Adults Only

Full Moon over Kaazmein Lodge last night

[I am posting this morning without too many pictures because there is no time.  I will add to this when we return from our safari (!!!)]

There are other adults who have been part of the team as well.  Ralph Robertson, pastor of the Peoria/Sun City Church, has led our construction team.  Mrs. Larissa Pearson, alongside her daughters, has led the high-energy VBS program in the evening and helped at the medical or construction sites during the day.  Mr. Ward Pearson has done construction by day and VBS by night.  

Dr. Morada did the health nugget each evening at the evangelistic meetings and served at the medical sites during the day.  His wife, Emily, was a cheerful hostess at the medical sites.  Dr. Irene Daluyen and Mr. Renato Daluyen have served on the medical team as doctor and nurse, respectively.  

Dr. Gary Muncy has worked the medical sites tirelessly.  Pastor Jay Warren was the safety officer at the construction site (where he also worked) and he coordinated the spiritual nurturing for each day.  Mrs. DeeDee Warren organized the medical supplies, worked the medical sites, helped with the cooking and shopping, and was a cheerful energizer bunny when it came to helping others.  Mr. Peter Bujor (father to Jessica) worked the construction site and was an inspiriting conversationalist for listeners of all ages.

Mr. and Mrs. Maloon kept track of everyone, making sure we didn't leave anyone behind.  Mr. Maloon worked both the medical and constructions sites as well.  He was also responsible for raising much of the money for the trip.  Mrs. Apryl Maloon spent most of her day time hours with the medical staff.  In the evening she coordinated the music/worship team for evangelism. All the women did a turn or two in the kitchen as Christi's adult helpers.  

Mrs. Arlene Morada joined her brother and sister at the medical sites every day, serving as the lab technician.  Mr. Oliver Morada laid bricks by day and coordinated the evangelism meetings by night.  He also preached.

I could write pages and pages about the amazing Mrs. Sheryl Muncy.  She has been Chaplain Rob's right hand woman for months, serving as the major force behind all the communication with parents and students; organizing the transportation, medications and vaccinations, and so much more.  It is impossible to recount all she has done.  I imagine she will find her post-Zambia days quite boring and empty!!! (probably not)

Then there's Chaplain Rob Parrish.  Again the wordsmith can't find the words.  Hour upon hour, phone call upon phone call, meeting after meeting, time after time.  It's taken all that and more out of an already busy chaplain/recruiter to make this trip happen.  He has worked tirelessly to bring everything together. The trip has had its moments of frustration, but those were all circumstances beyond any of our control. Things have gone very well.  The team members have had a great experience, and have made a difference in the lives of everyone they have met and worked with.

There have been many partners at home who have helped get this trip off the ground, literally.  The TAA staff has been wonderfully supportive, working with the students so they could leave a few days early and come bak a day late from spring break.  Several also covered classes for the teaching staff on the trip.  We are so grateful for their cheerful partnership.  Parents, family, and church members have contributed money and supplies and prayers.  Mrs. Anjali Tierney raised thousands of dollars for the project from TAA's Development office.  

Yours truly has spent much of her time at the computer writing and uploading pictures to the blog.  I usually start at about 7:30 after the last bus has gone off for the day and finish around 4 when they come back for supper.  The hotel workers have gotten used to me working in their space and have been cheerfully friendly and a little curious at what I am doing.  One offered to help me.  She said "I always see you at work.  You look like you could use some help."  I showed her the blog and she was quite excited to see what I was doing and what the group was doing.  She is the same one who imagined with me what fun 

God must have had when he created the zebras :)

My routine will change after today because of the excursions and then travel.  I will blog in the evening (our time) for the next three days instead of in the morning.  I may not have time to blog after Saturday evening because of travel out of Africa.  Quite possibly it won't be until Monday evening before I can blog after we leave the Lodge early Sunday morning.  I will do my best to keep you posted as much as possible.

All in all, it has been a huge undertaking, one that would not have been possible without the contributions of every single one of you reading this blog.  Most importantly, God has been the overall tour managers.  He took care of us in numerous ways that we know of and many more that we may never know until we have a face-to-face conversation with Him in heaven.  Lives have been changed.  Zambian and American.  Please continue to pray as we wrap up this trip and prepare to come bak home.  Re-entry will be difficult.  This has, for many, been a better life because they have had nothing else to do but witness for Jesus, with very few distractions.  That will not be the case when they return home.  That's when the harder prayers need to begin.  That's when they will need your support more than ever.