Guitar Lessons

Everyone seems very interested in Curtis’ guitar! We have used it to sing some songs with the kids during our devotions. On Sunday we didn’t bring it (too many new kids and too much to go over we figured it would be more of a distraction) and all the kids who had been around for the break were asking where it was. On Sunday a couple of the teachers who also live on the compound came to our house and said they wanted to learn to play…so of course Curtis gave them a lesson. After about half an hour they both had the G chord down. (We told them next time they come there would be a test.)We will start music lessons with the kids in a few weeks, once the school schedule is all figured out.

In the picture Moonde (pronounced moan-day) is holding the guitar. He is a new teacher here, he moved in the Wednesday after we did. He teaches sixth grade. He is really nice, and had us to his house for lunch on Saturday. He lives right across from us. (From our bedroom window to his is about 20 feet). The other man in picture is Freedom. He now teaches fourth grade. For those of you who knew Curtis and me from Kenya or have heard our stories from Kenya – Freedom has EXACTLY the same personality as Elvis (Curtis’ neighbor in the dorms). For those of you who don’t know (or know of) Elvis, this is a very good thing! Freedom is very outgoing, great with the kids, and very friendly to us. Freedom is currently living in the back of one of the classrooms.

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

A sweet little goodbye...

Yesterday was Curtis' day to say good bye to the kids he has had in his after-school programming. He of course has grown very close to them - so this goodbye was hard. On Monday he was able to take most the kids to the park to enjoy the beautiful weather we had, and yesterday was back to regular programming. Some of the kids took the time to make the cutest cards and pictures for Curtis. They were so cute I had to share some. I am so proud of him and the relationships he has built and the difference he has made in these kids lives!



I think it is supposed to say good bye card rather than cord:)

Duluth and more goodbyes

This weekend Curtis and I got to spend in Duluth (for those of you who don't know, that is where I spent the first 16 years of my life). Duluth is a very beautiful city, right on Lake Superior. I have been promising Curtis a trip there since we met - finally we made it!

We stayed with my grandparents (the Garnetts)- well very special friends of mine who have been like grandparents to me for as long as I can remember...we stayed with them and hung out with them most of the trip. Sat evening we drove up the North Shore a bit - and as you can see in the pictures - the shore had HUGE chunks of ice, a very impressive shoreline.

Today - Sunday - we went to the church I grew up at, it was so good to see so many old friends again...I told a number of people 'that church was like a second home to me', I guess that comes with the territory of being the pastor's kid :) Of course it is Sunday so we had brunch - a special treat we went to the Top of The Harbor. This is a restraunt the spins in a circle (takes about an hour) so in the time it takes to eat your meal you can see all of Duluth and the harbor.

It was a much overdue trip to Duluth, but so fun! I wish we could have stayed longer, but I am so glad we finally got to go. Curtis agreed, Duluth is a really amazing city!

Starting the goodbyes

We are leaving Minnesota at the end of March, so last weekend we strted our goodbyes...err see you soons (I don't like goodbyes)! Curtis and I spent the weekend in Sioux Falls, SD. It was really fun to get to see some of my friends from college and from the summer I worked at camp. It has been over a year since last time we made it to Sioux Falls, and I don't know when we will be there again! We stayed with Anna, my friend and amazing menotr from camp - she spoiled us! She made fruit pizza, carmel rolls, and egg bake!
We also saw Karl, a friend from college. We met up for breakfast and then he brought us to his apartment, Karl is an amazing artist - you can see some of his work in the background (he even designed his shirt). Thanks everyone and we will miss you so much!