Oh, my heart.

We are back and I'm pretty sure I left part of my heart in Zambia.

It is a wonderful, peaceful country where the people are so happy with so little. I was constantly reminded over and over, just how much God loves the orphan...how he protects them and carries them in the palm of his hand. How he also cares for the widow and provides for them.  Once again, I had faces to put with James 1:27...thousands of faces, with sad eyes and big smiles, with big round bellies and dirty feet, with hard hands that have seen their fair share of hard work, with stories that make our pity party look fabulous. At times, it was almost too much to bear...but reality.

We had a wonderful trip, learned and laughed so much. Our purpose in going was to see if we could live in Zambia and raise our family there. The organization we would be working with, Wiphan, had several join us on the trip.  We got to know all of them really well.  They were also very helpful in showing us around and helping us get a feel for life in Zambia.

One of the first things we did when we arrived was visit the schools that Wiphan supports....there are two, Nkwazi and Mapolo.  Both of these schools are located very close to compounds where thousands of children with their families live. Most families don't have water and very few, if any, have electricity.                The schools feed the children lunch....more than likely their only meal all day.

Rose and her friend at Nkwazi school

We also visited Lifespring Foundation School.  This is the school that is supported by Lifespring, the organization that Wiphan is looking to partner with.  It is located in the Kaloko compound...around 20,000 people live here with very little running water and electricity.  Lifespring also has a Home Base Care program (HBC).  Basically, they help those with HIV and AIDS by providing education through classes, home visits to make sure they are taking meds and eating well, and transportation to and from the clinics. It is estimated that 70% of the people in Kaloko are infected. If you know our family well, you know this is near and dear to our hearts.

Fifth grade boys at Lifespring school

Typical house in Kaloko compound

Nkwazi School is also the base for the widow training programs. Women come (and I mean walk) to the school to take training classes in keyboarding, hospitality (cooking and cleaning), and jewelry making. The women in the keyboarding classes have now started in the data entry program, begun by some Atlanta business men affiliated with Wiphan....they are earning a salary and even have bank accounts! The women in the hospitality program are getting jobs in restaurants and hotels.  The women in the jewelry making program are making and selling jewelry made out of paper beads and seeds in the local markets.  These women now have hope and a future, and they are thrilled.

We also discovered that N'dola has an ice cream shop, a Pick 'n Pay (imagine an upscale Piggly Wiggly), a pizza place, a coffee shop, a great medical clinic (that can get ALL three of Cooper's meds...we actually talked to the head doctor), and a large group of mzungus (white people....from Sweden, Britain, Denmark, and the U.S. that all have kids), soccer league, golf course, and year round swim league (Riley was ecstatic).  One night, we had dinner with the Pedersens, from Denmark, and they  assured us N'dola is a great place to raise kids. It was nice to be able to pick their brains on all kinds of topics from church to shopping to gardening.

My new friend, Rose, and I at Mapolo school

Looking down the street in Kaloko compound

In the lunch line at Nkwazi school

No time for school, water is more important....probably
their second trip on this day

Tim playing soccer with kids at Nkwazi school

I hope this gave you a glimpse into our trip. We have not made any decisions yet, but are praying and fasting over the thought.  It would definitely be a wonderful opportunity. It's just such a big decision, and to be honest, scary. I can't tell you how humbling it has been to know that so many of you are praying for us, thinking about us, and cheering us on.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.