Funny little first update from Zambia!

After a very long journey we have gotten settled in at our little house in Mumena. I will be able to post pictures of it at some point, it is still needing a few finishing touches before the grand tour. What a blessed first week...The weather is wonderful; a cool rain comes through pretty much everyday. Reuniting with friends we made previously has been very fulfilling. When Jason and I were here in the summer of 09' we were not married so our Zambian friends get really excited when we point to our house and say, "we are married now and live just over there." 

Thank you for all of your prayers for safe travel, we had a seamless trip getting here. The only mishap happened the night we arrived in Mumena. After about an hour of unpacking I realized I was missing a bag, then not 10 min after realizing that, Jason got very quiet, held his hand up to me and said "um...go in the other room." Of course I knew exactly why.... a snake. I have an irrational fear of snakes, but considering we live in the land of mambas, puff-adders, and cobras, my fears aren't too far fetched in my opinion. I got my torch and walked very briskly to get help. By the time help got there Jason had already picked the snake up and opened its mouth up to make sure it wasn't a black mamba. Luckily it was a mole snake. I never actually saw it, which I am assured is for the best. Out of the four American missionary families that have lived in Mumena over the past 5 years Jason and I are the first to have a snake in our house. We think it came in on his backpack while we unloaded the truck. the good news is, the snake is gone and my missing luggage made it to Mumena within less than two days. I think we are going to have a lot of fun the next couple years and it is kind of neat that our first adventure story happened the very night we got here. 

Please keep praying for our adjustment these first months. More updates hopefully coming soon!

P.S. A visual of our new life in Mumena....Jason at the very top of a HUGE avocado tree in our back yard knocking down avocados the size of honey due melons as I run around the base of the tree trying to catch them with a camp chair.... : )

Light up the sky

In about a week Jason, Jeremy, Whitney and I will be on a plane headed toward Zambia. It is a little surreal at this moment. We have already said many goodbyes in Texas and have more to say now that we are back in Chattanooga until our departure next week. I have neglected our blog because of the craziness of the past month, travels, holidays, and lots and lots of to-do lists. Seems like I set out to get 10 things done many days but only succeed in checking a few things off the list. But I have faith that everything will be okay even if I do not get to put as many check marks down each day as I would like. 

Our last training module with The Halbert Institute was just great. We grew a lot as an apprentice team over the weekend and were greatly blessed by the sessions our supporters attended. Thank you to those of you that prayed for that time, our prayers were definitely answered. 

We said goodbye to Texas early early Christmas eve morning. Jason drove the first few hours then woke me up to take over. He fell fast asleep immediately so I had a some alone time on my hands. I started to get a little sad thinking about how I will miss so many friends and loved ones in Texas. I had my ipod on shuffle and just as I started to let the sad feelings overwhelm me the song "Light up the Sky" by The Afters came on. Some of the chorus lyrics are...

You light, light, light up the sky

You light up the sky to show me that you are with me

And I, I, I can't deny

No I can't deny that you right here with me

You've opened my eyes

So I can see you all around me

You light, light, light up the sky

You light up the sky to show me that you are with me

As this song was playing the sun was rising...and it was the most beautiful sunrise I have ever seen.  I took this picture with my phone so I could remember this amazing moment when I was reminded no matter where we are or where we are going, God is is with us. 

"...great is your faithfulness" Lamentations 3:23

I hope this is encouraging to at least a few. Please be in prayer for our families as we get so close to leaving them and finish our sweet goodbyes. Blessing to everyone for the new year!