Jeremy and I will be showing photographs and reporting on our trip at church next Sunday, 18 November. We even have some 'Eet-sum-mor' Zambian biscuits for you to try!
If you would like to come along we meet at The Community College, School Lane, Honiton at 10.30.
Hope to see you all there. Norm

Is anyone interested in this blog continuing?

I could do entries from time to time on church life and Community Action news, or I could save myself the effort.

If you have thoughts either way, then please could you reply and let me know?

Thanks

Norm

We arrived at heathrow only about 30 minutes late after all the hassles in Lusaka.

I have just looked through the previous blog entries and noticed a few typos and automatic corrections, which add a little to the flavour. No offence intended!

So, what was the high spot for us? A few really.

1. Seeing Chrispen in a much better place mentally and spiritually.

2. Finding that all of the microloan money in Livingstone had been repaid and the very real changes that it had brought to peoples lives.

3. Seeing the heart of the church there for the poor and the work they had done to dig the foundations for the new church building. Then being able to commit Honiton church to pay for the materials for those foundations.

4. Meeting up with Ben and Cat and hearing a person with much more experience deliver the Foundations for Farming training at Sikaunzwe. I learnt a lot!

We were also so excited that our church in Honiton has been so generous in giving financially to support the work of the church. God has obviously laid it on people's hearts to give larger ammounts than usual.There will be another Gift Day tomorrow, when those who did not have opportunity last week will be able to add their monies to the pot. What will be the final total? What will God do next? What plan does he have up his sleeve? Exciting!

If you have stayed with me thus far, can I recommend you a book? "What on Earth is the Church for?" by David Devenish. I read most of it on the flight home. It is very readable and looks at God's purposes for the church. It gives a real biblical perspective to social action. ***** Rating!

I look forward to meeting up and chatting soon.

 

Norm (and Jeremy)

 

 

 

 

First coffee done. Absolute chaos in the departure hall. Jeremy got called back because they checked him in but didn't label his bags. 0825 and we should be boarding for the 0905 flight. We are unlikely to be leaving on time.
Oh well. TIA. Time for another coffee. Norm

Usual African delays in Lusaka (TIA). Some people checked in by computer and some manually = it took a long time to work out who was on board and why they had 2 extra bags!
Otherwise uneventful flight.
Landed safely.
Dean ready & waiting, so now on route HOME!
Norm

Arrived safely at a very hectic Lusaka Bus Station. Thankfully Amanda soon arrived and we were whisked away to the relative peace of their flat.
We have managed to check-in on line, and so now just have to be there for 0700!
This evening Chris and Elizabeth are coming over for a meal and an update on the Southern Zambia churches.
We are looking forward to being home with our families.
Thank you all for your love and prayers over these 2 weeks.
Norm & Jeremy

Evenin' all. Tonight is our last night in Livingstone. In some ways we will be sad to leave, but it will certainly be good to get home.
We spent the morning with Chrispen chatting about his family, church, and money! He would still like to run the taxi as a business, but the figures just don't add up.
We also met up with Irene and her family. Many of you will know her from 2008 or 2010.
This afternoon we have been lazing around the pool . Occasional dip & a bit of a swim. Something akin to two hippos on the river bank - Well probably one hippo and a greyhound really.
Tonight we have been packing. Elias called in with the materials costings for their new church building. It was one of the best moments of the trip when we were able to tell the leadership team that Honiton church would cover the cost of the foundations up to floor level. The total cost of the structure will be about £5,200. They will now start work and continue to pray that God will meet their needs. It is humbling to see people like Elias commit themselves to working for no wage. Only God knows how he will feed his family.
Tomorrow we will catch the 0900 coach to Lusaka - something like a 6 - 7 hour journey. We will be staying overnight with Martin & Amanda before catching the morning flight back to Heathrow.
See you all soon!
Norm & Jeremy
PS. We were so excited to hear that the Gift Day at church totalled nearly £30,000. It is tremendous to be part of such a generous church family. We both believe that exciting days are ahead for the fellowship.

Will be chilling today. Seeing Chrispen, looking for solar lighting for the Sikaunzwe health clinic, and swimming in the pool!
Home son. Looking forward to swing family & grinds. Love, Norm

Early start again today to get M & A on the early bus from Livingstone to Lusaka. Unfortunately Syanga thought Norm needed a call at 5.15 - not quite what I had in mind!
Having returned to the village with further supplies Jeremy and I decided that we had completed all our jobs in the village, and hence returned back here to Chanters Lodge a day early. That will give time for us to see Chrispen & relax tomorrow before ourselves travelling up to Lusaka on the early bus Wednesday.
Attached are a few pics, including Mesheck's new shop. Bach in sort-of civilisation. Norm

Church was just about to start when we got there, So we were straight into singing in Lozi and dancing the Sikaunzwe Shuffle. Each of the leaders spoke for 10 minutes, which was interesting to hear. After they had finished Martin shared for a few minutes on God's love and grace. Excellent. Then we shared round the seed that we had brought before sharing a meal of Nshima and local goat! Mid afternoon I set off to show M & A the river village. It became a bit of a church outing, and at one time we had a total of 26 adults & children on the pick-up. A good time was had by all. Marts & I were taken across the lake in a dug-out canoe, and everyone got a laugh at Norm's wet bottom! Whilst we had been away Jeremy had attempted to re-set the beehive at Stone's land. Unfortunately the bees didn't appreciate his efforts and chased him around the Zambian bush. He ended up with 20+ stings around his head and several more on one arm. Hardy lad that he is he has lived to tell the tale!