Video of Lower Zambezi Trip - Part One

We took so much video on our trip to the Lower Zambezi, so I have complied the best clips into shorter movies for your enjoyment. Part One consists of our chalets at Kiambi Safari Lodge followed by a section of our sunset cruise we went on the first evening. Because we saw so many animals, it was hard to decide what to publish in the movie. This video features the elephants we witnessed during the sunset cruise.

Yee-haw!

Look at all our goodies!
Our trunk has arrived! Thank you everyone back home who contributed to the items in the trunk. The volunteers from Mobile, AL arrived last night with trunk in hand (thanks Mr. Chambers). We were so excited to open it and find all kinds of goodies for us. The kids thought it was Christmas! We are so grateful for our family and friends who care about us enough to send us things from the states that we cannot get in Lusaka. Thanks especially to Sue Maher for organizing this project and putting the trunk together for delivery. This was definitely a "love" package! And we love you for sending it to us.

Kiambi Safari Lodge

Some friends from Siavonga told us about this lodge right on the Zambezi River. We opted for the tented chalets, and they were better than what we expected. The food was the best part for Kelsey (as usual), and all of us enjoyed the 7 hour game cruise. Getting there was bit of an adventure. Once we came to the border of Zimbabwe, we were supposed to take a gravel road to the left, but we could not find the correct road. After asking for help, we were pointed in the right direction. This road took us to the river crossing, where we drove onto a ferry which carried us across the Zambezi River. That was fun!

We didn't go into the Lower Zambezi National Park, but we drove the boat all the way to its border, about 60km down river from Kiambi. We could say we were inside Zimbabwe, since the middle of the river is the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It was such a beautiful boat cruise and we saw lots and lots of hippos, crocs, elephants, and the occasional water buck and impala. The most exciting part of our game cruise was finally seeing the buffalo. Now we have seen 4 out of the Big 5. Just the leopard remains to be seen.

Once we got to the Park and turned around, we found a shady place to park the boat and eat our lunch. I think the lodge thought we were eating for 10 by the amount of food they packed for us. Once we began our trek back up river, we were warmed by the sun and the kids fell asleep on the boat. This was such a neat experience to see the animals in the water and on the banks of the river, and be so close to them in their natural environment.

We stopped off at a fishing village camp on the way back and were able to talk with the people in this village. They come to the river's edge and camp for about 2 weeks while they fish. They then go back to their village or to the city and sell their fish. They had make-shift huts and dug-out canoes along the bank of the river. There were about 30 families living in this village, and the head man told us that the nearest church was about 12 hours away (by foot, of course). As Ricky was talking to them, they thought we were coming there to build a church for them. We found out they live just nearby in a small village, but there's no church there. We encouraged him that we have missionaries working in that area, and hopefully, one day they will have a church.

I began talking with some of the ladies while Ricky was talking with the men. I found out that 2 of the ladies, Matilda and Rhoda, were from Lusaka. They sell their fish in the city market and just come to this village because they have family here. I told them I would try to come see them one day at the market. While I was talking, Kelsey interrupted me to tell me she had to go to the bathroom. I carried her into the bushes, and as she was doing her business, an elephant came just near us. I was saying, "Hurry up, Kelsey, there's an elephant right there!" The men were chasing the elephant away from the village, but we could see him through the bushes.

Our stay at Kiambi was very relaxing and enjoyable, and we would recommend this place to anyone. The staff was very nice and treated us like we were the only guests - well, we were one day! Ha! Right before our departure, we were asked by one of the staff members to make a delivery to his family back near Lusaka. His family lives at Mapepe Bible College just off the main road into Lusaka. They were calling him to tell him they were out of food, so he wanted to send them some money. We found his wife waiting by the side of the road, and when we pulled over she said, "You are the express!" Okay, so I guess we were like the delivery express vehicle. She was very thankful for our service and even invited us to her home. We declined seeing that we had just driven 2 1/2 hours with 3 kids in the back, and they were a little anxious to get home.
The drive to Lower Zambezi was not what we expected. I mean, the roads were actually paved without any potholes! It looked as if this project had just been completed since they were still in the process of painting lines on the road. That was another funny thing... the lines didn't make sense. We would see some solid lines with just white paint, and then, all of a sudden, there would be white and yellow painted lines in the center. There was no rhyme or reason for their painted lines. We watched them paint the center line by holding a rope at one end and painting along the side of the rope. They actually had a painting machine, but I have seen where they paint by hand, too. The scene was mountainous and very similar to our drive around the Blue Ridge Mountains back home. At one of the police check-points near Siavonga, the police officer was wanting to know about a church that he could attend. He said he came from a Baptist church in Mansa (north of Lusaka) and was very happy in that church. But now since he has moved, he is still searching for a good Baptist church to attend. He asked for prayer to find a church home. I wish we would have written his name down for you to pray for him as well, but you can just call him Chi (his name started with that).

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Just click on the slide show above to see all our photos from the trip. Hope you enjoyed reading about our adventure to the Lower Zambezi. We have great video too that I hope to blog later.

