This is Lukulu!

Just some pictures that I took of Lukulu. These pictures basically show you 'town' with the exception of the two markets.

Are We There Yet?

Just a reminder not to forget to give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. This offering is absolutely crucial to your 5000 Southern Baptist missionaries that are serving all around the world. ALL of us IMB missionaries felt the financial crunch from the last few years of lower than expected giving. Please reconsider what you have given and give a little more. If you have not given, you have today and next week. We are counting on you!

Fun for the day!

We have been blessed with another rooster. The kids ALL ran outside to see it's demise. Just another day in our world.

More of our trip

We arrived safely on the other side, even though the pontoon had a leak and was the be fixed. We had a second of panic when we arrived on the other side and the pontoon driver said he was putting the pontoon up for repairs today and wouldn't run again that day. I got on my phone, texting some of our team members to pray and we left - with the faith that the Lord would take care of it all. After about an hour and a half of driving on an ox cart path, we arrived at our friend's house. We were driven around a bit, meeting some church members and family members then we arrived at the church - after fording some pretty deep streams (while I prayed fervently that we would not get stuck). As we arrived, the church members began to sing, beautifully. I cried as we shook hands with everyone - I was so happy to finally be there. We had about a 3 hour worship service. They had made these wonderful instruments. We have never been at a church before that had homemade guitars (that worked!) and homemade bass. It was a great worship service!

Our First Trip to Mukuma Baptist Church

While waiting for the secretary of the church - who was going to show us the way - I snapped this picture. Very cultural, very common.

The pontoon to take us across the river.

Zoe's 6th Birthday

Zoe started her birthday with presents. In the afternoon, we went to the movies. She chose to eat at her favorite restaurant, Mike's Kitchen. They all came out to sing 'Happy Birthday' to her after supper. We thank God for Zoe!

New Friends in Lukulu

Our fence in Lukulu is chain link, as you can see. So far, we really like this better than the high 8 feet concrete walls that we had in Mongu. We really feel like we are more a part of the community. Brona, who lives next door to us, came over to meet the kids the other day. They played a little while inside the fence then went outside. Yes, Levi's hands really are that dirty...

Our yard in Lukulu does not have any trees. The girls can climb on the water tower but nothing beats a good tree. This tree sits right outside our fence.

The Must Anticipated and Prayed for Crates!

On the way...

Stuck...

About 2 hours later, we finally got to unload...

The First Crate's Arrival in Lukulu

This is what we managed to get from Mongu to Lukulu. The bigger trailer was broken and we had to use this smaller trailer. We got the majority of our stuff but will still need to go back next week to get the rest. In the white trailer, under all the furniture is our half crate that had our sofa bed and a few other things in it. The guy in the hat is Dwayne, for whom you have been praying. The little green trailer is the one that we haul back and forth from Lusaka.

This is one of our crates that was under all the furniture. We were all curious to see what was in it.

Traveling To and From Lukulu

Just wanted to give you a glimpse of the road to Lukulu. We travel 4.5 hours down a dirt road to arrive in Lukulu. It is only about 120 miles but it takes so long because the road is incredibly rough. From Lukulu to Lusaka, it takes 10 hours.

The saga continues...Please pray!

We waited all day yesterday for the much anticipated crates to arrive but, alas, they did not. We called the driver but we must have the wrong number because no on there would speak English to us. A thousand things could have happened. The truck could be stranded on the road, out of cell phone service. We have seen many trucks who have had to camp out on the side of the road until the right part could be found. Or maybe the truck just arrived late last night and he just didn't call us to tell us that he arrived. Please pray that the crates will arrive safely early this morning (Thursday, 4 November). We only have a few days until we have to head to Lusaka on Sunday, 7 November. That is part of the frustration that we finally get here and have to turn around and leave for Levi's therapy. Please pray for joy in the midst of our daily struggles. We could never do this without your support. Thank You!

