WHEN YOU ORDER FERTILIZER. . .

You get fertilizer. They showed up at the gate with two ox-carts full of fertilizer for the yard and garden. They nearly knocked down the small house where Rueben's boys stay. I am not sure what they thought about us being so excited about fertilizer. Why do these makuwa (white people) take pictures of this fertilizer? How strange we me seem.

? How strange we must seem.

BIG Little Love Notes

If you have ever walked into a room and felt like nobody noticed or that you really are not important, then you have never had the privilege of knowing a little lady by the name of Faith Wilmore. Faith was a student in the preschool class at Grace Christian School. There was never a day that I didn't feel important upon her arrival. She would find me, give me a hug and tell me something new or exciting. O.k. sometimes it was just to show me a dog on her shirt or a new outfit, but it was always with the importance on me. She could, nonetheless, try my patience on days and I would wonder what in the world to do. When I took my first trip to Africa and was out of class for two weeks, she was curious to know why I had to go and would ask me on several occasions. I told her that there were little boys and girls in Africa and they needed to hear about Jesus. I also told her that I love them just like I love her and I would go to Africa to tell her too, if she were there. That was all she needed. The days up to my trip would be full of love and concern about my trip. She came in one day that was assigned to be her "show and tell". It was supposed to fit in a bag that we sent home with all the children. Well, Faith felt this could be overlooked because of the importance of what she needed to show. So, in she walks with her light up globe. She wanted to be sure that the children in her class knew exactly where Mrs. Smith was going. With her parents help she had learned where she lived on the globe and how to show us where Zambia, Africa is located. Somehow, I knew no matter how important or unimportant my trip was to anyone else, there would be a little prayer warrior at home on my side. When I returned to school after my trip and everyone was saying welcome back and hugging, it was Faith who ran up and said, "Do all the little children know who Jesus is now?" Taken aback, I was silenced, almost in tears as she hugged me and told me she missed me. I cannot tell you how overjoyed I was to receive the above note after being in Zambia just a short while. This note is above my nightstand and no matter how difficult going out to teach the children may be on days, I am reminded of Faith and her question. To my Faithie: keep praying and I will keep telling all the children that I meet. To the readers: if you ever have the chance to meet this young lady, you will be blessed, but be careful, she'll steal your heart.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!

Now you know that Mike Smith is not going anywhere where he cannot get a milkshake. Well, there are no milkshakes in Kaoma. "My oh' my", said the ladies from Deerfield, "whatever will Pastor Mike do?" Needless to say we were not going to debate with God on such a matter. Sure enough here is our wonderful Ice Cream maker attachment. Mike immediately started
searching for ingredients and recipes for whatever ice cream he could concoct. After careful deliberations and a little tinkering from the chef, we have a winner. I am not sure what to say to anyone who asks why do we have a whole grocery cart full of dessert cream and sweetened condensed milk. (Not really-just adding for exageration so that my readers may truly comprehend Mike's love of a milkshake) . Then to add to his unbelievable ice cream machine - The Ashby's threw in a Cuisinart "Power Stick" which is basically a blender on a stick. A milkshake is a breeze in Kaoma - you just have to know the right places.

"My Favorite Picture in Africa" by Evie Smith

Mike gave Evie an assignment to pick out one of her favorite pictures from Africa and write a brief paragraph describing the picture(s). This is Evie and her "Ant Sky". That is how Evie writes and spells Aunt. Evie wrote this is her with Ant Sky at Lake Karibba Inn. We went there for our annual meeting. Evie said that she and her Ant Sky look alike.

The two of these beautiful ones in my life having a little "girl talk" on the side of the pool. Evie loves her "Ant" Sky and yes, that is o.k. with her Aunt Beata. Ant Sky has already been introduced to Aunt Beata and has overwhelming met with her approval. Sky always makes us smile and her other half, Daniel, he provides us with laughter. I would show you a picture of him, but they all have him either chasing crocodiles or killings snakes.

In Honor of My Sister

Mike has always loved to take pictures of funny storefronts. On his first trip to Kaoma he took a picture of the "Big Bonnita" in honor of my sister Banita (or if you know us well, my sister, Beata). However, this is the NEW "Big Bonnita". The old Big Bonnita used to be next to "Mike Investments". How amusing I know, but the Big Bonnita just got to fancy for little old Mike Investments and had to move. Well, Beata, whenever you are ready you can come (move) over and you already have a little shop ready for you to run. We will have to do a little painting on the name. Hugs and Kisses to my sister.

How Do You Witness to an Elephant?

