Random pictures of what's happning

This is a view of our house from from the water tower.

Our usual sight each and every day

Bama - good boy (Wilcox dog)

Bama and Tebby posing for a picture at the Wilcoxes

Kelsey climbed the water tower, signed her name, and took some pictures of the sunset

Silly Girl... She was asking Momma to come up, but Momma said NO

Once a week we have started cooking an American meal for the kids & staff at New Day. Hamburgers were on the menu - compliments of Chef Blu

Ricky & Kelsey were preparing the homemade chips (fries)

We called ourselves "Five Ladies & 2 Guys Burgers & Fries"

Niki & Darbi chopping onions (made Niki cry!)

Welcome back to New Day

After a month of being home and all together for the holidays, 4 of us made the journey back to Africa.  Coby returned to school in Kenya, while Ricky, Niki and Kelsey made their way to Zambia.

After saying the "see-ya-laters" in Atlanta, we flew to Amsterdam. There we took a canal cruise of the city. Then we enjoyed some free time in the airport, eating our last McDonald's for a while and napping before the next flight.

When we arrived in Kenya we had to say our "see-ya-laters" to Coby as he went through immigration, and we transferred on to our next gate.  Coby's guardian met him on the other side at baggage claim, and they were on their way to Nairobi for overnight.  Once Coby got to the house he realized that one of his trunks was not his - it was one of ours.  Apparently, in the checking in from Atlanta, we got 2 trunks mixed up and checked one of ours to Kenya, and one of his to Zambia!  At least he had the majority of his clothes and necessities with him.  So, after we arrived in Livingstone, Zambia we went to Fed Ex and mailed Coby a 4kg package (which was all we could afford to send) and they told us he would receive it in Kenya in 2-3 days.

The 3 of us made our way to a lodge for overnight, and the following day we picked up the rest of our New Day Family at the airport :)  All 44 trunks/suitcases plus carry-ons, plus 10 people all boarded "Bus Number New Day" and we were on our way home! (side note: there would have been more luggage had Jenna's suitcases arrived! Had to fill out a lost luggage report for that!)

This picture is a little blurry since we were bumping around on the bus, but if you look closely you may notice a pair of shoes on top of that red container. That would be Blu Tidwell's FEET as he found a nice place to stretch out and take a nap!!!

As we drew closer to Mapanza it began to rain. We were praying that the bridge would be passable.  They had gotten a LOT of rain in the last day or so.

This is the bridge we were worried that we could not cross, but there was only a small amount of water covering the bridge this time so we were successful in getting across.

After crossing the bridge we thought we were 'home free' - WRONG! There were people in the road crossing over telling us it was too deep to pass in the bus. So our fearless leader, Blu, decides he must test the waters himself.

"It looks OK to me," says Blu.

"Ricky, just stay to the left and make sure the 4x4 is ON"

We finally made it to our gate! Yah! 

You can see how much rain we get during the rainy season which lasts usually end of November to sometime in March.  But the rains cannot put a damper on a family reunion!  All the kids, teachers and mothers were waiting to greet us - even in the pouring rain!

We were sooooo excited to finally be there, and to see the kids again!  Kelsey and Jenna (our intern for a few months) had to learn some new faces and names immediately.

Life at New Day can be hard at times, yet rewarding all the time.  There is ALWAYS something happening or going on.  That's what being a servant for God is all about.  Here's just a few of the things we have been doing since we arrived:

Nabakowa Village - Niki taught Sunday School for the kids; Ricky preached.

I was not too happy my skirt & feet got muddy from slipping in the mud outside Blu's house :(

Blu & Ricky plus a few Zambian helpers making trusses for the Guest House

Discipleship Class with the older kids who have accepted Christ. Laurie was teaching the lesson this week before she left for the States; and next week I get to teach!

Axer teaching me a clapping game during Kids Club

One of the many sunsets we get to see each evening

Kelsey riding her bike

A NEW basketball goal was installed just before Kids Club, so the kids were enjoying learning a new game

Kelsey was a big help during Kids Club

Axer on Kelsey's shoulders; Christina on mine. Just an ordinary day at New Day!

And now for some updates on the house... Well, we're not living there yet! It's almost done; with just a few more things to finish up and we hope to be moving in next week.  We are currently in Lusaka (the reason I am blogging with 3G network) getting more supplies in order to finish the house.

Master bathroom sink (brought over in the container from my Mom & Dad's house)

Carlpen REALLY loved this rebar bender we brought from the States (BIG THANKS to CRAFTSMAN for that donation!)  He said if he had one of these, he could make lots of money :)

Guest Bath (aka Kelsey's bathroom) only some tile left to put in and then it will be complete

Ceramic tile in the Master Bath

Shower in the Master Bath (he had just started when I took this photo; now it's almost done)

Continue to pray for us that we finish the house and move in (really soon), pray for Coby at school in Kenya, pray for Austin at school in the States, and pray for those we may come in contact with here in Zambia that need to hear the Good News!