The Joys of Packages!

Levi got this shirt today from a package from Kentucky. Thanks, Mom!

Destination Lukulu, I mean Lusaka...

I cooked all weekend and prepared everything needed for a week in Lukulu. We started off for Lukulu today and ended up in Lusaka. For those of you who know, Lusaka is NOT on the way to Lukulu. Jeff felt that there were some problems with the shocks on the vehicle so we made the difficult decision to pass by the turn off to Lukulu and head on another 5 hours to Lusaka. We were able to get the vehicle in the shop today and it should be ready tomorrow. As it turned out, we had a back shock that was broken. I'm so thankful that the Lord led us onto Lusaka to get it fixed. We hope to leave here on Wednesday and drive straight to Lukulu which should take about 9+ hours. We will stay there to continue working on the house and will head back to Mongu on Monday. While we are there, we may have the opportunity to go to church at the only Baptist church in the area which is actually about 3 hours to the west of the town of Lukulu. So, we go to eat out tonight at the only and very new Mexican food restaurant. We will enjoy eating out tomorrow and then hope to leave on Wednesday. The photo above is pretty typical of the roads around here but this one actually seems to be in very good shape. Our roads in the Western Province have huge potholes - hence, the broken shock. :)

Missing - 2 Teeth

I have been trying to get this picture uploaded for about a week. It really needs no introduction.

Praying for the House in Lukulu

We have been asking you to pray for the house in Lukulu. This great man, Dwayne Mitchell, is the man that you have been praying for. Dwayne works very hard and will continue to need your prayers for the next couple of weeks as he works so hard to get the house done. Jeff and Dwayne will be going to Lukulu next week to work on the house.

More pictures from these last few days

This is our complete Upper Zambezi Team. L to R: Daniel and Sky Scott with Baby Scott, Melissa Frady, Gerri Helton, Evie Smith, Mike Smith, Tyler Smith, Amy Smith, Robyn Lowe, Hadassah and Zoe Lowe, Jeff Lowe and Levi Lowe, Mark Wint, Melynda Wint with Baby Wint and Madalynne Wint.

The Lowe Family

(Zoe and Levi didn't want a picture taken but Hadassah was quite ready.)

Twin Friend (Evie Smth and Hadassah Lowe)

At work and At Play!

Learning the Lozi Language with our language helper, Chuma.

Our daily life-

Main Street in Mongu.

Shopping in the market. This is where we get almost all our fresh vegetables.

Good friends at the market.

Having Fun in Lusaka!

A fun night out in Lusaka = eating at a restaurant and getting ice cream (at 8:30pm!). Here is Zoe, Hadassah,

Evie Smith, Levi and Madalynne Wint. They are almost all of the kids on our Upper Zambezi Team. Tyler Smith was watching as the picture was taken. We will have 2 new additions to our team as the Scotts will have a baby girl in October and the Wints will welcome a new baby in February. Good times with good friends.

Still Waiting...e.

Not too much going on around here (Mongu, Zambia) for the Lowe Family. We have finished our first year of full time language study and are still waiting to move to Lukulu. Actually, we have been waiting for almost a full month. We have to go to Lusaka on September 5 for a week of Levi's speech therapy and a Upper Zambezi Team meeting, so we are really hoping/praying that we will move very soon after we get back on September 11. This move is not as simple as packing boxes and going. We first have to figure out how to get the furniture that we had made, the washing machine and dryer from Mongu to Lukulu plus all the boxes and suitcases and foot lockers. Then our crates have to come from Lusaka to Lukulu which will take at least 10 hours, part of that will be down some very difficult roads. Then when the crates (700 cubit feet) arrive in Lukulu, we have to figure out how to get them to our house-which I just learned today-has no road to it. The 'road' that we had been using is actually our neighbors' front yards. So, we ask that you might remember us in these next weeks as we try to be patient and prepare for this move in the best way we know how. When we finally do have a 'Move Date' then things will quickly get chaotic and frenetic. Pray that we will keep our hearts in the Word and take our daily nourishment from Him.

