Friday, April 13, 2012
Dear Family and Friends,
Time is flying by. We have been keeping trying to meet with all our teachers - we have been doing one on one in services (it seems to work quite well), and trying to visit the classes (both seminary and institute). We have been taking cinnamon rolls and Mazoe (an orange drink mix) to share with the classes we visit. They are always happy to see food (and sometimes even us). The teachers seem to always be prepared and happy to have extra voices in their classes - and yes, sometimes we do take over and do the teaching - or some segment of it which the teachers are thrilled about. We have very good teachers - most branches have done a great job of finding teachers who love the youth and are living worthy of being teachers of these elect youth and young adults. Example is just as important, or more so, than what you have to say. We have visited 3 institute and 2 seminary classes recently here in Lusaka and found that we have a problem in Luanshya (Copperbelt). We're working on it now and will go back up soon to see how it is being resolved. Everyone tries hard to get things back on track when they are pointed out to them. We love how they respond to suggestions to make things better. It makes you feel appreciated. Easter up there was great. We did find on this trip, though, that one branch has no Young Womens Manuals -?? None? We did take the Primary Sharing Time Booklet - we had Sr. Bullock send 5 from Malawi - she had extra - Zambia got None. Sometimes you do wonder if South Africa and Beyond remember that Zambia was made a mission last July. It will improve with time, we are sure.
This week on Wednesday, April 11, 2012, Elder and Sister Lookhart picked us up and we took 3 days and drove about 4 hours (advertised as 2 - 2 1/2 hours) by truck to the Kiambi Safari Lodge to the south west near the Zimbabwe border to see what we could see. We were excited to see what they had in their region and to check out some of the Zambia scenery we hadn't taken time to see. What a Great Adventure. We were more than ecstatic when we finally arrived at the lodge - to find they did have running water and toilets in our huts - not outhouses. Imagine, we thought we were going camping, had accepted that as it would be o.k., to arrive and be shown our tents - yay, with outhouses In the tents. Very impressive. Our hut (tent), looked out over the Kafue River a short way downstream from where it meets the Zambezi River. It was very beautiful. We took a Sunset Cruise the afternoon we arrived and saw an elephant, lots of hippopotamuses, lots of cool birds (called Bee Eaters), and other kinds too. It was calm, about 27 degrees, and a beautiful sunset. On return, they set a formal dinner table, outside, just a little bit away from a fire (which is only lit to keep away a few mosquitos we think), and serve buffet style. The Food was very good, the service was great and we were more than happy to call it a day - as we had booked to go on a full day safari the next morning leaving at 9 a.m. We were told this was not the season to see much because the rainy season is not quite over, so we weren't sure what to expect. We however, were very pleasantly surprised the next a.m. to see many animals, birds, etc. We have taken a few pictures and will be adding them to this blog site. We found many herds of elephants - some families, some nursing babes, mostly quiet - not very loud. One of them acted like he was trying to hide from us by filling his trunk with sand and then blowing it over on his back as if to hide from us. It was fun! We did see them fill their trunks with water too, to drink and to spray themselves. We enjoyed watching them in Their Habitat instead of in the Zoo. We also ran into herds of Water Bucks (Deer), some running with the Impalas, some not, Water Buffalo (the locals say Not Water buffalo - just Buffalo, Elder says maybe 1,000 hippopotamuses or more, Eagles, Ospreys, Herons, Crocodiles - as soon as we headed the boat towards the shore that they were on they quickly went into the water to hide. We also saw many monkeys, baboons, goats, baby goats with their umbelical cords still attached (so new), and a variety of other things. Thursday was the Lookharts Anniversary (we were just tag alongs). It was a Great Trip. We enjoyed the trip and the opportunity to see more of Zambia (in case) we are actually sent off some time soon. If not, there are a few other sites we would like to see. The Mission President feels it is good for the couples to spend a few days (leave) every few months to keep their balance better. We like his thinking.
We appreciate all your notes and letters. We appreciate your love and support while we are here. We are thankful for the opportunity to be here and to serve our Heavenly Father in any capacity. We know we are being blessed with health and strength while we are here and are grateful for our blessings. We pray for each of you, we love you, we are thankful to have been blessed to have you in our families, and our lives. May you continue to be blessed as you strive to live as He would have you live.
Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Patricia and Burton, Elder and Sister Shields
Time is flying by. We have been keeping trying to meet with all our teachers - we have been doing one on one in services (it seems to work quite well), and trying to visit the classes (both seminary and institute). We have been taking cinnamon rolls and Mazoe (an orange drink mix) to share with the classes we visit. They are always happy to see food (and sometimes even us). The teachers seem to always be prepared and happy to have extra voices in their classes - and yes, sometimes we do take over and do the teaching - or some segment of it which the teachers are thrilled about. We have very good teachers - most branches have done a great job of finding teachers who love the youth and are living worthy of being teachers of these elect youth and young adults. Example is just as important, or more so, than what you have to say. We have visited 3 institute and 2 seminary classes recently here in Lusaka and found that we have a problem in Luanshya (Copperbelt). We're working on it now and will go back up soon to see how it is being resolved. Everyone tries hard to get things back on track when they are pointed out to them. We love how they respond to suggestions to make things better. It makes you feel appreciated. Easter up there was great. We did find on this trip, though, that one branch has no Young Womens Manuals -?? None? We did take the Primary Sharing Time Booklet - we had Sr. Bullock send 5 from Malawi - she had extra - Zambia got None. Sometimes you do wonder if South Africa and Beyond remember that Zambia was made a mission last July. It will improve with time, we are sure.
This week on Wednesday, April 11, 2012, Elder and Sister Lookhart picked us up and we took 3 days and drove about 4 hours (advertised as 2 - 2 1/2 hours) by truck to the Kiambi Safari Lodge to the south west near the Zimbabwe border to see what we could see. We were excited to see what they had in their region and to check out some of the Zambia scenery we hadn't taken time to see. What a Great Adventure. We were more than ecstatic when we finally arrived at the lodge - to find they did have running water and toilets in our huts - not outhouses. Imagine, we thought we were going camping, had accepted that as it would be o.k., to arrive and be shown our tents - yay, with outhouses In the tents. Very impressive. Our hut (tent), looked out over the Kafue River a short way downstream from where it meets the Zambezi River. It was very beautiful. We took a Sunset Cruise the afternoon we arrived and saw an elephant, lots of hippopotamuses, lots of cool birds (called Bee Eaters), and other kinds too. It was calm, about 27 degrees, and a beautiful sunset. On return, they set a formal dinner table, outside, just a little bit away from a fire (which is only lit to keep away a few mosquitos we think), and serve buffet style. The Food was very good, the service was great and we were more than happy to call it a day - as we had booked to go on a full day safari the next morning leaving at 9 a.m. We were told this was not the season to see much because the rainy season is not quite over, so we weren't sure what to expect. We however, were very pleasantly surprised the next a.m. to see many animals, birds, etc. We have taken a few pictures and will be adding them to this blog site. We found many herds of elephants - some families, some nursing babes, mostly quiet - not very loud. One of them acted like he was trying to hide from us by filling his trunk with sand and then blowing it over on his back as if to hide from us. It was fun! We did see them fill their trunks with water too, to drink and to spray themselves. We enjoyed watching them in Their Habitat instead of in the Zoo. We also ran into herds of Water Bucks (Deer), some running with the Impalas, some not, Water Buffalo (the locals say Not Water buffalo - just Buffalo, Elder says maybe 1,000 hippopotamuses or more, Eagles, Ospreys, Herons, Crocodiles - as soon as we headed the boat towards the shore that they were on they quickly went into the water to hide. We also saw many monkeys, baboons, goats, baby goats with their umbelical cords still attached (so new), and a variety of other things. Thursday was the Lookharts Anniversary (we were just tag alongs). It was a Great Trip. We enjoyed the trip and the opportunity to see more of Zambia (in case) we are actually sent off some time soon. If not, there are a few other sites we would like to see. The Mission President feels it is good for the couples to spend a few days (leave) every few months to keep their balance better. We like his thinking.
We appreciate all your notes and letters. We appreciate your love and support while we are here. We are thankful for the opportunity to be here and to serve our Heavenly Father in any capacity. We know we are being blessed with health and strength while we are here and are grateful for our blessings. We pray for each of you, we love you, we are thankful to have been blessed to have you in our families, and our lives. May you continue to be blessed as you strive to live as He would have you live.
Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Patricia and Burton, Elder and Sister Shields
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
| The Infamous Rooster - and the old story of you never hearing the train when you live near the tracks is not true with the Rooster - he has a 40 second delay and he goes all night every night. |
 |
| Johannesburg Temple - a Great Treat on the Visit |
Friday, March 23, 2012
What a Great Month!
