Jeremy holding Morgan Cook at the church building

 

Jeremy with Ben Smith and Matthew Roberson at the church. Notice the big, bright eyes; his trademark.

 

Yes, he loved volleyball, with his mom and Becky Elliott looking on.

 

Jeremy assembling the fans on the platform in the Auditorium.

 

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Jeremy's fifteenth Birthday picture.

 

Loralee Shepherd played her arrangement of "Near the Cross"

 

The Hoovers and Garrisis singing together for the conference.

 

 

The nurse greeted us with "Goals for the Day."

 

 

Pete and Mae Tolemy

 

Andy and Theresa Hanson

 

Ed and Barb (Sue's mom and dad who are living with them right now)

 

Lee and Norma (wasn't it great to have them at the Couple's Banquet?)

 

And don't forget Dora! She's an inspiration to us all to keep on keeping on.

 

 

 

Hello folks,

Yes, Bethany and I are back in Mesick. We had a good night's sleep and are ready to go for the day. Isn't a hot shower just great?!?! All the little things we take so for granted do tend to jump out at you here in the States. Like going to the Fridge and getting a glass of cold milk and drinking it, and not looking for mosquitoes in your room before you get in bed, and my nice bed that conforms to my own body! WOW!

I have heard from Jennifer this morning, and Pastor Frazer is amazed that he can read out of his eye that had the implant on Tuesday. He can hardly wait to get the other eye done next Monday now. He can actually "see" the difference. He was told that he might have to have some reading glasses, but there was a chance he would not also. Well, this first eye is good enough to read now. That's an answer to prayer. It woud be such a blessing to just forego glasses altogether. He wore a patch over the eye for a day and went back for the doctor to check it out. He said it never hurt him at all. So, reason number 2 for my going is now half a success with the one eye. I'll keep you posted on the other when I hear.

Bethany and I had a good trip back. It seemed pretty fast, all things considered. I took two Tylenal P.M. on the flight from Johannesburg, South Africa to London, and slept about 8 of the ten hour flight. I guess it all hit me at once and I was "out." Then the flight from London to Detroit was basically empty with maybe 80 passengers on a 285 passenger plane, so I took advantage and lay down in the middle row of four seats all by myself and slept about 5 of the 8 hours to Detroit. Maybe that will help me with any jet-lag I may experience. I did have enough energy to drive home after getting to Detroit. That was a blessing.

 

 

We had a great day today. This morning we went to say goodbye to the District Commissioner. Then we unloaded door frames and cement and loaded the rest of the blocks to go to the plot.

Then we went to Kitwe to the Hotel Edinburgh to eat lunch. That is a nice place to eat, and it overlooks Kitwe. Also CNN was on and it was all about Paul Harvey. That was neat to be able to see. We had the buffet, and Clara and Caleb enjoyed one of their nice steaks. We wanted to celebrate Jennifer's Birthday (which will be March 19) with a great meal. Then we went to some shops and got her a Birthday gift. We all had a great time. Caleb got a "Cooker Switch" to fix the power to the stove which went out yesterday. This one should last for a long time. Caleb is a pretty good "handyman."

When we got back to Kalulushi, we went to the plot for the last time while here. It was very dry, so we walked on it and got some shots. Oh, I did find the one slick spot, and my feet went out from under me and I fell down hard. I can attest to the concrete being very solid now. It was pretty funny because I was videoing at the time, and got my own fall on video. That's how fast it happened. We laughed when we saw the video. I didn't even know it was still going. I referred to myself as "Humpty-Dumpty," but I don't think Clara could relate to that analogy.

Hey everybody in Michigan, please crank the temperature up before we get home!!! Please!!! We are used to 82 degree days now. Think you can come close to that? Even fifty degrees would be tolerable. So, crank up those heaters and open all your doors and windows and get it hot for us!

Thanks,

-Dr. Ben

 

 

Unloading door frames and more cement bags.

 

Loading the last of the blocks that were in Jennifer's front yard. It looks bare now.

 

About one third of the Bible Institute Students I taught on Sunday Afternoons the past three weeks. Our study was in Ephesians.

It is shortly coming to a close. Not only our trip, but also the use of the blog. I'll probably keep the blog for church purposes, just to keep people informed about what is going on, but Zambia things will come very sporadically in the future.

Well, we said our goodbyes to the people in the church today. They were most saddened by our leaving, but appreciative of our coming. Jennifer was not supposed to be teaching Sunday School class while we were here, but there were about fifteen of the children already at the church when we got there, so she decided to sing some with them, give them a Bible quiz, and a short lesson. I got some pictures which I will share below. I also got one of her holding one of the Zambian babies during the singing service. I preached on "Are you a Genuine Christian or a Fake?" They actually applauded at the end of my message. I didn't know what to do, so I gave the invitation anyway. I was wondering what I would think if the people at home applauded when I got through preaching. I would probably think they were happy I finally finished. We have a few days left, and I'm typing this just before I go and teach my last Bible Institute class. I am taking them through Ephesians this year. Three classes was really good to get into the word for them. The Police Officer I have gotten to know was in the service this morning for the first time. He has been a regular at the Bible Institute on Sunday Afternoons though.

 

Jennifer Greeting the children in her class

 

Daniel came up to sing a song for the class.

 

Teaching them a lesson on God looking on them from above.