Nifty Nine!

Hadassah turned 9 years old last week on July 28. We are so proud of her and she is growing up in so many ways. Please continue to pray for her spiritual discipleship. Pray for her adjustment to Zambia and that she will learn to love Zambia and The Lozi!

Bath Time!

Just a picture of Levi playing in the bathtub. Some things never change whether you are in America or Africa!

Bath Time!

Just a picture of Levi playing in the bathtub. Some things never change whether you are in America or Africa!

Shabbat Shalom!

As part of our homeschool this year, we are learning about the Jewish Feasts. Our first experience was a Sabbath (Shabbat) celebration. I made the traditional hallah bread and we followed all the elements of the Jewish celebration of the Sabbath (with grape juice, of course!). It has reminded me the importance of a day of rest and reflection. Praise the Lord that Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath!

Mail Call!!

We have been abundantly blessed with people sending LOVE to us in the form of packages. It is like Christmas and Birthdays all rolled up into one package and then when we get more than one, the kids are just beside themselves. Not only do we enjoy these fantastic little boxes but we know that we are not forgotten and still loved. We love you so much and continue to pray for all our friends and family!

Another One for Our MKs-Timbuktu Will Have to Do

Timbuktu Will Have to Do

"Where are you from?" you glibly ask

Where am I from? I slightly frown....

that depends....

on how much you want to know

how long your attention span

on whether you care

or just need something to say...

It depends

also

on how I feel today

-sure of myself or hesitant

-competent or lonely

-cynical or wanting to belong

Should I say-

your eyes give me no clue-

the last place I lived?

or where I lived the longest?

or where my parents live now?

or where I was born?

Should I tell you all the places I've lived?

in order? and how long? and why?

Or shall I pick a name out of the blue

Timbuktu

and see how you respond?

I am from God's earth-just now

a sojourner and wanderer

and you cannot put what I know

or who I am

into a box

by thinking you know "where I am from."

The question poses an enormous problem for me

Yet it is understandable that you ask

It is not wrong of you to ask....

People ask it every day....

But you stand there awaiting my answer

Hesitancy forming in your eyes

And I should not be uncivil

After all, you asked...

I think, today, I will say

"Timbuktu"

and see what you do.

Poem about Missionary Kids

I Am Green

I grew up in Blue Country

My parents grew up in Yellow Country

They tell me I am Yellow

And sometimes we go and visit Yellow Country

When I am in Yellow Country

I go to school with the Yellow kids.

I dress like the Yellow kids

And I talk like the Yellow kids.

but when I am in Blue Country

I go to school with the Blue kids.

I dress like the Blue kids

And I talk like the Blue kids.

Sometimes when I am in Yellow Country

I really miss the Blue ways.

I guess that the things I do and say,

Are really rather Bluish in color

In the same way, when I am in blue Country

There are things I miss about Yellow Country.

And I am sure the things I do and say

Appear rather Yellowish in color.

All this changing around is so confusing

Blue or Yellow? Who am I really?

I wonder if there is a place where I could just be me,

Where the Blue and the Yellow could both run free.

Sometimes when I am flying between the two places

I want to stay up there in the middle of all the races.

If only I could stop some place in between

If only I could just be GREEN!

More pictures from the Botswana Safari

These pictures are also from Botswana. We were able to go on a boat safari and two land safaris. These are some of the animals that we saw from the land safari and the first pictures is, of course, from the boat safari.

One Year Anniversary at Victoria Falls-Livingstone, Zambia

Yesterday was our one year anniversary of being here in Zambia. We were able to go to Victoria Falls with the Allens. Here are some of the group, getting ready to get wet at Vic Falls. The second picture is a double rainbow over the falls and the last is the whole group (facing the sun-that's why the funny faces).