smells were from an elephant. We were tired, however, and fell asleep. .
Around 1:00 a.m. I woke up to a very strong smell. I then heard the cracking of tree limbs right outside our tent. I woke Wes up and we laid there listening for a few minutes. Wes finally got up, very quietly I might add, and went to the door of the tent (which does not lock). Of course I knew the lock would not keep an elephant out anyway.
Wes moved the curtain to look out, and informed me that the elephant was just on the other side of the not so tall grass fence that partially blocked our tent. Finally, I got up the nerve to climb out of bed and look out the window as well. What I saw only intensified my fears. There looming like a large grey dinosaur, was a giant bull elephant facing us, moving his head back and forth while breaking tree limbs. It seemed as if he was looking right at us. I quickly moved away from the door and went to the other side of the tent, begging Wes to move away from the door as well. My heart was pumping fast and I was praying. It seemed like forever before the elephant left our tent. Before leaving, he came closer to the side of the tent and then moved on down the path. The next morning we discovered he had even ventured into the lodge area and destroyed some grass and trees.
I spent the morning relaxing in the sun, catching up on the sleep I missed, while Wes went out fishing with the guys. I also visited with the other female guest. After a nice lunch, everyone took an afternoon siesta, and then it was time for our evening cruise again. I asked Dagonie “Is the motor going to make it this time?” He assured me they had worked on it and everything would be fine.
Because we had more time for the cruise, we ventured out of the cove into the rougher waters of the Kariba I was not thrilled about going beyond the comfort zone (if you can call it that) of the cove. I was determined, however, not to be a worrier and enjoy. I had my binoculars and was scouting for elephants, when suddenly our motorized banana boat hit something and we went up in the air and to the right. I was sure a hippo had come up under our boat, and was waiting for the big CHOMP. We nearly capsized because Wes and the other male visitor both reacted by moving to the left side. The Lord was good, and we stayed upright. We had not hit a hippo, but a tree under the water that was not visible. It was then that I noticed all the trees sticking out of the water. Hippos, trees, what next?
We moved on a little ways when we saw a group of elephants off in the distance heading toward the water. I love watching elephants (as long as they are not outside my tent). I was not going to get to enjoy them, however, because suddenly the motor stopped again. It had flooded when we hit the tree. I was sure they would get it started again, but after some time, it was obvious that we were in trouble. Wes and one of the guides grabbed the oars and began to paddle for shore. We were headed toward a very sandy beach. Hmmm, didn't Dagonie tell me earlier that day that the crocodiles loved the sandy beaches the best?
We were asked to get out of the canoe so the guys could work on the motor. It was a beautiful beach, and there were no crocodiles in sight. As we waited on the shore, we watched the elephants in the distance, did some bird viewing and took pictures of the beautiful sunset. We prayed for the motor to start, and the Lord answered our prayers, but the guides called the lodge and asked them to send another boat. They wanted to have a back up.
While waiting for the boat, Dagonie led us down the beach a ways to show us a little cove filled with crocodiles. I and the other female visitor kept our distance, but the guys got a little too close for comfort.
Finally the other boat came and the adventure was over. We were safe back at the lodge, enjoying a delicious supper, viewing the star-filled skies, and warming ourselves by the camp fire. We had a restful night as Pungwe did not show up again. We packed up our things and prepared for our trip back to the mainland.
We will always remember our anniversary adventure. It was a wonderful experience, but not one I’d want every day. It is the kind of thing you write about afterwards, but during the experience you think, “Are we crazy, or what?”
We should have known from the beginning that our anniversary celebration was going to be an adventure. We contacted the only lodge on Chete Island and were told that the owner was out, but could book through her friend who was helping out. We wanted to go over early Friday, have the whole day to enjoy, spend all day Saturday and check out early Sunday morning. The friend in charge said that another couple would be arriving at noon, and asked if we could wait for them so we could travel together on the boat that would ferry us to the island. We agreed thinking we would still have half a day on the island.
We arrived before twelve, ready to go. The boat was there, but the other couple was not. We were served coffee and visited with a young man named Dagonie, who would be our guide. Needless to say, we did not set off for the island until after 3:00 p.m., arriving on the island after 4:00. I was disappointed that we would only have one full day to enjoy our time away.
Chete Island is beautiful, and once we were on the island, I was fine. The scenery was awesome and the camp quite rustic. It wasn't a five-star hotel, but it wasnt' supposed to be. We were each escorted to our tented lodges and then invited to go on a sunset cruise.
We set out in a large motorized banana boat. With hippos all around us, we made our way around the cove where the lodge is located. The water was calm, but filled with hippos that kept an eye on us all the time. Dagonie assured us that they would not come near us because they did not like the sound of the motor. I liked the sound of the motor as it was reassuring to know that it would keep the hippos away—that is until it died. After a few minutes of priming the fuel line, the motor was purring once again, and we set off for the lodge.
After a delicious supper and getting to know the others at the lodge, Dagonie escorted us to our tent (outside the electric fenced area). He informed us that we would most likely be visited by the “resident” elephant that likes to come and greet visitors. They had named the elephant, "Pungwe" which means “all night stay”.
