I wanted to post quickly and let you know that we arrived safely in Kitwe last night around 9:00. \u00a0The journey was long and tiring, but all 5 children did extremely well and the older 3 were extremely helpful. \u00a0Sadie Grace was so tired on the second night of flying that I could not even wake her up enough to eat dinner. \u00a0She slept for 11 hours straight. \u00a0The rest of us slept a little the first night and more the second night.
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\nWhen we arrived in Lusaka (an hour late) Dave was there waiting for us. \u00a0It was so good to see him. \u00a0We loaded the car with 9 of our bags, and a CCM staff person, Alfred, accompanied Berkley (the 16 year old family friend that has come with us for about a month) and 8 more of our bags on public transportation. \u00a0We got on the road and anticipated seeing Alfred, Berkley and the rest of our bags in Kitwe. \u00a0 After we had been on the road for 4 hours, we get a phone call from Alfred saying that the police has “arrested” (really detained) Berkley because he did not have his passport. (I had been carrying all 6 of the passports in my purse to keep them “safe”). \u00a0We immediately turned around and headed back towards Lusaka. \u00a0The check point was about 2 1\/2 hours away from where we were. \u00a0So, 5 hours later we were back to the place where we were when we received the phone call. \u00a0Berkley was a real trooper. \u00a0He and Alfred walked around the few buildings where the police were, got a drink and experienced some real African food. \u00a0Thankfully, Berkley is pretty easy going and doesn’t get to upset by situations.<\/p>\n
I am sure many of you are wondering of my first impressions. \u00a0I imagine that in the days to come my impressions will be more accurate. \u00a0Initially, I am shocked by the severe poverty. \u00a0Take a poor, dried up Georgia town. \u00a0I am picturing Sparta, Georgia. \u00a0Imagine 200-300 poor black people walking in and out of those run down buildings, building fires, and talking with one another. \u00a0Then imagine driving 2 hours before you come to another one of those run down towns. \u00a0That is what our first 11 hours in the car were like. \u00a0Needless to say, there was no food and only a couple of stops to go to the bathroom that day. \u00a0When we stopped in the dark and went to the bathroom in the bush, I thought to myself, “I am either going to make it, or not. \u00a0If I don’t, I think I will not make it more than 2-3 days.” \u00a0So, if I make it to the end of the week, I think I will make it living here.<\/p>\n
It was great to see Mary-Frances and David. \u00a0They are doing so well. \u00a0I am so proud of them. \u00a0They had really set up a good house for us. Thankfully, I could not see what surrounded us last night when we arrived. \u00a0Today we have washed lots of dishes, boiled water, and washed 3 tubs full of clothes by hand. \u00a0The clothes are hanging on the line now to dry. \u00a0Life really is different!!! \u00a0We also had a sweet time of family worship this morning. \u00a0(We all slept in too late to go to church).<\/p>\n
We will be sure to post pictures soon. \u00a0So many of you have asked for them and I will try to get them soon.<\/p>\n
Thank you for your prayers and love.<\/p>\n
In Christ Alone,<\/p>\n
Shelley<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I wanted to post quickly and let you know that we arrived safely in Kitwe last night around 9:00. \u00a0The journey was long and tiring, but all 5 children did extremely well and the older 3 were extremely helpful. \u00a0Sadie … Continue reading