March 2006

Dear Friends,

Sometimes we forget to write about “little” things that interest our readers. We talk about travels, ministries, and partners. We send pictures of great moments and great places. Then you write back and ask, “Hey, how’s the food?” “What do you miss from America?” “Suppose you’re sick and need a doctor?”

Thanks for those questions. They really help to keep us grounded. They remind us of your care and concern. They also remind us that part of our mission—perhaps the largest part—is how we live, not what we do.

Veteran missionaries seem to understand this. They display a certain manner, call it “steadiness” perhaps, or “rhythm.” They go about their work—it may or may not get finished—but at the end of the day only relationships matter.

Sue and I haven’t yet begun to find our rhythm. We are novices still learning our way around. We just moved into our house, at last. Four moves in four months can disrupt a person’s rhythm! We are now hanging curtains, unpacking boxes, and discovering what we thought was important to bring back in August. We are learning the local language, which seems impossible to our ears. We are making new friends and visiting new places.

For us, these days are crucial because the patterns we establish and the choices we make will define us for years to come. One never gets a second chance to make a first impression. Little things count! May God be with us in all the details.

Food

Our diet consists chiefly of oatmeal, eggs, rice, tomatoes, whole-grain bread, peanut butter, green beans, chicken, beef, cabbage (Ted) and candy bars from Dubai (Sue). We buy at ShopRite, a regular grocery store. Most foodstuffs are available except for some spices, canned soups, good ice cream, and effective spot remover. Things usually cost much more than in the United States. We sometimes get tempted by food sold on the street, but realize the produce can be grown in less than ideal locations.

Weather

Lusaka sits atop a plateau, so almost every day is comfortable. The rainy season now is tapering off. It rains most days for a while, and then the sun comes out. It will become clear and cool toward southern winter (June and July). September and October are our hottest, driest months. The rains will hopefully resume again in November.

Shopping

There are three kinds. (1) Developed centers with Western-style stores and guarded parking lots. (2) Streetside shops run by Indians and Pakistanis, with hit-or-miss selection and good prices, if you’re patient. (3) Market areas: full of colorful, dirty stalls where sometimes you bargain and the congestion can be intense. Actually, we should also mention a fourth kind of shopping: street vendors, at every traffic light!

Medicine

The great public health issues here are malaria, AIDS, sanitation, and malnutrition. Clinics can treat malaria well if the patient arrives in time. The other problems lie at the junction of poverty and education, a tough place indeed. There is a system of public clinics plus some scattered private ones that are way beyond the reach of average Zambians. These are used by ex-pats and wealthy Zambians.

Security

We live on a small college campus, walled, with guards on duty at the gate. When going out, we take precautions, careful but not paranoid. We have no predictable pattern of travel. We don’t give rides to people we don’t know. Our vehicle has a gear lock, alarm, and cutoff switch. We don’t wear jewelry except for wedding bands. Of course, our skin color alone spells “wealth,” but we don’t hang out with white people. For local people, the biggest danger occurs after dark—outdoors and along the roads. We try to be home after dark. In general we feel quite safe.

Our house

It’s new. It’s large: three bedrooms, two baths, plus study. It’s all on one level. It’s more than we need, but it is intended for guests like you. So come on over here and see us. Our gardener (two days per week) has set up a lovely area out back for barbecue. Now he’s transplanting grass—not seed, not sod, but individual grass plants! Don’t ask me why. That’s how they do it.

Sundays

Sundays are the highlight of our week. We leave for church by 8:30 and don’t return till after 3:00. Almost every weekend we are with a different congregation. One of us often preaches. We sometimes sing or lead a prayer. We enjoy the local music: always vibrant and expressive. And when Africans give a sermon it will be powerful and clear.

Driving to church can be a bit adventurous. We never know who is going to crowd into our car, or what the “roads” through the compounds will be like. But to join God’s family and to represent you: what an honor! What a privilege! It makes us glad to be serving here.

Remember to check our Web site monthly. If you wish to receive more frequent updates (email only), please send us your contact information.

Thanks for partnering with us in prayer, encouragement, support. and even those questions about “little” things. They all weave together into a network of grace. Without grace in daily living, where would we be? And where would God be?

Faithfully,

Ted (and Sue)

The 2006 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 341

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