We’re here!

Saturday, May 30, 11pm Zambia time

I’m getting ready for bed.  It’s been a long trip!  The 12 hour layover in London was long.  We stayed in the airport since the two boys, Mark (my son) and Stephen (his cousin – same age) had stayed up all night on the flight from Miami.  They dozed off and on through the day.  We browsed shops in the London airport – duty free shops or tax-free shops as they are known.  They are always made out to be such a "deal" but the prices they charge are much higher than buying them outside the airport and paying taxes!  What a scam!

The trip from London to Lusaka, the capital of Zambia was pretty uneventful.  I watched one movie (Valkyrie) then headed to sleep.  I got about 4 straight hours in then dozed in and out the next couple hours before they woke me up to have breakfast.

Now, no offense to my British friends and relatives out there, but in my opinion our independence was necessary if, for nothing else, so we wouldn’t have to eat British breakfasts.  Marmalade, jelly donuts and pastries that I really don’t care for have generally turned me off British breakfasts.  But this one took the cake.  British Airways served us a roll with something in between it.  The label said "Red cheese and chutney."  I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t sound like something that should be consumed before 11am at the earliest – if at all.  I gave it the benefit of the doubt, opened it and smelled it – then tucked it neatly back in the box.  I know, I know…there are starving children in Africa – and if I had thought about it, maybe I would have brought it to one of them.

Nathan, my nephew, and a friend of his met us in the airport and were able to streamline us through the process of visas and luggage retrieval (All 9 pieces arrived!! Thanks for praying!!).  We were out of the airport within 45 minutes – a great pace!

We jumped in a 5 place pickup and headed northwest for 4 hours traveling from Lusaka to Kafakumba Training Center near Ndola and Kitwe and Luanshya (if you’re looking for us on Google Earth).  The trip went well and we saw the typical remains of 3 accidents or so on the way from all the partying that had gone on last night (Friday).

I was wondering how they were going to outdo last year’s welcome.  They did.  They met me further down the road then before which meant that once we got out of the car, we jogged amid singing and waving of bouganvillea branches about 1/5 of a mile.  As we were approaching the gate, they asked me to slow down, making me wonder what was up.  I did and two of them locked arms and lifted me into the air and carried me to the auditorium putting me down to walk across a path of kikwembe’s (the traditional cloth that ladies wrap around as skirts) strewn with bouganvillea, adding a few shakes of talcum powder in my face by way of celebration. (The white powder is much more impressive on black skin than on mine!)  The 4th year pastors sang and prayed and gave a nice speech about how wonderful the St. Mark’s people are (you would have been proud).  Their wives sang a song.  They presented me a malachite Africa clock and allowed me to give them greetings. Then we went to my mother-in-law (Lorraine Enright’s) and ate lunch. 

Took a 1 hour nap, unpacked and sorted all the suitcases, then was treated by John and Kendy (my brother and sister in law) to a wonderful curry dinner for my birthday and cake for dessert made by Lorraine.  (I’m getting used to having 2 birthday celebrations – 1 in the US and 1 here!!)

Now I’m ready for bed and, though you wouldn’t guess it from the length of this note, I am tired.  I won’t go on so long every day, but want to give all the details at least for those of you who like them.  The rest of you can skim or read the e-mail updates.

Goodnight from Zambia!