We arrived in Ndola around 1:30pm Friday afternoon. Theresa and Veronica were waiting for us with open arms. It has been longer than usual since we were last here, and Veronica joked that she almost forgot what we looked like!
We often give ourselves the first 18-24 hours to just acclimate—rest, unpack, buy groceries, etc. But, this being a Friday afternoon, we knew that if we did not see the team today we might not see them until Monday. We couldn’t fathom being here and waiting that long for a visit. We took quick showers, changed clothes and headed to Kantolomba. Yes, we are heroes!
As we drove into Kantolomba, we experienced the many sounds and sights of children playing, people walking and shouts of “Hello!” or the Bemba equivalent, “Mulishani.”
It was fun for Phil to see the property. She was here in Kantolomba in 2004 before we had even started the food program. She writes, “As we rounded the last bend, there on the hillside was a magnificent, to my eyes, Living Compassion building. I was awestruck by its size and splendor. All the photos I have seen do not compare with seeing the real thing. On the side of the building is a huge banner greeting all that says “Living Compassion: Building Community, Transforming Lives.” As we turned into the Living Compassion compound, my eyes filled with tears of gratitude and joy. To me it was a scene right out of a story book: lovely women, dressed in bright colors, filling their containers with water from the well; such an ordinary, extraordinary sight.”
The scene at the tap as we arrived
The welcome hugs ensued, and soon the team toured us around—showing off the property to a newcomer is always a joy. It was a pleasure to see everything looking clean, tidy and well-kept as always.
Pascal and the other men were busily working on parts
for the new desks the team has been making for the younger students.
Meeting Baby Michael, one of the two Living Compassion baby boys born in the last three months, was a highlight. He is son of Reuben, one of the men in the cooperative, and his wife JoAnne. They live in one of the houses on the Living Compassion property. We had a lovely time holding him but did not stay long as his slightly older sister (not more than 3) was inconsolably crying, convinced, Theresa and JoAnne reported, that we were going to steal her baby brother.
Phil holding Baby Michael.
JoAnne, Michael’s mom, and Theresa looking on.
It was the end of their day and the end of our ability to hold our heads up, but we all agreed we did not want to wait until Monday to begin (we only have two weeks!) so we made a plan to have a 3-hour work afternoon the next day, Saturday. Yea! Work days are the best.
A bit more cuteness before we left—Eugenia’s granddaughter.
As a last surprise before calling it a day, we ran into Friday on the street. Theresa spotted him on the other side of the road, and we made her turn around and go back. Miss a chance to greet Friday?? Never. We have not been in contact with him for some time. As he looked at us across the road, he greeted us with a huge smile, “I thought I was dreaming!” You may remember that Friday is the handiest man we know. He can do anything from building to welding to mechanicing to plumbing; we have never met a broken object Friday cannot fix. We’ve called him out to Kantolomba on dozens of occasions to bail us out of a bind. You hate to wish for something to break, but we do hope we will find an excuse to work with him this trip. He eagerly showed us photos of his children, who have grown up a great deal since we last saw him.
Photos never do Friday justice, but we think a bit of his charm shows through on this one.
Off to as many hours of sleep as the body can manage.