From Ndola

here I am online again so soon. it is wonderful being in the city where I can indulge in internet and other luxuries. I have hired a mini van or 9 seater bus for one week and the luxury of that is awesome. Climbing in and out is painful and being in charge of such a large animal has its challenge especially as I don't know where I am going half the time....

I hired Freddy who was without employment to drive me to the village last Monday. It caused a stir to see grandma driving a bus..... Coming back we set off from the village with the bus full of kids going back to school and others who wanted a ride. Freddy even gave Owen some driving lessons last weekend. I wanted to bring Rabbi to Ndola for a holiday but he was attending his first Council meeting. He is not very well so please pray for him.

I encouraged Owen's aunt Loveness to accompany us to Ndola to stay with her sisters children - her sister died last year. She told us yesterday that one of her nephews was sick.So I set off to an unknown address with Owen navigating. She said the boy, Andrew had a cough. Ho hum I thought. "Does he have a fever?" I asked. "Yes," she said. But I always trust my own hands so I checked him and found him to be cold and clammy. "How long has he been coughing/" I asked. "For months," said Loveness. "He probably has TB," I said not knowing where that answer came from. "His ears are bad too, " said Owen,"so he cant hear us."

I knew I had to get him to a Dr immediately and set off to the only one I know and trust - a Dr Mabita at a private clinic. I wasn't even sure if I could find it again..... We piled into the bus with brother Vincent coming too to make sure the right story was told. I did find the clinic ( of course) and after his consult with Andrew he called me in to say,"The boy had nodes all up his neck and I think its TB." He gave him medicine for ears and coughing etc K300,000 worth of medicine.... and said he needed x-rays and blood count. So off we set again driving to the hospital to get those. The radiologist said to me,"He is bad." he showed me the x-rays and only 1/3rd of his lungs were working. The rest were being eaten by TB.... and so another Zambian is snatched from certain death. Thank you God. This is what I do on holiday.

This morning Gertrude my friend (Yes, I have new friend) phoned to say she was at the airport meeting HH our party president and invited me to come out. So Owen and I climbed into the bus and I wondered if I could remember the way to the airport. Of course I did and we waited with other party members for him to arrive. Many people remembered me from the campaign and came to shake my hand. i felt very welcome and very included. HH was mobbed of course when he came out and people were singing and cheering. Gertrude and I lost our place and thought we wouldn't see him, but this wily campaigning Grandma knew what to do. I waited till he was getting into his car and ran over, tapped on the window and asked the driver "Is he in there?" The driver knew me so he said "He's just getting into the back." So I boldly opened the door and reached in to wish him welcome and good morning. I was rewarded with a great smile and a hug and I kissed his cheeks..... Am I good or what....

Wait there's more good news... Freddy the lovely young man, who was unemployed and gave Owen driving lessons, with the pay I gave him bought an engagement ring ..... Tomorrow I am driving him, or he is driving me to Kabwe to propose to his girlfriend kazia........ Life is exciting and I feel great. I love seeing the blessings of God fall on people all around me.

I've taken Owen shopping for his school uniform and other supplies. On the way i decided to buy a new dress to wear to the dinner tonight with HH. ...... Holidays are such fun.

That's it from me today. Keep praying for me and sending those emails. I rely on your support and friendship.

be blessed
Durelle