A Little Zambian Culture

Here we are in front of Mono's house.

October 27, 2012

Last night we were invited to an authentic Zambian meal at Mono’s house. Mono is a fabulous cook; had she lived in a metropolis you could picture her with her own cooking show. And, let me add, Mono does not have electricity or indoor plumbing. Here’s the menu from left to right:

1. Tonga sauce, which was very good!

2. Tonga chicken

3. Pumpkin leaves with ground nuts. (Ground nuts are peanuts, and a staple here.)

4. Cabbage leaves with ground nuts.

5. Beans

6. Mashed potatoes.

7. Nshima is in a pot on the floor. (Pronounced “n’sheema”, with an almost unnoticeable “n”.)

  

My dinner at Mono's

Eating out at Macha's only restaurant.

Every Zambian meal starts with hand washing.

Today we worked a full day, but had decided that we’d eat at the only local eatery, Vision Restaurant.  To eat at Vision you must call ahead and order your meals, let them know what time you will want to dine. We called at noon and Dan and I both ordered double cheeseburgers and chips; Greg K ordered a chicken wrap with chips and Gil & Ronda ordered chicken wraps as well.  When we arrived we found out that all they had were Beef & Rice or Beef & Potatoes. So, we all had Beef & Rice and it was good. You’ll notice that we are eating by candlelight as the power here in Macha is intermittent, and often is off during the evenings.

Zambian carpentry tools

Tomorrow is Sunday, and we plan to attend the BIC Church (that’s Brethren in Christ Church) for part of the service. Most Sunday services last approximately three hours. Greg K is flying home tomorrow, so Flying Mission will be sending the plane for him sometime in the morning. Gil & Ronda will ride along and see him off at Lusaka International Airport before returning on Monday.

After we see the Krause's get off the ground, Dan and I will jump in the car and drive to Livingstone for a little R & R. It’s about a three hour trip. While there we will take in a game drive and a river safari, and see Victoria Falls. And before we head back to Macha, we will do a little shopping at Handyman’s Paradise, equivalent to a small Menards or Home Depot for some materials that we need to finish some of our projects.

Macha bank; it's a shipping container.

Before we head back we will connect with a missionary couple there in Livingstone who helps widows to set up cottage industries so that they can be self-supporting. We will be filling our duffel bags (that we brought all the uniforms in) with items that these women have made. The father of one of the missionaries lives in Hayward WI, and he will be selling these goods for the women. He attends the same church as our daughter, LeeAnn.  

Sylvia does a great job as a boarding parents; she calls Kathy & I, "Mum & Dad".

That’s what’s happening on this side of the world! Keep praying that we will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading, that the work be completed well and on time, at the same time we will be an encouragement to those around us.

Glad to be on this journey with you,

Greg, and Dan