Zambia once more....

Hello everyone,

I can hardly believe it is almost a year since my last post.  A lot has happened since then.  I had an operation last December to remove my gallbladder (the suspected cause of the pancreatitis), then I ended up in hospital a few times after that!  I moved to Portrush in July, and after another hospital visit I was eventually given the all clear to return to Zambia, even though I am not 100% fit yet.  

I returned to Zambia on 1 September to find my house and contents all intact plus a few added visitors like geckoes and lizards (thankfully no snakes)!  It took a couple of weeks to get things back to normal - even had to wash the curtains as they were so dusty!  Also a lot of food which had been stored for over a year had to go out - I do not like wasting food but at least it went into the compost!  But I am so thankful to be here again to the place I call home.  I just love the garden and the birds and all the other little critters that run around.  Even in the intense dryness there is still a lot of colour around!

My home

Seed pod

Weaver building a nest

Bougainvillea 

Bird of paradise

I was given time to get my house and vehicle and work permits etc into order before I started work at the beginning of October.  I was grateful for that time just to settle in and sort out logistics - even things like remembering where to buy certain things...I almost needed an orientation to Lusaka once more.  I had forgotten the crazy driving here!

My Malawian 'son' Fidelis came for a week which was lovely - we didn't do a lot, just spent time talking and walking!  We did go and see the baby elephants at  the elephant orphanage!  It was really hot and they were enjoying playing in the mud.  It was so good to see Fidelis again.

baby elephants enjoying a mud bath

Now I have started work and there is a lot to do.  I am trying to pace myself and not overdo things which is very easy here.  I went for 4 days to Southern province to visit three of our ECD centres which are held in churches.  I was pleasantly surprised in one of them at the development since I left, but disappointed in the others by the lack of support from the church!  I plan to have a workshop with the teachers in December in the school holidays.

Mazabuka ECD

Livingstone ECD

I also plan to meet the Presbytery clerks from the two Presbyteries in Lusaka to see how we can move ECD forward in the city.  When I came here we had 2 ECD centres in Lusaka but unfortunately due to circumstances with ministers being transferred, both of these have closed down!

There are many challenges but I will do my best to do what the Synod want me to do helping the ECD centres and classes in CCAP primary schools.

The biggest challenge right now is the heat.  It has been extremely hot since I came back - with temperatures reaching 40 degrees at times.  Its very difficult to work in such temperatures.  I do not have air conditioning in the house and at night it can be 35 degrees inside.  I have a fan which just swirls the hot air around me!  Rains will hopefully come soon and cool things down!

Please pray that I can find the pancreatic enzymes I need....I brought a six month supply but am struggling to find them here!

Until next time, have a great day!  I hope I will be posting on a regular basis again!

Blessings

Diane x