Grubs up!

Muli bwanji! (How are you?)
Just thought I would start with a photo of me to prove that I am actually out here in Zambia! I know that some of you, who have seen photos on Han’s Facebook page, have been wondering! This blog is primarily to let you all know that we have uploaded a bunch of photos onto our website – click here. As you may have gathered by the length of time this has taken and probably by a couple of random blog notifications received via email, this has not been easy or straight forward! I think I need to acknowledge at this point, that my Dad (who is looking after our website) is doing an amazing job! The problem has been to do with my lack of technical ability. So…I hope you all get to see some pics and can get a feel of what we have been up to and the environment we live in! Enjoy.

Just to let you know, the photo in this blog was taken yesterday at Kondwe Preschool, a place that looks after 90 OVCs. This is both a common and sad acronym out here which stands for Orphans and Vulnerable Children. Many children are orphaned due to losing their parents to AIDS and other live with chronically ill parents. This school is owned and run by our neighbour across the road – an incredible woman, who turned her bar business into a place to feed OVCs in the local compound called Ngombe. This vision has grown into a preschool and in more recent times, an orphanage and a primary school with over 200 children.

In our spare time, we have offered to help out where we can, so yesterday Han and I took the girls down to the preschool to help serve porridge for breakfast. We made a good team, me pouring porridge, Isla giving out bowls and Amba handing out the spoons! After this, we were then informed that one of the teachers had recently resigned, so next minute Han and I were teaching a class of 20! That’s how things go here – never a dull moment and often being called to step out of your comfort zone! At the end of the morning, all the children gathered to receive clothing from some guys who dropped by from World Vision. The children also received a brand new pair of TOMS shoes, such an amazing concept and business!

There is so much need here, it’s difficult to get your head round it and this can make living here very hard at times! On top of this, we are learning lots about the Zambian culture which deserves a blog in it’s own right (another time!). This has led to some difficult times and some tricky moments but as a friend here said recently – ‘who said adventure would be easy?’ But as many of you know, we put our faith in a faithful God who loves us and wants the best for us. This has not always fixed the problem immediately but it has definitely helped ease situations. As the good book says:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

Despite these moments, we are loving it here. The people here are amazing – so friendly and accommodating. The girls are happy and we are settling in by the day!

Bye for now

Sam, Han, Isla and Amba
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