TYLER'S 1st Birthday in Africa!

When was the last time you got a chicken "hoo-wah" for your birthday? While this may seem a 'bit comical to you...this was a significant sacrifice for Mr. Benard who gave this to Tyler for his birthday. As you can see...EVERYONE was having fun!

DEERFIELD BAPTIST WOMEN - ain't nothin' like'm

If you have never had the privilege to spend a little time in Deerfield, Virginia, then you are really missing something. The mountains are beautiful, and the hunting is great. The valley is quite a spectacular drive, but that doesn't compare to a group of ladies nestled back there that serve with all their hearts. I knew while I was there that they loved our family, but they continue to extend that love even with us 10,000 miles away. A huge box showed up at the post office (mposho - that is Shinkoya for Post Office) and when I opened that box I could not believe it. I am driving around Zambia with a medical bag that might be better equipped than many clinics. I laughed as I went through everything because I thought, if I pull this out the nationals will think I am a doctor. People will show up at the gate and want surgery or something. haha. You ladies are amazing. Thank you from all of us and thank you ahead of time from anyone I might have to do an appendectomy on in the future. hahaha

Watch out for that Kitty in the road. . .

Escpecially when the kitty is a leopard. hahaha Isn't that great! On the way to Lusaka today there was a leopard walking in the road. One thing about leopards, they move a little too fast for photographers. Sorry no pictures. We are safe and sound in Lusaka and have been talking with family and friends on skype. We have a big meeting to go to for the next few days. I will be posting as much as I can.

HOW MANY MISSIONARIES DOES IT TAKE TO . . .

Take care of one big whiny newbie. Haha. Well, sorry folks for the delay. Mama Bear was down for the count yesterday. On Monday started what I must refer to as a ritual in my life. The pain starts around the outside corner of my eye and travels up and to the back of my neck. Many of you who know me well, know I am not referring to Mike. I had a headache on Monday. Nothing too unusual until Tuesday morning around 3:00 a.m. (Africa) when I clenched my head and starting crying. The pain was the worst I have felt in some time. So many of you have prayed for me throughout the years that I hate to even mention the fact that they still happen at times. I now understand that the malaria meds only increase the intensity. To comfort my Mama and those who love me like a Mother, please know that God has put me amongst some of the greatest caregivers. Mike was quick to act, when there are tears, he is moving. He began talking to many of the Missionary ladies here and didn't stop until he came home with some solutions. Everyone was very concerned and have been diligent to check on me routinely. The Lord is always faithful, though it seems we are losing control. He is in control and knows what we need even when it hurts or does not make sense. In my pain, as many of us do, we cry out to God to help. Thoughts were running through my head about the pain those around me feel inside their lives, hearts, minds. Pain that no time, meds, or doctor can repair. All that I can tell you is that I thank God for the headaches (I can say that today, after it is over) for they come and quickly (by eternal standards) go, but the lost around me are bound for eternal torment. What is a headache compared to that and what is a taste of torment to spurn me on to share the gospel. So on to better things. We have our national registry cards. There is a story in every task you tend to here in Zambia. I will have pictures this evening as I know most of you are looking only to see my children. (I say that in a pouting manner) Just kidding. I love you all and ask for your continued prayers, yes, even if it brings on a headache. Pray for the millions of Zambians. I wish you could see the eyes that I look into everyday.

A BOX FROM THE BELLAMY'S

Some of you may know our friends the Bellamy's. Tom, Barbara, Christian and Little Miss Savannah. We have been great friends for years. Tyler and Christian have shared every birthday together up until this year in Zambia. Nonetheless, the Bellamy's always come through. After a brief trip into town Mike brings home a box from the post office addressed to Tyler. It is from the Bellamy's. Tyler opens to find some fabulous Tarheel Blue (that may be translated into light blue for those of you who have fell from grace ha) apparel swimming in a sea of Little Debbie cakes. You should have seen the lips, I mean looks on their faces. I don't know who was the most happy to receive this box. Because never you mind how many homemade cinnamon rolls, cinnamon bread, biscuits and pancakes that I make, I just can't keep up with Little Debbie. It is disgusting and makes a girl want to go on strike. Thank you Bellamy's for the love from home.

BACK IN THE CAPITAL CITY

We have finally received our Work Permits. We are back in the capital city today. We have been out in the boma (town) Kaoma for 3 weeks. The kids have settled in nicely with the new house, town and friends. I will put some pictures on tomorrow to give a few updates. It is late here and we have had a very busy day tomorrow. Today is Mike's birthday and we took him out to the Ocean Basket restaurant. Evie ordered calamari and she loved it so don't tell her what it really is o.k. We have several busy days ahead to take care of paperwork. Pray that all will go smoothly. We have all enjoyed catching up on all the e-mails from everyone. Stay tuned for more plus pictures. . .

