On the way home...

As we drive the 10 hours that take us from Lusaka to Lukulu, we have to drive through Kafue National Park. We regularly see lots of warthogs, lechwe, baboons and monkeys. Some times, we see elephants and hippos. This is only the second time that we have seen zebras. They were very curious and stood still watching us drive by.

A Little Variety, Please?

Just a glimpse into one of the grocery stores in Lusaka. These are baked beans - a very popular breakfast item here in Zambia. This really is a common site. You will find about this much space of just one item - like apple juice or corn flakes.

I just had to snap a picture for you to see.

London Layover

We had a 7 hour layover in London. We made it safely back to Zambia but seem to have lost one bag - so sad about that but we are still trying to find it...

Fun in 3D

We got to see Yogi Bear in 3D with Grammy at the movies while in Texas. We were the only ones in the theater!

Please Pray:

For the past several months there has been increased discussion and sporadic rioting in Mongu, Zambia, revolving around the Western Province of Zambia seceding from the rest of Zambia to form their own independent country. These feelings are not new, but have been simmering for years. Pray for peace to reign in Western Province, and specifically Mongu and Limulunga. While the recent rioting has mainly involved rock throwing and destruction of property, there have been at least two and possibly 4 people killed. Pray that the violence would stop, that the police would be able to control the rioters without lethal force. The Lozi protesters are calling for all tribes, (Mbunda, Luvale, Luchazi, etc) to leave the Western Province by mid-February. Daren has called a number of the believers around the province, and they generally feel that this is just way to put pressure on the government. These tribes have been living together peacefully since the 1800's. The Baptist believers in the Western Province are a combination of all the tribes, pray for the safety of these dear brothers and sisters, that any feelings of alienation would be resolved. The Litunga (Lozi Paramount Chief) does not support any of the protesters demands. We have also been told that everything is peaceful in other locations throughout the Western Province and that as of Sat. morning the rioting in Mongu has stopped and all is quiet. Pray that the Zambian government would listen to the concerns of the Lozi people and that the problems would be addressed and resolved. Pray that we will experience the peace of God through all of this. We will contact the U.S. Embassy to see if they will allow us to return back to Lukulu on Saturday. Usually these conflicts are very localized and the possibility of problems in Lukulu are low. Thank you for lifting up the Upper Zambezi Team, the believers in the Western Province and all the residents before the Lord.

Time to Fly

Dear Friends and Family,

We have safely arrived in London with a relatively uneventful flight. We still have one more 10 hour flight that we drop us in Lusaka. We have had an incredible whirlwind vacation in Texas. Honestly, I had kind of thought that we were 'out of sight, out of mind' for most of you but I was completely mistaken. Our family has been literally swept off our feet by all of your continued love, prayers and support. I think that was exactly what we needed as we just passed our half way point of our term. You have revived and refreshed our spirits through all of your smiling faces and hugs. We praise the Father, Most High for how He used you to truly minister to us. We look forward to the ministry that lies before us in Lukulu and know that your prayers go before us.

Words cannot describe our gratitude.

So, simply - thank you.

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.