November 16, 2005

Dear Friends,

After leaving the main highway, we wound around paved but narrow streets filled with street vendors to arrive at the Mutendere Church CCAP (Church of Central Africa Presbyterian). This was the second Sunday we have worshiped with this congregation. Outside the church were many girls dressed in blue skirts and white tops anticipating the blousing ceremony of the Girls’ Brigade. Carrying candles, they were lining up to process in starting with a girl no more than three and half feet tall. Then the singing began. The language was Chichewa, but there was no doubt that these joyous voices were singing praise to our Lord and Savior. The first part of the four-and-a-half-hour service concentrated on the Girls’ Brigade, an international, interdenominational organization whose motto is “Seek Christ, serve Christ and (follow) Christ.” Sixty-five girls were part of the ceremony of vows of commitment to Christ, to tell others about Christ, to honor their parents, and to practice abstinence.

We have now been in Lusaka, Zambia, since the evening of Thursday, October 27 after a 17-hour flight between JFK and Johannesburg. It was difficult saying goodbye to our children even though they are adults—Bethany is 26 and David 23.

We are living temporarily in a two-bedroom apartment at the Justo Mwale Theological School in Lusaka. Cement block structures are the most common in this part of Africa. The floors and walls are cement; the counters are cement; the showers are cement. From the apartment I (Sue) can hear work being done on our permanent home, which is scheduled to be finished between mid-February and mid-March. The other day I went to the work site to take pictures of the progress. The workers were excited to see their pictures on the display screen of my digital camera.

The many children on campus belong to the married students and staff. A 9-year-old girl has paid us a few visits. Ted helped her with her “maths” and I played Uno with her.

Yesterday, I watched children playing in a courtyard. Like children around the world, “Watch me!” rang out as somersaults, cartwheels, and back flips were demonstrated. With only a remnant of a soccer ball, the children exuberantly ran around laughing and jostling each other.

A number of things have challenged our patience, flexibility, and determination. It is a new pace for us. We have learned that success is accomplishing maybe one thing on our list for the day. Two things are miraculous! Long queues, particularly at government offices and banks, are normal. As good Calvinistic Americans, our daily agendas had been on overdrive. Now we are practicing being good African Calvinists!

Not many kilometers away is a Shop-Rite (like in the States) and a Wal-Mart type store called Game. There are some other grocery stores but only one department store. Most of what we need or want is available. We are enjoying the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. I have discovered that the African Light Coke is much sweeter than Diet Coke. I have now switched to drinking about two liters of water a day instead. It has not been that difficult getting used to Zambia. It has been quite hot but we are entering the rainy season. The fans make it quite comfortable, and it cools off a little in the evening. We are often awakened by the calls of the native birds. Mango trees surround our building. But driving on the left with the driver on the right side takes a little getting used to. Ted is doing quite well at it.

Please pray that Zambia and the other drought-stricken countries receive abundant rain in the next several months. Of the countries in which we will be working, Malawi and Zimbabwe are on the brink of famine.

Pray, too, for the pastors and their wives who carry tremendous responsibilities and receive limited compensation. The wives are expected to welcome any guests for meals, actively participate in the Ladies’ Guild, and offer spiritual and practical advice while also raising a family.

And, lastly, we ask that you pray that we will be sensitive to local etiquette and customs as we meet with church leaders to offer encouragement and continue to develop the partnerships our predecessors, Bob and Bobbi Snyder and Bill and Nancy Warlick, worked hard to establish.

Faithfully,

Sue