It seems we have been remiss at writing in this spot this month - however, most of you got a couple of updates during the month of what has been happening here in Lusaka, and around the country (this side). ("This side" and "the other side" are very common phrases here that people use when someone does not stay close to them - they stay "on the other side" or " yup, on this side". It takes a while to know what they are saying - and where they mean. We are getting on with our Nyinja learning, a little - because we will need to speak Chewa in Malawi. In Nyinja, we are able to say Muillo Buonge - hello, how are you - with the answer being bweeno - or fine. We have also learned thank you"" - zikomo or thank you very much"" - zikomo kwambili. A couple of great phrases to try to remember.
We have been busy this month and have reaped many many blessings for trying to do the Lord's will. If any of you are having challenges - this is the solution!!! As we are shown daily here, if we do our part, the Lord picks up the rest and the benefits and the outcome are truly wonderful miracles.
Old Testament is the Book of Study in Seminary and Institute this year and at first I thought (oh, no, this is not a book I've studied a lot - Elder either, he said. We have been doing most of our daily study from there and can truly say that we are learning and growing with the students.
We have had the opportunity to do many firsts this month - go to Jo'burg, dress the unembalmed, go to the hospital here (to take an Elder from next door), go to the Dentist (Elder), try individual in service lessons, help the young man who MAY take our place here (we're praying he gets the job), be addressed by our Area Presidency, be addressed by Elder Kelly Hawes (over S & I) via Skype, fixed dinner for a single mom with 14 children the elders wanted to take dinner to (it was her birthday), had 2 couples over for dinner and a visit (dishes are a challenge - and I don't want to buy more as we can't take them with us).
We are truly watched over and blessed Each and Every Day. Through prayer we have been reminded that we speak to the Savior, and through reading our scriptures, He speaks to us. What a power that can be to us.
Johannesburg is just a regular looking up to date city - we felt like we'd gone back to civilization. Lusaka is more "Original - as it has been for generations, in our minds. And we are not complaining about Lusaka, it is a beautiful City with beautiful people. We have learned to love and respect Many of them. We will miss them in changing countries.
We have another busy weekend coming up - starting Today actually. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are our busiest days. The others are preparation time, do errand time, housecleaning, laundry, you know, the usual things that just don't go away. This weekend we are going to do a party for Seminary in Chainama at 14:00 for about 20 or so. Then visit the Libala Branch's 9 a.m.Institute class and surprise them with Breakfast (could be up towards 30). I wish I had a rolling pin for the Cinnamon Buns (but taking it by air, on our move to Malawia, doesn't make me want to buy one here). We need to pick up our basketball, and our volleyball and net, etc. to take them to the Seminary party. We need to get prizes for the games, go to the Distribution Store for a bit, and if we get the chance, visit Matero's S & I and visit with the teacher (,Kasonde Ilunga), who getting married next weekend,and is our only teacher there. He is an awesome young man.
On Sunday we will visit a branch at 9 a.m. and then go to the Woodlands branch, at 11 AM, because we are going to have the Primary do a coloring activity for us to send back to Midnapore Ward Primary. Our primary children have sent us letters and pictures twice - we feel blessed. We thought we'd have the kids here do something to send back - with their picture. Hopefully this works. After that, we have been invited to a baptism of 3 young men - one 27, one 14, and I can't remember the age of the other, sorry. Most branches baptize 2-3 people every month or so. Most of them youth or young adults. Great people.
We took the Bauleni group some crayons and paper, etc. quite a few weeks ago and they had no idea what to do with them. I don't know what they do with their children here - but it is amazing - no food, no papers, books, anything, and they sit quietly through church every week. We haven't figured out the secret yet - maybe it is the Nshima they eat, but boy, they are good.
We know that as each of you live as you should, Blessings will be yours. We keep you all in our prayers and hope we are in yours. We look forward to hearing from you - we have received many letters from people in the ward (yes, mailed ones). It is Great - but emails are Great too.
We have less busy times, and then we think we must be being lazy.
It seems we have been remiss at writing in this spot this month - however, most of you got a couple of updates during the month of what has been happening here in Lusaka, and around the country (this side). ("This side" and "the other side" are very common phrases here that people use when someone does not stay close to them - they stay "on the other side" or " yup, on this side". It takes a while to know what they are saying - and where they mean. We are getting on with our Nyinja learning, a little - because we will need to speak Chewa in Malawi. In Nyinja, we are able to say Muillo Buonge - hello, how are you - with the answer being bweeno - or fine. We have also learned thank you"" - zikomo or thank you very much"" - zikomo kwambili. A couple of great phrases to try to remember.
