Easter Unfolds

Durelle's House in Mupitanshi

Hi everyone,

We had a blessed time at Easter with many churches of the same denomination joining together for the whole weekend. We had 200 people crammed into our little church sitting on new planks freshly adzed from the bush. I was privileged to address the people on Saturday. We had excellent speakers - one was outstanding. I'm going to meet with him again.

My house was broken into on Friday and again Saturday. The burglars knew I was at Church!!! However being a small village the culprits were caught within 3 days. We had a conference with the culprits and their parents and the Headman. They burglars were two 11-12yrs old boys. They returned some of the stuff. It was mostly small items that went missing. I threatened to take them to the police station, but when they kneeled before and said sorry I forgave them and sent them home, but I did give them a lecture. We have agreed to meet again in two weeks to make sure they are going straight. It was an excellent lesson on how the local village culture operates.

The most amazing news is that the women of the Balkan nations at the Daughters of the King Conference, in Sarajevo collected a huge sum of money to send to me for my mission. I am overwhelmed with their sacrificial giving. Thank you sweet women may you be doubly blessed and thank you to my friend Grethe Stanley, their leader. These women are poor themselves but are learning how blessed it is to give. Praise God.

The football teams are going well - I brought uniforms for my best team and they are winning most of their games. I love attending the games and encouraging the players.

A small boy of 4yrs died this week. He had malaria and the local nurse gave him the wrong medicine - and the next day he was dead. Being in the bush no action was taken but I decided to act for the parents and have been to see the nurse concerned and also to see the Chief to try to resolved our concerns that families are not receiving good medical care. This is an ongoing problem and I am praying that we can resolve it. Meanwhile I am taking on average 15-20 patients a week to another clinic. Two patients were emergency calls. This week the local nurse prescribed a diet of milk and avocados as well as other vegetables for a man who has very high blood pressure!!! I was amazed as I believe a low salt and low fat diet was called for.

The village has been quiet because its school holidays. Some men are building me a fence to try to keep the goats out. Life here is very different. I love being more involved in the Church and we are beginning to build hope teams of visitors for the sick. I am supplying food to several widows who are too sick to plant a garden for food.

The long dry season has begun and the sun and mosquitoes are relentless....

I am so grateful to God for this opportunity to serve Him here among the Zambian people. Of course it has challenges but I love it.

Be blessed dear family and friends

Durelle