Sunday in Zambia-Same and Different

This is the church service program we received upon entering the sanctuary-SAME

Pastor giving the children a Bible lesson during the service-DIFFERENT

Wooden cross at the front of the church-SAME

Sunday morning came early for us after arriving very late on Saturday night. However, wild horses couldn't keep us from wanting to attend church and worship the LORD with our Zambian brothers and sisters. A, M & I were picked up by Tim and Melissa Ebbers. We attended St, Columbus Presbyterian Church. What is so exciting about attending church in another country is to observe the similarities and differences.  What a joy to know that we worship the same triune God, Father, Lord Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit! Since we are members of a presbyterian church in Kentucky, there were many similar aspects of the service. We said the Lord's prayer, the apostles' creed, and the appropriate responses to scripture. We participated in communion which was so special as we contemplated the significance of sharing this sacrament with fellow believers from across the world from Kentucky. We worship a BIG and FAITHFUL God who has provided us with a WONDERFUL SAVIOR who gave us these symbols to remember Him. This church remembers the LORD JESUS in communion weekly which is different to the practice at the church we attend in Kentucky. 

The dear brothers and sisters who had leadership roles in the church, they wore kind of a uniform. It was interesting to see the women and men who were elders wearing outfits that identified them.

The choir wore purple robes---that was different. 

As visitors we were given the opportunity to share a bit about ourselves. After our introductions the congregation greeted us with rhythmic clapping--that was different. Our church is so big, one could visit and they might not be recognized as a visitor.

After the service, the congregation shared a cup of tea and scones. There were samosas for sale too! Now how many people at our church would even know what a samosa is??? That is a different snack!

I could go on and on....however, the similarities are more obvious...the unity of the BODY of CHRIST unites us aside from the various differences in form and style of worship.

We were so blessed by joining together with our dear fellow believers in Zambia.

After church we went to Tim and Melissa's home for lunch....sweet hospitality was enjoyed by all.

Sunday lunch with family and friends is such a tradition for us....SAME!!

It was a blessed day!!

The Longest Plane Ride....EVER!!

Greetings from Lusaka, Zambia!!

Angela & Michael Rehorn and I were trying to decide on a good name for a blog while we were traveling. Of course 30 plus hours of traveling with little to no sleep can make one a little silly!

Why are we calling this the longest plane ride ever?

Check in at LEX-3 hours ahead

Flight to Detroit-1 hour
Layover in Detroit-4 hours
Flight to Amsterdam-7 hours 55 minutes
Layover Amsterdam-2 hours
Flight to Harare, Zimbabwe-9 hours 54 minutes
Layover in Harare-1hour (or so)
Flight to Lusaka-40 minutes

Immigration line in Lusaka- 1 hour 30 minutes

Waiting for luggage-0 minutes

Drive from Lusaka airport-30 minutes

Total number of hours to get to Beit-CURE Zambia=??

I am too jet lagged to add this up....I tried to get Michael to add it for me but he is busy playing 'football' (soccer for the USA). However, it is at least 30 hours!!

We were grateful that the trip was uneventful. We were grateful for KLM for their attentiveness and delicious food!! (Yes, we got fed...unlike on most domestic flights).

We are grateful for so many things during this long journey.......
*companionship of A&M
*no extra baggage charges
*no illness
*no plane delays
*no custom duties
*no drama, trauma.....
*every prayer answered for our journey!

So although the title sounds like we are complaining....we are not.  Instead we are saying that in this extremely looooong trip we witness the goodness and faithfulness of our Heavenly Father!!

Next Adventure: Zambia here we come!

That we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. 

Romans 1:12

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the LORD. 

Romans 12:10-11


Once again it is a joy to travel to a CURE International hospital for the purpose of encouraging the staff through building relationships, offering training and shoulder to shoulder service.  As much as we desire to be a blessing on a mission journey,  we are often the recipients of God's blessings. Obedience always reaps blessings of some sort......often the blessing is a deeper joy and knowledge of our Great God and Savior. Other blessings include; viewing God's beautiful African creation and meeting brothers and sisters in Christ who share our love for the LORD and His kingdom.