We have been busy this month and have reaped many many blessings for trying to do the Lord's will. If any of you are having challenges - this is the solution!!! As we are shown daily here, if we do our part, the Lord picks up the rest and the benefits and the outcome are truly wonderful miracles.
Old Testament is the Book of Study in Seminary and Institute this year and at first I thought (oh, no, this is not a book I've studied a lot - Elder either, he said. We have been doing most of our daily study from there and can truly say that we are learning and growing with the students.
We have had the opportunity to do many firsts this month - go to Jo'burg, dress the unembalmed, go to the hospital here (to take an Elder from next door), go to the Dentist (Elder), try individual in service lessons, help the young man who MAY take our place here (we're praying he gets the job), be addressed by our Area Presidency, be addressed by Elder Kelly Hawes (over S & I) via Skype, fixed dinner for a single mom with 14 children the elders wanted to take dinner to (it was her birthday), had 2 couples over for dinner and a visit (dishes are a challenge - and I don't want to buy more as we can't take them with us).
We are truly watched over and blessed Each and Every Day. Through prayer we have been reminded that we speak to the Savior, and through reading our scriptures, He speaks to us. What a power that can be to us.
Johannesburg is just a regular looking up to date city - we felt like we'd gone back to civilization. Lusaka is more "Original - as it has been for generations, in our minds. And we are not complaining about Lusaka, it is a beautiful City with beautiful people. We have learned to love and respect Many of them. We will miss them in changing countries.
We have another busy weekend coming up - starting Today actually. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are our busiest days. The others are preparation time, do errand time, housecleaning, laundry, you know, the usual things that just don't go away. This weekend we are going to do a party for Seminary in Chainama at 14:00 for about 20 or so. Then visit the Libala Branch's 9 a.m.Institute class and surprise them with Breakfast (could be up towards 30). I wish I had a rolling pin for the Cinnamon Buns (but taking it by air, on our move to Malawia, doesn't make me want to buy one here). We need to pick up our basketball, and our volleyball and net, etc. to take them to the Seminary party. We need to get prizes for the games, go to the Distribution Store for a bit, and if we get the chance, visit Matero's S & I and visit with the teacher (,Kasonde Ilunga), who getting married next weekend,and is our only teacher there. He is an awesome young man.
On Sunday we will visit a branch at 9 a.m. and then go to the Woodlands branch, at 11 AM, because we are going to have the Primary do a coloring activity for us to send back to Midnapore Ward Primary. Our primary children have sent us letters and pictures twice - we feel blessed. We thought we'd have the kids here do something to send back - with their picture. Hopefully this works. After that, we have been invited to a baptism of 3 young men - one 27, one 14, and I can't remember the age of the other, sorry. Most branches baptize 2-3 people every month or so. Most of them youth or young adults. Great people.
We took the Bauleni group some crayons and paper, etc. quite a few weeks ago and they had no idea what to do with them. I don't know what they do with their children here - but it is amazing - no food, no papers, books, anything, and they sit quietly through church every week. We haven't figured out the secret yet - maybe it is the Nshima they eat, but boy, they are good.
We know that as each of you live as you should, Blessings will be yours. We keep you all in our prayers and hope we are in yours. We look forward to hearing from you - we have received many letters from people in the ward (yes, mailed ones). It is Great - but emails are Great too.
We have less busy times, and then we think we must be being lazy.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Birthdays do go on even in Zambia. Elder Shields turned another year older last week. The BIG 70 - and he doesn't look a day older! We even found him a Chocolate Cake to eat - pricey - but hey, when that's your Birthday present, it's worth it. Oh, actually Elder got the privilege of checking out a Zambian Dentist - the tooth that had broken before and been put in by the orthodontist broke again and fell out. We took it with us and the Dentist put it back in - all went very well. She was trained in South Africa.
