Winning Footprints

Hi Everyone

What a brilliant start to the New year. We had a grand party to celebrate – Sydney arrived at 6am to kill two goats and we fed about 120 people, nshima and goat stew. The young ones did all the cooking and dishing up as part of their young leadership training. We played volley ball and danced and ate. The Headman blessed our meal with a beautiful prayer. I introduced my young leaders to the community and Mrs Mangongo danced before them as an honouring. I joined her which caused much laughter and cheering. Thank you God for a very successful day - I loved every minute of it.

The next day after Church the young men had a soccer match with the group up the road. Our boys lost 3 nil but it was a great game. It was so good to see many parents and brothers and sisters on the sideline in support of their sons. It was a great boost to building community spirit and these young men have agreed to train every week. This is a wonderful outcome because there is so little for these young men to do.

Later that week Freddy resigned which has been a blow- so I am driving myself. Proudly I can now pass the huge mining trucks without sucking in my breath in the hope that it will make us smaller…and my hands don’t tremble. My first task was to go and buy a coffin – but when I got to the car the tyre was flat… I had no idea what to do but Owen said, ”Don’t worry Grandma I’ll get someone to help.” Next morning Owen arrived and within minutes there were 6 angels working on the car and within the hour we were off down the road to buy the coffin. We waited while it was made and then drove it to the grieving family. Such is life here.

The next day was dedicated to getting the 8 sponsored students to school. Some needed new uniforms, they all needed this or that so after a shopping spree we set off to the local college with the car loaded to the hilt, only the steering was wobbly and we couldn’t go over 45kms… now what. I pulled over and prayed, “What do we do Lord?” Finally I worked it out that the four wheel drive was engaged but I didn’t know how to stop it… I can hear men laughing… I asked a couple of fellows walking on the road, “Do you know how to get this out of 4 wheel drive?” No of course they didn’t they’ve never even driven a car… I remembered a young man saying he had a driving licence so we walked to his house and sure enough he knew what to do. Off we set again and safely delivered our precious students to school. I cried when I left them. Catherine has been living with me and she is such a sweetheart. I’ll miss her.

On Sunday Pastor Laston came to chat with me and we were joined by Lewis a church elder who has been invited to study theology in UK. So for the first time there we were- three servants (I was going to write saints) of God in my house. I said, “Wow this is amazing lets pray together.” And we did. Some in English, some in Lunda, all with passion. It was a precious moment.

I am in Ndola after surviving yet another puncture in the middle of nowhere and the spare that we had mended was flat… . Oh the joys of driving. Today we took Michael and Owen to Chiwala school here. I spoke to teachers about extra tuition for Owen who really needs it. I’ll miss him too. The road to Chiwala is a rough dirt road and with all the rain it was just mud – but I was too scared to use 4 wheel drive after the other experience – but hey we got there safe and sound….the worst that happened was a big truck went swooshing by and sprayed us with mud so I couldn’t see out the windscreen and as my window was down my white hair was covered in red mud!! Then it was off to Immigration to help Lewis get his passport – red tape everywhere.

What a great start to the year -wonderful opportunities to help people, to fill them with hope, to be their friend, to pray with them, to nurse the sick, to encourage the young. I thank God for this opportunity and for the courage He gives me to do the impossible.

Your prayers and encouragement mean the world to me. I couldn’t do this work without your support so you too are part of it. I wish you could all meet the people here. Please continue to pray for wisdom and discernment and continued good health for me. I live on those prayers.

Love and blessings
Durelle