Beat BAMA

One of our missionary friends is a big Auburn fan and loaned Ricky this shirt for the Clemson-Alabama game today. The game will start here at 2:00AM (Will Ricky get any sleep tonight?!).

From our family in Zambia, Africa to our Clemson family in South Carolina,

GOOOOOO TIGERS!!!

Words and Expressions

In the 10 months we have lived in Zambia, I have not gotten used to some of the words and expressions. I make mistakes all the time! I feel so dumb when I ask for a napkin at a restaurant and they give me this look ?? because napkin means diaper here. Or when I want french fries, but I have to order "chips". Some of the terms are easier to remember than others, and some are just down-right hilarious. For instance, pacifier is called a dummy, cotton candy is called candy floss (yeah, tell your dentist about that one), or calling a dump truck a tipper. Here is a list of words and expressions frequently encountered in daily conversation. The majority are English terms translated into Americanese.

American Expression - Local Expression
Eggplant = Aubergine or brinjal
Swimsuit = Bathing costume
Odds and ends = Bits and pieces
Cookie = Biscuit
Blind spot (traffic sign) = Black spot
Where government business takes place = Boma
Hood of car = Bonnet
Well = Borehole
Outdoor barbeque = Braai
Meat Market = Butchery
Boss = Bwana
Cotton Candy = Candy floss
French fries = Chips
Movies = Cinema
Drug store = Chemist
Dead end street = Close
Kitchen stove = Cooker
Cornstarch = Cornflour
Thread = Cotton
Absorbent cotton = Cotton wool
Zucchini squash = Courgettes
Party favor, paper cylinder = Crackers
Day nursery = Creche
A semi-circular road = Crescent
Potato chips = Crisps
Chinaware = Crockery
Thumbtacks = Drawing pins
Pacifier = Dummy
Trash can = Dust bin
Garbage men = Dustmen
Mid-morning snack = Elevenses
All gone = Finished
Floor above ground floor = First floor
Bangs on a hairdo = Fringe
Mark of punctuation, a period = Full stop
Overpass = Fly-over
Window screening = Gauze
Hot water heater = Geyser
Peanuts = Groundnuts or monkeynuts
Rubber boots = Gum boots
School administrator or principal = Headmaster
Horn in car = Hooter
Garden hose = Hosepipe
Ice cubes = Ice blocks, rocks
Notices or notifications = Intimations
Jello = Jelly
Sweater = Jersey or jumper
Luggage, personal belongings = Katundu
Servant’s quarters = Kaya
Underpants = Knickers
Sour Milk = Lacto
Run in stocking = Ladder
Gravel for driveway = Laterite
Roadside rest stop = Lay-by
Elevator = Lift
Toilet = Loo
Truck = Lorry
Sitting room, living room = Lounge
Raincoat = Mac (Macintosh)
Very much, many = Maningi
Supervising nurse = Matron
White corn = Mealies
Corn meal = Mealie meal
Hamburger (ground round) = Mince meat (steak mince)
Bassinet = Moses basket
Medicine = Muti
Tangerine = Nachies
Diapers = Nappies or napkin
Staple food made of corn meal = Nshima
Staff nurse = Nurse
Auto body repairman = Panel beaters
Kerosene = Paraffin
Clothespins = Pegs
Gasoline = Petrol
Take or steal = Pinch
A bag = Pocket (of vegetable or fruit)
Show up, attend = Pitch up
Toilet = Public convenience
Flat tire = Puncture
Put to sleep = Put down (an animal)
Line up = Queue up
Study, review = Revise
Traffic light = Robot
Traffic circle = Roundabout
Eraser = Rubber
Garbage or trash = Rubbish
Baking powder biscuit = Scone
Table napkin = Serviette
Registered nurse = Sister
Exit or entry road = Slip road
Fashionably dressed = Smart
Laundry detergent = Soap powder
Wrench = Spanner
Use the toilet = “Spend a penny”
Doctor’s office = Surgery
Candy = Sweeties
Desserts = Sweets
Swimming pool = Swimming bath
Bathing suit = Swimming costume
Tennis shoes, sneakers = Tackies
Faucet = Tap
Asphalted road or surface = Tarmac
Television = Telly
Can (of food) = Tin (of food)
Dump truck = Tipper
Flashlight = Torch
Sanitary napkins = Towels
Molasses = Treacle
Refreshment stand = Tuck shop
Pick-up truck, small truck = Vannette
Sleeveless undershirt = Vest
Do the dishes = Wash up
Rubber boots = Wellingtons
Windshield = Windscreen
Radio = Wireless

There are over 72 languages in Zambia, but many people speak English in Lusaka. The most common language spoken in Lusaka is Nyanja (Chinyanja). We have learned a few helpful words and sentences in Nyanja, but it's very tempting to just use English. But even then, I have to think before I speak. Which is actually a good thing to do, right? The Bible says in Proverbs 21:23 to "Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble."

