Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Buggy new year

Well it has been a very buggy new year. We rang out the old year at a beach
along lake Malawi along with several of the missionary families from
Tanzania and Zambia. Actually this was the first step in our three country
tour. We have made plans to visit Zambia and Malawi before returning back to
Tanzania.

The beach was a beautiful get away from the stresses and joys of life in
Sumbawanga. We rang in the new year with volleyball and snorkling.
Sometimes we can take advantage of living in a country of so much natural
beauty, though this location is a 9 hour drive from our home so we don't get
the chance often to visit. We took full advantage of the swimming and
fellowship among missionary families because there is not much opportunity
for either living in Sumbawanga. Unfortunately it seems that the flies in
the area had also taken full advantantage of us.

Shortly after leaving Matema, we saw several bumps appear on Elizabeth (10),
then Becca (11) and to a much smaller extent Ian (2) and I (1). We thought
of several different possibilities of rashes and skin irritations. I had
not so fond memories of some medical training I took part in in the states
looking at picture after picture of skin rashes. However, yesterday as
becca was picking at one of them we discovered they were larva from a fly
that laid eggs in our clothing! We were told to treat them you need to
cover the opening with vaseline so that it cannot breath and when it sticks
its head out to squeeze it like a zit! On top of that Elizabeth has been bit
up by fleas and we have all faced the increase of mosquitoes as we left
Tanzania for Zambia. To exact my revenge on the insect world though I
bought a bag full of catipillars on the side of the road which we will roast
up and eat tonight for dinner!

While we are in Zambia we will be taking part in a Bible teacher seminar
where I will be instructing on various teaching strategies as well as
learning the system of evangelism and church development in Zambia and
Malawi. Following the conference we will be heading over to Malawi to
participate in the start up of a new primary and secondary school. Please
keep us in your prayers as we travel and battle the insects.

In Him who guides our ways through the great and minor struggles,
Zubers

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