An un-complete post, but it's something right!

Update from Muyaba Monkeys in Zambia!
We have been in Zambia for a month and a half now, in ways it seems longer I guess, going through two bouts of malaria, building a house, hosting an outreach team, road trip to Livingstone, in and out of town getting supplies, and lots of laughter around the hot coals at the days end!
Over the weekend we heard there was a new grocery store opened and it’s prices were sometimes half the price of all the other stores in Zambia, as a promotion they were having these sales. So on Monday I dragged vinj out of bed on the national holiday in Zambia for who knows what... we went to see Pik N Pay. And it was a mass of people and carts, soon we found out the line out the door lead to the back of the store to the milly meal (corn meal) at the back, costing about $3.50 less at Pik N Pay then anywhere else. Some people came only to buy a bag of this, with a limit of 2 per customer. I could see some people where having their kids get a cart and put some in! : ) Smart parents! We fortunately didnt have the kids with us, so right away we saw we should get in line before we had got groceries even, so vinj went in line and I gathered stuff went back to him when my hand where full and dummped it into the cart. It was a good strategy with people rubbing sholders down the aisles trying to find this or that. it was fun I thought, although we found some very frustrated people who left half filled carts for the parking lot in frustration. Anyway we were able to find deals there and we were thankful, since we had to buy cleaning supplies for our house, buckets for laundry, spices, sugar, tea, coffee... all that stuff that can break the budget when bought at the same time! The base is letting us borrow some things like a table, pots, cups... untill the container comes with some of our stuff, or untill the base needs it again.

12 school children squooshed in the back, baby am-in-als as seth would say....

so many stories to write when I am away from this lovely mac laptop.... so will try and pry them all out of my memory, or corse the freshest is today... But I wont start at the end, I will try the beginning of our week.

The week started with projects, we had an amazing calgary team at our base, they prepared the land for the clinic project we are heading up, they worked like slaves, serisouly clearing the land with machetes and rakes and shovels. There are alot of teams that come through YWAM bases mostly focused on evangelism, this team was very different and willing to be so relational in base, and with the community closest to us. Some girls school fees where paid for, they got the sewing ladies to make all their gifts to bring home because of that also gave each women projects and income! They also helped out alot at our house, which seems like a never ending project, but really is so close ot being livable. And lastly, the team had some money left, and had prayed and asked God where they should put the money, they left it for the DTS, and you know what!? It covered ALL the fees due for these zambian students! CAN YOU IMAGINE the gift this was to those students! Just amazing! So blessed by them!

We left Lusaka for Livingstone on Saturday, from thursday to friday our car was being fixed and tuned up for the long trip, so we were confident our trip would be safe and good. . . BUT only an hour or so down the road our left weel was cluncking so much we just had to stop. And what we found was....... NO BOLTS ON THE BREAK PADS! Of which we had just replaced and paid for them to be put in! So THANK JESUS we stopped by a BIG truck who was also broke down, one of the guys ran across the highway to who knows where and found two bolts that fit our car! WOOHOO, so we were off to linvinstone again. But all the things delaying us really took a long time, and about 3 hours away from livingstone the kids really started to FREAK OUT, and I am talking about FREAK OUT, I have never seen my kids like that. But.... I can understand they were so tired of being in the car. 500 KM took us 12 hours in the end! It was maddness.

The next day was Safari day, vinj stayed back with Taliah and Seth and I went with the team, I was really excited to see Lions... but, guess what Livingstone doesnt have lions! ALL of us were disapointed. But we saw an elephant family, Giraffe, Impala, wart Hog, and Zebras, Seths all time favorite, "ZEEBA! MOMMY ZEEBA! BABY ZEEBA MOMMY!" He LOVES them, no question there! When we saw the elephants we would tell him "shhhhhhh, ok seth shhhhhhh" and by the end of the trip he was SHHHSHing everyone. it was so cute. He was Such a good boy though!

We took the team to the falls but didnt go in, they wouldnt let me and the kids in for the zambian price, which I have always been able to get being married to vinjelu, but the lady just would not budge! So I was partly offended, but also noticed everyone coming out soaked, and any time we have come to the falls in the season we come out dry... so... we were not prepared for it with the kids especially. So we sat at a beautiful hotel resort place right at the falls, we had drinks and lunch there. AND guess what. the place owns 8 Zebras! Just walking around, so seth was SO happy to see Zeebas again!
That evening we went on a boat ride down the zambezi, and I was praying we would see hippos! And we did, a whle lot of them on the land, and they were amazing, I actually shed a tear cuz it was just beautiful, I dont know why, maybe because they are a wondering and it's so few people who do get to see them. I LOVED it.
That night we went out for dinner with Andreas I was feeling a bit off, but we still went out and I had a steak, the restraunt was beautiful designed! We had a great chat with Andreas and said goodbye to him that night : ( boohoo

At 2:30am that night I got really sick, I mean I felt so horibble, worse then I have ever felt I think, so I jumped to the comclusion I had ecoli from the beef! (I've seen Food inc, recently... so that can scare anyone) And it was the only sickness I could see having with the symptoms. I was in the bathroom almost constantly that night. We went into the clinic that morning and found I had malaria, stage 2, stage four is ceribal malaria, which is REALLY BAD. So it was that strain of malaria. I was ok with it though, I got my first injection of the medication since I was throwing up I needed to get an injection. They also gave me something to sop vomitting, and then hooked me up to the good old IV, an old friend of mine ! : )

Let me tell you right now. If my baby girl can live through malaria, ANYONE can! Ok, so don't freak out if you get it while visiting. I am feeling so much better it's only the 4th day of treatment. So please still visit, don't let these stories scare you away!

On Thursday we came home in a much better time, I think it took us from 5:30am to 12:00pm to get home! Much better right, so I laid down bathed and relaxed. then vinj came into to say we were going. I was skeptical for sure because I was not feeling well at all. BUt I went, and it took about 1 hour to get to this beautiful lodge we are in right now. Just gorgeous here. We are sitting under a thatch roof looking out at some big animal that looks something like a deer, but much bigger. It's a beautiful afternoon on our Anniversary. Vinj is playing soccer, for those who know him, know what I am talking about : )

This morning we had to go find a clinic where I could get my last injection, we drove down the road praying out gas would last, because we were miss lead how far this lodge really was, it was much further, so we were literally running on fumes, way past E! But we found a place in time filled up, then headed back towards the lodge. We were told there was a clinic down the road, so we drove into a farm, and there was so much there even a clinic! A very nice doctor gave me my injection and chatted a bit with us. We also found out there would be a cattle auction on September 3rd, which we may be interested in! So it was a good stop all in all.

Vinj turned off the highway to the road leading to the lodge and let me drive the rest of the way (yeah!) haha an old man asked for a ride down the road to his village, so we said sure! He said it was only 3 km, but we went way further then that and still werent there, and we are trying to watch our fuel since we only had enough money for a quarter of a tank! So after about 10 kms, we left him off ( I know we are suck jerks right!) But before you agree, our left wheel is also giving us trouble again the the road was turning more and more into a foot path... so... needless to say we turned around for the lodge again. We started off and two school kids asked for a ride, so we said sure. The down the road another three asked and we said yes but then another 6 came as well, with a total of 12 grade fives in our 5 seats in the back! haha! It was great. Vinj was giving them a hard time because they are suppose to know english, but he would ask, "how was school?" and one would say "grade five" no "how was school?" " at the gate?" they just didnt know what he was aksing. They were cute and I loved it. We took a photo of it as well so you will see.

Early morning

6:30am in Zambia Sunday - 10:30pm Saturday
I woke up hearing taliahs rattle she got yesterday, but then really woke up because no one was a awake to play with it. And because I am semi afraid and HATE mice and rats, I can’t sleep anymore, and it just urcks me they get into the room and eat taliahs toys. So I am awake earlier then usual.
There are a few things to write about, some great, funny, scarey, and Hard things happened this week. I will start with the great.
GREAT: Taliah started walking on July 11th! She still crawls too, but is taking more and more steps, her most steps taken at once has been 5 now! Right now her favorite place to walk is between seths bed our bed, about four steps.
FUNNY: We still haven’t started potty training Seth, because of so much change in his life, we wanted to start when our house is a home. So he comes to me with a poopy diaper and asked for me to change him, and we are now 100% cloth diapers, which sux sometimes... and we are OUT OF LINERS! SOME ONE PLEASE SEND SOME WITH MY GRANDMA! SO needless to say, the diaper was very yucky or “sick, discusting” as Seth would say. I had to use a clothe to clean him because we have also been out of baby wipes for three weeks. So I go to the bathroom to get the cloth wet, and sternley tell seth “DO NOT MOVE, OK SETH!” “o-tay mom” As I am turning on the tap and hoping poop doesn’t get all over the bed the water pressure triples and I was like hmmmm, what is this, suddenly the tap flies off and water is spraying everywhere! And alot of it! I knew vinj was kind of around the area of our room, so I yelled as loud as I could for him, then reminded seth DO NOT MOVE SETH! While trying to keep the water mostly going into the sink, I was soaked by the way. Vinj came in and grabbed a bucket to place over the tap, then got someone who knew where it was to turn off the water. and so I got Seths daiper changed finally, and the tap was fixed, but I am a little scared to turn it on now : )
Scarey: Yesterday, vinj and I and two guys from the calgary team were walking down the road to go try and ind our plumber, because we didnt have his number. while walking on the road I was thinking “as a pedestrian you are so exposed to the drivers, anyone coudl just vear off and kill you just like that. only seconds later a Rav4 came speeding down the road and turned to aim right at us walking, I was so scared I jumped into the ditch! The guys vered away just before hitting us. I was so scared! I was shacking for a while after. We found him on our way back and vinj gave him a tune out, he was obviously drunk or high.
Hard: Starting on the day Taliah walked she had a fever, but Seth just had a fever for three days last week and he got batter each day, so I wasnt very worried about it, I just gave her tylenol and watched her, but on her third morning she had a bad fever and was not eating, it was definatley getting worse. So we took her in that morning to a clinic and found out she has malaria. Now the clinic experience was terrible! You go to the front desk say you want to be seen, then you go to the cashier and pay the fee, hen you go sit and wait for the doctor, and then see the doctor, then you go sit and wait for the lab, then the lab will tell you they dont take blood from babys so go to room 3, then you will go to room three and be met by an arrogant rough nurse who makes your kids cry before she even touches them. It took her three tries to get blood from Seth and he just looked at me like why arent you doing anything about this mommy. Then it was Taliahs turn and on her third try into her arm and moving to needly around I told her to take it out and forget about taking her blood... I was pretty upset at her roughness and lack of care for the kids in there. so she sent us back to the lab to get just her thumb pocked for the malaria test. Seth wouldnt com down so I put him on my back and walked around until he settled down, but him arm was brused and cut a little by the needle! oh right I forgot, we had to go to the cashier two time in between all this and pay for the tests. Then you sit and wait, the doctor saw us and told us she had malaria, which I was shocked, I jut didnt think it was... and I tried not to freak out. So, then we go to the pharmacy they tell us what we need give us a bill then we had to go pay for it, then go back and get the meds. And then we could leave. And in order to get the parking spot we did we had to give the parking attendant 5000kw for a drink : ) Different way of paying for parking.
The next few days were hard to see her in pain, and were also exausting. She stopped having a fever on Friday morning, then she was really badley constipated and almost cried straight for 15 hours, we got a stool softener and finally friday night she pood! Sorry lots of information! Now she seems to be getting alot better.

a post by kath

I just came from going to the washroom, which although is the same thing you do everywhere- is very different from waltzing into a comfortable and relaxing room to “do your buisness” in. When I push open the door slowly into the guest bathroom I quickly look around for a rat first, and if that is clear, I look for the huge spider (about 2.5 inches from one end to the other) living somewhere in the bathroom, then the lizzard who also lives in the bathroom... once it’s clear I try and wee as fast as possible, as I squat over the toilet (because there is no toilet seat to be comfortable on, probably because there wasn’t the $15 needed for the seat at the time) I remember and am thankful for all the times I could sit with ease in warmth, with a toilet seat and no creatures in sight, because who wants to be watched while in that private place right! Now the bathroom is not dirty, these creatures just stay around here I guess.
Anyway, I have had a very grumpy day today, I guess I have been feeling sick too so that probably contributes, I think it is also because it’s cold and I cant find my hoody without ripping open all our bags again that I nicely put away last night, so I just opted to be cold then mess up the whole room again to find “that thing I cant find anywhere, but swear we packed!”. That happens about three times a day, goes something like this... “VINJ! WHERES THE TYLENOL!?” “I dont know.... look in the black bag”... “ITS NOT THERE!”... “try the grey bag then” , “ITS NOT THRE!”- and so it goes until we have looked in all 7 bags and come out with NO TYLENOL! But I know it’s there somewhere. So all those precious little things I cant find I surely hope they show up when we unpack into our house. Another thing making me grumpy was the holiday happening in Zambia on monday and Tuesday this week... we are in a crunch time to get out of the guest room and into our house, and TWO DAYS OF NO SHOPS OPEN is setting us back ALOT! It’s a city of 2 MILLION PLUS, but everyone STILL SHUTS DOWN! AYSH! Anyway, so... I am getting over that, because tomorrow we are off early in the morning to get some things we are needing for the house, and lets hope they are opening bright and early.
One more thing I will complain about - but no more on the list I promise after this, I was feeling sick like I said and after a fairly unproductive morning in town I came home wanting to crawl into a hole away from everything, so I laid on the bed, and low and behold everyone on the base gathered where we always do, on the stairs in front of the guest room door... and chatted and laughed, really where I could have been enjoying with them, but I wanted to just lay down and escape I guess... so I laid there grumpy and wishing I could escape into comfort. Eventually I fell asleep for a while which was nice. Now as I write this I am ALONE, I didn’t have a kid in my arms, mine or someone else! WOW! I am not sure what Seth is doing now, but he is finally not clinging to me, and I had a moment to come and write, and am listening to some of my favorite songs. The one that is on now is called “Small enough” By Nicole Nordeman, talking about God seeing me, the first line is “oh GREAT God be small enough to hear me now”, and dont we often think of God like this... in some ways I have been feeling like this, another line is “ tonight I do not need a firey pillar in the sky, I just want to know you’re going to hold me when I start to cry, oh Great God be small enough to hear me now”.
And I know He is, and that is the truth. I know He sees me, and I also know HE is more then enough of everything I need. And how amazing it is to live out the gospel here in Zambia, no big fancy story as of yet, but loving people is great isn’t it. I wish I could just instantly speak Nyanja, there are so many women I would LOVE to just sit and have tea with, but I know they don’t understand half of my nyanja because I am probably getting all the grammer wrong in my sentence, and then they only understand %40 of my english... so makes for alot of misunderstanding, or no understanding : ) haha. I am learning new things everyday though, but I cant wait to actually know what people are totally saying and be able to talk back.
I think I am some how looking into some of their eyes looking for my best friend... I so want a close friend like that here, makes being away from all my great friends so much easier. I haven’t found that kindred spirit yet, but I know I will. The funny thing was in Canada I started hanging out with Andrea from wetaskiwin I found such a kindred spirit in her and we left only 2 months later! SO SAD! But I know that can happened anywhere, so I will keep on the lookout for such a friend. I think supper is very soon, so I will need to go now, I think it should be good, most nights it is good... oh there goes the bell. Talk to you all another time.

Kath

The last Week

Last Saturday we packed up the kids and met Tobi and Chuma to go to baby Vinjs grave sight. It was so sad... not only his grave but hundreds of fresh abby graves spreading over the land. There wasnt much to say, there really is no hope in it, He died and the hope born with his life is gone, and sometimes that is just life. It was so sad thinking of all the dreams we had for him and the moments we couldn’t wait to share with him, are gone forever, which is so hard to except. The hardest part was when Seth put his little toy story book on the grave and I lost it thinking of all the things Seth and baby vinj were going to have share. After putting flowers and having some moments to think and cry we went to the bak of our car and had a picnic. It was a good day, and I was glad we shared it with Tobi.
Sunday we brought Tobi and chuma to arcades were tobi was meeting his new boss and would be off to Samfia a wapping 800 km from lusaka, very far from us. So we spent the morning together, then said goodbye, I was sad for Seth because he had bonded very quickly with uncle tobi and was yet again saying goodbye to an uncle (selfish I know).
Monday to Friday we were in class with the Students doing a school on the YWAm base facilitating the teaching on relationships. It was a good week in that sense. After class everyday we either went into the hardare shops to pick up supplies or were working on the house. I hope to post video and pictures of the development.
Saturday, which was yesterday we worked all day, and almost got one of the doors in, but will probably go in today, the metal door frame was a little bent... Andreas our friend from Switzerland and I started laying the red brick for the counter tops to sit on.
Today is Sunday, and we are actually at church right now, it’s been almost 2 hours and the service is still going, Seth was finding it hard to be still and quiet anymore so I am in the car with him until church is done, writing this! : )
Church here is so hard sometimes, today the pastor is preaching about God giving you what ever you ask for because he loves you, and it just doesnt go with the gospel I have experience and know. I know the Jesus that said LOVE you enemies, BLESS those who persecute you, When you gain your life you loose it, when you LOOSE your life you will find it. That our plans are not Gods plans, and our thoughts are not Gods thoughs... it just doesnt go with what he has been preahcing for 1.5 hours, the people are into it, it’a all a prosparity gospel, like christianity is 1 +1... you become a christian and you get anything you want.... nice car, pregnancy.... so what about people who dont get pregnant or don’t have a BMW! I honestly was glad for the break with Seth, I was tired of hearing Gods word twisted.
Vinj and I are still hoping to find a church home, but so far not really feeling it. Maybe we will plant a church... (anyone interested?)

