Struck by Joy

It finally happened.  The joy that has been missing since the day Adam died has finally made a reappearance.  These are the women I have to thank for that: my Zambian sisters.

Anna, Pamela, Elizabeth, Agnes, Sandra, Mrs. Pirry

God has orchestrated an opportunity for me to partner with a Zambian church organization to provide long-term assistance for the widows of the Lilayi community. On Tuesday, I met 10 of the most needy widows in the community and talked with them for over an hour about their current situation and how they needed help.  After hearing their stories (some of which made me cry) it was apparent that they needed food for their families. These women have suffered much. 

Today I was able to bring them each a 25 KG bag of mealie meal, the staple food that will last up to a month for each family.  As the bags were unloaded they started singing and dancing, praising God for His provision for them.  Yes, it was God that provided this food for them, I simple was the conduit to make it happen.  And Joy was my reward. 

In the upcoming weeks I will have the opportunity to make some home visits and get a good understanding of the living conditions of these women and their children.  I also hope to record their stories and share them here on the blog.  

The women were very upfront from the beginning that they did not want perpetual hand-outs, but rather a way to make a living for their household.  Bishop Yamba, the founder of the the ministry will be organizing the women into groups according to different skills (ie. sewing, baking, gardening, etc.) and helping them come up with a business plan.  The plan is to give the women small loans to help them start up their businesses. As the women prosper at their business and start to pay back the loan, the money then will go directly into the Yanos school to provide tuition for the many                                                orphans and needy children that attend.  

This is all new to me and I am hanging on to God for guidance. As God has been faithful in providing for our family, I want to be faithful in helping these women provide for their families.  Please pray that Bishop Yamba and I would have God's wisdom in proceeding with this new ministry. 

Zambian food day

This afternoon I asked the kids what they wanted for dinner.  "Nshima, relish and mangos," they said.  Are they turning into Zambians!?  When we got back from town Micah and his friends climbed the mango tree in the back yard and picked some mangos for everyone.  Mangos right off the tree are a sweet, juicy mess.  It's kind of like biting into a Georgia peach at the peak of ripeness. Mmmmm, good!  

Here is dinner--nshima with tomato and chicken relish.  Nshima is made of ground corn maize and looks a little like cream of wheat when cooked.  You simply take some nshima in your hand, roll it into a ball and dip into the relish. Finger food at it's finest. (I think that's why the kids like it--no utensils needed!)

Holly and her flowers

Holly loves posing for the camera.  The vegetation is lush and green now, so we have many opportunities to explore the plants and flowers around us. 

This flower smelled divine!

Notice the sticker on the forehead...it's the newest thing.  Yesterday she walked around the grocery store with stickers plastered on her face, arms and legs.  Crazy muzungus (white people).  

Future pilot?  She may have to grow into the headphones...

The Gecko Tail

About a week ago Micah got this brilliant idea to chase after the gecko lizard that inhabits our house, with his bow and arrow. This is one of many geckos that call our little cottage "home." I was making dinner and Micah was running all over the cottage like a little mad-man trying to trap the lizard, divert the lizard outdoors or kill the lizard, which ever came first.  During the scuffle Micah cut off the gecko's tail.  We didn't see him after that.  Maybe he will go tell all of gecko-friends of the horrors that he experienced in the cottage and they will  all STAY AWAY!  Micah wants to keep the gecko tail for his treasure box.  YIKES!

Lilaya Feeding Project

Today, Micah and I had the opportunity to hand out food and Christmas goodies at the Lilaya Feeding Project that is put on by our local church.  Lilaya is a small community outside of Lusaka.  Last year, two women from South City Community Church, saw a need only a few miles from their home and were determined to be part of the solution to help orphans and very poor children get a good meal.  Most of these kids have very little food to eat during the week and the nshima and soya relish that Yolanda and Illka bring every Wednesday is probably the most nutritious thing they will have have all week.  

These are the youngest that come to Lilaya.

Micah helps hand out food with Yolanda.  I was so proud of Micah that he got right in there and helped and played with some of the younger kids.

Micah wanted to eat some of the nshima...he's not choking in this picture....just a funny shot. 

Some of the kids that got a meal today.  The adult in the picture, Anna, is one of the teachers at the school.  She and her husband run the school and orphanage. 

We saw some pretty happy faces after the treat bag and drinks were handed out. 