OFF TO KAOMA

We will be leaving in the morning at 6:00 a.m. to make our way out to our house. We are all very ready to be in our home and actually unpack our suitcases. We said good-bye to dear friends Cindy and Truitt from training. They will be leaving to go to the Sudan on Friday. Please pray for them as they go. Their days ahead will be difficult. We have all the trunks loaded and ready to go. Tomorrow we will load the coolers and the rest of the food containers and take off down the Great East Road to Kaoma. Some of you know that road. It is a long straight stretch of road that runs from the capital city of Lusaka to the west through the Kafue National Park for about 6 hours. We look forward to seeing Rueben and his family. They are expecting another baby. God has renewed our strength being here at the Mission in Lusaka and we are revived and ready to travel. We look forward to sharing more of this journey with you in the days to come. God Bless you all and keep you. Don't forget about us! We love you!

HOW DO YOU CATCH A SQUIRREL?

CLIMB UP A TREE AND ACT LIKE A NUT! I do not think there are squirrels in Zambia. Tyler and Evie enjoy climbing the tree outside the guest house. They were excited to find out there is a tree just like it in our front yard in Kaoma. See, God created the first jungle-gym - I don't know which day that would have fell on, but maybe somewhere in those 6 days He did fit it in. Don't tell their grandmas, but they are up very high in this picture. There is lots of fun things around the guest house to do during the day.

Amy

Check out this NEW "Missionary Kid on the Block" playing with a chameleon. WHOA...a WHAT! That's right...a CHAMELEON! Kids in the U.S. play video games, kids in Africa play with chameleons! It was quite fun watching it as it crawled around on Evie's bed. We were invited to eat dinner @ the Strategy Coordinator's house tonight for dinner so she had to let it go before we left...wait, I think she let it go...maybe she'll have an extra bed-mate tonight! See ya soon!

"The Sent-out Smith's"

WE ARE ALL JUST BABES. . . .

Today was an intense learning experience. We met with many supervisors and took in much information about procedures and policy. I realize that living here is almost like being a baby learning all new things language, food, shopping, driving (ha). We were given our BMOZ truck today. How Cool! Mike drives here like that is the only way that he ever new. I don't know what that says for him in America, but he does very well. I am glad because I am not quite ready. It is funny how different situations cause your children to find fun in so many different things. In packing our trunks I had marked them so that I knew what was in each trunk. So I pulled the two trunks that were each for the kids and let them dig in. They had not had their toys for months. However, out of all the things packed, what would they pick? A ping pong ball and paddles and have now improvised the kitchen table with a towel rolled up to form the net. They are in quite a match as I type. Evie is dressed up in her Mulan dress up outfit playing ping pong with her impression of Kung Fu Panda. Yes, Mom I know that she is mine. HaHa. Life here is truly an adventure even while in the capital city. Just wait until we get to Kaoma. Continue to pray for the kids. Tyler has continued to have a difficult time sleeping. Last night we were up with him and he was trying so hard to go to sleep. He is such a trooper though. Evie did much better last night even without getting into the Kit Kats. They have adjusted well to the not drinking or brushing teeth with the water; the toilet flushes the opposite way (hey, just be glad you have a toilet, right?); wash your feet before you go to bed; zapping mosquitoes with portable zappers (Tyler loves that little chore); talking about money in the thousands and millions (makes you feel rich with all that kwacha but it sure doesn't buy much). By the way all you ladybug followers, Evie has discovered a pomegranate. Which is great if we can keep her from wiping her fingers on her clothes after every bite. I will add more soon . . . Stay tuned.

PIZZA PARTY IN AFRICA

Our family here threw a big pizza party for us last night. It was all very good. A colleague from South Africa made her first pizza ever to share. Tyler and Evie spent all afternoon and evening playing with a huge group of MK's. This a.m. was our first Zambian Church Service together as a family. We went to the church which is located on the seminary campus here in Lusaka. The former President of the country attended this church. Evie went to childrens church with all the other Zambian children like she had been doing it all of her life. It was beautiful. Its been raining a majority of the morning here, but has stopped this afternoon. The warm weather is delightful. Sandals for everyone and we do not mind at all. We have had a little difficulty with the sleep pattern and either Tyler or Evie has ended up in bed with Mom and Dad during the night. Last night there appeared to be a little mouse in the house - or so we thought. I had checked on Evie many times because she was not able to go to sleep. On the fourth time I sent Mike and (many of you who know the ladybug well will love this) Evie was sitting in her bed in the dark eating a KitKat that she had from the plane. HaHa She said she was hungry and what is girl to do if someone gives her chocolate just let it sit there. Afterall, it was supper time in Deerfield, Right? Hopefully all of our internal clocks will adjust soon. We are well! We send you all our love.

STANDING ON ZAMBIAN SOIL - FEELS GREAT!!!!

