I just wanted to let you know that Dave\u2019s work permit was submitted and a receipt was issued!\u00a0 I guess as of now, God\u2019s plan is for us to stay in Zambia until our commitments here are fulfilled.\u00a0 It was a long day for Ba Kapya, and we are thankful for his willingness and knowledge to persevere and get the paper that says that the work visa is in the process of being approved.\u00a0 When he arrived in Lusaka, the immigration office told him that the cashier\u2019s check that he had on hand was too much.\u00a0 (When does a government office ever tell you that you have given too much money? \ud83d\ude42 ) So Dave had to scurry around town, find someone with a checking account (which is rare for Zambian\u2019s) and have another check (this time for only K 500,000 ) sent to Lusaka.\u00a0 After jumping through a few loop holes, Ba Kapya was able to board the bus back for Kitwe at 4:00 pm yesterday afternoon.<\/p>\n
We are all doing well emotionally, physically, and spiritually.\u00a0 As the newness of being here is beginning to wear off, we are finding a schedule that fits our family.\u00a0 It is nice to have some consistency to our weeks.\u00a0 I continue to be thankful to the Lord for caring for us deeply and for His continually holding us in the palm of His hand.<\/p>\n
Last Friday night, we were able to have dinner with an American family from Florida who have been serving the Lord here in Zambia for the past 6 years.\u00a0 They have 10 children, so our crew had a lot of fun getting to hang out with other Americans.\u00a0 It was a time of encouragement, for Dave and I, to be able to fellowship with other like minded Americans.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, we had 4 last minute guests over for dinner.\u00a0 I was making tacos, and the kids wanted to invite 3 of our neighbors to come and eat with us.\u00a0 As I was putting dinner on the table, one of the CCM Bible college students came to say goodbye to us before he headed off on his mission trip to South Africa the next day.\u00a0 I am glad that some of the young men that we have been able to minister to feel comfortable with us and in coming to our home.\u00a0 Owen expressed that he has been particularly encouraged by our family and specifically by our willingness to come and serve in Zambia for this time.\u00a0 We have enjoyed so many of the young men that God has brought into our lives and look forward to investing in them more in the upcoming months.<\/p>\n
Sunday afternoon, Dave and the 4 older children headed to CCM to play soccer with a few of the Agape members.\u00a0 As they were returning home, Dave and Lydia were able to have some meaningful conversations with Andrew (our 21 year old next door neighbor) and his best friend Richard.\u00a0 We invited them to join our family in family worship that evening.\u00a0 Much to our surprise and delight, they came to the door at exactly 8:00 pm.\u00a0 It was a privilege to have them worshiping in our home with us.\u00a0 After we had finished our Bible study time, the young men spent the next hour and a half asking Dave many tough spiritual questions that they had been pondering.\u00a0 It was refreshing to see the excitement on their faces as they began to understand some of the truths that Dave was sharing with them.\u00a0 I think they will continue to be people that we can invest in while we are here.<\/p>\n
I continue to be amazed at God\u2019s provision for our family with the home we are living in.\u00a0 I was rereading some of my journal recently and read where I had prayed that God would give us a home close to CCM.\u00a0 (I had prayed for us to be within 1 mile).\u00a0 God not only answered that prayer (we are \u00bc a mile from CCM), but He gave us exceedingly more than we could ever have asked or imagined.\u00a0 The children 10 months to 21 years, their parents and the opportunities we have to share the gospel with them and encourage them, the 2 little dogs that play outside with the children all day are all more than I could ever have imagined or hoped for.\u00a0 In closing, I wanted to share a verse that I have been pondering the last few weeks. Romans 12:12, “Rejoice in Hope, be Patient in Tribulation, be Constant in Prayer.” Such simple but yet challenging commands.<\/p>\n
Love,<\/p>\n
Shelley<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I just wanted to let you know that Dave\u2019s work permit was submitted and a receipt was issued!\u00a0 I guess as of now, God\u2019s plan is for us to stay in Zambia until our commitments here are fulfilled.\u00a0 It was … Continue reading