This has been another interesting week. Dr. Mwenda, the IWU history professor, arranged for all of us to go to a village home. The head man of this village is a pastor and very innovative in caring for his family. They allowed us to see their homes which are in three different buildings. The parents are in one building where there’s fairly comfortable living room and a TV as well as their bedroom; the building next door houses their girls, and the next one is for the boys. Pastor David showed us his garden plot that the whole family helps with. It is on a lower part of the compound so they are able water it on a regular basis. His wife, Kathryn, showed us how to pound the corn to prepare for grinding. Several students had a turn at that as well as turning the grinding wheel which grinds the corn into a very fine substance which they use for cooking. Nshima is the staple food which is the ground maize; they put a small amount of sauce over it which has a tomato and onion base. Kathryn also took us on a tour of part of their homestead to show us the cows, pigs, and chickens. They loaded up the oxcart with several large containers for water and we all went to the well to pump water. They make this trek 2 – 3 times per week; this water is used for cooking, bathing and anything else they need. They have built a little grass shelter which they use for bathing.
Several of the children dug little holes in the ground to play a game similar to Mancala; they gathered small stones for the playing pieces, and some of the students played with them. Another group of students scratched out hopscotch and taught the kids to play that game; they also taught them Duck, duck, goose except they used the words cow and pig in Tonga. They had a great time playing that game. It was a fun afternoon, and we learned a lot about the daily activities of a large family (they have 11 children).
A couple of the leaders on the team have been struggling with some GI problems, but it seems the worst of it is over. PTL
A couple nights ago, Bud went outside to check on some water that was running out back and twisted his knee. Although it was slightly uncomfortable, it was very bearable with Ibuprofen. Yesterday we went to Jembo, and when we went into the chapel to sit down, something twisted or snapped in his knee, and it was very painful! He had 20 nurses caring for him, so he received excellent care. We went to the doctor today who said it is just a sprain; there’s no fluid around or under the patella. He gave us some ointment and told us to continue icing it, elevate it, keep it wrapped in an ace during the day, and to take Ibuprofen 3X daily. He is walking on a crutch for a few days until to it starts to heal. He’s lying down right now, but says it’s much more comfortable than it was yesterday.
Yesterday the team spent the day at Jembo with Mike and Cindy Helvie who both teach at the Bible School. We toured the clinic, visited the secondary school and the Bible College. We participated in chapel with the Bible School students which was a wonderful experience.
At the end of the chapel service, someone came into the chapel to say there was a wildfire burning which was headed for Mike and Cindy’s garden. Mike asked all the men to come help put out the fire which they were able to do quite quickly.
I(Bud) have been designated to be take care of the World Hope/IWU funds since Jon and Erin Stephens had to return to the States for medical reasons. It is quite an experience. One dollar is equivalent to 4780 Zambian Qwaches, latest exchange rate, so I am dealing in millions of Kwaches. I budgeted 1,785,000 Qwaches ($373.43) for 100 cases of bottled water for the students to drink. This will last them about 12 -14 days. I think they have a drinking problem J. Another expense is fruit, bananas, apples and oranges, for the sum total of 740,000 Qwaches. Too bad it is not dollars I dealing with. It is all part of the cultural learning process and it has been a fun(d) challenge.
Daily, we appreciate your prayers!
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