Crossing Paths

Tonight was a good night.  I dropped the kids off at the Solt's house for movie night.  A night in which Micah and Holly stuff themselves with popcorn and soda and mom runs away for a little while.  Tonight was Christmas shopping night in Lusaka. Tonight was about making into town and finding SOMETHING that the kids might squeal with delight after opening on Christmas day.

It was a good night because I was by myself, no whining, no crying, no fighting. Alone.  Me and my radio that I just discovered today.  So here I go, windows down, out on the dirt road, the African sunset radiating through the passenger's window, and my radio cranked up playing some Zambian dance music that I can't understand the words to because it is in another language. Very satisfying.

Not far down the road I see a man waving wildly at my vehicle.  I stop to see what the commotion is and it's Webster, a friend of Flying Mission.  He needs a lift into town to take care of some paperwork for a new visa. In a flash he's in the passenger's seat and away we go bumping down the dirt road into Lusaka.

I start by saying "Webster, you probably don't remember me, but you are one of the reasons why I am here in Zambia." I caught his attention. "A year and half ago I was here with my husband and you let me hold your little baby cousin, the one who's father had just died." He listens intently. "I didn't have anything to give him and I didn't know what to do, but I remember thinking 'I'm glad that's not me.'" Webster chuckles.   I go on, "but now it is me, raising two kids by myself." No more chuckle. The truck keeps bouncing down the road as I tell him briefly about Adam.  He remembers hearing about the man who was killed in the plane crash but had no idea I was his wife.

I went on in my best Zambian accent, "but God is good and He has provided everything I need, to the point that I am able to share with others.  That is one of the reasons I am here, to wait for God to show me how to He wants me to care for widows and orphans." Then he peppered me with questions, "how, when, who..." "I don't know, but God will show me.  He has promised to make good come from this situation." Yes," he said, "God will show you and will make it work out for good."

Webster went on to tell me of how he was abandoned by his mother at seven months, that his new step-mother did not like him (probably putting it mildly) and that eventually his friend's mother adopted him.  Now at 25 he is far away from his family and soon starting bible school in hopes of becoming a discipleship missionary.  That's why he needs the lift into town, to renew his visa so he can travel to Malawi next year for more bible training.  I ask him if he has heard of Harrison Chinyama. He didn't, but I have a sneaking suspicion that he will before 2011 is out.

Before we parted ways in town, we both agreed that in both of our situations we would never get an answer to "why" this happened.  But we both firmly agreed that God was in complete control of our lives.  He knew the exact time we would be born and the exact time we will die and everything in between.  With that, Webster went to find his friend and I went into the store to buy some gifts.

It was so refreshing to be in the company of someone who has experienced deep loss and has found healing in the promises of God, not just quoting them, but really living them out to the core of their being. Peace and joy were Webster's.  Peace and joy shall be mine in the coming months.

Thank you Lord for the crossing of paths.  Bless Webster in what ever he puts his hand and mind to.  Continue to show him the kingdom and show him the plans you have to give him a hope and a future that is securely rooted and established in your love.

May peace and joy inhabit the nooks and crannies of your heart this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas.  I miss you all!  Love you lots :)

Rain, Rain, Go Away

The rains have been profuse here this past week.  It's like someone turned on the faucet and forgot to turn it off!  It's not supposed to rain this much until February I was told. Farmers are scurrying to finish getting their maize in. It doesn't look like much fun to be out there with a hoe and a handful of seeds while it's pouring rain! I can understand why people back home like to go "mudding" with their big trucks.  It's what I have to do everyday and I have to say I really like the adventure of it.

The kids are starting to get a little stir-crazy not being able to go outside and run around or use the pool like we usually do on a warm afternoon.  Tonight we wrestled and played "tickle-monster" and "kissy-monster" to get some energy out.

I do have a prayer request:  Micah has been struggling with fevers on and off for the last 10 days.  The last 2 days they have been under 100-degrees, but before they were 101, 102-degrees.  I thought it was malaria, even though we are on the prophylaxis.  But a trip to the doctor revealed there has been no malaria in the last two weeks and that he must have a virus.  He is doing better today and his temp was only 99ish, so I'm hoping his body is kicking it.  He is eating like a horse, drinking plenty of fluids and playing like nothing is wrong.  Please pray that his fever would depart soon and that we would all stay healthy. 


This Sunday I will be sharing my testimony at South City Church in Lusaka, the church I have been attending since we arrived.  I am very excited about this opportunity to share how God has sustained us this past year.  But it is still very painful for me to have to walk through these memories and get everything down on paper to be prepared for Sunday.  Please be praying that God will show me the exact parts of the story he wants me to share with this church on Sunday and that He will be my main source of comfort this week. 


