Ed came to Zambia in 1958, the year I was born, and has seen many changes throughout the years. I enjoyed listening to his stories of the students he has mentored and those that have become leaders in churches and the government. Two of his own children were missionaries in Africa and now one of his grandchildren is preparing for service. What a legacy! Did I mention he is 82 and still going strong? Ed and Wilma will be in Zimba for 6 months and will be very helpful in my transition here.
I attended church where I will be worshipping on Sundays. It is a growing church and was filled with children and youth. They have outgrown their current facility and are in the process of building a new building. The music was incredible and the Spirit filled the entire place. Arkan, a new friend, has already asked where I will volunteer in the church. They don’t waste any time with newcomers!
One of the young girls in the congregation caught my attention. She was making fun of different people in the church as they prayed and worshiped God. I even caught her making fun of me! I guess I should have been dancing like everyone else; instead, I just tapped my toes. I tried to find her after the service to speak with her but she was nowhere to be found. I later found out that Arkan’s wife, Fridah, had observed the same thing I did and addressed the issue. I sense that Fridah and I will be good friends.
Fridah and Arkan are newlyweds. He is a Clincial Officer and
she is the accountant for the hospital and has a very stressful job. The stress is not only because she manages the money but the previous hospital administration misused funds and now everyone is putting pressure on Fridah and the other managers to make up for their mistakes. She is very capable but is young and needs some encouragement. Most of her work is done manually and I hope to help her organize her work on the computer. I’m not an accountant but I can organize; so between the two of us maybe we can improve what she is currently doing.I was able to visit my flat yesterday. Fridah and Arkan are currently living there until their new home is completed. They hope to move by the end of this week. I have purchased materials for the renovations which cannot begin until they move.
The place looks very different than when I saw it in February. Since the rainy season, lots of bushes and flowers have bloomed. This provides a lot of privacy and I am envisioning window boxes and some potted plants. Arkan even asked me if could grow maize! I suspect if I want fresh vegetables, I need to learn how to plant a garden. There are no tillers, tractors, etc. To prepare the soil you till it with a hoe. I have been amazed at the size of gardens that have been cared for by hand.
Well, with all the business taken care of in Zimba, it was time for me to return to Lusaka once again by bus. This time I was accompanied by Juliet Khondowe who is off to her first semester of college. This was handled very different than in the states. Mom and sister walked her to the bus stop and left her with me. Dad works at the hospital and called her on the phone. She had one large suitcase and a bag with bedding in it. I even saw a stuffed animal. As we waited for the bus, several of her friends walked by and said their goodbyes. No real fanfare, just see you in 6 months. Juliet plans to go into medicine and scored really well on her tests for entrance into the University of Lusaka. It is really tough because only a few are selected to go on after two years.
You don’t book a bus from Zimba to Lusaka; you stand on the side of the road at the designated spot and wait for the “coach” to arrive. They should arrive around 9am, 10am, and 11 am. Villagers, marketing their wares set up shop a the stops and when a bus arrives they surround the buses and try to sell throught the windows. You can buy roasted groundnut (peanuts), fruit, soft drinks, and some baked goods.
Well, the 10am bus arrived and there was only room for one person. They didn’t even wait to see if Juliet and I wanted to split up. They just drove off as I asked for two spots.
We sat by the side of the road and waited for the 11am bus. I bought us a Fanta Orange while we waited.Keep in mind that several other buses arrived during this time but they were not “coaches”. The solicitors for these buses tried their best to get Juliet and me on their vehicle but we were strong and waited for the big bus with the soft cushions. I told the solicitors I was from the US and needed soft seats for a five hour drive. They just laughed.
I described the public transportation in the city in my Zambian Wedding Shower blog; the smaller buses traveling Zimba to Lusaka also stop several times along the way to fill the bus. They may wait at a stop 30 minutes so that a 5 hour drive turns into 6, 7? Who knows?
At 11:15am our coach arrived and Juliet and I boarded for Lusaka. They made two pit stops along the way, one where we could stop and get a bite to eat. Let’s see...chicken and chips (as common as our hamburger and fries) and a …you guessed it…Fanta Orange. It’s a good thing I have lost weight because diet drinks are hard to find outside the city. Stephanie thanks for the Crystal Light single serving packets.
The ride to Lusaka was uneventful. We arrived at 1730 (530pm) and were supposed to be met by the NS and his AA, Emerson. The cab drivers hounded us so much we chose to make our way to the street and poor Emerson couldn’t find us. We found the NS in his car though and all worked out. Thos cab drivers are relentless and they didn't believe I had a ride!
Well, the weekend will be quiet. NS and his daughters are headed to Jembo for the weekend. Justina, his wife, is staying but will be studying most of the weekend. The one thing I get to look forward to is driving to church on Sunday. NS left me the keys to the Land Rover. Look out Lusaka!
Please note: Telephone issues still exist. The new number on this blog is correct (I think!)
011-260-97-400-864
I hope to hear from some of you this weekend!
