update

Talked to Brian earlier today. I will highlight some of the things we talked about. Some of it may seem very trivial or whatever, but oh well. This is our journal and the only place I save stuff, so some of it just maybe more for me than you!

Let’s see-to start with, the flights. All went well. Many people were charged for extra baggage on the way to Ethiopia due to the differences in policies with their domestic carriers. Brian slept well on the flight from DC to AA (Addis Ababa), didn’t sleep so well in the hotel that night, on fell asleep from the Lusaka airport to the Barn (the lodge the teams stay at when in the City). On the flight from DC to AA he sat next to a guy from Sioux Falls, SD who was Ethiopian, and on his way to Ethiopia to pick up a daughter they just adopted. He really enjoyed his time visiting with this guy-his first question to Brian was, “are you a born again believer?” At AA he had to go through the screeners numerous times-everyone did, it was being super sensitive. One guy sent his laptop through, but he didn’t make it right away. When he finally got through, the laptop was gone. They had a sit down prayer meeting at the airport and headed to the plane, hoping to get on. You see, his boarding pass was in his computer! It eventually got worked out, and the computer was returned. Prayer works! At the Barn on Monday night he roomed with an elder from a church in Iowa. Right now they are working on policies dealing with being a sending church for missionaries-what they do and don’t do, etc. Another super cool thing as we have been trying to research some of these things and get a policy handbook together with/for Gospelink.

Brian, Lewis (US Gospelink director) and Stewart (Zambia Gospelink director) ran errands this morning. Brian was supposed to sign his work permit this morning, BUT…the papers were missing, must be in process the guy told him. “The man with the key is gone” we joked, as this is a common occurrence in Africa! Anyway, we were told it was approved last Thursday, he just needed to sign. Well…this is Africa! It’s somewhere!

Lewis was robbed the other day at the Barn. His passport, work permit, and quite a bit of cash to pay for supplies was stolen. Whoever stole it had a key, then while they were running around, Lewis’s coat was stolen. Please pray that these items are returned (including the cash!)

Bri bought a cell phone today for 200,000 kwacha, about $59 dollars. He then bought 40,000 kw in minutes ($12). We aren’t sure how much it costs for him to call me- 50 cents to a dollar a minute he thought. So basically he calls me, and then I call him. I found a place that only charges 6 cents, but it dropped me 5 times in about an hour. Not the end of the world I guess.

On the drive to the school, Brian figured it was about 45km from Lusaka to Chongwe (nearest “town”), from there it was maybe 22km to the turn off for the school, then 12km down the road to the site. When I figure the metric system out, I will know how many miles that is!

Everyone (the nationals) he has met so far seems to know who he is and is super excited that he is there. They say they are going to get that house of his built fast! Current problem is that the cement blocks are in such high demand, the supply isn’t meeting it. He obviously doesn’t need his blocks tomorrow, but will possibly by the end of the week. He plans to start tomorrow with getting it all laid out, start clearing and maybe even start the footings, depending on how far they get. One of the US gentlemen whom he thought would be there for another month to help is leaving tomorrow. I do believe the guy is in the 70s or so, but has a ministry which brings him to Africa, so it would have been very helpful to have him around a little longer. But he’s already been there for over a month doing labor, so it takes its toil. Pray Joel will rest well when he gets home.

Brian had planned on staying in a cabin that another guy has used for 9 months last year, but there are no lights, so he moved to another cabin where they had already wired in some solar power so he can have light at night. Also found his two bags from last year that he left were considerably lighter than he left them, and his sleeping bag was gone. But the other guy’s sleeping bag was still there, so he has something to sleep in. Other than needing a flashlight, he’s fine-nothing major taken, just some clothes.

The men who have been working there for the last month have gotten the medical clinic walls up, also some showers and rooms inside. It’s progressing nicely. The whole grounds of the school looks pretty good right now, they have really cleared a lot of the brush around the main building site.

Gospelink’s container is in Lusaka, but they are not releasing it for some reason. They were able to get in and get some things they needed out (bibles, tracts, solar equipment), so that was good. Please pray that they will be able to get that released. (FYI, our container leaves Friday from New York)

There is not a team at the college this week. This first trip is during the school year for many still, so the team wasn’t as big. They are basically all from Iowa. They decided to keep the group together, so they are all in the City doing evangelism this week, then will head out to the bible school on Tuesday to do some work.

I think that about does it. We so appreciate your prayers and support during this time. It’s been 3 days, only 53 to go!