Hospice

I thought about those babies all weekend!! As it was raining here with some thunder and lightning, I wondered if they were scared or sound asleep like my children??
This morning there was a new baby at Mother Theresa's, she was 7 weeks old and had already lost her mother and the aunt that was taken care of her had been put in Hospice. Here, Hospice does not come to you, you go to a Hospice hospital to stay. Mother Theresa's campus has a community school at the front where children from the neighborhood come for school with the children in the orphanage. The middle of the campus is where the nuns live and the little children live. In the back of the campus are two big hospital rooms seperating males and females and housing the Hospice patients, there were about 70 people per room yesterday. The campus also has gardens to sell vegetables and also to eat, there is a workshop where a man was doing some woodwork and a few playgrounds for the children.
As I walked to the babies, I met one of the caregivers in charge of washing all the clothes and hanging them on the line. There were also 3 ladies sitting on the ground emptying cans of formula into a plastic bucket to prepare bottles. So many loving hands needed to care for these children.
I was a little late so Eneka (the Dutch lady) had already gotten most babies out of their cribs and they were outside playing. They were so happy to see me- not really- I was so happy to see them. They were in much better moods yesterday. They played for a couple hours then they would stop dropping off like flies. I would take one baby inside, change the nappy, come back out and there would be another one asleep on the mat. Ok- let me tell you about the nappy- now remember, I am the crazy woman that thought I would have my child wear cloth diapers- Poor Chelsea with the constant diaper rash. These babies have a handtowel folded over in all different directions to fit their size then these clips that stretch that I have never seen before then they would wear the plastic pants over that. Now, as Erik can tell you, I have the Super Sniffer- which is definitely a plus when someone is baking but when there are wet cloth diapers around- it is a curse!!
After the babies were all fed, nappies changed and down for their naps, Eneka took me back to Hospice. We walked into the women's side which was one huge room that had cots everywhere. Each cot was made and had water jugs and cups by it. The women were scattered about the area either eating or visiting the clinic or sitting and chatting. We met one of the caregivers, Loveness, who took us behind some curtains that were hung to seperate the room. There were probably 20 cots with women sitting on them. A few women were just sitting and talking while others were getting a bath. These women were in their final stages of AIDS. It was a picture that I have seen many times- they were soooo thin, some with sunken eyes, some too weak to sit. The nuns give them medicines to help with pain and some antibiotics to fit off viruses. The women did not look in pain just looked very tired. My heart broke for them- What a terrible disease!
The women that were in their early stages of AIDS would be assigned jobs to help care for others. They would cook or sew or garden or whatever to help. They were truly a group of women caring for each other in their last days. As I left Mother Theresa's that day...I began to think that I just saw one Hospice filled with patients, if I were to drive another mile or so...there would be another then another...This Country knows sickness so personally!!

Please pray for the sick at Mother Theresa's Hospice:
1) They have Hope in Jesus alone...
2) They make the transition into Heaven quickly with the least amount of pain...

Weekend Update!!

Saturday morning- Girls off to volleyball, boys off to baseball. Chelsea's team, ISL's U-15 girls, finished in 2nd place. They won their first two games and lost in the final match. They played great and looked much better than the tournament they played in one month ago. It was also definitely more exciting than the previous weekend's basketball tournament. It was a super hot day and finally the cloud coverage came for the final game. Erik and Bradley also made it for the final game- Chelsea was happy!!
We left the tournament around 1:30 just in time to make it to the 2:15 showing of Open Season 2. The best part, air conditioning and popcorn. The kids have a new favorite candy, Jelly Tots- Chelsea describes them as similar to Dots but with sugar on top.
We came home and made Taco Salad as we bought some homemade chips from the Shaw's houseman, Daniel. They were delicious!! We taught the kids how to play Hearts and tried our hardest to all stay awake until the Gator game at 10:30pm. Erik and I made it to game time and were happy to hear the Gators score 21 points very quickly but that was as far as we made it. We kept the internet on all night so as we woke up we could check the score but we didn't wake up again. What an exciting game, according to ESPN's write up the next morning!!
We met a new couple at Bible study last night, Christie and Brad with their 3 daughters from Birmingham. He is working for UAB and they have been here for 2 weeks. Last week we met 2 men from Birmingham that worked here doing medical missions. It is such a small world. UAB has about 30 people living in Lusaka doing HIV/AIDS research.
I also spent two days this week in The Shack. Wow, what a good book! If you haven't had a chance to read it, I encourage you to. I love the way it was written.

