Thursday, June 4
Hey all!
I learned something new today. I went to the class that I teach for all the pastors today and when I arrived my interpreter, Daiman, said something to me. I didn’t hear him so apologized and asked what he said. “How is your zip?” I looked at him funny, not understanding what he said. He repeated himself and I thought maybe he meant “how was I feeling?” or “how was my energy?” When I suggested that, he said, “No, what is that thing on our trousers?” “Oh, a zipper?” I said. “Yes,” he replied, “I noticed that your zipper is down.” Ah the joys of cross-cultural communication!
We covered 2 sins today in our 7 deadly sin series – anger and sloth (laziness). Talked about resisting the urge to be popular in Christian Leadership. Started talking about the book of Matthew in the 4 gospels. (By the way, did you ever stop to think of all the parallels between Jesus as Matthew presents him and Moses? Take a look and see how many similarities you can spot and post them to the blog!)
I got to spend a little time with the first year students today. I got to know them last year when I taught them, but don’t have a class with them this year. Many of them expressed thanks again for the bikes and at least two of them told of wonderful travel benefits that their church has reaped because of this gift.
I tell you, we are really suffering here in Africa. We had huge pork chops and steaks on the grill for lunch! It was delicious. I had forgotten that John and Kendy have switched the main meal to lunch for health reasons so I had asked Mama Patricia (a kind African lady) to sneak me some nshima (corn meal mush) and cabbage and had eaten a bunch of that. It was a tough jog today!
Today, the kids went to the market in Kitwe – a city about 30 minutes away. There is a place to buy souvenirs there. The monetary unit here in Zambia is Kwacha and the exchange rate about 5000K to the US $1. That means if you have $200 bucks, you’re a millionaire!! Anyone want to move here?
Thanks for all your posts and prayers!
Reader Comments
Nate, How wonderful it is to be reading about your trip, experiences and teachings in real time. Thank you so much for writing a message each day. You continue to amaze me with the way you go about doing God’s work. Yesterday I received the message that we could tune into you each day, so I just now caught up with the reading. God bless you! Hope Mark is having a great time. Maryland is presently wet and in the 60′s.
Nate, I’m enjoying your blogs and sharing them with anyone I see every day. Your eating habits don’t sound a bit like the way you eat at home. Will you come back a blimp? We’re ready for Sunday (and next week, too) with Tom Vill and Dan Walker on board. I’m really out of the loop for the beachsinde services but I’m sure they’re ready, too. Have a great weekend and I’ll keep on praying for you and all the pastors.