Last Update from Zambia Team

"Mmwa be ga bo ti " ! That is "good morning" in Tonga . (When you read this we hopefully have arrived home and this is our morning greeting to you! )

This entry to the BLOG was delayed because just as it was about to be SENT, the electricity/power went off for the night..but God is Good -- and we got to enjoy a candlelight evening and a chance to see just how beautiful the stars in the night sky were.

These are a few things that one might put in his Journal......

"....Have you seen God today?" was a question we were asked each night when we had team devotionals. "Yes, I did"! was the response from each ! ...whether it was a team member watching another team member show compassion OR .....whether we experienced a true connection with the nationals (the name for the local people) when a young girl was brought into the hospital after being hit by a car - DOA.... OR ....when a patient in the male ward died and we prayed together with his family and we all had tears...OR.... when a patient had surgery or a tooth pulled and they looked at you and patted their hearts and gave you a smile...OR ...when we had a challenge with customs and the hospital staff came over and prayed for us to be happy in the Lord and not to leave early and not to let the devil squeeze into our thoughts about expectations of the outcome.....OR ......when a team member walked in with a case of coke-lites!. We have story after story.

A real high-lite and opportunity for us was to be invited to the home of the Nusing Director for an African meal (sheema and all), We got our torches (flashlights) and walked to her home.

Each night one or two members of our team would give ---- "my story" . Of course, each of us thought it a difficult task but it turned out to be one of the best things a group can do. It really bonded us and pulled us together as understanding friends in Christ. We heard from Janet Sisco and Joan Wallace, the missionaries, and Dan and Joan Jones, the Dr./Missionary Team who have committed to three years in Zimber ; as well as a couple who was staying in our guest house to manage the painting and construction for the new operating room.

We will tell you about our experiences if you want to hear. We feel the importance of Missions ---- and how the Church --small groups-- and individuals-- can be part of them. Helping Missions does not just come out of the Budget...We have to REACH OUT and GIVE -- give yourself ;or give of yourself ; with your talents / your money / to help another one to go. We have much to do in Memphis and we have much to do throughout the world.

I'll end this entry with an event that made me smile...I had given one of the girls a blouse and scarf ( she had just gotten married the week before and her husband was away at a learning conference for 4 months. ) I had sung to her that day as we were working side by side together...One night she came to our door dressed in the new blouse and smiling ... and started singing the song I had sung to her --- by memory .
Zippidy do da, Zippidy a
My oh My what a wonderful day.
Plenty of sunshine heading my way
Zippity do da, Zippity a ..........

...............so to all of you who are reading this, the song goes to you, too!

FROM THE TEAM - we say - Thank you for your Prayers and Encouragement....more later !