The last few days

When a kid asks, “why did God create us” or “why do people kill each other” how do you answer? Well, last night Curtis and I had devotions and decided before we could lead very many of these, we needed to know where these kids are at spiritually (what they have been taught). We read from Proverbs 2, saying God wants us to gain understanding, and seek understanding. We told the kids that they could ask any questions they had about God, the Bible, Jesus, or anything else faith related, and in the following devotions and Bible studies we had we would address the questions one at a time…in thirty minutes we had 52 questions! I just kept writing as fast as I could – now we have our next 52 weeks planned J Curtis and I both went back to our little home pleased with the kids, and their deep desire to learn.

On Tuesday afternoon Curtis and I decided it was a good day for a game day! We played Ultimate Frisbee (thank you Rene for the Frisbees), Duck, Duck, Ostrich (they didn’t know what a goose was, so we modified the game), Four Corners, and several name games. We all had a blast, and when we checked the time it had been four hours (and we couldn’t move anymore)!

This picture is during Ultimate Frisbee. Notice the kids are all playing barefoot, I don’t know how they do it…but it doesn’t slow them down at all! (Curtis thought he could do it too, but that ended with gigantic blisters and a funny limp! – maybe with more practice.)

We made it!

We made it to Zambia safely! The flight was uneventful, which when traveling is the best way to go. Some of you may know that Curtis and I were coming here without a visa, a source of some concern, there is always the chance that immigration might not let you into the country…well, we got in just fine! They didn’t even ask to see our paperwork that we stressed so much about getting complete before we left!

We arrived in Zambia Thursday morning about 6:30, we stayed in Lusaka and ran errands until around 2 and then came to Upeme – about an hour drive from Lusaka. While we were running errands the kids were at Upeme preparing a welcoming program for us…it was so sweet! They sang, danced, gave a speech, and prayed; and did a wonderful job making us really feel welcome. (We tried to upoad a video but today it wouldn't work, so we will try again later, sorry!) We really have wonderful kids here. Not all the kids are here, they are in-between trimesters now, so some of the kids are staying with relatives for the break…right now there are about 30 here. A week from Monday school will be back in session and the rest of the kids will be here.

We had a first, on Saturday Debra, Curtis, and I went to get vegetables. As we left Debra asked if one of us wanted to drive – so Curtis drove! After only having been here 2 days Curtis drove to the market…our truck is a standard, driving on the left side of the road, steering from the right – which means shifting with your left hand…Curtis did a great job! I guess soon that means I will have to do it too!

Today is the day!

Today is the day Curtis and I have been waiting for for months - we are leaving for Zambia! I have not been updating the blog as much as I hoped - so this is a snapshot of this last month. We spent a week with my family in Minnesota, both my sisters we able to take the week off to hang out as well! Then we drove to Colorado by way of Nebraska and spent a couple nights with Curtis' grandparents in Nebraska, and now we have been in Colorado enjoying Curtis' friends and family!

Please pray for safe travels and an uneventful trip :)

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the last month!

My Aunt Elaine


Curtis and our niece, Cameron, dying Easter eggs...picture on right is Cameron eating a marshmallow from our tour of the candy factor!

Rossmary (back) Danny (left) Alejandra (right). Friends of ours who are new to the states from Colombia! The right picture is wedding bears they gave us - Rossmary stitched a 'K' and 'C' on the bride and groom respectively - thank you!

From left to right - my older sister Beth, my younger sister Becky, Ben - a friend from High school and college, me and Curtis!

Picture on right - dear, dear friends from Benson, Darlene and Wayne

The Andert Family The Kline Family