Hotting Up

Hi family and friends,

Things are hotting up here literally. We have had rain – the first since April and it was good to run out and play in it. The temperatures are hot now. The stealing and intimidation continues – there is a group who want me to leave so there is no one to call them on their bad behaviour.

I am having trouble with my teachers at the school. They don’t seem to take school seriously here. My head teacher is AWOL. Yesterday a young girl in Grade 1 turned up with her baby sister on her back – I sent her home. I mean how can she be expected to learn with a baby to look after!! We continue to feed the children every day – I thinks that’s the only reason some of them come.

Zambia has a new President and he appears to making good changes. I am praying he will cut down on corruption in Govt . And Pastor Richard Musoyo and his wife Felishi have joined me here at Footprints. What a blessing they are. Just to have a friends to talk to is a blessing and they are already involved in literacy classes, sewing and needlework, preaching, and helping to visit and pray for the sick.

Only a few women are brave enough to come to our literacy class but it will grow. I have been visiting a young man who was hurt in a car accident, paralysed from the waist down. The hospital said go and buy a wheelchair and take him home there is nothing more we can do. He has had anti-inflammatories for one month that’s all. The family can hardly afford food never mind buying a wheel chair. Pastor and I went this week and we sang him his favourite hymn. Tears came into his eyes (that could have been my bad singing but I think it was God's spirit touching him).

I have to brush off the rat dirt to sit on my toilet these days. The rats want to get out of the rain, but the garden is flourishing. I’ve been planting cotton trees amongst other things.

I engaged a lawyer to deal with my last employee and his stealing – it was so funny to see the Chief Labour officers face. She was sorely afraid. Last time we met she intimidated me but the boot was on the other foot this time. The sweet lawyer (is there such a thing) didn’t charge me for his advice and muscle.

We are looking forward to Steve Turner and his wife coming to visit. They arrive on the 18th October. This is our first visit from an Aussie and I am excited. Will he understand my funny accent? I am hoping he will have some good ideas to impart.

Thank you for those of you who pray for me and support me in so many ways. I feel you are here with me strengthening me. Sometimes I am like Jeremiah saying, “Lord I’m too young(old) to do this” but God gives me the strength and your intersession for me gives me courage.

Be blessed
Durelle