Wild Africa!

It only took a few days after landing on this continent to again start experiencing the intensity of missionary life in Africa. Our plan was to spend one week in South Africa to collect our new solar equipment and other supplies and load them on a truck headed to Zambia while our family made the 2-day drive in our van. Suddenly (in the wake of this new coronavirus scare and just after traveling internationally) the two oldest kids and I were hit with the flu! As we recovered, Nehemiah had a fever and a bad cough. Thankfully we were in civilization so I could drive him to the hospital up the road. The Dr. ordered chest X-rays and determined he had bronchiolitis and needed nebulizer treatments for the week. He recovered well but we had to stay an extra week due to all the illness. Since we were still feeling rough, Jesse decided the kids and I should fly up while he drove – to which I gladly agreed!

For weeks we had envisioned us arriving in Chipepo before Shane and Chelsea since they were scheduled to be in Mozambique for a staff retreat. We assumed Amanda would come within a month after that since she was finishing up fundraising. But in the amazing sovereignty of God, He orchestrated for our team to meet together in Johannesburg from 3 different countries and fly back to Zambia together! It was the most joyful reunion with Jesse dropping us off at the airport right before his long drive, the Bloedorn’s returning from the retreat in Mozambique, and Amanda having just arrived from the U.S. being fully funded!