Get-away to Lower Zambezi

Since school was out and we have been so busy at the guest house, we decided to take a small vacation to Lower Zambezi. The place we were staying is about 2 1/2 hours from Lusaka, so not a bad drive for our 2 nights away. The route goes all the way to the border of Zimbabwe before we make our turn down a gravel road to the river crossing. While at the border post in Chirundu, many people are selling their Zim dollars to make a profit. We thought it would be neat for the kids to have one of the largest Zim dollars and one of the smallest Zim dollars in existance today. We were able to trade our Zambian Kwacha for the 50 billion Zim dollar (the largest) and the 1000 Zim dollar (not the smallest, but the lowest we could find). We paid about $15 USD for that 50 billion Zim dollar - you do the math!!! The last we heard was $1 USD was worth 3.2 billion Zim dollars. Can you imagine going to buy a loaf of bread? You may need a wheelbarrow just to carry your money.

The Zimbabweans really need our prayers this coming week as elections are supposed to take place. Pray for peace and safety for this country.

Birthdays and Celebrations

Yes, I have turned another year older. Tonight my mission family celebrated with me by having cake and ice cream after our Bible study. It was good to have my friends and "family" to wish me a happy birthday (on the 10th of June). My first birthday in Zambia seemed rather normal, but I did miss my family and friends back home in South Carolina. And I've never had a birthday in winter, so that was different.
And today we also celebrated "Father's Day". Coby and Kelsey helped me prepare omlets this morning for Ricky. We would like to let our fathers know how much we appreciate them for who they are, and for the example they have been in our lives. We love you, Dads!

Soccer Champions

Today was the semifinals and finals of the Saturday Soccer League. Coby's team was in 3rd place in the regular season. Their first game ended in no score, so they had to settle the win by penalty shots. They won the semifinal with a score of 3-1. Then, Coby's team faced the #4 team in the finals, and again this game ended in no score. It was a nail-biting ending, but Coby's team finished 3-2 for the champions in their division. Usually, Coby plays in the goalie position, but his coach moved him into offense during both games. He did a great job, and was very excited to win the championship. Each player received a medal and the winners and runner-ups received trophys. Congratulations to Coby's team - Wilderness Safari Team!

True Love Waits

On Friday, June 6th, Ricky and I attended a meeting of the True Love Waits Zambia team. We are investigating ways that we can be a part of this ministry. We received a briefing on the program, updates on program activities, and feedback from facilitators in and around Lusaka. We learned a lot about this program and what's being done in Zambia to encourage abstinence and hopefully prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. Right now, they are looking for someone to help update their website. I have offered my assistance in training one of the volunteers on uploading pictures and getting their website up-to-date. I am excited about this oppotunity to help, and Ricky and I both feel that this program could be a possible ministry that we will continue working with.

Graduation Day

Kelsey – graduated 1st grade
Favorite Subject: Reading
Favorite Book you read: Sis & Bif
Hardest thing to do in Math: Counting money
Favorite After-School Activity: Funky Movers dance
What you are looking forward to about next school year: Reading more books

Coby – graduated 3rd grade
Favorite Subject: science
Favorite Book you read: The Legend of William Tell
Hardest thing to do in Math: Division
Favorite After-School Activity: Karate
What you are looking forward to about next school year: Reading

Austin – graduated 6th grade
Favorite Subject: Science

Favorite Book you read: Mystery of the Roman Ransom
Hardest thing to do in Math: Fractions
Favorite After-School Activity: Chess
What you are looking forward to about next school year: going to a new school

School's Out

Today was the last day of school at Cook Academy in Zambia. No one was more excited than me (the Mom). For our celebration, we made a cake and shared it with our staff at lunch.

As the kids were thinking about the end of school, Coby played this song from HS Musical. Here’s an excerpt: What time is it? Party time! That's right say it loud! What time is it? Time of our lives! Anticipation! What time is it? School's out scream and shout! Finally Summer's (Winter in Zambia) here, Good to be chilling out, I'm off the clock, The pressure's off, Good-bye to rules, no summer school, I'm free to shop 'till I drop, No more waking up at 6 a.m. Now our time is all our own, We're out of control!!! School's out, lets show it!Champions we know it! Let's say it loud! All together! That's what the summer is all about!Summer's here! Summer time is finally here, Lets Celebrate! We want to hear you loud and clear now! School's Out! We can sleep as late as we want to! It's our time! Now we can do what ever we want to! Summer's Here! It's our time! Celebrate! Come on and say what you know!Summer's Here! It's our time! Celebrate! The time of our lives!

After lunch, the kids played games in their own "Field Day" events. They used their imagination in creating these games, and even had to use tools to make some of the games. Upon arrival to Field Day, Kelsey was hidden in the tree and dumped leaves on Austin and Coby as they arrived. Then we went on an animal tour of the guest house, searching for wild animals like lizards, and the famous cat "Isabelle". Cousin Abby joined in the fun as they played tug-of-war and ball toss. Then it was time to get wet when they bobbed for apples. Sorry I didn't get pictures of this.