If you find one of the words or expressions funny, feel free to make a comment. Comment, you ask? Yes, you are welcome to make comments on our blog! Even if you just want to say "hi".

Austin's Weekend

On Friday, Austin was invited to a birthday party of his friend, Ethan. Now, Ethan's family are missionaries with Flying Mission in Zambia. So, Ethan's dad was coming back into Lusaka Airport for fuel and decided to pick the boys up and take them to the birthday party in style!

Austin has never flown in a small airplane before, but he liked it very much. He has always wanted to be a pilot, and so this was a neat experience for him. From the airport, it's only 10 minutes to their house, but they flew around Lusaka a little while, and they got to see Adventure City from the air, which was way cool!

After spending the night and having a great time at the birthday party (where they ate lots of junk food and stayed up 'til 3am), Austin went to play Capture the Flag with our youth group from 2-5pm on Saturday. When he got home at 6pm, he collapsed on the couch. We had to wake him for dinner, and after eating he went back to bed and slept until 8:30am Sunday morning. He had a full weekend!

Funeral Program for the late President Dr. Levy Mwanawasa

This morning at 9:00am the body of the late President arrived on special aircraft escorted by the Zambia Air Force. The body was placed on the saluting dias, the national anthem was sung, and then a 21 gun salute. Later, at 10:30am the body arrived at the Mulungushi International Conference Center, and then a wreath laying ceremony by the First Lady and Vice President. The President's body will remain at the Conference Center until Monday, August 25th.

Ricky was at the airport this morning dropping off some missionaries going back to the States, and he said it was very busy. The airlines called everyone who was flying out of Zambia to encourage them to arrive early for departure since the President's body was arriving. They have decorated the whole airport road on both sides with flags and streamers to receive the body. People are expected to line both sides of the highway in order to get a glimpse of the body.

Beginning Monday, August 25th, the body will be transported around the country to all provinces for the people of Zambia to pay their respects. They will return the body back to the Conference Center on Friday, August 29th, and prepare for the burial ceremony to take place on Wednesday, Septmeber 3rd, which would have been Mwanawasa's 60th birthday.

The country originally was under a 7-day mourning period, but that has increased to 21 days. There continues to be church services held at the Showgrounds (just across from our guest house), and these will continue every day until his burial on Wednesday. Last night, our mission family met together to pray for the First family, the country, and the future of Zambia.

President of Zambia dies

President Levi Mwanawasa of Zambia died today in Paris as the result of a stroke he suffered at the end of June. President Mwanawasa was in Egypt at the time he had the stroke, was stabilized there and then flown to Paris for treatment. His illness has brought the nation together spiritually as seen in the many prayer meetings being held all across the country. Please pray for his wife, the First Lady, Mrs. Maureen Mwanawasa, their children and the extended family. Also pray for the people of Zambia who have lost not only a great leader but a great man, a man who loved the Lord and sought his will in everything he did. Zambia will be observing a seven-day period of mourning beginning today.

1st Day of School

Another school year has begun here in Zambia. Austin started Grade 8 (or 7th grade in the States) at International School of Lusaka (ISL). We just walked right next door and he was off to find his homeroom. He came home the first day talking non-stop about how much fun he had. He has 19 students in his class, and his subjects include English, Music, Spanish, Math, Social Studies, Science, Art, Drama, and Information Technology. He begins at 7:05am and comes home for lunch at 1:15pm. He will begin after-school activities in a few weeks.
Coby & Kelsey are continuing to home school using the Abeka DVD Program. Coby began 4th grade while Kelsey "splashed" into 2nd grade. This year's theme for 2nd grade is a pond and we use all kind of pond animals in our learning. I enjoyed decorating her classroom (I mean, bedroom) with all kinds of posters and motivational signs. Currently, we are waiting for our DVD players to arrive from the States, so she is doing her school in the living room. Coby is currently using a laptop in his room. Both seem to be enjoying this new DVD program (it's better than Mrs. Brain!!!).

Our first day turned out to be a flexible one. Our power went off at 6:30am just as I was putting grits in the microwave. So, Austin had potato chips for breakfast! We began our home schooling on time using the laptops, but about 2 hours into the lessons, the batteries gave out. So, we had recess until the power came back on at 9:30am. Once Austin got home at 1:15pm he was STARVING. We gave him money to buy snacks at school, but he decided to play soccer during his break instead. Of course, Austin didn't want any pictures of him going to school. But Matilda noticed him playing on the soccer field, which we can see from our back door, so Coby, Kelsey, and I yelled and waved at him. He was so embarrassed! He told me when he got home to please not do that again!!!

