Special Visitor

 Today I rejoice that we have extra dishes, cooking, and laundry!!!

We picked up Eli in Lusaka on Saturday for a holiday visit.  

So very thankful to have him be able to see and experience a bit of our life here at Jembo.

Last week we were preparing for him, doing school, finishing up Tonga lessons for 2022, and working in the yard.

In addition to planting, weeding is becoming more and more a big priority as the fertile soil and rain has everything growing rapidly.

A big thunderstorm on Tuesday knocked down a transformer pole and wires somewhere away from the campus.

So we rejoiced when the power returned Thursday night right before our trip to Lusaka so we did not need to deal with the food in the warming refrigerator.

Friday we headed to the capital. We visited the Munda Wanga Botanical Garden and Zoo. 

We toured the facility with a guide. New animals for us included: bush pig, monitor lizards, porcupine, a board looking African dog, puku antelope,

Did not see the snakes but Cory is showing the size of a shed skin.

Cory didn't see much impressive in the botanical garden side, the bush fields near Jembo have more plant/tree wise.

Then we went shopping, no one's favorite but needed supplies and a few Christmas treats.

A few stores that cater to foreigners did have a few Christmas trees up, lights, decorations, and Christmas music but otherwise a rare sighting. 

After grabbing some pizza for a late lunch we checked into our guest house and then headed on foot across the street to visit the Kabwata Cultural Village. 

I was very thankful to pick up a nice nativity set. 

We did a bit more shopping before returning to our rooms where Fritzlin watched the highlights of the World Cup match between Brazil and Croatia. 

Saturday morning found us visiting a new plant nursery and more shopping before heading to the airport to pick up Eli. 

Once we greeted and loaded Eli and his bags we started the long trip back to Jembo, arriving about 9 p.m.

Sunday we worshiped as a family, spending the day quietly enjoying being together. We talked to Anna and assured her of our prayers as she prepares for her last final before heading to Michigan.

Monday-work in the yard.

Filling more nursery bags for planting seeds, weeding before we travel again, moving fire wood, planting seeds..

Thankful to have both power, water, and no rain so that we could do laundry as it did not happen last week.

 Eli helping Fritz with the last few lessons of the year before we break for the holidays. 

Wednesday we plan to travel south to Livingstone to visit Immigration to have our work permit card renewal printed; sight-see with Eli, and more shopping before returning on Friday to Jembo. 

Photo: checking out an open-topped  termite mound/vent being built by a small variety of termites. 

Monitor lizards