Holding time is like trying to hold water in your hand, the harder you hold onto it, the faster it runs away. So, my plan is to wish it away and see if that makes it go slower. We are standing at the end of six and a half years in Zambia, and 16 years of volunteer work, and it is like saying goodbye to an old friend- life as we know it. We recently saw a picture of our family when we came and it made me realise how much has changed while doing the work:
Rashelle
became
4 became almost 11
Rashelle was 4 when we came, she is now 10 and has just finished her 5th year of school. So, Rashelle, what will remember most of our time in Zambia:
“TC, Sasha, Shalley, Peanut, Scamper and Chippie, and all our other pets. I will miss the people around our house. The beautiful country side wherever there is no littering.”
Tim:
became
2 became 9
Tim was 2, almost 3 when we arrived. He has just turned 9, and is half way through his fourth year of school.
Tim, what was your favourite part of our time in Zambia?
“Playing soccer with the Tonga boys behind our house. I told you my answer is short!”
Simon:
became
16 months became 7 years
Simon was 16 months when he set foot in Zambia, he definitely knows nothing else. He is now a very independent 7 year old, having been forced through school for 2 years ;)
Simon, what are you going to miss most about Zambia?
“I will miss mud cows, wire cars, running around in the rain and mud, climbing trees, my best friends, swimming most of the year, making mud dams, eating sugar cane, playing soccer, running around, swimming in the dam, and that’s all.”
This will forever be the place we received Isabel:
Now 4 years old
So, yes, things have changed:
And us big people?
I think we realize just once again that you come thinking that you will be giving, but you receive so much more.
Ilne: I think I came ready for an adventure, waiting to see what God had for us to do. Things moved slowly, and definitely didn’t always go according to plan. I learned that it is about taking time, slowing down, building relationships upon the journey, investing in those relationships, and being faithful in the little things. One day at a time, enjoy the rain, enjoy the sunshine. Love people for who God made them, not always for who they seem to be.
I learned that I am stronger than I think. I watched women here, friends, do so much more than the Hollywood ladies with their painted nails could ever do. God has not given us a Spirit of Fear- so if there is a problem, solve it! If there is something you are scared of- do it.
And mostly, I think God brought me here to teach me what I really believed about Him. So much of our Sunday school lessons makes Him sound like Christmas father, which He is not. He is the Lion of Judah. The false teaching that makes faith all about what I can get out of it, has been revealed to me here, and I now know that I don’t live to get to Heaven, I live to glorify that One that made me.
Carl: I loved the friendliness of people here. I enjoyed being safe, always. The first rainstorms after the hot season, I loved seeing God’s creation here. I am thankful for the life experience we built up here. We thank God for friends, friends for life.
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The work is done:
became
We are leaving the work in the hands of Obert and Pamela Malumani, and moving along. We had a meeting with the Hope Builders Ministries board, ourselves and the Malumani’s. It was made clear that their focus was to reach out to the community with the Truth- so we are excited to see what happens.
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Thank you
None of this would have been possible without the support of every single one of you. That is the reality! So, hear our thanks, from the bottom of our hearts. Some of you have walked this journey with us for 16 years (first separately of course), and we have no way to bless you back for all you’ve meant to us.
Thank you for every time we could draw money at the ATM.
Thank you for every person that came to see us and encourage us.
Thank you for every encouraging email.
Thank you for every card in the post box.
Thank you for every prayer prayed on our behalf.
Thank you for Christmas packages.
Thank you for ears to listen to us.
Thank you for Jeanet who made the writing of the newsletters so much easier.
May God bless you.
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| Phil. 1:3-6: I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day to now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. |
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Practically (for financial supporters):
We are expecting to have an income from middle January, though all is not set in stone yet. I hope that helps you to make a decision when you stop your financial support. And once again, thank you!
Also, I will keep working on our blog, and share with you our new experiences. We are not on any other form of social media, so you need to want to hear from us and then visit: www.mercy4africa.blogspot.com
My tendency is to waffle on for as long as possible, because closing this letter would somehow signify the end. But you have better things to do. SO, from the Paalman family: Goodbye, and blessings.
Some nice pictures:
Tim on his 9th birthday
Celebration of the end of our school year.
Simon helps in the house.
Rashelle gets a prize for her bible quiz preparation.
Simon playing soccer at the Fun days organized for our home schoolers in Lusaka.
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