Our 'Overcoming' Muscles are Being Strengthened

We have had a challenging few days-- we have been struggling with a serious situation. It was made more difficult by the fact that Tom and I had popped down to Lusaka for two days of business which means four days away from home with travel figured in.


First a little background: For the last couple months Tom has been working on improving things at the lagoon where we have our boat. His idea is to put up a little log cabin for overnight guests and tourists to rent. It will be very rustic and quaint but peaceful and authentic.


This week we finally got all the wood and carpenters out to the site to start working. Then, Thursday, our gardener (and all around worker) called to say that the sub-chief had said we had to pack everything up and the workers needed to leave because if they didn't, the villagers were going to kill them. 


This was very very scary for us because the lagoon is only twenty minutes from our house. We had no idea what the real situation was and if the threatened violence would spill over to our house and orphanage. Thankfully we had a friend who lives nearby who came over and spent the night to look after everything since we were over 600 miles away. 


The next morning we made about a hundred phone calls (no exaggeration) and found out even more details. Apparently, about a week or two ago, the fish in the lagoon began dying and nine people died over a four day period. 
Living in rural Africa means that we live among and work with people for whom superstitions, traditions and witchcraft are a regular part of life. When a situation happens and people don't understand or have the answers for it, blame is put onto any target. We've seen this firsthand before when Tom documented a village 'witchhunt'. 
Now, because the deaths of people and fish could not be explained, Tom has been blamed because of his relationship with the local sub-chief.


The situation is fairly calm now. Some of our many, many phone calls were made to various contacts and friends and eventually government officials. We requested help in investigating the deaths--surely there is a reasonable explanation and perhaps a reason for concern--some type of poison added to the lagoon is a logical guess. We have also asked that the government assist us in mediating the situation since the local culture can be difficult to navigate.


We still really need prayer for the situation to calm completely and that we can reopen the lines of communication with local leaders.
Today, for church, we read from Revelation about being overcomers. We will conquer and we will overcome by the Grace of God. We're in it to Win! Thanks for praying and helping us finish this race.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

While in Lusaka recently we were sitting at one of the busiest traffic lights in town. Did you know they call them robots here? Weird! 

Anyway, at most of the busy intersections there are vendors selling anything from Zambian flags, to fruit, to puppies. We've bought phone chargers, phone credit, Spiderman toys and one of my favorite skirts of all time at traffic lights. So very convenient. 

This particular day we were just sitting there avoiding eye contact with the vendors because otherwise they just don't give up on their sales pitches. You end up having to say "We have it!" or "Tatulafwya (We don't want it)" or eventually "Nakana!! (I refuse!)"* to get them to go away. 

As we sat there chatting, a vendor selling hats came up to our car and said, "Are you traveling back to Mansa? I've seen you there." We were surprised. Here we were 700+ kilometers from Mansa and we bumped into someone who knew us.

We were reminded though of our time out on Mofwe Lagoon when we called over a couple fishermen in their little canoe way out in the middle of the lagoon. As Tom bargained for the fish trying to get a good price, the fisherman kept saying, "Oh, Thomas. You're so funny." We laughed that even in the middle of nowhere, Tom's name and fame has preceded him.

*Raven, you'll probably have to correct my Bemba spelling and vocabulary errors....

Sundays in My City--Mofwe Lagoon pt. Two

Last week I shared part of our little slice of paradise with you. Now I'll share a few more photos. These were taken on a recent trip we made with our friends.

First we head out of the little harbor, navigating through papyrus reeds. 

The lagoon widens and we enter the main water area.

 

Here is the handsome captain of our vessel. 

The flowers are beautiful and there is plenty of opportunity for birdwatching.

We even spot a fish eagle.

Along the way we come upon a canoe with fishermen. We had to be careful to to disturb their nets.

After negotiating and bargaining we buy some of their fish.

This man found Thomas hilarious.

As we headed home we made use of the plenteous fauna and flora. I can't decide if he looks more like Peter Pan or Robin Hood.

Lovely girl and pretty flower.

My beautiful friend used both lily pads and flowers to adorn herself. It's an island sprite!

Join others around the world for peeks into their Sundays.

Sundays in My City--Mofwe Lagoon

I promised to write about our boat and little slice of paradise and so here it is. I have so many beautiful pictures that this will have to be a two-parter. You can come back next Sunday to see the rest.

A typical fisherman in his canoe

The beautiful lily pads. The locals have an interesting use for them. 

I'll show you next week.

Fishing traps--made out of grass or bamboo

Fresh fish

A typical fishing hut. 

 You can see the size and scale in this picture.

A homemade dehydrator for the fish. 

It is constructed from half an oil drum with bicycle rims woven with wire for the drying rack. 

You can see the extra racks in the background.

Sadly, sometimes the fire gets out of hand and burns down the little huts.

I'm going to think twice about setting foot on those islands again after Tom brought home this picture. Can you see it there?

Tom wanted to pick up this very dangerous cobra to get a closer look,

but those in the boat convinced him not to. I'll be forever grateful.

Fishing for the day is done. Time to head home.

For others, it's time to paddle out into the lagoon

for night fishing with small lights.

For more peeks at life around the world visit: