I've made it...

've made it to Zambia. After 3 pieces of luggage (weight totaling 190 pounds) and 2 carry-ons (weighing at least 50 pounds total)...I've made it. I left Chicago on Sunday, May 17. After an 8 hour flight, I met up with the Delaware team in London. It was good to see those I had met in previous years. We flew then from London to Lusaka. A 10 hour flight. We landed in Lusaka at 6am. It took awhile to collect all of the luggage from both the Florida and Delaware teams. We then headed for a breakfast and then onto the college at Kazemba.
When we arrived at the college, the 12 students, ladies (who cook for us) and the Kallevigs were present to welcome. We were welcomed with singing and open arms. The afternoon was spent settling in and a tour of the college. It is amazing to reflect on the past 4 years and how far the college has come. My first year here, I was sleeping in a tent. I walked 0.6 miles from the camp site to the work-site. Now, we are sleeping in cabins that have wood frames for beds, and walking 500 feet to the work-site
At lunch, I was greeted by Edwin, one of the pastors that I have worked with the past 3 years. He did not know that I was coming this week, or that I was staying for 2 months. It has been a joy to see him and other pastors the past few years and to build those relationships. Most of the same ladies are here again this year. It will take me some time to remember the names. Some just look so much alike, that it is hard to keep track of them.
I have been here several days so far. The schedule is pretty much the same every day. We wake up, breakfast, then off to the work site. Lunch is around 12:30pm and then back to the work-site in the afternoon. We stop working around 4:30 and have time to shower and relax. Dinner is at 6:30 and the evening service at 7:30. Each evening, a different group is providing the devotional. We start with singing by the students, the ladies, then the Americans. After the service, it is either time for a bonfire or time for bed.
Each evening, I am amazed at the stars. There are so many stars in the sky! You can see the milky way so clearly. Even though the stars are awesome in the states out away from all the city lights, it doesn't even compare to the stars here in Zambia. I would love to get pictures, but my camera is still not good enough. I need a super duper lens to get those pictures.
(For those that might ask, as of Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 5:51pm, I have taken a lot of pictures 450 to be exact. For those that know me really well, I have caught the sunset every night. It has been awesome!)