Zambia

October 2, 2012

We are back in Zimba for six days before heading to Macha where we will stay a record number of days (19) before coming back to Zimba for our remaining time in Zambia.

The “tutors” have very nice accommodations in Zimba which makes it much easier to prepare for class, grade papers, etc.

Yesterday was an unexpected and unusual day; however, it was apparent that God went before us. Our visas have to be renewed every 30 days while in Zambia, so Bud started making those arrangements several days ahead of time. Often they will not do anything with them until the actual day they expire, but he thought we might be able to accomplish this with the assistance of one of the former employees of World Hope, Mr. Mateke, who did this for us last year. We thought everything was going well until this past Friday when we were told they had been stamped incorrectly at the airport and they would have to figure out what to do about them. As a result, we had to remove the students from their clinicals on Monday morning (the expiration date) and all head to Livingstone so they could see each of us in person. Several people had to carefully review them and then discuss what should be done. Apparently the law governing visa renewals was changed June 2012 and some of the people in Immigration seem unclear about what should be done. Mr. Mateke graciously traveled with us to Livingstone and was able to explain to them who were are and why we are in the country, etc.; they finally agreed to stamp and sign them so they are good now for another 30 days!

While Bud and Mr. Mateke were in Immigrations, the students were able to go to a market just around the corner from where we were parked and do some of their souvenir shopping. They were excited about that opportunity. After finishing at Immigrations, we stopped at a grocery store to pick up a few things and many of us went to the ice cream shop and enjoyed that luxury!

Bud & Carol did not have to go to Livingstone yesterday; they had a week-end away this past week-end and enjoyed a trip into Botswana so had to get their visas renewed when coming back into Zambia. This allowed Carol to have a study day and Bud to visit a village where our church has built a school and been providing support in other ways.

Since I missed an entire afternoon of study, Carol and Kristen graciously allowed me to have a study day today rather than going to the hospital for clinicals. I have gotten much done, and will do more again as soon as I finish this note to all of you!

The bus that has been transporting us was broken down yesterday, so Bud L. was able to procure the services of one of the school buses in Zimba as well as a driver who took us to Livingstone. Bud has been kept very busy with all the transportation, food purchases, paying salaries, etc. etc. I am so glad he is taking care of all that and not me!!! He is very detailed and has done an outstanding job, in my opinion!

We have now been in Zambia for five Sundays and have six more to go. Last Sunday, as a result of several factors, we had our own service together joined by Dr. Joan Jones (Dan was on call) rather than going to one of the local churches. That was a nice change since we understood everything that was said. Jesse & Selinda had a message on tape which we heard listened to. We will spend the next three Sundays in Macha and visiting churches there; we were never in Macha last year over a Sunday, so this will be a new experience for us. There are several missionaries from the Brethren in Christ Church who are stationed in Macha, so I would assume we will go with them. After that we’ll have two more Sundays in Zimba and one in Livingstone before we head back to US.

The last two days, all of us have been praying for the IWU Ecuador team who were stuck in Guayaquil, Ecuador with a plane turning around the first day after about 45 min. in the air and then not flying out the second day! Just received an e-mail saying they have arrived in Miami for which we were grateful. We had a special interest in that trip since Tiffany was with them! But then also two of my good faculty friends were leading the team so we were happy for the entire team when they finally made it back to USA.

We have a day of classes tomorrow and again Friday morning; pray for students and tutors alike!  Till next time…..