When we settled down for the night, we could hear in the distance the breaking of tree limbs, and there was a strange odor in the air. We both knew, having lived in Africa for some time that the sounds and smells were from an elephant. We were tired, however, and fell asleep. .
Around 1:00 a.m. I woke up to a very strong smell. I then heard the cracking of tree limbs right outside our tent. I woke Wes up and we laid there listening for a few minutes. Wes finally got up, very quietly I might add, and went to the door of the tent (which does not lock). Of course I knew the lock would not keep an elephant out anyway.
Wes moved the curtain to look out, and informed me that the elephant was just on the other side of the not so tall grass fence that partially blocked our tent. Finally, I got up the nerve to climb out of bed and look out the window as well. What I saw only intensified my fears. There looming like a large grey dinosaur, was a giant bull elephant facing us, moving his head back and forth while breaking tree limbs. It seemed as if he was looking right at us. I quickly moved away from the door and went to the other side of the tent, begging Wes to move away from the door as well. My heart was pumping fast and I was praying. It seemed like forever before the elephant left our tent. Before leaving, he came closer to the side of the tent and then moved on down the path. The next morning we discovered he had even ventured into the lodge area and destroyed some grass and trees.
I spent the morning relaxing in the sun, catching up on the sleep I missed, while Wes went out fishing with the guys. I also visited with the other female guest. After a nice lunch, everyone took an afternoon siesta, and then it was time for our evening cruise again. I asked Dagonie “Is the motor going to make it this time?” He assured me they had worked on it and everything would be fine.
Because we had more time for the cruise, we ventured out of the cove into the rougher waters of the Kariba I was not thrilled about going beyond the comfort zone (if you can call it that) of the cove. I was determined, however, not to be a worrier and enjoy. I had my binoculars and was scouting for elephants, when suddenly our motorized banana boat hit something and we went up in the air and to the right. I was sure a hippo had come up under our boat, and was waiting for the big CHOMP. We nearly capsized because Wes and the other male visitor both reacted by moving to the left side. The Lord was good, and we stayed upright. We had not hit a hippo, but a tree under the water that was not visible. It was then that I noticed all the trees sticking out of the water. Hippos, trees, what next?
We moved on a little ways when we saw a group of elephants off in the distance heading toward the water. I love watching elephants (as long as they are not outside my tent). I was not going to get to enjoy them, however, because suddenly the motor stopped again. It had flooded when we hit the tree. I was sure they would get it started again, but after some time, it was obvious that we were in trouble. Wes and one of the guides grabbed the oars and began to paddle for shore. We were headed toward a very sandy beach. Hmmm, didn't Dagonie tell me earlier that day that the crocodiles loved the sandy beaches the best?
We were asked to get out of the canoe so the guys could work on the motor. It was a beautiful beach, and there were no crocodiles in sight. As we waited on the shore, we watched the elephants in the distance, did some bird viewing and took pictures of the beautiful sunset. We prayed for the motor to start, and the Lord answered our prayers, but the guides called the lodge and asked them to send another boat. They wanted to have a back up.
While waiting for the boat, Dagonie led us down the beach a ways to show us a little cove filled with crocodiles. I and the other female visitor kept our distance, but the guys got a little too close for comfort.
Finally the other boat came and the adventure was over. We were safe back at the lodge, enjoying a delicious supper, viewing the star-filled skies, and warming ourselves by the camp fire. We had a restful night as Pungwe did not show up again. We packed up our things and prepared for our trip back to the mainland.
We will always remember our anniversary adventure. It was a wonderful experience, but not one I’d want every day. It is the kind of thing you write about afterwards, but during the experience you think, “Are we crazy, or what?”
Friday, July 18, 2008
Our Son
Our son is older than we are. In fact, he is 84 years old. His name is BoNelson. He lives in the village of Kawilizhi. He came to know Christ through the ministry of one of our missionary couples, Kit and Mary Ann Smith, who were living in another part of Zambia at the time. He told them that he wanted to go home and share Jesus with his village. He returned to Kawilizhi just at the time we were beginning to plant churches in his area. Since that time, God has started a small church in his village. The Smiths returned to America, and he felt sad. We promised to come to his village to see him as often as we could. Each time we came he would say, “I’ve been crying for you people.” One day, out of the clear blue, he started calling me (Laurie) his mother. I found out that is because he considered me his spiritual mother. As time went by, he began to say that Wes was his father (his spiritual father). The Smiths, he told us, are his great mother and father because they led him to the Lord. Bo Nelson is a very special man. He is not a rich man, but is rich toward God. Every time we come to his village we find him reading the Bible and taking notes in a little book. Other times we find him teaching someone the Bible. Every time we come to his village he gives us a gift. We feel so humbled. We stopped at his village the other day to make some plans for ministry. He was so embarrassed that his wife was gone and could not make us something to eat, that he went to the little village store and bought us each a package of biscuits (cookies) and some sweeties (candy). It is hard to accept such a gift from someone who has so little, but we know that God will give back so much to him in return. One last thing I must say about Bo Nelson, About a month ago when we went to his village he told Wes that he is praying for Wes to live to be 130 years old so he can share Jesus with many people in Zambia. I told Wes, “Have fun without me!” This last visit he also added that he is praying for me to live to be 120. Figure that one out!
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