Ndola update

Yesterday we flew from Jo'burg to Ndola, Zambia. The airport in Ndola was really really small (not much bigger than the Blair airport). We went through customs and got our bags, and were met by Catherine (our host for the summer). The Mathews (parents of somebody Jac and Sherri know) also met us there and took us out to dinner later that night. We went to the hotel for awhile, then had to go back to the airport because they stamped our passports wrong. Turns out we have to go to a government office when we get to Chingola next week to get our stays extended (right now I can only stay until June 21). But that shouldn't be a problem to get fixed, especially with Catherine there to help us.

Today we tried to sort out some immigration problems, then went to visit one of our congregations just outside of Ndola. The people there were incredible and really wanting to help others. They just started surveying their neighborhood recently and have found that many
families are unable to afford school uniforms and supplies, so the kids are just playing all day instead of going to school. So, they started a school at the church and have two teachers for about 220 kids. They said 70 of the kids are orphans, and it sounded like the rest just can't afford school. The people of the church are giving a lot of their own money and time already, which is great to see. They call their school the Young Peace Makers Community school, and they do preschool, first, and second grade. We then walked to the house some of the church members as they had prepared a huge lunch for us. They were so generous and had all types of food for us to try. It was really hard for both Rachael and I to accept this generosity when we
know there is not an overly abundant amount of food in this area. The people of that church are doing a great job already, and are trying to help as many kids as they can.

Tomorrow we go to Luansha and then the next day we will drive to Mansa, then eventually go to Chingola where we will stay with Catherine and her sister the rest of the summer. Catherine is really nice and I am looking forward to staying with her and talking with her to learn more about African culture.