Weekend of rest, fun and weddings in Lundazi. Now off to work.

Happy Monday from Zambia!

As the team heads into this week, they are beginning from a point of feeling rested, together and ready to launch themselves into the community of the Hoya Day School, where they will be spending the majority of their next three weeks.

While there have certainly been moments that have been stretching – the heat, the jet-lag, some discomfort from Malaria meds, and the newness of life so far from home – these moments are being held within an overall experience that sees our students seeing God’s beauty around them and in each other, and feeling grateful for the communities that have so warmly welcomed them in and around the CCAP compound in Lundazi.

This past weekend, there was a lot of down time which we hope will prepare students to be sustained for the whole of their time in Zambia.  And in this down time, students have begun to throw themselves into where they are, building relationships through cooking or playing soccer, and spending time exploring the local market and town of Lundazi.

One of the most beautiful parts of the weekend was the surprise of a full Zambian wedding celebration at church on Sunday morning.  What a gift to have participated in this, as everyone was overwhelmed with delight by the way people celebrate and dance and sing and praise together.  This, paired with the welcome of children, the hosting of CCAP’s Moffat, Rev. Nehemiah and others, and the gifting of a chicken, has led to a rich beginning.

One of our students said it well – “All I have done since being here so far is receive.”

We hope to again update by the end of this week.  Until then, please continue to pray for the team as they head off to Hoya this week, begin working on their construction project, spend time in classrooms, and begin engaging in relationships that we hope will extend beyond warm welcomes.