Muumbe cooked us breakfast this morning and we left for the airport at 6:00 am. We departed at 9:50 and arrived on time in London at 5:15 local time. Boarded the subway to go to our hotel for the evening.
We went to Dino's for pizza, then went back to the hotel. We discussed our impressions of the overall trip. We each agreed that the entire trip was amazing, but the orphans touched us the most.
This morning we stopped by the former World Hope Headquarters in Choma. A new organization funded by US donors is teaching people how to farm, grow gardens, raise chickens and pigs, and sew. Alfred had helped to create this new organization.
We went to Kanyama church to drop off gift packets and soccer balls at Alfred's Church. Alfred had arranged for 28 of the numerous orphans to meet us. The vision is to have someone sponsor each of these orphans. Currently there are only 4 being sponsored. The cost is only $333 per year.
We then drove to Luska to attend a program at a school just down the road from Alfred's home. The school has 1600 students with only 9 classrooms! The program was in recognition of the books which have been sent on the containers. There were approximately 700 kids at the program. The program was opened with prayer (public school) The choir sang the national anthem and several hymns. They were amazing! Several of the officials from the four schools that received the books thanked us and showed us where the books were stored.
We then came back to look at the banana trees. Some of the trees have their second growth and the bananas are much larger.
We then went to John and Tracy's for a wonderful meal.
We then returned to Alfred's to pack and discuss the trip.
Today we went to Livingstone for game viewing and to see the falls. It was a great day for both. We saw gazelle, wildebeest, hartebeest, wart hogs, hippo, giraffe, and rhino at the game park.
We then went to look at some land which Alfred is homesteading. We walked about 2 miles thru the bush to find the corner posts.
We arrived back in Choma around 10:40, ate dinner and retired for the evening.
We stopped to see Richman and Regina before leaving Choma this morning. Regina has started a preschool, and Richman is working with Micah Kephart at Reach For Life.
We then drove to Livingstone to pickup Dennis at the airport. Micah was flying out of Livingstone so we were able to see him as well.
We stopped by John's home to see how he is progressing on his new house. Everyone was very impressed with the progress and the quality of construction.
We then went to Overland Missions to see the work they are doing in Zambia. They have a very nice operation.
After church, we attended the dedication and handover ceremony of the Sichibeya 6th & 7th grade classrooms. There were over 500 people attending including ILISA Board Member - Genesis, Government officials, the school manager, the district commissioner, and the village - Chief Chikanta.
The school itself looked great! And the ceremony went very well.
Went to Alfred & Muumbe's to see everyone and repack. Left for Choma at 12:00 noon with a stop in Simweendengwe to see the well Compass Church sponsored. We went to church for some worship and to hand out some gift packets and soccer balls. Also saw the heifers sponsored by Compass Church.
Arrived in Choma at 7:00 pm. Marian had prepared a delicious meal. Brian gave her the goodies which Mom had sent over. She was thrilled!
Brian, Cory and Brian caught up on our travel journals and talked about ideas and opportunities here in Zambia. Very productive trip already.
