A Productive Week

This week has been actually pretty productive. We finished planting the maize in the far field so all we have left to plant is the soya beans. These will be planted soon and should be in the ground in plenty of time. The garden is also coming along. Last week we planted a whole bunch of vegetables (green pepper, eggplant, okra, rape, chinese cabbage and tomato) and they have started to germinate. We had rain on Monday but not since then so we have had to water. You can pray that the rains come on a more regular basis (they are late this year) so that we will not have to spend as much time watering.

Aside from work, life is going well here. Last weekend Jess and I went to Northmead (well actually we went to a big conference for 12 of the PAOG(Z) churches in Lusaka). It was good but we didn't stay the whole time. We were there for about six hours because we were early and then we left at the first chance we had after Bishop Banda spoke. I can't remember a time I spent that many hours in church. There were a couple thousand people there so it was pretty neat.

I want to add some pictures for those of you that are visual learners (like me). The first is what I look like after I finish plowing. Notice the colour of my arms and the colour of my stomach. Unfortunately it is not a tan, it's just soil!


For those of you that know me (which is probably most of you since you are reading this), I like to take pictures of nature, especially flowers. There are some very pretty flowers here and I'm sure there will be many more after it rains for a while. I don't know what these are called (except for the rose) so you'll have to make up a name.





You may recognize some of these boys, they are (from left) Chris, Lazarus, Me and Paul. I was waiting for the bus to leave so I could go into town and these three kept wanting me to take their pictures, so I did! The little boys are always so much fun. They love showing me things and say hi to me.

Lazarus always makes me smile. Just about every time he sees me he calls out "Uncle Dan" and waves to me. It's really cute!! He was drinking water (after he put it in the Pepsi can) and he spilled all over himself!! Ahh, little boys...I'm sure Claudia will love him!!


Last weekend I wanted to post these two pictures. We had the boys and some of the staff here help us plant maize in the small field. They did a good job and it was great to see everyone helping. The maize they have planted has already started to germinate and it looks like we will have food to eat (well they will have food to eat) next May.


Lazarus was following behind one of the bigger boys covering up the maize after it was planted. I think he was ready for rain!!


Anyway, I think that's all for now. Claudia will be coming here in less than two weeks (thirteen days to be exact but who's counting). We are going to be travelling to South Africa where we will spend Christmas. I am really looking forward to the chance to travel and see some different sights. I know that I will miss having snow though. In fact, I already miss it!! But I think there will still be a bit when I come home so that will be nice!

Have a wonderful week and try to stay warm!!