Just a quick hello from a hot Lusaka... Dad and I have spent the morning at a 3 km march for Palliative Care in Zambia and are eagerly looking forward to an afternoon of swimming in my friend, Nancy's pool (one of the many perks that come with her lovely home). She is delighted to have us here and is keen to make me live like royalty while I stay with her.
Things here are great. We arrived with all 9 pieces of luggage - the two boxes of meds from Health Partners International have been cleared from the customs at the airport. We had a great, great visit at Flying Angel's school yesterday. All of Benards 23 children (he has 6 biological and 17 orphans under his care) were eager to come talk to JESCA - and I spent most of my day hugging and kissing wiggly, beautiful children, and taking hundreds of photos of the school and the kids and the hot Ngombe compound. Everyone was thrilled to see us - hugs from all the teachers and several hugs from Benard - and we were told over and over and over how welcome we were and how grateful everyone is for the love and care from Canada. Benard was blown away by the Bristol board Clinton United Church hug and plans to get it laminated so it will last forever. We will join him at his church tomorrow and he will wear the new Clinton church t-shirt we brought to preach in. He is just such a happy, beautiful man.
We had a great visit with Angela, the director of Kondwa Pre-school last night – she lives a three minute walk from the Zebra guest house – and spent our evening chatting about Kondwa and how there will always be a need for assistance for the children. Last year she had 15-20 graduates popping in for lunch every so often as there was no food at home – this year she has more than 75... This means that each day she feeds 168 people lunch. The strain on the budget is clear.
We're just about to have a Thanksgiving dinner with Nancy – a chance to celebrate a good life with each other – and remind ourselves why we have so many reasons to be thankful.
Sending you much, much love,
xoxox
Jesser