Dear friends and family
This first month back in Zambia I have been struggling with culture shock and the heat 31-38 degrees day and night. The rainy season begins next month but right now everything is dry and brown and dusty – even my hair is a dull beige, my skin is itchy and my feet smell!!!
The reality of Africa is harsh. Being away so long the village people felt that I had abandoned them and so are somewhat hostile. The love of God is strong but not strong enough to fill their stomachs. I am in tears at the poverty. Many are sick and I have been treating 4 patients a day - a woman who was beaten across the eye, a woman with a broken rib, a head wound, a woman in labour and a young boy with a huge growth on his face that occludes his nose and eye among others.
What a joy it is to have bought a vehicle – a ten year old, dark blue Toyota Surf. It cost K47 million exactly the amount that my dear friends at
Goodlife Church gave me. The negotiations took several days and then I could only withdraw K2 million a day from the ATM. But hey I did it. I feel truly blessed not to have to hitch-hike lifts to town. I’ve been invited to speak at two functions already and could easily accept because of the car. It helps me achieve my dream of reaching more of the people. Frank and I have drawn up a survey of needs and next week a team of four will go out into the community to ask questions so I can more easily know the truth of the community. I am proud of this positive move.
I’ve visited all the sponsored students with joyous reunions. I am disappointed that their marks have dropped off all except
Kezia, who is an A grade student. It seems that they have missed my encouragement and already I have arranged a coaching school for the holidays to bring them up to speed– Grandma will have to brush up on high school biology, geography etc.
The small children in our nursery school are delightful. When I move in the community I can tell which ones come to our school because they sweetly greet me in English. The school roll has doubled to 120 which is a large number to feed daily but we are doing it. We have a meeting of the PTA next weekend. The cooperative was not dead as I feared. The people are working steadily and slowly towards a chicken house which is now ready for the roof. They aim to make money from fattening chickens. They even have a ready market in place. Amazing!!
Freddy, a city boy, is slowly adjusting to rural life. We are getting used to each other and to working together. He acts as a buffer for me sometimes but he doesn’t speak Kaonde and I forgot that. But he is a great comfort to me. We pray together and eat together. He has had to manage the building contractors who want to up the price every day…. His fiancé Kezia came with us the first weekend and I so love and appreciate her and her wisdom. She even taught in the school for a whole day.
I’ve had the women come and paint the village houses with their lime mixture and the roofs have all been re-thatched so the place is looking good. We still have rats – they chewed through the iPod cord and ate Freddy’s sandals!!! I had the builders add a porch to my house so I can sit outside in the shade in the heat of the day.
Last Saturday a small whirlwind of dust travelled right up our long drive, skirted around the meeting house and came to stop at my front door….. The people were amazed I was reading my bible at the time and I believe it was a sign from God –“I am with you. I see. I know. I and my spirit are with you.” Anyway that’s my explanation.
I can physically feel your prayers and your emails cheer me even though I read through my tears. I love your encouragement. It eases the struggle and helps me see the way forward. So one foot in front of the other, slowly, slowly I step out to leave footprints of love in this land.
Blessings,
Durelle
