Siablumbe and Mutala

Thursday

We spent our last day at Siabalumbe much like we had the previous two. I co-taught with the Preschool through 4th grade teachers, focusing on phonics, vocabulary, and a little bit of mental math. Sherry and Mary Beth teamed up to read the Bible story to all the grades 1-6. David worked construction and gave the same two Bible lessons back to back, first to the 7-9th graders, and then to the community.

The teachers and headmaster treated us like royalty each day, and served us tea, sweet potatoes and groundnuts during the morning break. On this last day, the community ladies prepared nshima, tomato relish, and fried chicken for us. We shared this feast with the teachers, and then we presented each of them with a gift package which included a Bible.

After the lesson, the whole community sang for us, but the highlight was the farewell song. The women sang and sang and sang as they walked/danced toward our vehicle. 

We had one more stop to make before returning to the guest house, and the sun was already starting to sink in the western sky. Ruhtt had arranged for the Mutala church of Christ to gather at 5 p.m. so we could give them the banner we had made for them. The church building is almost completed, but we will be back in Kansas on the first Sunday that they will meet in it. These gracious people agreed to meet us this late in the day, and they even arranged for their student choir to sing two songs for us. David said some words of encouragement and thanked the people for working so hard to complete this building in such a short time. In response, the church leader said that it was not polite for us to thank them, but that they are thanking us for providing what was needed to make this building possible. Isn’t it great how God brings His people together to do His work?!

Shepherd, the builder, is pounding the last six nails on the roof.

We arrived at the guest house after 7 p.m., and we were so happy for Sue’s meal of sweet and sour pork chops. No one needed to be told to go to bed. We were full physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Thanks for reading, and for your emails and comments.