We were invited to the Lookharts for Burton's birthday dinner - it was great! We enjoyed the evening. Friday we went for another drive to the Copperbelt - this time we were able to get the majority of the reports we'd been trying to get. The members in the Copperbelt really feel they need a missionary couple up there to help with their branches. Some are SOO new to the church and put into leadership positions that they need help learning what is expected of them. They really feel the mantel of their callings - and they take it to heart. They are wonderful people, but can get overwhelmed with things when they don't have phones, computers, addresses, transportation, or helpers in many instances. What they do have is a Love of their Savior - and they recognize Him in their lives. We did go out to Kawama Branch on Saturday afternoon (the road doesn't exist really), to see how it was coming along - they are building a Chapel for them - they meet in an old house - that is all that is available in their compound. They are very excited to have a better place to meet - We then went on Sunday morning to visit Ndola branch - it was Fast Day! There were no pauses during the meeting and the testimonies born were wonderful. We felt very uplifted when we left. We are very blessed to be here to associate with these wonderful people.
Today we took the car in for an oil change - they called to say something is broken underneath - and we aren't the least bit surprised - the roads leave much to be desired. Elder does worry a lot about the car and the roads - the ruts are SOOO deep that we are hitting bottom too often - even at 1 KPH - It's good that it'll be fixed for the new person. We hear we are getting a Toyota Hilux in Malawi in place of our little Corolla. Gas wise, we'll probably miss the Corolla. Malawi is much hillier? (is that a word) than Zambia.
We are busy working on reports of all kinds, to have them Done before we go to J'berg next week for 4 days. We do need the car back to go to some of the branches and pick up reports to be able to enter them. We are able to do that (we have transportation), they do not and transport is expensive for them. A Big Challenge.
We've had a big shakeup of missionaries - 7 or so came over from Malawi to Zambia - and about the same went the other direction. So, it's kind of like everyone is getting used to a new area - some are better at that than others. The Work goes on - it's so rewarding to be part of it, even if our part seems quite small. We are grateful that we chose to come to Zambia to do the Lord's Work. We see his hand in our lives each and every day in the things we do and the choices we make. We know he protects and helps us to know what he wants us to do.
O.K. I was going to add some pictures of all of the above but just discovered that the camera is still in the Lookharts truck (they brought us back from the dealership). It will have to wait until tomorrow afternoon so I won't publish this yet.
To Whoever Reads This: BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE!
We were invited to the Lookharts for Burton's birthday dinner - it was great! We enjoyed the evening. Friday we went for another drive to the Copperbelt - this time we were able to get the majority of the reports we'd been trying to get. The members in the Copperbelt really feel they need a missionary couple up there to help with their branches. Some are SOO new to the church and put into leadership positions that they need help learning what is expected of them. They really feel the mantel of their callings - and they take it to heart. They are wonderful people, but can get overwhelmed with things when they don't have phones, computers, addresses, transportation, or helpers in many instances. What they do have is a Love of their Savior - and they recognize Him in their lives. We did go out to Kawama Branch on Saturday afternoon (the road doesn't exist really), to see how it was coming along - they are building a Chapel for them - they meet in an old house - that is all that is available in their compound. They are very excited to have a better place to meet - We then went on Sunday morning to visit Ndola branch - it was Fast Day! There were no pauses during the meeting and the testimonies born were wonderful. We felt very uplifted when we left. We are very blessed to be here to associate with these wonderful people.
Today we took the car in for an oil change - they called to say something is broken underneath - and we aren't the least bit surprised - the roads leave much to be desired. Elder does worry a lot about the car and the roads - the ruts are SOOO deep that we are hitting bottom too often - even at 1 KPH - It's good that it'll be fixed for the new person. We hear we are getting a Toyota Hilux in Malawi in place of our little Corolla. Gas wise, we'll probably miss the Corolla. Malawi is much hillier? (is that a word) than Zambia.
We are busy working on reports of all kinds, to have them Done before we go to J'berg next week for 4 days. We do need the car back to go to some of the branches and pick up reports to be able to enter them. We are able to do that (we have transportation), they do not and transport is expensive for them. A Big Challenge.
We've had a big shakeup of missionaries - 7 or so came over from Malawi to Zambia - and about the same went the other direction. So, it's kind of like everyone is getting used to a new area - some are better at that than others. The Work goes on - it's so rewarding to be part of it, even if our part seems quite small. We are grateful that we chose to come to Zambia to do the Lord's Work. We see his hand in our lives each and every day in the things we do and the choices we make. We know he protects and helps us to know what he wants us to do.
O.K. I was going to add some pictures of all of the above but just discovered that the camera is still in the Lookharts truck (they brought us back from the dealership). It will have to wait until tomorrow afternoon so I won't publish this yet.
To Whoever Reads This: BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE!
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