Hello there,
Most schools were eventually given the go-ahead to open on 22nd January after the cholera outbreak. A couple of weeks later I visited Livingstone where we have opened a new ECD centre in the church building. I went for 2 days to encourage the teachers and I found myself being encouraged by them!! We had few children because it was raining very heavily but this meant I could focus on what the teachers were doing with the children which was great! As you can see our ‘rubbish’ is being put to good use with building skills.
Below are the teachers in the Livingstone ECD centre at the close of my visit with a few of the children.
On the way back to Lusaka I stopped at Monze where we have another newly opened centre. Lots of children and two wonderful teachers – I hope to go and spend a few days with them in March.
When I first went to Zomba Theological College in Malawi I met a young man from USA called Peter who was doing research and we became firm friends. It was a lovely surprise when he came to Zambia for a few days and we caught up on the last 20 years!!
I had the privilege of hosting Helen Johnston from PCI (Mission Support) who came for a few days to Zambia. Below you can see her with the Synod officials who made her very welcome!
We were able to meet Johnny Dowds (Global Mission worker in Malawi) and Cody and Suni who were on their way back to boarding school in Zambia. We had a lovely afternoon together (catching grasshoppers)!
Helen came with me to Mtendere CCAP congregation where I worship and here you can see her being welcomed by Rev G Phiri the parish minister.
Choirs were in full flow as usual – we have a lively congregation!
After the service we were invited for lunch at the manse and as you can see it was a lot of fun.
Of course, when Helen was in Zambia I had to show her some of the ECD centres I am working with and introduce her to the teachers. Below is in Chilenje CCAP where Miyanda is the Head teacher. She is explaining to Helen the programme of the day and how we base our syllabus on play.
It was so lovely when this child below arrived in her new school uniform – she had been attending the ECD for the past few years and is now in grade 1. Such a gorgeous child!
I also took Helen to see one of our CCAP community schools in Mtendere (where the congregation I attend is). At present the children are meeting in the old school block and the church as the new school block is under construction as you can see from the photo below.
We also visited Kabwata ECD where we eventually have plans to build a model ECD centre. While we had a lovely visit, it was also tinged with sadness as the Head teacher was very ill. Sadly, she passed away a few days later.
It is good to see how the church in Zambia is developing and I am thankful to be a part of it. Today we have had extremely heavy rains all day – the path from my house to the main road is underwater – in some areas of the country roads are under water and there are ever increasing potholes due to the rains. We are however thankful for the rains as we need food for the coming year and without rain the crops would not grow! Please continue to pray for the Synod officials and the work that they are doing to give spiritual guidance to so many.
I am always amazed at the wildlife around me even in the middle of Lusaka! Below you can see a Bulbul – many visit each day and sing amazing songs! And a grasshopper who blends in beautifully to the wet leaf he is sitting on! The final picture for today is a beautiful waterlily and I just love it in black and white!
Thank you for reading my blog – I hope you enjoy it and please do leave a comment too!
Blessings,
Diane x
March 3, 2018
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