Wintertime in Lusaka (June-August)
“Snow is so pretty and beautiful, how can you hate it so much?” I admit that my almost nonsensical hatred of snow is sometimes hard to justify. The beauty of freshly fallen snow blanketing the otherwise dead landscape is undeniable. However, my hatred stems from living in the snow and not just looking at the snow, Jellyfish are beautiful too, but you don’t add them to your swimming pool.
Luckily for me, frozen precipitation will likely never be a big problem in Lusaka. The record cold for the last 100 years was 31 degrees Fahrenhiat. Our average temperature this winter was probably close to 65 degrees. I admit this makes my cold-hating heart happy, but fear is deeply set in the fact that summer in Lusaka is coming. It has been told to me that October in Lusaka is so unpleasant that a pool full of jellyfish may sound tempting.
Until then, life in Lusaka has definitely gotten into a much-needed rhythm. The children are doing homeschool, Maria is momming, and I’m breaking airplanes. Life is normal, except for when it’s not. I don’t know exactly how to describe living in another country. Life is generally the same, but occasionally, you are blindsided by cultural differences. Unspoken and unrealized relational expectations bleed through at unexpected times.
Beggars, for example. Truly, one of the most difficult things to process is how and when to give to beggars. Beggars are at every red light, and when you’re stopped for more than a minute, you will be asked by at least 5 different people. This internal battle continues even in parking lots and stores, where you will again get approached several times per visit. Sometimes giving makes a difference in someone’s life, sometimes it only adds to their problems, and you must process this 10 times while getting groceries.
While driving, I often repeat a modified Psalms 23:4. “Yea, though I DRIVE through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;” Okay, I admit I’m exaggerating. Besides, I’ve driven in more dangerous places, like New Jersey. The only real concern here is people walking. It is a real concern of mine that I will hit someone, especially at night. The outcome of hitting someone would be devastating to everyone involved. Consequences for the driver are often immediate and can escalate to deadly.
Things are not all doom and gloom; I also discovered Zambian fritters. There are several bake shops here that attempt to make donuts, but I come from Lancaster, PA, the promised land of donuts. Comparing the Zambian attempts at PA donuts always leaves me sad and covered in jelly. Fortunately, I discovered they have a sweet fried dough ball called “fritters”. This small lump of calories has completely restored my hope in diabetes inducing deliciousness.
Moving to a new home has reminded me that, as believers, we are never truly home in this world. We seek good for the “kingdoms” we live in, but at the same time, long for the better. For example, while eating my Zambian fritter, I still long for a “Shady Maple” maple-glazed donut. Moving to a new place has its opportunities and challenges, but we know, no matter where we live, our real home is still to come.
And that home will not have a pool full of jellyfish.
Here is an update from the last few months
Isabella turned one! Izzy wanted a pony for her birthday gift, but we gave her a cupcake instead, and she seemed happy.
Freddie went to a young engineer’s program. One of the biggest blessings of homeschooling in Lusaka is that there are so many different small programs for students. Freddie went to a course where they could build things out of LEGO and learn programming.
We went to Lake Kariba. Only 4 hours away from FMZ is the world’s largest man-made lake by volume. So we went with another family from FMZ for the weekend to explore this wonder. We went on a boat ride, and just prayed it didn’t sink, in the croc-infested waters.
I helped change out all the cables and pulleys on one of our Cessna 206s. Airplanes use cables and pulleys to go up, down, and turn. So much like the steering wheel in your car, they are mildly important. We were helped by a work team led by Joel and Sue Bolthouse. I bring them up individually because this couple poured their heart and soul into the start of FMZ, and without them, it would not be what it is today.
Prayer
Please pray for us as we still find a home church. We have been going to various churches since coming here, and we are still praying that God will guide us. We feel peace about one and ask that you would pray with us over this important matter.
Pray for Maria and Isabella as they travel. Maria is going on a two-week trip to the States for her brother’s wedding. That is the excuse she is using, but I think she just wants more Hershey chocolate. Please pray that she and Isabella have a safe trip!
Pray for me with the three oldest. The ladies here at FMZ will be helping a lot with taking care of the children during the day, and honestly, I think this will be a lot of fun. But by the end of the two weeks, I think everyone will be missing mommy.
Praise
Praise that we are adjusting well to Zambian life. Zambia is starting to feel like home, and I think we went through the first small wave of culture shock unharmed. I know culture shock and homesickness will hit harder in the future, but for now, we feel at home.
Praise that the children have friends their age. Every child here has someone they have really connected with, and that is such a blessing!
Praise that we have had power so much since being here. Over our first few hard transitioning months, God has allowed the grid to work at least 15 hours a day. We have solar, but we quickly run out of battery without the grid at night. Having grid just makes the transition so much gentler. Grid is starting to reduce again, but having it at first was really nice.
Till next, muyende bwino,
Flyin' Bryan 