No, we didn't try to share the gospel with this fellow, but we were close enough to do so. On the road to Lusaka is a view like no other. There are amazing ways that God speaks to us in our everyday lives no matter what road we are traveling. As I sat in the truck looking out at this enormous creature, I recognized his great power and strength. Was I scared? No, I knew I was safe in the truck and we could pull away in a second. I thought how often we depend on man and his many devices. We put trust in them to work and protect us from harm. Our faith is being tested everyday within even the mere things we take as conveniences. Do I think these conveniences are wrong to possess. No, but I think our reliance on our self-made assurances can leave us neglecting the fact that God is ever present and always working. How are we to give testimony if our faith was in the truck and not the God whom provided. I hope you are getting me or as we like to say "Una kunyuvwa". That is Shinkoya for "Are you getting me?" I pray for us all that we will rest in His Strength alone.

TYLER, DOES YOUR MOM KNOW YOU ARE UP THERE?

No. If you don't say anything, she will never know. "UHH? Tyler, what is this picture on the camera", asks his Mother. Just confess and everything will go much smoother. My son took the camera and climbed atop a water tower, a very tall water tower with no ladder or rails. He climbs the tower at our house all the time, but we have a ladder and rails and it is not nearly as high. When I see Tyler doing something that might prove physically consequential he knows what I will say. I usually say, "Tyler, no, my tail is tingling." That is from the movie "Over the Hedge". The turtle knows when something is going to go wrong when his tail tingles. It is a funny way for Tyler to be corrected, but it usually works. Needless to say, when I saw this picture. Well, let's just say if I was going to string him up, it might as well be from that water tower since he had already been up to the top. It made my heart stop I believe.

SO MANY THINGS HAVE CHANGED. . .

but some things are the same. Evie, Mike and Tyler still wrestle as much as always. They always run through the house chasing each other and screaming until I pull my hair out. However, I would like to point out the decoration in Tyler's room. GO HEELS!

TALKING ABOUT CLIMBING THE WALLS

Yes, Tyler will do anything to keep from doing his schoolwork. The walls are concrete and painted with high-gloss paint. They are great for my kids "monkey-feet" That door Tyler is in front of is my bedroom. Sometimes they will climb so high and be so quite that I will walk out of my room and down the hall without even knowing they are there. One time I was looking for them to start back to their school work and they were up - just there- and not saying a word. I told them they could practice that any other time they wanted - EXCEPT- during school.

TO SOME OF MY FAVORITE EMT'S

Evie, Chipango and Alice are quite animated. They play all the time and go from one drama to the next. Look at that Evie. I thought if Linda, Joan, Leon, and Vanessa could see her now. She is taking very good care of her patient. I did have to teach Evie that your heart is not in you abdomen though. Ha!Ha! She just laughed and said Mom, we are just pretending, it is not like I am taking the test to become a real EMT.

A Girl Has to Have her STUFF!

Really Evie! First and of utmost important - make sure your stuff is organized. Mammaw Eva bought Evie an American Girl Doll "Julie" for Christmas. Now Evie keeps her things all put together and when we first arrived in Africa - don't you know it. Yes, these are all Julie's things organized that she can see them all. Who cares if you are a foot and 1/2 tall and cannot breathe - a girl needs to know where here things are, Right? Ha Ha. I guess Julie deserves it. I mean if you would have seen what they put the poor doll through in customs. Quite invasive! Ha Evie keeps her quite stylish for all occasions. We love you Mammaw Eva.

ALWAYS READY TO GO!

This is just part of the crew. From left to right; Tyler, Evie, Chipango, Alice and Young Rueben. They were very anxious to get to the river to go swimming on Evie's birthday. They are quite a group. We love them.

TRAITOR IN OUR MIDST!

You all might know that Evie love her Memaw. Well, she really put on a show one day when she came in with her notorious VT attire- purchased by the one and only "Memaw". She was really dogging her Daddy and giving him a hard time. Running through the house yelling "GO HOKIES". Most of you know that she almost ended up living in a little hut down by the river. Trust me - it can be done - right here in Kaoma. I haven't seen this outfit since. It might have ended up in the River. Sorry Memaw. You can bring another when you come.

BIG DREAM FOR YOUNG GUYS

Tyler and Kasenya make a small version of a zambian farm. Pretty impressive. They had a tractor and fence. If you will notice next to Tyler's hand is a little blue toy dinosaur. It is the Watchman for the farm. The girls were right behind working on "their own". Little Alice - we say that as Ah-lee-say here, she is the smallest (except for the new baby - we' ll talk more about that later) she would secretly take things from the boys farm and put on the girls farm when no one one looking - except from me - that is.

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. . .