We will probably be moving into the house by July 12 I would think, this is hoping!
So far it is just still settling on the base and getting the house done. Look on facebook for photos and videos, hoping to get them on there today!

I always try to remember the funny stories from the week, but I always end up forgetting! There is one the other day, vinj and I were at a big hardware store outfront, vinj went inside to buy our doors and try and get some cement, and there were three “loiterers” standing infront looking at me and the kids openly and saying quietly in Nyanja, “is it her husband, or her driver?” “no he’s her driver” ... and so one, I turned and looked at them and said “he’s my husband” also in nyanja and I told them to look at my kids! ... and they were like Oh.... pretty embarrassed, they asked if I speak Nyanja and I said yes (which isn’t really true... but they stopped talking about me and vinj)
This is unfortunately one of the things vinj was not looking forward to people not respecting him because they think he is my worker or something, but it is alot better this time with our obviously mixed kids.

Thats all for now.

Vinj will write here soon, he has been so busy working on the house though! You will hear from him at some point.

Play, eat, sleep, work, laundry... and again

Between 6am and 6:45am we wake up, get the kids dressed in warmer clothes because the morning is chilly, then release them to play for a while. at 7am breakfast is served usually consists of bread, peanut butter and tea and some times oats as well. I love the tea in the morning! The kids dont eat much of that breakfast so I usually get some of our yogurt out and have them eat some of that. After breakfast Seth PLAYS and PLAYS and PLAYS, right now he has his Mcqueen and king cars in the charcoal which was a fire last night. I just take his pants off because he gets VERY DIRTY by 11am he is ready for a bath, but he only gets that after supper. Taliah does her fair share of playing in the dirt, although for the last few days she has been having a nap at about 10am.
There are many young people around here doing outreach and a training school, all of them adore the kids, and they are started to like the young people as well.

Vinj and I are doing two majour things, as a base we are applying for a grant from the Japan embassy for the clinic to be built here. So I have been doing administrative things for this, and vinjelu is getting quotes for everything from three different places, this is not a small job AT ALL!
Also our house, there have been guys here since tuesday laying tiles on our floor, hoping they will finish up tomorrow. Wightson vinjelus best friend will also be finishing up the elctrical by Saturday. Vinjelu and I have been working on the plumbing, digging out a ditch for the pluming pipes to go from the bathroom and the kitchen, also filling in the walls for the septic tank, the DTS did a WHOLE lots of work before we came as well digging out the septic tank etc. After work like that I was in bed by 7pm last night! haha!

So the rest of the week looks like that for us. The kids seem to b good health wise yesterday and today, Taliah is cutting a tooth today though and is not too happy. She has now cut three teeth all together one bottom one and both top ones. I will get a picture if I can.

On top of the clinic and house we have an outreach team coming from Canada we are hosting, and need to get on top of that!

Vinj and I got to lead worship and share the word on Tuesday night at the base community meeting, and it went really well. Only I had to leave when vinj was sharing because both kids cant really make it past 8:30pm without melting down, getting up so early!

Am going to edit some pictures and hope to post some today on facebook.

Monday

Vinj and I are in town ordering things for the house. Tiles, and guess what! We got tiles for the price we didnt think would be possible, we prayed and asked God and we got them for about $22 per 2 square meters! WOOHOO! Also got a toilet, basic and sink also basic! : )

Vinjelu and I are going to be laying red brick for our counters, and just lay wood over top for the counter top. So we will be looking for some red Brick for this as well! Should be kinda fun, although I've never done anything like it.

We are doing ok, there are challenges Vinjelu is obviously better then me this is his home, and it's so different for me. Most of all I miss my mom and dad, I wish they could come here half the year and just be with us.... That is next on my list of prayers! So how am I mom...?
Well it depends dont he moment... sometimes I look around and am so overwhelmbed by it all... and others I am happy and excited. I miss my family and am sad every time Seth asks for his mama or papa or aunty and uncles. When the kids were throwing up I was so distressed, I hate that it has to happen, but we met another fmaily the wife is American and they have two kids coloured like ours, both around our kids ages, they said all four of them puked for 2 weeks in the beggining of being in Zambia, they have been here for 4 months now and said they are all very good now. So I look forward to that. And I also look forward to getting to know this couple. Once our house is livable I think things will settle and we will feel much better.

Mom come visit soon...

Settling

We been here in Lusak for three days now. We have been quite tired, but have managed to stay up everyday and go to bed at night, we only had one night the kids woke up at 3am laughing, and seth went to the door asking to go play outside, asking if we would "please open door!"

Friday we went into town to check out flooring and were met with kids throwing up in the car! So we tried to as quickly as possible to go back home but pick up some food in the mean time, but in a city of 2 million plus... it takes some time to get from one place to the other.

