Our first week in Lusaka

Mulu bwanje! It is a beautiful day in Lusaka. It is sunny, as usual, and the clear blue sky is wide above green trees with orange and pink blossoms. I am sitting on the patio in our front yard, and as I glance over to my shoulder, I can see one of our three mango trees. The fruit is not yet ripe, but I can’t wait to pick mangos from our yard! I think in a couple of weeks they will be ready.

The boys are at the playground right across from our house, playing with their many new friends. Frankie is especially loving the soccer games, and is learning some good moves from his Zambian friends. Johnny has met a little boy named Alec, and they walk around the seminary campus holding hands and giggling at just about everything. Alec is only three years old and he has an enormous smile and mischievous eyes. Yesterday, Joel taught all the children how to do thumb wars. It was a hit!

On Monday, we were able to visit one of the community schools in Mandevu, run by CCAP-Zambia. While there, we saw almost 200 children in school, who would otherwise not be able to have an education. Rev. Kondwani Nkhoma, who runs the community school program for the synod, explained that the children are able to stay at the school until 4pm, so that they can have a good education, and more than one nutritious meal. It was pure joy to see this excellent school, to meet the dedicated teachers, and to speak with the gifted administrators. Rev. Nkhoma is a committed servant of God, sharing Christ’s love with many children and families. She radiates love, joy, and hope, and it was a great pleasure to spend the day with her. There are twenty-two community schools run by CCAP-Zambia, and there are plans to start more in the upcoming year. 

Yesterday, we traveled to Chumba, where the offices of CCAP-Zambia are located. They run an organic farm outside the offices and it was really fun to take a tour of this project. They have wonderful plans to expand this farm, as a way to generate income to fund their many ministries. They are also in the process of building a school for ex-prisoners on the grounds, where they can learn agricultural skills and experience the love of Christ in a community of faithful, caring people. While we were there, we ate the most delicious meal! We are really enjoying Zambian food and hospitality!

Joel and I are excited about the work we are going to do; we have been asked to develop videos, highlighting the Community Schools program, the HIV/AIDS department, the Evangelism department, Community Health Evangelism, and the remaining CCAP-Zambia departments. Joel will add these to the website, and help update CCAP’s web presence. We will also create evangelism and discipleship curriculum, as we partner with CCAP-Zambia to deepen the faith of this vibrant Christian community. In addition, Joel will do video and technology training, and I will help with evaluating on-going Community Health Evangelism programs. In a couple weeks, I will start doing home visits to people in the HIV/AIDS home care program. Right now, I am in the midst of language learning, and look forward to the time when I can preach, teach and converse in Chichewa!

Thank you, again, for your prayers and partnership. Zikomo kwambiri!

May God bless you,
Kari

The boys picking mulberries on campus

Our home