February 2026

Kilometers

The metric system is better. This pains my ‘Murican heart to say it, but sometimes the truth hurts. I do not understand why we have not adopted this far superior system yet.

Look, I get it. I grew up using freedom units. My Canadian coworkers are snobby with measurements and like to look down on us silly Americans, with our liberty-loving minds not fully understanding what a kilogram is—or the mythical kilometer. However, they are even worse than us, because they mix units in horrible, mutated ways. A Canadian will proudly tell you that a Tim Hortons donut is 4 inches in diameter and weighs 50 grams.

Most of the time, I still think in inches, pounds, and Fahrenheit. Recently, however, when weighing some steel, I wrote down its pounds per meter. Does this mean I’m becoming a Canadian? Do I have deep-rooted thoughts on different grades of maple syrup now? Do I call beanies “toques”?!

Regarding my previous paragraph, I watched a bald eagle fly in front of exploding fireworks while eating bacon, and I feel ‘Murican again.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that people everywhere have different solutions to common life problems. Take, for example, driving. My poor, innocent, country-bumpkin heart was not prepared for driving in Lusaka. Every roundabout is a maelstrom of cars, buses, motorbikes, and trucks. The blur of sheet metal sharpens the mind to a state of survival. You vigorously repeat over and over again, “I must exit and survive.”

Also, trucks here completely possess the road. We are just mere, humble ants—speed bumps, really—in the eyes of the mighty truck drivers. Lane markers, those painted lines that help dictate your lane, are invisible to all vehicles over 10 tons.

People everywhere are different. Maria and I have moved four times in the last six years. Every time, we have experienced a slightly different culture. Ohioans, North Carolinians, and Pennsylvanians are all Americans, but only North Carolinians know how to make BBQ.

Regardless of our driving or meat-cooking abilities, we all serve one King. Revelation 7:9 speaks of a vast crowd standing before the throne of the King, from every tongue, tribe, nation, and people. As hard as it is to believe, that even includes people from New Jersey.

Salvation, therefore, is not dependent on one’s location on earth. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” You wholeheartedly agree with this when you think of your annoying, smelly, jerk of a neighbor, George—but it also includes you. Hope is not lost for you or stinky George.

Notwithstanding culture, location, or smell, salvation is completely and totally dependent on Christ alone. Jesus’ words cut through all differences with the same call to action: “Repent and follow Me.” That’s it. No measurement system or BBQ will make us right with the Father—just an obedient heart.

And every kilometer of heaven will rejoice over that.

Here is a small update since November

We have mangoes everywhere! We have three mango trees around our house, which is awesome!! Unfortunately, this brings lots of mango flies. Mango flies land on your clothes and lay their microscopic eggs. They then hatch, and the larvae burrow into your skin and grow. The cute little guy above we dug out of Evelyn’s cheek.

I helped a friend of ours move. These amazing little trucks are the backbone of Zambia. I grabbed FMZ’s “tipper” and repurposed it as a U-Haul. After packing, our friend’s son sat on the back, and with my silky-smooth driving abilities (and God’s grace), we made it to their new house.

Freddie turned 10!!! (and I got older too) Freddie is now two whole handfuls! I can’t believe it has already been 10 whole years since he made me a dad on my birthday. Best gift ever.

We went swimming on Christmas Day. The pool was a little green, and the air was a little cold, but we were determined to make this a Martin family Christmas tradition.

Prayer

Please pray for my additional testing. I will more than likely need to take three more tests this year, and I’m already getting sleepy.

Please pray for safety in maintenance and flying as we head into our upcoming busy season. Pray that God will reveal any unsafe issues on the aircraft during inspections.

Please pray for the people of Zambia. The flooding has been severe this rainy season, with many spillover effects that are very negatively impacting health here.

Praise

Praise that I recently passed three tests! I promise my newsletter won’t always be test-related… though that might take a few more years 😊

Praise for the rain. While it has caused flooding, the corn is growing very tall, and Lake Kariba is filling up—both excellent things.

Praise for overall good health. Aside from Evelyn having bugs coming out of her face, we have been very healthy.

Till next time,