That's about all.  I wanted to share some more pictures, but the internet is acting goofy again tonight.
Thanks for being such faithful prayer warriors and friends!

Finally some pictures!

Hi Everyone!! I am so thankful that the internet has been cooperative and has allowed me to FINALLY upload some pictures for you to see.  I thought I would start off with some pictures of our home and the Zambian friends Micah and Holly are making.  After working at the Guest House in the morning we had back home in the afternoon, spend time together as a family and play with the neighbor kids.  They are perpetually curious and Langton (the little boy running in first place up above) is always peeking in our windows when we get home, waiting in anticipation for us to come out and play.  These kids love to race and have some serious speed. My white boy can barely keep up.  This week I taught them "red light, green light" and hopscotch.  They are teaching me loundus (maybe it's roundus--my ears can't hear the difference between their "r" and "l"), which is a cross between kickball and dodgeball.  When the whole crew is over, we have a dozen or more kids playing, ages 3 all the way to 12.  

Holly is getting brave and wanting to climb the tree with her friend Justina.  This little girl is 6 1/2 but the same size as Holly (who is 3 1/2).  Holly loves to bring out her toys and share with Justina. I love to see the neighbor kids' faces light up when they are given an actual toy to play with, other than an old tire or an old, rusty metal stick (seriously).  It took them a couple of tries and having to watch Micah and Holly play with a toy car, airplane or doll to actually know what to do with it.  

Notice the kids are wearing long sleeves and long trousers.  It was actually 80 degrees that day.  I guess we've acclimated to the warmer temps.  When we first moved into the cottage it was 95 degrees inside the cottage when I went to bed at 10pm. Anything below 80 feels chilly to us now!  

This is THE BEST jungle gym EVER! 

Here's our Zambian mansion.  All 400 square feet of it.  It has all the modern conveniences like running water, reliable flush toilets, shower and electricity.  What more could a gal want?  I am very thankful that I don't have to run outside to use the toilet or the shower like most of my neighbors do.  I am also thankful that I am able to employ Charity, a local Zambian, as house help.  Since I don't have a washer and dryer she will be hand washing our clothes and keeping house a few days a week.  I thank God for her everyday as she is a tremendous blessing to me right now.  

Zambia Week 2

First I have to apologize for the lack of pictures but I have been so busy and not able to do that.  Tonight was the FIRST time I have had to sit down and download pics into my laptop, and of course, I can't find the cord to connect the camera to the computer. That was Adam's job!! Cord man.  A-V techy guy.

It has been another jam-packed week for us.  This past weekend Holly, Micah and I moved out of the Wilson's house into a small cottage just down the road from the guesthouse. Because the cottage is so small Lindsay had to move in with another missionary family about 15 minutes away from us. We are surrounded by Zambian families in a quiet, rural setting.  There are almost a dozen kids for Micah and Holly to play with, all Zambian.  The younger kids don't speak english very well yet, since they learn english in primary school.  Micah runs around and climbs trees with them for the most part--not much language needed.

Some teenage girls who like to sit and hang-out on my front porch are teaching me some basic greeting in Nyanga.  Even though we hardly know each other, several of the girls have already asked for food saying that they are all out of mealie meal (corn staple used for making nshima) and wanted to have some of my bread.  I brought out some peanut butter sandwiches and juice to start with and then tried to figure out what they really wanted.  Then they asked for some peace-meal work, meaning they would work for food.  At this point I didn't really have any work for them.  I told them that I would pray and ask God what He wants me to do and that if they came back on Friday I would have an answer for them.

I am usually very generous about giving, but for some reason I had no peace about this particular situation with the teenage girls.  I felt like I was being lied to. A little while later, Faith, another missionary from FMZ came by and I told her what had happened.  Faith actually has a bible-study with these girls and knows their parents from a local Zambian church they attend.  She knows that they have food at home and things are not as bleak as they girls are claiming.  Faith seemed to think that they were testing the "new missionary on the block," as Faith and her husband John were tested when they arrived.  There is nothing wrong with being generous, but in this culture if I give without really being sure there is need, then I will have everyone and their brother showing up at my door.  Wouldn't it be the parents responsibility to come and ask if there was need?  Lord, I need your perfect wisdom in this matter!

