Loving Africa... Big Time

One of our Zambian friends, Prince, loves saying "big time." The Africans love learning and using American phrases, and we get a big kick out of it!

Many people have asked what the weather is like here. We arrived in early September, just after their “winter.” Because we are in the southern hemisphere, June and July are their coldest months; sometimes it gets down into the 30s and frost appears on the ground, but mostly the temps remain in the 40s and 50s. In August and September it starts heating up. And believe me it heats up! The good news is that the heat here is completely dry—nothing like St. Louis humidity for sure! So even when it’s 100 degrees outside, if you can find some shade, it won’t be too bad. Also, the breezes here are fairly constant, which helps. October is called “suicide month.” Until the heavy rains come, the heat is just miserable! We use our fans when the electricity is on and stay out of the sun for the early afternoon, but with no AC anywhere, it’s a very sticky life! We are ready for the rains, and the Zambians are telling us “any day!”

My haven babies (the two I have signed up to specifically care for) are doing very well! Both are on the verge of walking. Kiki (Kim) is 15 months old and Bethany is 10 months. They love to play outside and to be tossed in the air or held upside down. Kiki especially is very ticklish!

One of our new favorite things to do here is play Frisbee; the Zambians had never seen one before and enjoy trying to play with us! They also really enjoy playing soccer… rather, they enjoy just watching us play and laughing at our “talent.”

We continue to attend choir practice with the George Benson students, and are learning many Tonga songs! Learning the songs is quite challenging for us “makuas” (white people), as neither music nor lyrics is written down. The Africans’ talent for just listening to a song or tune and repeating it is amazing! After awhile we get the hang of things though! And singing with the Africans is unlike any other experience—I know that their voices will be one of the things I miss most after we leave.

Thank you so much for your interest in this trip and your prayers for us while we are here. It is so encouraging to know that we are supported by our friends and family at home!