As you can see from the picture, this voyage I will be traveling with Angela and her son Michael. What a blessing! So the 'we' in the previous paragraph is not a 'royal' one.  Angela is a gifted artist and art teacher from Trinity Christian Academy. This is the school that Mark, Anne and Marie attended when we moved to Kentucky nearly 20 years ago. Michael is a super and talented young man. I will love Angela and Michael as travel buddies!

We have different skills and responsibilities to share with the staff at Beit-CURE Hospital in Lusaka and Mukinge Hospital near Kasempa. We will be visiting Lynn Hacker, a nurse that our church Tates Creek Presbyterian supports. We hope to be a special encouragement to her too! (Yes, we are bringing her chocolate!)

Angela, Michael and I put our heads, hearts and hands together to share with you our prayer requests. Angela, who is obviously more talented in this regard organized a sweet prayer card that can be used also as a bookmark! But for those of you who are not within my reach I will put the highlights in this blog.

Angela and Michael are going to have a blog at:  zambia5senses.blogspot.com

If I am too busy with nursing duties, you may have to find out what I am doing via their blog! Those of you who follow me, know that I find it hard to sit down and write sometimes.

Please remember us in your prayers. Prayer is the real work because as we pray we align our hearts with God's kingdom purposes and work. May all we say and do bring honor and glory to the LORD!

Christlike compassion

Understanding of the cultures

Righteousness

Excellence


Zeal for the LORD

Attitude that is in Christ Jesus

Mindful of others' needs

Believe in His guidance and purposes

Insight and understanding

All to His glory

Those of you who have been praying for these journey since I began visiting CURE hospitals in 2004 know how to pray for health (no malaria, good energy, no stomach issues) and travel ( connections that work, luggage arrive intact with us, no visa issues etc) Please pray for graciousness and peace when things do not go as expected. Since I am not as young as I was in 2004, please pray that I will have stamina to keep up! Thank you dear ones who pray for these things!!

**It will be such a joy to have Angela and Michael along as I am not a photographer. Perhaps this trip will have some quality pictures that will be worth a thousand words!!

New Friends!

"Make new friends but keep the old,

Some are silver and the others gold."

These are the words of a little song we sang in Pioneer Girls (a Christian based girls club at church). We used to sing it in a round and I loved the harmony as a young girl. Now that I have lived a little longer, the meaning of the words catch my attention. I realize that friendship is truly a gift. It must be cherished an nourished just like a marriage relationship. Traveling around as much as I do, it can be hard to maintain relationships and keep in touch. Yet, I am so grateful to those of you who are my friends. So thankful for Facebook and blogging so that we can keep in touch.

African culture is all about relationships! Having a friend outside of the family and local community is quite something. To be received into someone's home is also a very special gift. Last visit to Niger, Sodogas, our physical therapist invited Angele (the nurse manager) and myself into his home (s) where we met his mother, siblings and two wives (separate homes).  The first wife received us into her home and lavished us with food, water, gifts etc. At the time she was great with child.  It was such a joy when yesterday she unexpectedly visited me at the hospital. She brought her dear baby Caleb with her. Aminatou, (I think that is the name is spelled or at least pronounced) is a new friend! She is a school teacher in a village about 15 miles away (1 hour) from the hospital.

Another little fellow is a very sweet company. He speaks a little French but communicates with smiles and gestures. He is very content to enjoy silence together.  Abdoul Ganu is his name. He loves my songs and actions that go along with the words.....He understands the joy that Christians have as they sing to God and recount His faithfulness.

Mamma A with Caleb.....so sweet!

My dear office companion Abdul Ganu....just being together is precious!

In all these encounters with people in Niger, I am reminded that the LORD GOD is in control of every relationship. I pray that every word, gesture, and action would communicate the love of the LORD Jesus Christ.

Commit your activities to the LORD, and your plans will be achieved. The Lord has prepared everything for His purpose.....Proverbs 16:3, 4

