We have been at a loss for Internet service and Coke Light, again. I’m sitting in a coffee shop right now- updating this blog. I couldn’t wait any longer…
Bradley made the swim team, yeah!! I’ve never seen that boy move so fast in my life. He was swimming the breaststroke, which Erik taught him in our pool the day before. I said after he finished, “You just had to show them you could do it”, he said “The pool was freezing, the faster I moved, the sooner I could get out.” Good point!!
Chelsea was moved yesterday from one Year 7 class to the next. It seems there were some “personality” issues in the other class so they switched 2 girls in one class for 2 girls in the other. She was in tears- The positive is that her homeroom teacher is now her Science teacher, who she really likes. He did tell the class yesterday that he would teach them that the world was created from Star Dust- this guy is from Colorado. Please, please pray for her. She is strong in the Bible and her knowledge of Creation. I pray she is prepared for this discussion as the Lord leads her. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Acts 4:29
We did have Open House last night for the Primary School. It was good- Only 6 parents showed up in Bradley’s class of 26. There are a lot of returning students so maybe they don’t feel the need to come??
Bradley is going camping, yes, overnight camping the first week of October. Yes, of course, Erik will be right along with him. Keep in mind, October is the hottest month in Africa- hope Erik remembers all those Boy Scout skills. Did they teach how to kill a lion? Paw-Paw might need to come on this camping trip!!
I wanted to share some sights around Lusaka:
Parking attendants- These guys are hired by the shopping center, they are in th
e parking lot and direct traffic. You will be getting in your car and the next thing you know there is a man behind you waving for you to come out…I always fuss and say, “listen buddy, I’ve been driving over 20 years now and know how to back out.” The people in Lusaka have been driving for about 5 years now. The majority of the population does not drive as they cannot afford a car so…it is the Ex-patriots, everyone not Zambian, mostly and a few Zambians who have done well. The other Zambians are walking everywhere. What a sight!!Street Sweepers- There are women, usually older women, in groups of 4-5 that wear
orange overcoats. They are usually working from 9:00 to 2:00. They set up orange cones on the street and sweep the street about 10 feet at a time!! The streets are very skinny 4 lane roads separated by a very slim median. The ladies sweep the curbs??, both sides of the street, everyday. There are many stories that circulate around these woman- they are usually widows that must work to eat for the day. Full service gas attendants- All gas stations have full service attendants that pump your gas, check your fluids, etc. There is not an option. I guess with gas being at $9/gallon the least they can do is pump the gas for you:) Of course, it is appropriate to tip your attendant when finished.
Car Watchers- Ok, this really aggravated me the other day...we were pulling into a parking space- no help required- when a young boy in regular clothes ran in front of the car as we were halfway in the spot and motioned for us to come forward. I said to Erik, "that ticks me off that now we will have to tip this guy for leading us 2 feet into the spot..." We do our shopping, he sits by the car and waits, when he comes out we tip him 3000Kwacha, $1. After taking a few breathes and hearing a story about our new friend Mary who was at the market getting out of her car, someone opened the door from the back and stole a bag, her "car watcher" ran him down, put the bag back in the car and made the "thief" apologize, I decided $1 would be fine with me for a "car watcher". I need to respect the fact that this boy is not at my car door begging for cash but actually performing some service. (Sorry, no picture)
Talk Time booths- All cell phones are bought as a pre-paid plan. You must buy Talk 
time cards to replinish your phones as time runs out. You have several options: you can buy talk time at one of these convenient booths located throughout the city, you can buy talk time from a guy in the middle of the street at a robot(a stoplight for you Americans:)), or you can buy talk time at various retail establishments. Remember when cell phones first came out- yeah, same idea!!
time cards to replinish your phones as time runs out. You have several options: you can buy talk time at one of these convenient booths located throughout the city, you can buy talk time from a guy in the middle of the street at a robot(a stoplight for you Americans:)), or you can buy talk time at various retail establishments. Remember when cell phones first came out- yeah, same idea!!.
We keep telling ourselves that this is a different culture. 10% of Zambians work in either domestic help or selling things on the street. 1% of this country was fortunate enough to receive some education higher than the 6th grade. Those people are working in stores, banks, insurance companies but they are few and far between. We must respect this culture and their ways and do our best to fit in.
