Big Attraction in a Little Town

Word traveled fast around Choma town....a huge load was coming through town! So big that they had to shut off power to lift the power lines up out of the truck's way. So big that no one else could get through on the street. It was traveling at 20 KM an hour, and the truck had 160 wheels in front and 160 wheels in back. It came from South Africa and was on its way to the Copper Belt, and the estimated time from departure to arrival was a month. It was carrying a huge, rectangular machine, longer than our guest house, that was going to melt and cool copper and make copper blocks. There was a guy in the back helping to steer it, and another truck followed that had their "house"...a place to sleep, cook and rest when one of them were not driving. On the machine, were stickers "DHL", so we assume that is how it was being shipped to the Copperbelt, via DHL. We were hoping to find out more details on the news, but haven't yet. Friday night Given heard it was sitting along the street not that far away, waiting for the electric company to get the power lines out of the way, so he took his boys and Matthew to see it. Then Given called us early Saturday morning, with news that it was coming through, and he was driving out to see it. Did we want to come along? Dad, Mother and I went. What a sight! It seemed like the whole town was there! People running along the streets, trying to get a close look. When we got up to the Tarmac, it had just passed, and we wanted to get ahead
of it, so Given, with his great driving skills, took us on back, bumpy roads, so we could get around it, and we got to the other end of town, before it arrived. Some of us climbed up on top of the Hiace to get a good look (Yes, I managed, even in my jumper!) Mother wanted to, but Given and I vetoed her and she stayed on the ground with Dad! People were everywhere! I imagine it was the most people Choma town ever saw at 7:00 in the morning! What a big time in the little town!

By the way, Given is feeling better, almost back to himself, but still trying to get his strength and appetite back. Yesterday Ken felt the best he has in a long time, so hopefully he will be all healthy upon his return home. The other day he had his first experience of electricity outage....he was on the computer at the internet cafe and poof - everything went out!

The Children's Bible Hour week is over - the last day we had 23 children and it was a great joy for Mother and I to teach these children from the Bible and sing with them.

This past week we have been praying for some dear friends back home, who have just been diagnosed with returning cancer. Our associate pastor's wife, Cindy Michaels, and our son-in-law's Mother, Beejee Herr, are both such inspiring examples of women who are trusting in the goodness of the Lord as they walk through difficulty and the unknown. If you think of them, please join us in praying for them and their families.

It is September, and that's the month we return to home sweet home :) Yesterday we thought of our little grandson, Benjamin, who celebrated his 2nd birthday. We're sorry we weren't home to personally give him birthday greetings, but Lord willing, we will be there for the rest!

We are getting ready to go to our church service at Nahumba BIC, and I am especially eager to go this morning, since they are having a wonderful guest speaker from the states...the pastor of my favorite church, Living Hope Church, who happens to be my very best friend too!!

Leza amulongezye - Beth, Ken and Matt