Shalenipo (goodbye)

Our time in Zambia is nearly over. I (AJ) have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. I loved the variety of work I got to do: welding, farming, carpentry, joinery, mechanics. Every day was different, and every day there was different challenges to solve. Laura and the kids also very much enjoyed their time here. Levi loved being able to get up and go to work with his dad, he is a hands on learner and this was such a wonderful year for him. Lucas has almost completed his schooling, and has made some good friends here that will be hard to leave. We sure hope they can come to Canada to visit us one day! The babies have stolen Laura’s and Adriena’s hearts. Saying goodbye to all those we care for here will be hard. So while we are very excited to come home, we aren’t necessarily excited to leave. We can’t wait to be home and hug our family and friends. Laura already has some breakfast dates, hiking dates and camping trips set up!

As far as the construction projects I was tasked with, they are basically complete. The youth center was completed a few months ago and the kids have really been enjoying that space. The shop is completed now and is already a very busy place! It really is a great space and came out even better than I expected. There are already plans for starting to teach the highschool kids these technical skills.

We were also tasked with constructing a maintenance work area and a covered car park area. The farmers had a great maize crop this year so a corn crib had to be quickly built too. The roof is on the container shop, and other than some lights and line paint, the car park is also complete.

Once the shop was completed, the existing woodwork shop was moved out of and we used that room to create a larger space for the food and clothing storage.

For the past three months we have also had Aleesha, a friend of Adriena’s staying with us. She has been busy teaching English and Math to the grade one students at Grace Academy. She has been a pleasure to have with us here! And I am certain the kids she teaches love having her too.

Besides work, we’ve kept ourselves busy having fun with the kids here and making the most of the short time we have left. We just went to Mkushi (a city about 3 hrs away) for the night so Laura could participate in an 11km run this morning. She did great and really enjoyed it. The run was very well organized and it was a beautiful setting! That area of Zambia is rich in farmland and the landscape is gorgeous!

This next week and a bit will be full of goodbyes, packing, and otherwise preparing to return home. Although we are excited to get home, it will be a big adjustment, so we just ask for your prayers for that and for safe and uneventful travels.

See ya soon! -AJ, Laura, Adriena, Lucas and Levi