I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Forever Friends

One great joy of serving the LORD with CURE International is meeting some of the most amazing people.  Josh and Julie are a couple that I have grown to love over their time in Niger. We began our acquaintance when we stayed at the CURE guesthouse together. We talked over tea and treats from the USA. How could a young married couple be so nice to an itinerant visiting nurse? Why? The answer lies in the bond of Christian love.  Regardless of our age differences, educational backgrounds, life experiences......we share a common love for God and the people of Niger.  Specifically, we love working with the dear ones that come to the CURE hospital for children in Niamey, Niger.  Josh is a Spiritual Director at our hospital. He is such a good pastor and Bible teacher. Julie is a very gifted art therapist. The children are so excited to express themselves through painting, drawing and any other art forms Julie dreams up for them!  Beyond my admiration for their professional and ministry skills, I am delighted that we share a warm friendship. Each visit is richer and more precious. I am so blessed to know each one of them.
Last Friday, we enjoyed an evening of pizza made my Josh, cole slaw and cookies by Julie....but more than the food....we had a super time of fellowship with Julie's special friend Naomi. What a joy to play with Leon, Josh and Julie's (soon to be adopted son) Leon. What fun!!
So blessed with these dear friends!! God bless them everyone......what a gift friendship is in a foreign land....with these dear ones I feel right at home!

Josh is Mr. Pizza Man! Wow, he makes a fabulously delicious pizza :)

Maman Maureen enjoying some Leon time!

Wheee! Flying baby Leon!

 

Can I get down now?

This little guy is so adorable! I am missing my grandkids so much!

We ate so many pizzas....I lost count!

Josh at work at the hospital with Pastor Hassane

Art Therapy with helpers from Sahel Academy

Naomi on the left, Leon, center, Julie on the right.....such dear women!

 Casts ready for Julie's artistic touch...it is rare to see the plain while casts on CURE hospital campus for too long! Paints and glitter make them beautiful pieces of art.

 

Baby Dedication-Celebrations!

We waited for the parents and baby to arrive....like awaiting for the bride and groom at the wedding...We chatted and enjoyed being together outside of the hospital. It was so heartwarming to see nearly every nurse attend the celebrations.

Angele ingeniously wrapped her gift in a reusable bag from Fayette County heating and cooling company. I gave my version of a baby gift card....CFAs Central African currency FRANCS :)

We were ushered into a home where we were royally served huge platters.....one between 3-4 people. Upon a bed of rice, there was a sauce made of eggplant, olives, onions, piment doux and fort.....sweet and hot peppers....the platter was crowned with a piece of lamb shank......delicious! We ate with our fingers.....I managed to get rice everywhere! We were each given a small bottle of juice to go with our meal.....very generous!!

We squished in every corner possible. It was a lot of fun....we got to be inside with fans.....the rest of the guests were served outside......they had some kind of doughy stuff with a fish sauce. I think the hospital staff were considered close family and served special platters.

Here are three pregnant nurses sitting on a couch. Haoua, Djamilla and Clarisse....so excited for them! Children are considered such a blessing to these families.

Natalie is a sweet sister in the LORD! She is one of the nurses who is so nurturing and cares for each of us so generously. She planned a surprise birthday party for Angele the Thursday previous to this Baby Dedication Celebration. I love Natalie so much! She means so much to the CURE nursing team.

Every party has a photographer!!

It is hard to see but this is the kitchen central for all the food at the celebrations! These dear women are outside in the sun tending the fires and pots! They deserve a medal for all their labors.....or at least an afternoon in an air conditioned room!

The parking lot outside the parent's home.....canopy is what we sat under until lunch time. A super time was had by all! What a great joy to enjoy a time of fellowship and friendship last Sunday afternoon! God bless Leonie, Wilfred, Adora and Issac!!!

Part 2- Baby Dedication Sunday

Everyone wants to have a turn at holding the dear baby-this is Nurse Amina

This is Nurse Neffissa, she has been married for one week, but wants to see what it feels like to hold a newborn!

This man is a natural with babies....he is Abdullay, works as a cook at the hospital....a true nurturer. He is such a sweetheart! He came to church even though Christianity isn't his religion. He is so sensitive and a blessing to our hospital.

This sweet Christian couple have been married a year and are expecting their first baby soon. They asked to hold the baby to get some practice!! Habib works with me at the hospital. He is a great help to me in many ways.

Family photo with the grandparents

Don't forget me!! I'm the big brother!! I remember holding this little boy when he was just weeks old! I've seen him grow into a sweet 3 year old. He is charming and so delightful. He has wonderful Christian parents!

Hassane and Ali politely wait for lunch to be served after church.

Angele went for the African look on Sunday

This was our communal pot of ice water which we dipped communal cups while we waited for lunch to be served. We were seated under a canopy to shade us from the sun...but it was still quite hot. Lunch was served inside.....Part 3!