Jungle Gym

Living in the jungle is tough - we have had four children die in four weeks. Yes, another one this week. The stolen boy has not been recovered. I am shaken by the sheer waste of lives and the large number of deaths and the grief we are all feeling. And while I was busy helping people some came and stole my last chicken and the children came and took all my guavas off the tree. I was so looking forward to eating them too. This week too we had an event of Chicondo where they pick up the coffin and chase people till they find the one who killed the dead person – in this case a child. Pure witchcraft and Satanism. Scary too. People go crazy and run everywhere.

I went to a wedding yesterday. It was a strange mixture of Zambian tradition, English rites and uncertainty under very hot sun and clouds of dust. The next day most people had diarrhoea. I guess cooking for crowds with no facilities and the dirt as the table is always a risk. The bride wore a lovely white dress but her thick veil was used to keep her totally invisible all day. She and the groom were not allowed to talk to each other or to even smile.

My best news is that we all had a wonderful time listening to Pastor Chilulu in Kamfinsa and he inspired us to go back for two days study this week for the next step. All the Pastors in our district are excited about this new project. I had only met Pastor Chilulu once before for 5 minutes, but straight away we were good friends. We are going to sleep in the Church me and 5 church elders all male. Maybe I should delete that line. I know this project is a good plan from God and its gratifying to see the Zambians pick up their game and go for something new and innovative that will change the whole community. Amen.

I miss the students now that they are back at school. Owen phones me sometimes on his illegal phone, and I go to Lamba College where the girls are every few weeks. We now have eleven students sponsored to High School. I know this will bless the community as these young people are given a chance to study and enjoy learning. For most it’s the first time away from home. I see a huge difference in their confidence levels. If you would like to sponsor a young person to go to High School just let me know and I can arrange it. It costs $500 per year.

My parcels and mail arrived - thank you to those who sent them. I love getting your emails. They are so encouraging. I am continuing my chronological Bible reading along with my Church Goodlife. I must say its hard work some of that Old Testament stuff, but there also some real gems. Of course being me I skip off to the Gospels for refreshment.

That's it for this week. Thank you for your prayers and emails. I look forward so much to coming to the internet to read my mail. If you forgot about me it would be awful so thank you and keep sending them. And your prayers reach heaven and then God sends them to me. I can feel them.

So be blessed sweet ones

Durelle