Yesterday, Lindsay, the kids and I ventured all the way downtown to do some shopping for the guesthouse.  We were armed with a map and a prayer. The city is full of round-abouts, which thanks to Oconomowoc's round-abouts, I sort of know what I'm doing.  Except, it's all backwards here and no one really pays attention to the rules anyway.  Biggest vehicle wins. We (I) took a few wrong exits off the round-abouts and got a little lost, but we (Lindsay) figured it out and in the end made it back to the guesthouse in one piece with a load of groceries.

Today, in the staff prayer meeting, I  was asked to share my testimony.  It is so good for me to review what God has done for our family and how my perception of Him has changed so dramatically this past year.  I am reminded of His care, compassion, mercy, grace, faithfulness, and love.  And His sovereignty. Holly and Micah sat through the whole thing, listening intently.  Thanks be to God, there was a great impact, especially on one missionary in particular who knew both Ron and Adam.  Then they prayed for our family.  It was a blessed morning.

Prayer requests/praises:

Thank you God that you have kept us all well...please continue to protect us.
Thank you God that I have more than everything I need.
Thank you God that You are using us for Your Glory.
Thank you God that Holly and Micah are adjusting and making new friends in our neighborhood/church and new "aunties and uncles" with the FMZ staff.
Thank you God that you have given me much peace.
Thank you God for the servant's heart you have given Lindsay and the fabulous way she cares for them.
Thank you  God for surrounding us with amazing people that love You.


Lord, thank you for all the Zambians you have placed around me, please give me your wisdom on how to love each and every one.
Please Lord, help me to get into a routine where I know that I will have focused time alone with you.  Thank you, Lord that I can sense your Presence all around, but I need MORE OF YOU.

Thank you for praying and keeping up with our story.  Carrie

Zambia--Week 1

Hello!  Lindsay, Micah, Holly and I have officially survived 6 days in Zambia.  The flight was LONG and sometimes BORING but the kids did an amazing job hanging in there and making the most of it.  Thanks to Val and Amy getting them some "busy bags" they were entertained for most of the time that they weren't sleeping.  Micah actually slept the entire 10 hour flight from London to Lusaka, but I think that's because he was just coming down with a stomach virus.  No, having the stomach virus is not fun the first three days you are in a new country, but Micah is doing very well and playing his heart out with the kids we are living with--Toby and Ross. Holly is doing really well and I am finding that she is the best traveler of them all.  When we first got on the plane I pointed to her seat and she sat down, put on her seatbelt, found the headphones and plugged herself in.  She never cried once the entire 40 hour trip.  Her new best friend is Charis, the 4 year-old daughter of Bryan and Diane Wilson, director of Flying Mission Zambia and the family we are staying with briefly.

The week has been a whirlwind and my jet-lagged brain can't remember most of it.  Mainly, Lindsay has been at the house for much of the week with the kids while I go to meetings and get to know the mission staff.  Since Friday, Micah has been feeling better and we've been out-and-about Lusaka tagging along with the Wilson family in their many activities.  We've been to a "swimming gala" (swim meet), gone swimming in the neighbors pool, saw zebras, went grocery shopping where I could not recognize much of what was behind the meat counter, went to church, went to a brai (cook-out), went to a birthday party at a Thai restaurant (yes, Thai in Africa!!), and met incredible people from about 10+ countries all with really fascinating stories as to why they are here.

And the most incredible thing that I have experienced this past week is a measure of God's peace that I have never know before.  I was cutting stems off some roses and arranging them in a vase (roses are  dirt cheap here because we are down the rose from a rose greenhouse) and this amazing peace settled in my soul that was so profound I have to write about it.  This peace was so great that it led me into a quiet moment of worship, I was truly in awe of how great our God is.  A sense of reverence fell over me as I touched God's holiness. I relished His Presence.

God is also hooking us up with some interesting contacts.  At the Thai restaurant, Lindsay and I sat next to Craig, a doctor who has partnered with FMZ to do medical outreaches in Zambia.  After talking, Craig invited Lindsay to fly out to a medical outreach in rural Zambia Thursday and Friday this week.  They will be flying into Mansa where he will be doing some sort of surgery, possibly fistula surgery. Lindsay gets to experience rural medical work in Africa, which has been an answer to prayer!

Also at the dinner was another widow my age who lost her husband a few years back and is now running the Baptist Guesthouse in Lusaka, pretty much doing the same job I will be doing for FMZ.  Today I met another widow at the brai who lost her husband when she was young also.  In both situations we both hugged, cried and shared stories.  I hope to get to know them while I'm here.  Interesting to note that all 3 of us have arrived in Lusaka in the last  6 months!

