Ten were healed, and one returned to give thanks and glory to God. Luke 17:11-19

Sorry so many days have passed since the last posting. While our days continue to be eventful, the internet proves to be a continuing obstacle in communicating. To date, we have been unable to read any of the comments posted on the blog. And, just to prove this difficulty, I spent the last hour connecting to this site, typing the entry, and then got booted off, with nothing saved. So, please be patient, as we try to keep you updated.
There was another encounter with the Zambia Police...hope this is not becoming a daily event! It seems the truck was not properly registered for hauling, and so the truck was impounded and Ron, Steve and Philemon were all detained at a check point while hauling stone to the construction site. After some time, they finally released them to deliver the load, with the promise they would return later that day. This consideration was apparently granted due to Ron's age! God granted us the great miracle of shortening the usual two days to process this registration, but it still extended into the next day. Ron spent a sleepless night, fearing the police would pick him up since he didn't return as promised. But, Foster and Ron went directly to the station after completing the registration and inspection, phoned Inspector John (our guard for the OMNI team), and after some discussion John was able to arrange total forgiveness. God is good!
We continue checking on baby Frederick at the malnutrition ward at Children's Hospital. He is now able to sit up, and even extended his tiny littly hand to greet Karen! His progress is tremendous, and we thank God that full recovery is in sight.
We had an unexpected and very welcome visit from our dear friend Pastor Osward. We were all very glad to see him looking so well and enjoyed our time with him. We learned that his wife, Clair is expecting, and in fact one week overdue! So, Ron and Steve drove Osward all the way home (in the Land Cruiser), into the deep, deep bush past Agape, with the final leg of the journey on a very narrow path. Unfortunately, there is one less chicken in the world after that journey! Its hard to imagine what Pastor Osward went through to make the trip to Ndola; many miles on a bicycle, then walking many miles and part way on public transportation. Steve and Ron were gone over five hours driving - I wonder how long it took Osward. Clair was fine when they arrived, but very grateful to have Osward home.
Friday, Ron spent the entire day at the construction site, working alongside the men there. This was a great experience, as he was digging the septic, climbing the scaffolding, working on top of the building etc., and also able to get to know some of the men from George. He was honored when they invited him to join in their lunch of nshima (corn meal cooked with water) and kapenta (tiny whole fish). He ate well, and said it was quite good! Glad there were no grilled mice in the offering! The rest of us went to Kasongo for Steve and Karen to recast Violet and Peter, the two children with club feet. This was the last opportunity to teach myself and Friedah this procedure. Friedah is a very lovely woman from the village who has taken on the responsibility of caring for their medical needs. In addition, she cares for six orphans in her home. The castings went well, and Violet who is five years old announced that she is no longer afraid of the white faces, but knows we are her friends. Quite an accomplishment! While we were there, and elderly woman named Helen came to greet us. She had been treated in the clinic last week, and walked quite a distance to say thank you. She had ulcers on her leg and had been unable to walk. She likened it to the Bible story in Luke where Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one returned to give thanks. Very humbling!
We will miss Steve and Karen, as they left yesterday for the U.S. We are praying for their safe and uneventful journey. Our mission for Saturday was to pick up and deliver four loads of sand to the construction site, from the sand pit on our
property. But, each day continues to be an adventure. The first load was good. Drove into the sand pit, over a narrow passage (why is every passage here so narrow?), the men shoveled the sand in, back to the site and unloaded. Back into the pit for the second load. Almost loaded, when another truck pulls in and gets stuck. So, they push and shovel away more of the already narrow passageway until the truck is able to pull forward some. So, we are facing a very narrow sandy path with little room to pass the other truck. Their advice to Ron is "just go fast". Once again, we begin praying without ceasing, and make it out. But that's the end for now, as the road is currently closed to the sand pit. Wonder what tomorrow will bring.