Day 1 - Here at last!!

Arrived safely after a very long journey.  Good flights – even though the Edinburgh to Heathrow leg was delayed for around 50 minutes.  And the result of the delay?  All of the cool, calm and collected travellers at Heathrow subjected to the sight of me running the length of Terminal 1 at full pelt to make my Johannesburg connection!!  Skin of my teeth makes it sound too easy!!! But I’m here now and so is my suitcase.

I had a good chat with the man sitting next to me on the Johannesburg to Ndola flight (a South African Christian).  He shared all sorts of interesting information about Africa in general, about Zambia, and about African Christianity and beliefs.  It was a bit like having my own personal guide in much the same way as the man on the bus in Jerusalem was the day we went to the Holocaust Memorial.  It was a business card and an invite to tour the broadcasting station that day on the bus and on the plane it was a business card and a promise of help if I need it. 

Jenny Featherstone and Wendy Lund came to collect me from the airport and next stop was to introduce me to the wonders of Shopright where I was able to stock up with some basic provisions.  Felt a bit weird spending 294,000 on shopping  - but that works out to under £40.  

Back on the pickup and for a short drive to a really nice lunch stop then back aboard for a trip to a sawmill.  Jenny was buying a stove and oven that has been designed by the folks at the sawmill to burn sawdust, which they have in abundance and are willing to give away for free.   Jenny hopes to demonstrate its benefits to her women’s group, as it is something the women might benefit hugely from. Once the initial purchase has been made cooking and heating will cost nothing. 

Arrived at United Church of Zambia Theological College (UCZTC) where I was welcomed warmly and show to my accommodation - a small chalet with very basic facilities.  The security bars were being welded in place on the bathroom window as I arrived (!), but everything else was ready and I was delighted with the welcome pack of foodstuffs and cleaning materials that had been supplied to get me settled.  I only discovered later (after using the loo and trying to freshen up) that the water supply is…well…intermittent.  At least I know now why the cistern wouldn’t flush!!

My first evening was spent sharing a lovely meal with Wendy, her husband Glen (the Mission Partner here), their four children, and Jenny.  We shared a veritable feast of pork cutlets, mashed potato, broccoli, carrots and green beans, followed by two squares of chocolate for pudding. 

At the end of a long but enjoyable first day, there was just one massive cockroach and a couple of crickets to say ‘goodnight’ to (which was done with the help of a can of insect spray), then into bed for my first night under my mossi net.