Cowboys (and cowgirls, too)

There isn't much that is more fun than dressing up like cowboys when you are a 6 year old (or there abouts) boy - or even girl. The boys went to a cowboy shindig (aka birthday party) and had a rip-roaring, rowdy time. Joshua and Caleb were very excited to be able to wear their cowboy stuff that was their Daddy's when he was a boy. Becky tagged along to play with the birthday boy's sisters.

Society Reunion

A few weeks ago a lady came to visit with one of the single lady missionaries here. I vaguely remembered Kathy (O'Dwyer) Church from my BJU days. It turns out that she was in the same society as I was - Chi Theta Upsilon Unicorns. Actually, there are three missionary ladies here in Kitwe, Zambia who were all in the same society at the same time! Pictured below are Kathy (Wetzel) Beaman, Sophie (Kruggel) Smith, Kathy (O'Dwyer) Church, and Tori Barrett. I am standing on a step - I am really not as tall as the rest of them.

Ndola Trade Fair

A couple weeks ago, we went to Ndola (hour drive away) to go to the Trade Fair with the Beaman family. Many vendors were selling their wares. Various organizations and government divisions displayed what services they offered. The kids had fun seeing a few of the small animals often raised for meat. It was interesting, but we were all tired after walking around for a few hours. We didn't see everything, nor did we get to the "amusement park" area. We were able to pass out tracts to the many people also enjoying the event, though. The kids especially enjoyed sharing Gospel literature with people we met on the walkways. Some invitations were also handed out for a Bible Study that Todd Beaman recently started in Ndola. We are praying that the people will read the tracts they were given and that they will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit working in their lives.

Visit to the Ministry of Information and Broadcast Service

On Friday, July 4, Phil Hunt (CABC President) and John were in Lusaka. They went down to pick up Dr. Steve Hankins so that he could teach the block class this week. While they were in Lusaka they went by the Ministry of Information and Broadcast Services. John needed to make a few changes to the radio construction permit. The studio address needed to be changed to the new building and another radio station has given us a lease agreement to house the broadcast antenna and transmitter house.

Traffic was very bad in the capitol city, so Phil dropped John off in the middle of the street in front of the government building. John went across the street and made his way to the building. After confirming with the security guards that the Broadcast Ministry was on the sixth floor, John proceeded upstairs and then on the sixth floor another staff member showed him to the office. When John entered the door he noticed the sign said Hon. Min. While talking with the secretary a gentleman came out and asked if he could help. He ushered John into his office. Once noticing the plush surroundings, John realized that this was someone important. This was the office of MP Vernon Mweenga, the Minister of Broadcast. John explained his reason for the visit and the minister called in the Deputy Minister, and said that if we needed anything to help the radio project to just call. He needed to leave so that he could make a statement about the President who had a stroke the morning before. The Deputy Minister took John to a couple more offices and then finally came to the right office to accomplish the purpose of the visit. After taking care of things, John met Phil and Dr. Hankins at the van and explained what had happened. They were all amazed at the grace of God. Minister Mweenga is probably the third highest man in the Zambian government. He is a close, personal friend of President Mwanawasa. Please pray for the country of Zambia. We do not know what will happen if the President does die, but know our Lord is in control of all things and we have peace in His protection.

4th of July in Zambia

We may live in Africa, but we are still Americans! A group of fellow missionaries gathered together on July 3rd to celebrate our country's independence. (Zambia's independence day is October 24th.) We had a great time together with delicious food, fun entertainment, music and games.

For our entertainment, some of the families did funny readings, magic tricks, songs, etc. Joshua, Caleb and Becky recited a short poem. They added the last line themselves. Their performance was pretty good.

"Red, White and Blue" by Ann McCune

The red of the rose,

The white of the snows,

The blue of the skies above.

These colors three

Are the ones we see

In the flag of the land that we love.

AMERICA!

Then John joined the boys and they sang Yankee Doodle Boy. They hadn't practiced the song very much, but they did ok with it. Everyone thought it was nice. I had told Auntie Joy that the boys (little boys, not John) were going to sing a song about her, so she laughed when she heard the following lines - "I've got a Yankee Doodle sweetheart, she's my Yankee Doodle joy."

The kids all had fun playing together. There are several children Becky's age and they get along great! They made a "fort" in the plants along the driveway, but our camera still found them.

Our festivities were dampered slightly by the uncertain knowledge of the Zambian president's health. We heard first that he had died, but then heard that he was still alive after having a stroke. The news that is being generally accepted now is the latter. He is alive, but in a hospital.