Siavonga at last

Greetings, blog-readers, from Siavonga. I’m very happy to send you this, my first message from Zambia.

I’m sitting here in the Namumu sauna/front office sweating like Patrick Ewing and avoiding dive-bombing malaria-parasite-carrying mosquitoes while praying that the power doesn’t cut off again and staring out the window at children playing around the Baobab tree. I’m officially in Africa.

By the grace of God I have arrived alive and well. My 2nd plane touched down in Lusaka around 9:00 pm on Monday evening. I was greeted by Munjongo (the Namumu Executive Director) and his 6th born, his daughter, Ndandula. It was too late to drive back to Siavonga (a three hour trip), so we spent the night in Lusaka with Munjongo and Esther’s 5th born, Mauvita. African hospitality is unbelievable and we were treated quite well.

We spent the next day driving around Lusaka in the Namumu truck running errands. I picked up my Zambian work permit and a few items for my new home in Siavonga (pots, pans, utensils, etc.), all the while playing the "count the white people" game. I made it to about nine. After darting around town and narrowly avoiding umpteen traffic accidents we hit the road and headed for Siavonga.

I was greeted warmly by the Namumu staff and children and was shown my new home. It was good to see everyone again. Except, that is, for Saviour, the girls' caretaker, who's first words to me were "Sam! You got fat!"
My new place is wonderful and probably larger than I need. I'm staying in what used to be the nurse's quarters and have my own bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living room. I even have a guest bedroom (Come play. Bring hot sauce). I've spent the last few days fixing it up and clearing the back yard to start my garden, since the Namumu bosses have given me until Monday to recuperate and get my affairs in order before getting back to work.

That's about it for update number one. As of right now it looks as though once-a-week updates will be about all that I can manage. I'll try to keep them consistant and at the end of the week so that you'll know when to expect them. Catch you later...