We mostly stayed at home on Saturday, it was a beautuful day, the kids played outside all day. Both seemed to be fine, no more throwing up.

It's so different here, I think a flight is to fast (even though it takes 2 days to get here) you fly and come into such a different place... seeing poverty all around, we saw a little boy wondering the streets with no arms, trying to manage holding an orange with the stumps... old women sitting all day on the side of the road chipping away at a huge rock to sell gravel in small bags. There are of corse thousands of these pictures we pass everyday, makes coming here hard, but also meaningful. Seth says hi to everyone we pass bye, he brings joy into their faces, I knew having kids would break the ice and bring a common ground.

Today we got to pick up tobi and drop him at the bus station, he will be going to work until tuesday. We came into town with a DTS student called claire, she is from Virgina, usa. We are here at the market and doing internet. We were going to go to church, but all of us woke up feeling sick and didnt quite know if we would make it through, but I think after eating we are feeling a bit better,

Go to face book for more pictures!

First Day in Zambia

After a long flight from London to Zambia including 4 straight hours of crying from your delightful daughter we made it.



We were met with very friendly immigration officers, all of got to go through the Zambian line, the kids were let in the country with no problem and no visa! I had to get a visa though, and only one month... so we have to try and sort out my immigration, but may need to get another visa for a month, since these next two weeks will be devoted to getting our house livable.
On our first day we went straight from the airport to buy car seats for the kids, our first Zambia experience very different from our consumer society in Canada there are only 2 or 3 to choose from quiet low quality but they cost $200! AHHHH! So we didnt buy one, Taliah has been sitting on my lap in the back in my seat belt. We did finally find one for Taliah later in the day, although it’s more Seths size, so we will be going out again today for a second look.
After looking for a car seat we came to the YWAM base, and what a beautiful site! Our house is there although plumbing and electrical is still not done, our septic tank has been dug out by the students here! so it’s all ready for plumbing. Vinjelu and I will be working on getting a floor in, today and tomorrow we are looking into the best and most cost effective option for this.
Seth got to play in the pile of dirt from our septic tank, and loved it. He also got to see chickens get caught, killed, and de-feathered! He was very fasinated and walked after the ladies asking questions. After it was all don he looked up at me and said “mom, chicken hurty?” haha, yes just a little bit.



He had fun though, at the same time Taliah was chilling with her aunty Chuma eating raw sugar Cane on the step. They both bonded with Tobi and Chuma quite fast! We didnt really get to see wightson and linda much yet, vinjelus best friend, but we will today I think.
There are lots of people on the base right now, so am trying to figure out who is visiting, who is a student, and all that.

It’s so alive here, people everywhere ! Lusaka is developing so much shocking! I am so glad we are living out i the country, so quiet and beautiful!

We are up today at 6am, Seth has a cough, it’s quite cold at night but hot in the day, he never does really well with that. We are also going to look for a heater today so we can regulate the room temperature for the kids.

Seth doesnt understand we are in a different country of course, he was asking for his papa to drive instead of daddy, and for his cousin sophia, and of corse wanted know why mama wasnt here with us. Makes for some sad moments. But he is very happy, he just keeps asking to play, and yells out out hello to everyone we drive by, we drive by alot of people slow with some of the roads being very rough. Everybody thinks the kids are wonderful, of corse : ) haha

Anyway, it’s back to bucket baths for now, thankfully we got some hot water this morning, so I am going to go and bath since it’s been 4 days since my last one!

Traveling

A photo of us with mom and dad before leaving for Zambia


Well it feels like it's already been forever since I slept, but I guess we haven't been in a bed since Tuesday 7:30am... really cant wait for it, and probably wont be in a bed until Thursday evening!

Anyway, we are having a good time, currently need some coffee!

Untill next time!

family

I knew leaving my family for a longer time would be hard... but the reality is just very painful.
Not much more I can say about it right now.
The nights meet me with many tears, and the days with impossible goodbyes.


I love you Daddy
I love you Mom
I love you Rob
I love you Lana
I love you Emma
I love you Elizabeth
I love you Sophia
I love you Titus
I love you Michael
I love you Victoira
I love you Kaden
I love you Ava
I love you Andrew
I love you Daniel

And I will hold onto the advice dad gave me tonight...
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus, and the things of this world grow strangely dim..."

Off to Zambia in 4 days

Back to blogging again!
This will be the place to find our funny, sad, and quirky stories while we're in Zambia!

This week has been a weird one, I know I am tired and a little stressed because I am sick every night and morning, which is apparently how my body responds these days to such things. Visiting lots of people in a short time, saying goodbye, and seeing family as much as possible. Last night I packed two of our bags, I am as so many travelers often are worried about how much overweight we may be paying at the airport! We are thinking of taking the bags that are packed to Grey Hound and weigh them there, and since my very own friends own it in wetaskiwin I don't think that will be hard! So we will see by tonight what our two packed bags weigh.......

I still need to finish packing Seth and Taliahs bags, but before I can finish I need to finish the laundry, which seems like a never ending job, (like most moms say I guess), I dont think theirs will be very heavy though.

Count down of four days untill we fly out...

Friday- Today
Early this morning vinjelu woke up to watch the first two games of the world cup at uncle Kens who lives down the road from my parents house. He was disappointed with the commentary guys, who I guess were obviously rooting for Mexico and not South Africa. The match was a draw at SA 1 MX 1. He may be going back for another game, but right now our kids are dissolving in tears, and I don not feel well today. So he may need to for go that one.
So on with the day, weighing the bags, and we were suppose to go see my dad today, but he may be too busy for this. so part of the day is up in the air. But we will finish packing two more bags, and almost be done for leaving, although there are a few things we need to buy, like converters to plug our computers into! So dont want to forget that!

