Random Thoughts

Yes, we drink the water-there is a very deep well and the water has tested good-well, they say “not fit for Americans”. But we’ve been fine. We do have a good water filter, but don’t always use it, because it gets warm sitting on the counter. We’ve drank a lot of lemonade too, which we need to cut back on and just get plain water going again.
We have the mosquito nets up finally. As I was taking the clothes off the line, I thought, this is probably the time of day not to be outside. But then, I may be safer out here away from the light bulb that is attracting so many bugs (we don’t have glass on any of the windows, so not sure what good the nets do at night anyway!)
There are lots of bugs, yes. So far I haven’t freaked out too much. There are some HUGE moths, lots of big beetles that really crunch when you step on them. I have only seen a handful of mosquitoes, but there are LOTS of wasps right now. They are looking for water and we have a spigot on the house, so there you go. The Africans just say if you just leave them alone, they will leave you alone. They are a little aggressive this time of year I guess. Blessed got stung on the check the other day.
Brian has the floor cut in the main room, except a small section. He has the sink and bottom cupboards set in place. Going to town to get a drain along with other things today. We have a bunk bed up in one room. We have sorted through the bins/luggage for the most part, and found the kitchen stuff in the container. Using the bins for luggage did pretty well. A few got cracked, but quite a few had broken handles, the tape didn’t hold the greatest on some. Duct tape doesn’t still the greatest at minus 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 36,000 feet I guess. There is SOOOO much to still go through, but that will take a while. I am doing remarkably well with the mess that we are living out of.
We arrived Sunday just in time for the first rain at the school. IT was a pretty good one too. Monday the ladies came to help, and gave us a quick tour of the school (where half the kids got burnt-forgot the sunscreen!). After the tour the ladies washed our clothes. Cybil did a GREAT job helping. Tuesday I sorted the bins. Yesterday the ladies helped wash the big blankets and made us nshima and beans for dinner. It wasn’t too bad, but the kids weren’t too impressed. Today we are going to town.
Sorry, I don’t have too many impressions to share with you. I think it is probably a pretty good think I am keeping so busy. I think it may help with the transition, but we’ll see I guess. We will be busy for so long, who knows.
Mariah wasn’t feeling well yesterday and slept most of the day, we had some puke on the plane as I said, but otherwise we are pretty well. Our guts are working.
We’ve pretty much met everyone. The ladies started singing as we drove up. I guess we missed the special guests Monday morning who came to see us, we were still in bed. We are not on the African schedule yet. We seem to turn the generator on in the later afternoon and work until 9 or 10. The kids aren’t ready for bed yet by 8, so we will have to keep adjusting.
People, people, everywhere on the sides of the road. Walking, riding bike, everything. And yes, the men do hold hands as they walk and talk here. I knew that, but seeing some of the white Zambians do it threw me off a little.
That’s it for now. I am sure I will have lots to write about our first experience doing business by ourselves-we are trying to get our vehicle insurance and maybe change the registration on the truck. Most things take two or three trips to get it done.
Keep praying for the kid-for health, for the transition. We are really busy and there is always work to do, even for them. They seem to be doing okay. The little ones love their bathes in the storage bins. Cybil loves helping the ladies, actually they all do. Myron almost fell into the wash bin the other day doing blankets!
Hopefully we will get to the cell place today too and get the internet thing we need. Then we can get ourselves on a schedule of checking emails every few days. Sorry, there won’t be too much for pictures as you pay by the data you upload or download. And remember, please don’t send us forwards or large pictures. If you’d live to do a picture shrink it down to the least amount of kb as possible. THANKS!!