Thursday, April 27, 2017

Back to Chitokoloki

(Picture of the Irish Team who worked on the foundation)

We had been asked by Teamworkers to lead a mission team to Chitokoloki in Zambia to work on a building project.  After a few changes and much prayer we decided to take a team of 3, Mary and I  plus Jason a young fellow from Thessalon on the trip. Our plan was to build a house for a missionary nurse at Chit. The foundation and concrete slab were to be finished by the end of February so we could begin laying blocks for the walls when we arrived. Before we left we found out that the Irish team who were to do the slab had problems with the foundation so we would be starting with the slab. Tim

 

Mar 8

 

We have arrived safely in Lusaka. All flights went well. Left Toronto 10:30 Tuesday morning and arrived here 3:30 Wednesday afternoon. Gained 6 hours along the way. All luggage arrived with us which is bonus! We had met up with Murray  in Toronto who is an electrician and he is working on some projects around Chit . We picked up more parts for machinery that was needed at Chit Tuesday morning and so we were rearranging everybody's suitcases to fit all the extras to make the 50 lb limits. All bags were 49 or 50 lbs. so now everybody's stuff is mixed with food and equipment! The last flight from Harare to Lusaka was just an hour and all 4 of us slept!

Two guys (Joey and Jason) met us at the airport, loaded up the bags and drove us to the grocery store. We were able to get chicken, hamburg, milk, cheese, apples, butter, oil, some flour, sugar and popcorn!! No bacon, ham and not a lot of fresh fruit or vegetables available. Can get eggs at Chit. The bill totalled about $3200 kwacha which looked intimidating! But works out to about $300 USD. Then they drove us to Flying Mission and a lovely missionary lady cooked us hamburgers which we very much appreciated.. we managed to stay awake until 9 pm and crashed it is now 2 am and we are awake. Hoping to adjust to the time difference and heat quickly! The truck will leave with our luggage and food at 4 am this morning. Jason is travelling with the driver. They are taking the bush road and hoping to do it in one day. It will be an African adventure for Jason! Praying for their safety. Our little plane is to leave at 6 am. The pilot is hoping to avoid rainstorms by leaving at daybreak. I think Tim is hoping to have most of the day tomorrow to look at plans and the building site. This flight should only be 3 hours if the weather cooperates. We will try to keep you updated.

Mary




Sunday, April 23, 2017

News Christmas to March

I have been negligent about posting news since our time at Sakeji so I thought I would bring things up to date. We made it home to Canada in mid December and spent some time with Katie, Bronson and our new grand baby  Kason.  It was a good time.  We stayed in the visitors suite at Kate's apartment building.  We made it home to Thessalon in time for Christmas festivities and to see Matt , Aly and the boys before they went to Mosoonee for the holiday.  We had a quiet Christmas with just the locals.  It was nice but we missed our kids and grand kids.  Some highlights were, meals, visitors,  Amy's baptism and  the couch.

 

After Christmas we were back in the routine of Thessalon living, which included Light Haven ,  Church functions, Awana,, doctor appointments, hockey, trips to the Soo etc.  .  January and February were spent doing various things but most enjoyable was time with Hudson and Hugo.  Hudson is learning to skate and that was fun. We managed to go to the Cottage once just to check on things.  Matt Aly and the boys came along with MaryJane and Dennis.  It was a nice day and we enjoyed a winter fire and lunch together.  In December we were asked by Teamworkers to go to Zambia on a building  project and after much prayer and discussion we decided to make the commitment to go back to Chitokoloki for the building project.  We ended with a team of three,  Tim – team leader  Mary  - cook and Jason Johns – helper adviser. 

 

I have included some photos for your enjoyment and will let you figure what is what.  -  Mary and Tim for a winter night walk -  Mary enjoying the fireplace in our apartment – some pictures of Kason our newest grand baby – Amy's baptism - Aly and Matt before heading off to the North – some pictures of the gang going to the cottage .  Next post will be of the construction project at Chit.



More update Pictures




Update Christmas to March 2017



Some photos