Saturday
Our family is probably coming out for the day to say goodbyes, if we can I would like to make it to my friends baby dedication in wetaskiwin, we will see if thats possible! So it's a family day.

Sunday
Sunday is the day we will probably see my dad for a few hours... so the day is dedicated to this.

Monday
We need to go into Edmonton to pick up Seths new passport! It is coming in the day before we leave! AHHHHH! It better be there. They aid it would be barring Seth having any criminal record... so I am thinking he is going to pass that scrutiny, although I guess you never know since moms never really know what their boys are up to... thats what they say anyway... : ) joking.
We will be packing the vehicle for the airport, and buying last minutes things, like a new battery for our laptop... it only lasts 45 minutes or so and it's suppose to last 4 hours! So we need a new battery.

Tuesday
I am not sure what we're doing the morning, I dont really want to be waiting at home I think though.... we will probably have a nice breakfast hopefully stress free in the morning, and take off for calgary, have a stop in Red Deer (my favorite city besides Camrose) and onto the airport. Our flight leaves at 9:30pm, we want to be there 4 and a half hours early for getting our bags on and our computers on, and want to time to be able to move things around if needed. and since we have to leave 3 hours earlier then that to get to calgary we will be gone around Lunch time!

We leave at 9:30pm from calgary to London, and arrive 8 hours later, at about 1:00pm London time, we have a 6 hour lay over in London, which should be fun actually! I like airports and so does vinj, so it should be fun.

Wednesday
We fly out of London at 7:00pm directly to Lusaka, Zambia.

Thursday
After a 10 hour flight from London we arrive in Zambia at 6:10am! A nice early start to the day, hoping for the kids to sleep through that flight and come ready for the day in Lusaka!
We are not sure who is picking us up, since it is a work day and quite early pick up time, but I am sure it will be someone we love and can't wait to see.

So thats it for now...
May blog again before we leave.

Please pray for good travels, safe travels, health for all of us, transition for our family and extended family, and for our luggae to make it safe with NO COMPLICATIONS!

Thanx all, love to you
muyabas

Lately ...

One very exciting development in my life is my new camera and lenses!
I got a Canon 50D, and a 24-70 F/2.8 Sigma lens. And a portrait Canon 50mm F/1.8, I LOVE both of them. I bought these for the EPOH Photography business I am starting up in Zambia.
Here are some photos from the new camera!










I was staying with old friends in BC last week in the beautiful mountains, although I didn't notice he mountains much because there were TOO MANY adorable little babies and kids to adore the whole time! One of the days we went to go see my friends parens new house and buisness, there were five moms all friends there and we had 13 kids under 5 there! Haha, right in the middle of a house under construction! It was awesome : ) I had an amazing time, we just sat a talked and talked and talked, it has always been natural with these friends, you dont run out of things to say, and I don't think I ever will.

Fridays Favorite Five

NuMba One: Music
I love how there is a song for almost every moment, there are times silence is the most beautiful sound of corse. But I love Music, vinjelu put some Hip-hop and ragge albums on our computer last week (from DJing at a local radio station that plays way up in northern Canada) I LOVE this guy called "PAPA SAN", he's from Jamaica!
Anyway, awesome music to get you going while cleaning, waking up, or just a good fun evening.



Also love those relaxing albums like Nora Jones, just soothes the moments, makes cooking supper seem romantic with her music in the back ground.

NuMba Two: Friends
This week we have had someone over every night, just stopping by, we LOVE it! How precious it is to love and be loved! Our kids always love the company and other "aunties and uncles" to play and cuddle with. The company is amazing, and the times will always be remembered.



NuMba ThrEE: My Kids.... this might always be one my list
Seth is 2 years and almost 2 months old. Taliah is 7 months old. They are my daily joy. Seth is gaining so much more independence in everything, he is saying more then 4 new words a day, I can't even keep up with all his new words! Taliah is the most curious baby I've ever known, once she starts crawling I am going to be on majour baby watch, as shes putting absolutely everything in her mouth, and wants to touch everything. Seth was not like this. They both have loads of character, and everyday is a new adventure with them, even if all I get done is a few e-mails written, and laundry done!





NuMba Four: Rice
I am thankful for rice, because it is one of the only things my son will eat everyday. And it takes away some stress I have for my sons eating habits!



NumBa Five: I always feel like number five should be this amazing thing, you know the last one, go out with a bang....
I am exremely thankful for my marriage!
Vinjelu and I have been going back in our memories to our young love back before we even dated and remembered all those sparks flying, it has been so beautiful and precious to go back in our memories and share those moments again, mostly late at night once our kids are fast asleep..
I love this, and brings back those beautiful feelings from the beginning. I am making a little book writing down these memories, because details do seem to fade.

The daily grind

Recently I've been forgetting appointments, e-mails, things I am suppose to do, and it is so frustrating! I don't know where my mind is. I have been feeling sick since October 2009, mostly every day, and recently all day, nausia, shaking, and dizzy. I can be sitting on the couch and feel like I am in the air sideways... very strange feeling, which I think is affecting my daily grind kind of things! So weird, anyway, no news on what it is yet, I have more testing to be done.



I have been writing music, which I haven't done in along time by my self, it's refreshing. I think the song coming out could be a love song for vinjelu, which would be nice, love songs are so hard to write I think because you want them to be so perfect...

Anyway, also been struggling with some people not knowing who I really am, being judged and put into a box, it's surprising how much that can hurt. But it's also make me appreciate my friends and family that do know me and vinj and love us through it all. Thank you to YOU for that!

If you think about us please pray for us.



