Zambia

We have just returned from an assignment in Lusaka Zambia.  It was 33 degrees which is a bit over 91 Fahrenheit. Hhhhh...too warm for me, but the Jacaranda Trees were in full bloom filling the sky and littering the ground with beautiful lavender colored blossoms!

Saturday we had a little time before our meeting so we hired a driver to take us to the 

Kabwata Cultural Village.  

Our driver, Francis Mulamata.  Doesn't he have a great smile!

Saturday President Erickson (mission president) picked us up and took us to the church.  We enjoyed a great meeting with all the leadership of the 7 branches.  President Erickson taught them about holding effective council meetings and then let them break off and hold their own branch council. They also talked about becoming a stake, which they are very excited to do.  They almost have enough membership but not enough active, so they are focusing on activation on the "centers of strength."  After the meeting, Chris & I held a training meeting for the District & Branch clerks which included some newly called members.

Me, Br. LuBula Chikopa, Elder King, President Erickson

On our way home we saw a lady carrying a large bowl on her head full of bananas all arranged so pretty as to curve over the edge of the bowl.  She reminded me of the Chiquita banana lady.  

I did a double take as I saw a lady carrying on her head a big bowl full of live chickens!

I do wish I could have gotten a picture!

Sunday after church in the Libala Branch, we did two training sessions, one for a new branch clerk and one for two stake auditors.  While we waited for the 2nd meeting we were entertained by some adorable children.  The little girl asked us if we spoke Nyanja, to which I said no and then she said "That's because you're white people."  Ha ha!  It really is amazing in Africa, how many languages people grow up with.  Most people speak at least 4 languages, and apparently, we white people are known, even by 6 years olds, to be rather slim in our language assortment. 

Chris has fun stories loaded onto his ipad for our grandchildren.  He pulled it out and let the kids listen to lovable furry old Grover reading "The Monster at the End of this Book".  They loved it and wanted to hear it again and again. :)

We ended the day with a lovely dinner with President & Sister Erickson in the mission home.  She served a lovely meal of pasta, salad, garlic bread and peach cobbler for dessert.