Orphanage visit

I finally went to help out at Mother Theresa's orphanage this morning!!
I met with the nun in charge, Sister Ignacio, who took me back to the babies. There were 20 babies lined up in cribs in one room with 2 caregivers. They were all just laying there pretty content except for this tiny little girl who kept crying- she was about one month old- I picked her up and wrapped her in a blanket and she was quiet right away. While I was holding her this other baby kept waving at me- I was guessing the baby was about 7-9 months old because it was sitting up. All the babies have very short hair- they keep it that way- so you couldn't tell boy from girl. I kept looking over and she would wave and smile.
Two other ladies came to volunteer that were Dutch and they have been doing this for 3 years- I was so thankful as I wasn't sure what I was going to do all morning. They told me that they take the babies outside and let them get fresh air and roll around so we would pick up babies and take them out into the hallway to play. I kept looking at that one little girl who was always smiling and I finally asked the caregiver what her name was- It was Elizabeth!! She was beautiful. I still tried to stay away but when she woke up from a nap and was crying I had to hold her. She snuggled right up to me. I loved it!!

What a week!!

My mom sent me a great email about the seasons in our life and I feel as though we have been through all the seasons just this week...
On Wednesday, Michelle's father, Chelsea's best buddy, passed away. Martin Dillon was 54 years old from Ireland working for Project Concern. He lived in the States, Uganda, Kenya, Ireland, and Zambia always looking for a way to help others. He leaves behind his wife Rebecca, daughter Michelle 11 and son Chris 9. Please pray for this family as they fly to Ireland today for the funeral and then on to the States. They hope to return in January!
On Friday- Erik and I picked the children up from school. Bradley told us that he had something to tell us when we all got in the car- He is to play Danny Zuko from Grease in the Year 5's Top of the Pops show in December- he said I will need a black leather jacket and black T-shirt. This is just a mix of 4 songs from Grease and they will be miming the songs. We did have to change some of the lyrics to make it more suitable for children:)
On Saturday, Chelsea and I sat around all morning at the basketball tournament waiting for ISL to play. After 3 hours, our girls took the court to get beat 3-8. The bonus about waiting around so long was Erik was able to get to the school after baseball to watch her play. Brad spent the afternoon playing at the Cook's house while Chelsea, Erik and I tried a new cafe for lunch.
Sunday we were once again blessed with a wonderful sermon by Pastor Walker. You know when you've been struggling with something and you go to church and the preacher teaches from the Word specifically to those issues- God is talking to you!!
We then went to bible study where John continued on in Mark 7 about the Pharisees fussing about the disciples not washing their hands. Jesus goes on to tell them that "What comes out of a man is what makes him "unclean"". Let's make sure we always look to the heart of a man!!
This morning- I met Patricia in the school parking lot and she delivered a beautiful tub of fresh vegetables to me- My car smelled so good. Now I need to know what to cook? I got 3 bags of fresh lettuce, 10 fresh eggs, spinach, broccoli, herbs(I would name them if I could- I did recognize Rosemary, Basil and Oregano, I think) eggplants, baby zucchinis, baby green peppers, green beans, scallions, and radishes. So I'm planning Eggplant parmigiana, chicken with rosemary along with roasted potatoes and spinach, maybe chicken, spinach, cheese casserole?? Send any ideas especially for the scallions and radishes.
One more thing...Lee and I had another mother join us on our "prayer walk" this morning. Her name is MiSun- she is Korean and has been a Christian for 7 years, previously Buddhist. As we prayed in English, she would pray in Korean...I got a glimpse of Heaven this morning as I looked around at Christians of different background, culture, and race.
I thank God for allowing me to see the diversity!!