On a bright side I am going to BC to visit my great friends Nici, Shelby, and Marrissa, and meeting other great people for 5 days. Shelby has 3 boys and Nici has 2 boys, so Seth will have a blast while we are there. I haven't seen them since my wedding basically besides a short meeting in red deer before seth was born. We got to go for free actually with a west jet credit we got back in July last year! I am a bit nervous to fly with both kids alone... but I know will survive, with sanity is in question.
Vinjelu will be alone obviously for these days : ) That hasn't happened in a long time, but I think he is looking forward to it in some ways, he gets to do music for hours in a row, which is really the way it needs to be done! If you think of him, drop off some supper : ) haha.

Just a quick post, will be back another day,

Lately ...

We cut Seths afro off, we loved it, but alot of people would come and touch his hair and he did not like that, and my brothers dog would come and bite his hair, even the dogs couldnt resist touch those locks! He would also cry the entire time I combed it out... So we cut it all off, and probably will keep doing that until he's a bit older to understand.



Heres our little girl, almost 7 months old now, sitting up, and trying to crawl, but not quite getting it. She says dada, and mama, and tata and baba : ) The second picture is of her asleep in her excersaucer, shes the sweetest thing!



Here is Elizabeth holding Taliah, they have a special bond, as did Seth and Liz too. Taliah always falls asleep on elizabeths little lap. We were spending the night with my nieces and nephew while Rob and Lana went to Red Deer for their anniversary. We had lots of fun!



Taliah has discovered music in her soul! She responds as soon as you pay the guitar in particular, she LOVES the sound, and as soon as you bring it close to her, she pats the guitar, and strums the strings. Although Seth really liked the guitar too, you can see she really has a love for the sound. Seth is more into drums.


I finally convinced Vinjelu to shave all his facial hair off, after 5 years of asking! haha! And he looks so different, but still my hansom man! I personally love it. More photos to come, we took these last night at 1:30am ! I guess I could convince him so late, we have decided to do more random fun things, just because it's fun!



We got Seth a Lighting McQueen Thermos Sippy cup (it keeps the milk cold for up to 12 hours!) on valentines day, and HE LOVES IT! This has been a success, getting seth off the bottle during the day, he still gets one before bed, but yet another mile stone passed, and our boy growing up...




I recently got a new journal, I hadn't quite finished my last one, but I felt this year has SO many changes, that I just wanted a brand new one to start afresh. I love journaling, and since I stopped studying I have had time to jot some thoughts and prayers down early in the morning before the kids are up, and I cherish those moments with jesus and the pages in front of me.


Here is a BIG, Beautiful mug vinjelu bought me a couple weeks ago... I know it's lame to like a particular mug, because lets face it, what you drink it what you drink no matter what you drink it out of right... but notheless I love it. Especially since it was from my sweetie.

Fridays Favorite Five

My mom does this on her blog every week, and I think it's a great way to remember what you LOVE about life.

Top five favorite things this week...

NuMba OnE! My Husband

Vinjelu. There are so many things that come to mind when I write his name, he is an amazing catch, and I am not the only one who thinks so : ) Some girls missed out, of which I am THANKFUL! haha!
Vinj is serious, quiet, loud, funny, SLOW, thoughtful, wise, HUMBLE, gentle, direct... there are alot of things he has like gentleness but at the same time he is direct, which makes it so much more easier to hear the truth from him.
Vinj is amazingly talented, last week we preached at church again, and challenged our friends to run after God with all their hearts, he is always writing music/lyrics, he is also becoming an amazing singer, he has this sweet tone to his voice that I LOVE! I see him everyday loving on his kids.
And you know what I love most about vinjelu, it's the same thing that drives me crazy sometimes... He is not here to impress anyone, to be this super productive successful man, yesterday I was in a rush and questioning how productive the day had been (as always... Lord help me with that!) and I was trying to rush vinj, and he said "why do you always have to compare us to others, we are not about that stuff.?" And that brought me back to earth, or should I say the kingdom of God. I am glad he has this treasure in him, he often pulls me out of the worlds eye and into the kingdom of God, where things of the world just don't make sense, and where we don't make sense in the world... Anyway, i love that.

NuMba TwO Inspirtation

This Family has devoted their lives to Jesus totally, and to mozambique. I have been listening to testimonies from them over the last few days, and it's just incredible, as you may have read in my last post. Recently Rolland was dying he doctors told them to bring their kids back home to say goodbye to him, I know the seriousness of his condition is true because my friend sherilyn just got back from mozambique and saw him like this. You can find on you Tube a video of his testimony, where ROLLAND is sharing how he was HEALED totally...
go here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NbSb9EmsIo
Just so inspiring.

NuMba ThReE How Life is so crazy funny

So as vinj and I have really given God total control, and have chosen to TRUST HE IS OUR PROVIDER. We have two people who support our missions, one gives $50 a month, the other gives $250 a month. We got a call a few days later from the $250 and said he wouldnt be able to support us anymore. And vinj and I just laughed, vinj said he expected it, kind of like Jesus is going to be wiping the slate clean, then writing a whole new story... at the same time we found out to finsh our house we need $7000 more then what we have any means of saving. SO, life is crazy and throws curve balls all the time, BUT God is good, and life is an adventure with him... so, come what may!
: )

NuMba FoUr my Bed
I love our bed, most nights I fall into bed thinking, there is no place like this... I guess anyones place of rest is wonderful, I also know most of the people in world don't have beds, and I count it a huge blessing while I have one, and am thankful for every night spent in it. I was thinking last night I should really phone Markus and Lenora and tell them thank you again for that wonderful mattress. And thank you to mom and dad for the memory foam. We've had it for 4 years... but I still love it all the same.