This afternoon we're listening to the thunder and hoping the rain will cool us off!  Hot, hot, hot. This week I will be learning my guesthouse duties, learning how to drive stick shift on the wrong side of the road, and homeschooling Micah.

Please pray for us this week as we continue to learn how to live moment by moment with Jesus in this new culture and new surroundings.  Please pray that God would give me wisdom on our housing situation.  Housing and furlough plans have changed suddenly for one of the missionaries we were going to stay with.  I am praying over several other housing options and have to choose one soon.  Also be praying for Lindsay as she travels out to Mansa Thursday and Friday to witness the medical outreach.  How exciting!

I will try to post pictures soon.  Take care!  Thanks for praying.

Taking off tonight...

Hi everyone--I'm officially shutting down the computer until we get to Lusaka in 40-some hours.  The kids are super-excited and I'm ready to go.  On your mark, get set.....GO!

See you soon!

5 days 'til take-off

The Lord gave me Joshua 1:9 to ponder today:

"Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

As I leave for Zambia with Micah and Holly in a few short days, this verse will be branded on my heart.  Even though Adam now resides in Heaven and will not be formally joining us in Africa, Jesus will be coming along.  What more can I ask for?

Lord, help me to stand firm in the strength and courage you have given me.

2 weeks away!

Yes, that's right, in a short 14 days we leave for Zambia for 3 months.  This week will mark the year anniversary that Adam went home to heaven to be with the Lord.  I have done what seems like 10 years worth of work in the last year, but the accident seems like it happened yesterday. The pain of grief is, at times, very great and threatens to pull me under.  But I can truly say that Jesus can and will meet our every need and through His strength will do the impossible.  Jesus will continue to heal our hearts.  Jesus will give us hope. Jesus will restore our joy.  In abundance!  Oh, I can't wait!!

Stay tuned.  I think the journey will start to get pretty interesting...

Go stare at a tree...

You know it's not going to be a good day when you wake up and immediately feel overwhelmed.  Or someone says to you "wow, you look really wasted." Or "did you get any sleep this WEEK?"

Thursday was one of those days.  We had just gotten back from up north for a few days of "rest and relaxation."  Take note that one does not "rest and relax" well with a 6 and 3 year-old.  We had fun, it was just exhausting for the mommy.

Thankfully, I was able to take the kids to my awesome and incredible babysitter for the day.  I headed to Lapham Peak to go and stare at a tree.  Seriously.  Now, before you get out the prescription pad for a little prozac or call and reserve a bed for me at Rogers, I think this little plan of mine is very effective.

In fact, I think Jesus stared at a lot of trees in his day.  It says in scripture that he often "went up on the mountainside to pray."  He spent 40 days in the desert by himself.  I'm sure there were a few trees in either place.

As I sat on the weather-worn bench staring at the majestic maples, oaks and pines, I could feel the tension slip off my shoulders and the cares of the world flitter away on the warm whisper of a breeze.  I could perceive God's presence with me once again.  And it was good.

The next two months in preparation for our trip to Zambia could be hair-raisingly stressful.  But it doesn't have to be if I am "more Mary, and less Martha" about the whole thing.  Less Do and more Be.  Be with Jesus.  Sit quietly in His presence.  Soak up His words, His thoughts until they become my words and my thoughts.

Oh, Jesus, help me with this!

Remembering Adam

Today I really miss Adam.  Sundays are alway the hardest day of the week.  Adam and I would sit together in church, hold hands, and just relish being together.  Sundays were our quiet family day, playing, eating, and laughing.

This morning in church I almost lost it in laughter during a very solemn communion time.  Our pastor had us close our eyes and envision ourselves sitting with Jesus at the last supper, as his disciples did.  All I could picture was Jesus and Adam sitting at the table together and Jesus was telling jokes!  Adam was laughing hysterically, his whole body jiggling and shaking from his deep belly laugh.  Jesus kept right on telling jokes just because it brought Him pleasure to see Adam laugh.

Oh, I miss Adam's laugh.  I miss laughing with Adam.  I needed to see that today and know that Adam is enjoying perpetual communion with the One who created us to laugh--Jesus.

Yes, we are going to Zambia!!

Most of you have already heard that Micah, Holly and I are going back to Zambia soon. We are all so excited, especially Micah! Even after everything that has happened in the last 10 months, it never occurred to him that we might not go to Africa. It never occurred to me that we would. But God has graciously opened a door for us serve with Flying Mission Zambia starting this November, continuing through January.

So, I will be writing again. Check back for details and prayer requests soon.