Almost Deported for the sake of the blog...

Let me set the scene....
Kasper family all dressed up driving home from church Sunday afternoon in the blue mini-van... we decided to stop by the US Embassy residence so I could take that picture of the US Flag in the midst of the Flambouyant trees that I promised on the last blog. I get my camera ready as we turn down the street...Erik stops, I aim...we are surrounded by 3 armed guards immediately. The 2 guards at my window ask what I am doing, "I am from America and wanted to send pictures of the flag back to my friends in America." Why did that sound so corny come from my mouth??
Erik's guard said, "I want to know you" translated "Give me your passport or driver's license".
I had to prove that I had no pictures on my camera of the flag and we made a little small talk. I explained to my children that it was against the rules to take pictures of the residence. I went on to tell them that if someone wanted to cause harm to the residence they may take pictures to discuss their plans. I assume we, the Kaspers, fit the profile:)
That evening at Bible study we met a newer couple from Wisconsin that work for the Embassy. Erik asked the husband, Cory, what he did for the Embassy. Cory is head of Security. Erik told him our story and Cory said he had received a call that afternoon about us and they had filed paperwork reporting the incident. Cory said he will sleep much better at night knowing it was us taking pictures of the residence.
The Kaspers once again breaking all the rules in Zambia- when will we learn???

Red, White and Blue

We drove the kids past the US Embassy residence the other day, it is 4 streets down from our home, and we all stopped to admire the beautiful flag that was flowing so brightly in the midst of the flambouyant trees. What a picture- oh, I didn't have my camera- I will go back!!
As I looked at that flag- I thought of all it stood for, I thought of our founding fathers who created a government to take care of the people of the United States then I thought of our one true Father- who created humans to have a relationship with Him.
What must He think when he looks at our country???
He died so we could live freely and we "choose" to push him out of every decision we make.
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth"Genesis 1:1- how can we look at a tree, a lily, a star, the sun, newborn life and doubt Him?
"Share with God's people who are in need"Romans 12:13- Why do we need our government doing this for us?? God says to share- all that you have is His anyway- do with His as He wishes.
"And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again"2 Corinthians 5:15 Pro-choice??? I don't think so.
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb" Psalm 139:13
Pro-life!! 50 million abortions in the US alone since it was legalized in 1973, what are we telling our children??
"But for Adam no suitable helper was found...the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of man and he brought her to the man." Genesis 2:20-22 No explanation needed.

For God's creation to function as He created it, we must return to Him. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,"plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 Don't we want what He has planned for us?? I do!!

Living in Africa has given me a different perspective of the Country that I love so much- the freedoms that we have, the provisions that are in abundance, the protection of law enforcement officers at the touch of 3 buttons, numerous places of worship, free education promised by our Constitution, a home for every child, excellent medical care at reasonable costs. We are so blessed!

PLEASE- before you vote on Tuesday- Look at what your candidate and his party stand for.... Is he bettering the earth that God created???

Jesus Walks on the Water

Our Bible study was rich last night. I felt the Lord speaking to me through his Words in Mark. Mark 6:45-51- Jesus has just fed the five thousand people from 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish with plenty left over and sent the disciples away. Jesus went up the mountain to pray to His Father.
The disciples were traveling by boat on the sea when the winds picked up and the disciples began to struggle with the oars, Jesus saw them in the midst of their struggles. Jesus walked to them on the water but they did not recognize him and called him a ghost- they were terrified. Jesus says" Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid". How stubborn are these disciples to witness God's miracles time after time and yet still question?? Jesus is walking beside them, teaching them and they still struggle with His Power but He is a wonderful Teacher- and will continue to teach until we get it. Jesus watches the disciples pattern(it looks alot like mine)
Situtation in life- panic- God handles- I thank God.
Next: Situation in life-panic-God handles- I thank God- when will I learn to leave out the panic?? It serves no purpose except to show God I still lack complete trust and faith in Him alone. I'm glad to know that He will not give up on me!!