NuMbA FiVe Quiet moments
I love those moments at night when everything is winding down, and it's just vinj and and I laying on the couch talking about the day, or probably how cute Seth is. haha. Life is so good laying in your mans arms just chillin, and in those moments there is real rest. And with a mind like mine that is a HUGE accomplishment. Vinj helps me slow down, and I need it.

Also would like to say I love my parents more and more, they are amazing parents, but even more amazing friends...

Living Crazy Lives = following Jesus....

Yesterday I looked up some youtube videos of Heidi Baker, I guess I was looking for some encouragement and challenge, while I had a quiet moment with Seth napping.
It's so easy to be cynical about these ministries and brush them off because the people doing them are so crazy. I mean crazy! I have never seen a ministry that doesn't say no to orphans coming into their home because they BELIEVE that GOD IS MORE THEN ENOUGH for all of them. And guess what... HE IS! Instead of paying for medical bills, you pray and see total healing, instead of people going hungry and everyone eating a little, God MULTIPLIES the food, and feeds everyone till they're full.
When they go to minister to a village of muslims, they don't preach the gospel first, THEY LIVE IT. They ask for the sick to come up and be healed, and when they are, the people believe and hear the good news with open hearts... now that's a new strategy for church!
My husband's heart was drawn to Jesus after he saw a miracle... because you SEE God move, you KNOW He is for real.
In South Africa Vinjelu and I prayed for alot of people. We saw a man healed of AIDS and a boy healed of an absessed tooth. We prayed for a boy who was being sexually abused and physically abused by an uncle, and the abuse stopped just like that. We prayed for a guy who was unemployed and very poor, and he got a job.
All these people couldn't deny that GOD IS REAL.

So why do we beat people with words, and music here... is there so little relationship and faith for miracles? God is hungry for our faith, and our prayers.

The way they do ministry at Iris ministries with Heidi and Rolland Baker is BY FAITH, and it works. It's a crazy life for sure. But if you read the scriptures, isn't that what it is? Just read Matthew chapters 5 to 7... so many challenges, and life styles that are SO contrary to our culture, that we don't often talk about.

Vinj and I want to live like this, when we say God is our provider it doesn't mean that when we have no money coming in and we scramble desperately for any means. We are children God. Maybe if we don't have enough food He will just give us more. (Sorry to our family who will worry about us, and feel free to call us crazy) But there is SO MUCH MORE to life, and loving Jesus. And we want it, and we want it for our kids as well.

I can't express this to the max, but I say this.... when we do seem to be doing something crazy, please support and continue to love us - either in spite of it, or in support of it.

For example, with or without our house finished we are going to Zambia, God has soken this very clearly to us. With or without beds, a car, or money, we are going to Zambia. And we believe we WILL see God change lives, and have an AMAZING adventure with Jesus and our kids!

Also if you need prayer, or healing, give us a call and we would love to come over and pray for you. When we ask, God moves, the Bible says it like this... Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened.

I'm not 20 any more... right?

One of my most favorite things about life right now is having my AMAZING friend Margot around.
She is from Cape Town, South Africa and we have been waiting for her to come for nine months, she finally got the work permit through. It' SO FUN to have her around every week!
We are the same age, she is actually older then me by a few months. Anyway, Margot is single, and VERYU FUN, full of life. which everyone loves including me!

Being around her has made me think and evaluate my self more, I think because we had so many good times in South Africa back in 2004, when I was single with no children, and the wold world ahead of me... you know the feeling right?

This is a photo of me and vinjelus brother in spring of 2005 having the time of my life!
Anyway, so I have been evaluating things because here Margot and I are the same age, but it seems like she is still 19 and I am... well I'm not. Margot stays out late, wears funky shoes : ) haha Works the crowd... which I used to do. It took a few weeks for margot to realize things weren't the same... now with a toddler who desperately needs consistency, and a baby girl who is nursing ALOT I can't really be care free anymore... and I haven't really noticed it until she came, and I kinda wanted to be.



Here is a photo of Vinjelu and I the night we got engaged, I was 19, he was 24. An amazing night, he asked me to marry him at dinner, after we went out walking, stopped and kissed as traffic wizzed by on the dark road in windhoek, Namibia. We were so happy and care free, it was an amazing night.
So... I guess I went through a moment of wanting that again... BUT and this is a BIG BUT!

I LOVE MY LIFE
I LOVE MY HUSBAND
I LOVE MY SON
I LOVE MY DAUGHTER
I LOVE WHAT WE DO
I WOULDN"T CHANGE A THING!
I love being a mom, YES it means I cant just go waltzing off to the movie everyone elese is going to see, or to the pub for a random fun night, but I LOVE putting my kids to bed, giving the bath, reading the stories, singing songs while they fall asleep. Those moments are amazing. And how Incredible is it that they are mine... I get to watch them grow up.
And I have a husband who is incredibly loving, and we keep it fresh! Not just in bed, but yes in bed if you must know. We right music together, thats so much more deep then the flirting we used to do when we were single, right?!
We have children together, we cook together, we discuss all kinds of things, I love having him here, he's my best friend ever.



I guess I say all that to say, being single and wild was fun and I am happy Margot is still in that phaze, but I LOVE my life, and vinj and I keep it real, fun, and exciting even with the responsibility of our children (and we still want more! haha) , bills, etc.
I am excited to live each day out.
Although there will be a few wild nights once our kids are old enough to sleep over at grandma and grandpas house together!
Haha, life is good.
Isn't it!

Seth The little Cook

Seth LOVES cooking, probably like alot of kids I am thinking, but my kids are special RIGHT! haha
He comes at supper every time saying, "mommy cook!, PLEASE"



This day I gave in and let him pretend to cook with a pan, spice and potatoes....



What do you do when your kid wants to cook around a hot stove? Do you just say no and let him cry while you cook? Any suggestions?