Highlights of our trip to Kafue Park

As we were leaving our lodge we came across this African Rock Python on the dirt road. It was about 7 ft. in length. We contemplated in the car what to do: Option 1 - drive on by and think nothing about it; Option 2 - Try to kill it by running over it; Option 3 - get out of the car and wrestle the snake and use your knife to cut it's head off and then cook it for dinner. We finally chose Option #2 (you can guess who's idea #3 was!?) ... but after running over the killer snake, he somehow escaped into the woods. Oh, well, we had a good plan anyway!

Once we got back home, the boys were watching NatGeo channel and guess what they were catching... African Rock Pythons. It turns out that this snake we saw was a youngster compared to the big daddy of 20 ft. in length. They are actually non-venomous, but very deadly. That's all I have to say about that!

Here's the trophy fish back at camp. We thought we would get them cooked for dinner, but I guess the chef had other plans. It might not have been enough meat on them to feed our family. Nevertheless, Coby & I were proud fisherman/fisherwoman.
This is our OUTDOOR shower. I was a little nervous taking a shower outside, with no door, and with hippos wandering about, but after you took the first step to get in, it was actually quite refreshing. It was cold in the mornings, but the staff heats the water with a fire right outside our chalet. Every morning the guy would come put more firewood into the "oven" to heat our water.
Getting to the lodge we had to cross this "not so stable" bridge. We only looked underneath it AFTER crossing the last time out. It was not a pretty sight. Only trees were used to build this bridge.
We saw many impala, puku (like this one), and duiker. On our night drive we had hoped to see either a leopard or a lion, but they just would not show themselves. Several guides had heard them roaring in this one section, but we were not as lucky. We did, however, see 3 Kudu in the woods both at night and the following morning. They were all females from what we could tell, since none of them had any horns. This was our first time seeing the Kudu.

Another first for us on this trip... while coming down the tar road, while still inside the GMA, we saw this officer waving his hand for us to stop. We stopped and he asked us for a ride to the police post just ahead. The kids squeezed in the back seat and let him in. He was all decked out in his uniform and carrying an AK-47. He says that he was dropped off at that point 6 days ago, and he and his fellow scouts were roaming the GMA looking for poachers. Now it was time for him to check-in to his post. We arrived at the police post and let him out. Then we all had to get out of the car so they could spray our car and clean our hands and feet to protect from Hand & Foot Disease. That was a first, and we had to explain to the kids what Hand & Foot Disease was.

Fishing on the Kafue River

Our first morning after breakfast we decided to take a fishing adventure. Our guides, Mike and Morris, were very patient with us. We would ride until we found a good bank to pull up on. Even though the hippos would be snorting nearby, we just kept on fishing. Mike was pulling up to one bank and a croc slipped into the water right where we were pulling into. We asked, "Are you sure this is safe to be fishing right here where this croc was?" He said, "No problem!" I tended to wait until I saw the croc was all the way across the river before I got out of the boat.

Coby was the first to catch a fish. He is always that lucky! He caught a small bream. He was very excited. Then, at the last place we stopped, I decided to try my hand at fishing, and, what do you know, I caught something! It was a small silver catfish. I was happy, but I tried not to be too excited since some others had not had better luck. Ricky says after I caught my fish, I began giving advice to everyone. I don't think I was "giving advice" but I was making some observations.

We stayed out fishing all morning, and upon our return we saw this male elephant on one of the islands taking a dust bath. This ended up being our only elephant we saw on this trip.

Rock Climbing and Rapids Swimming

After lunch we took a short walk to the rapids. It's not very big rapids, but the kids were told to wear their bathing suits and there might be a place to swim. They were excited about that news because it has been a while since they have been swimming. We are coming out of our winter here in Zambia, but the water is still VERY cold. You can see from the pictures how cold it was. Check out the many faces of Austin!

Before school get-away

KaingU Safari Lodge sits on the Kafue River in the Kafue National Park. It is a beautiful setting, and a very peaceful place to stay. We were lucky they had room for us since we made a last minute decision. The drive took us from Lusaka toward Mongu in the western province about 2 hours on tar road, and then we turned off into the GMA (Game Management Area) and continued on dirt roads for the next 3 hours. Once we began driving on the dirt road, we began to hear some rattling underneath our vehicle. The cover that goes over our gas tank to protect it was hanging and had come loose from the bolts. Getting out of the vehicle to look at it was horrific - all the tsetse flies swarming around you and biting you. Ricky thought he was able to tighten the screws enough for us to continue. But later down the dirt road it began coming loose again, this time it broke from the bolt and was unfixable. We stopped and took the cover completely off so as not to have it just hanging there. We finally made it to our destination.

The lodge has been here since 2004. We ate all our meals with the owners here in the boma. The staff was very nice and provided us with as many activities as we wanted to do.

This is our view from the deck in front of the lodge.

This is our chalet we stayed in for 2 nights. It had an awesome view of the river!
We took a sunset cruise the first night. The river is full of huge boulders and there are numerous channels feeding the river. We stopped at one island of rocks and had a refreshing drink and the kids loved climbing on the big rocks.

Look at this gorgeous sunset!