We arrived at Lusaka Airport last night a little before 9:00. There past the gates were a whole family of friends awaiting our arrival. What a joy to behold. Truitt and Cindy, a couple who went through training with us in Richmond. Many more from our Upper Zambezi Team Family. They were so helpful to us after such a long journey. Many of you have prayed for us throughout this time of preparation and travel. God has been ever present with us all the way. Tyler and Evie were a delight to watch as they went through all the processes of travel and international security checks. They were troopers as they carried their well, but overloaded, luggage. They enjoyed the plane and you should have seen their faces as we took off the first time. What a delight. They are doing well and making friend fast. I will add more soon. God Bless you all and all our love.

It is the night before Africa and all through the house. . .

not a creature is stirring - ha - what? Are you kidding? We are still stirring, well, not stirring, but just mindfully going around checking that everything is on board that needs to be on board. We said many see-ya-laters today. Mike's precious grandparents, Estelle and Jack, both in their 80's and still puttering around with much to do said tearful good-byes to us and hugged us a couple of times before we got back to the car. Good-bye was said to Amy's Mom, Mammaw, Dad and Sister quick to avoid too many tears. The phone rang with calls from many who were sending their love and best wishes. Some of our best friends Tom and Barbie Bellamy from good ole' NC called and Barbie in all her bravery held back tears while Amy kept the conversation on the least emotional side that she could to make it through. Some may not know, but Tom and Barbie's son, Christian and our son Tyler have shared every birthday together no matter where any of us were living. So, I guess the Bellamy's better be getting some plane tickets. haha It will be a bittersweet birthday without Christian and family, but I pray technology will be used to it's best ability. Tyler will be turning 11 on February 8. Turning 11 in Africa, pretty exciting. Soon we will be adding pictures to our blog so that you all will not miss our faces too much. We will miss you all though, so please stay tuned and post comments - that would be encouraging as we set out on this journey. It will not be long now and we will see our dear people in Africa. Rest well everyone. God Bless and Keep you all!

Pack it Up - Unpack it!

When Tyler and Evie were little they used to watch a video and the cartoon farmer would sing this song, "Pig it up, unpig it, unpiggn' the pond, unpiggn' the pond". It was a great little annoying song. You know, one of those you get so tired of, yet will be singing later as you go through the line at WalMart. You all know what I mean. I have been packing, moving, unpacking since August. I was sitting here wondering if Mrs. Bush was home debating over what to keep and what to give away. Will she have enough space bags to efficiently pack all of the President's jammies away for the trip. Will she remember how to pack the u-haul so that her breakables do not get tossed around while they travel. Ha Ha Anyway, here we are, packing again, weighing, sorting. Do we really need it right now? We have touched everything we have ever owned and asked that question. All this and to think Friday we will be in Africa. The reality is all around us and we are feeling the tug of our hearts as we prepare to leave. How we love the people we are going to, but that love is no greater than the love we feel for those here. It is in these moments that I am thankful that God has clearly shown us that we must go.

THANK YOU to those who have sent your love and support! What would we do without you all!

As we go . . .

We were wandering through Deerfield - uh hahahaha - No one just wanders through Deerfield. You must either stumble upon Deerfield or have close ties (you know family). Well, it would be the latter for us. I am not embarrassed to tell you that we have had to sneak into Deerfield on occasions to work on final preparations of our trunks for Africa. Shhhh. Don't tell anyone in Deerfield. haha Our family there have loved us so greatly and we have had to say goodbye so many times. We knew we couldn't get away with sneaking in and out. While weighing our trunks who, but Gene Lewis and Dusty would show up. It was great to see them, but harder even still to say goodbye Again!!! We did get an update on Rixie (our adopted Yellow Lab)though and seems all is well. She has earned her place as a full-time female in the "MAN CAVE". We are anxiously preparing for our trip next week. Please pray for our many friends already on the field. Please pray that we will stay healthy as we get closer to travel day. Thanks for the comments - we would love to hear from you all.

WELL...okay...actually we're leaving on the 22nd

Due to the Inaguration of our NEW President (Obama) and all of the people that will be trying to fly-out of D.C. on the 21st, we thought it best to actually fly-out on the 22nd! YES...it's actually OFFICIAL! The tickets have been issued! We fly out of D.C. on 1/22/09 @ 5:40 P.M. (E.S.T.) Stay posted as some pics will be on the way. THANK YOU for PRAYING for us during this exciting...FAITH-testing time in our lives!

Talk to ya soon!
The Smith's

"We're leavin' on a JET plane..."

It's finally here...the date has arrived! Next Wednesday...January 21st! We will be leaving IAD (International Airport- Dulles) Washington, DC at 5:40 p.m. Please PRAY for us as we make FINAL...FINAL..FINAL preparations for the BIG MOVE!!!

Until Next Time,
The Smith's