Long Day's Journey into Night

Half the groups waits to load luggage into their trailer
at the Lusaka Airport.

This is the story of how we lost a day traveling East into the Night.  We left Phoenix at 6 a.m. Monday morning and arrived at our final destination in Livingstone, Zambia at 4:30 a.m. on Thursday morning. Somewhere along the way, we lost a day.  Almost literally.  The kids have been awesome,  traveling with virtually no complaint, despite the challenges.  We have lost no one and nothing so far--except for that elusive day.  And a lot of time on the road when we could have been sleeping.

Johann writes in his journal while Mr. Bujor
contemplates the day.

On the other hand, this is the story of instant bonding and friendship.  Thanks to the unexpectedly long trek from Lusaka to Livingstone (12 hours instead of the promised 6), we have also found time to share with each other and witness a few answers to prayers.  We have come to rely on our bus drivers--Austin and Sam--who are warm and friendly to us and firm and forthright with others.  All of these things were a good thing.

Happy faces at the beginning of our journey
from Lusaka to Livingstone.  Little did they know . . .

Two buses met us at the Lusaka airport and took us away to a public restroom nearby (after a couple of hours going through customs in a crowded, hot, humid airport).  Once relieved, we took off towards a destination we thought was about 6 hours away.  Turns out that the two buses could not travel as fleetly as the car carrying Chaplain Rob and the Warrens three days earlier.  Turns out that the trailer carrying the luggage for one bus didn't appreciate its left tire and twice shredded.  Turns out that 43 teenagers and adults cannot travel 12 hours without using the restroom, not once, but twice.  Turns out that God provides both tires and bathrooms when they were needed most.

The first shredded tire!  The second one looked
just as bad. . . 

On this long journey into the night and the bush, we saw giraffes and zebras, a beautiful sunset, shooting stars and an incredible lightening show that had all the looks of a fireworks show without the sound (we could not hear the thunder from inside our busses) or the colors.  We saw kindness and thoughtfulness in our team as the Munceys dispensed medicine and kids traded seats with each other when leg room was needed to stretch severely cramped long (and even short) legs.

The early risers on Thursday morning . . .

Chaplain Rob was waiting for us when we arrived at 4:30 a.m. and dispatched us off to our various rooms with a quickness that was welcomed.  The air-conditioned rooms and cool water were equally welcomed.  Unfortunately for quite a number, sleep did not come easily.  Some members of the group had yet to get more than an hour or two of sleep at a time and found that they could not now sleep, despite the distance between beds (nearly 10 thousand miles).  For some, they were just too tired to sleep.  Others said they could not sleep when it was supposed to be daytime (even though it was a few hours before dawn).

When I got up around 7:45, I found Johann, Mario, JT, Jaden, Haley, and Abby out exploring.  The boys had already tried making friends with the two zebras (not tame) who live on the Kaazmein compound and discovered that they don't like too much TAA TLC.  Still, you can get pretty close.  They also made friends with a cameleon who didn't mind  the closeness as much.

JT and the cameleon

Breakfast was served at 11 a.m.  Pastor Jay and DeeDee had scrambled eggs, toast, cereal and fruit for the hungry souls.  Once fed, two groups went out for the afternoon--a medical group and the construction group.  Chaplain Rob, Miss Christi (our cook), and I went to town to get food for tonight and tomorrow's breakfast.  This will become a daily occurrence for Christi as there is not a lot of space to store food.  We are sharing the main lodge/eating area today with a group of high school teachers who are here for a conference.  Normally, we wouldn't be here during the day, so most likely won't mix with too many of the other guests here.  We'll be up and out of here between 7 and 8 each day and then won't be back until about 4 for a quick shower and snack before going off to the evangelistic and VBS meetings.  Supper will be around 6:30 when those two meetings are done.  Yet more long days journeying into nights!

Breakfast Thursday morning

 You should know that all is well.  God has taken good care of us.  Those who were sick are much better, almost 100%.  Jacob has regained his appetite and Haley has found her voice again.  And tonight, we will catch up on our sleep.  More stories and pictures will come tomorrow.  Keep praying for us!

Dr. Muncy is ready for a day in the field.