Simon's turn

So, we started Simon at the crèche today, mostly to give Mom and Rashelle a break to do their schooling at home. His teacher had her hands full!!!! He is strong willed and strong muscled. That's our boy...

Nieuwsbrief Januari 2015

Ja, we leven nog. Gezond en wel.

Mischien hebben jullie soms ook dat gevoel van computer moeheid. Dat is in een groot geval de reden dat jullie geen nieuwsbrieven hebben gehad de laatste maanden. Hoewel Ilne hem vaak schrijft en ik hem vertaal blijft het een  opgave  voor mij. Maar goed met al de beste wensen voor het nieuwe jaar wat we hebben gekregen is daar nieuwe energie om te schrijven. (Bedankt voor al de wensen en zegeningen).

Wat is er zoal gebeurd in de laatste maanden: 

Er was veel werk in het draaiend houden van het winkeltje wat we hebben. Vooral de benzine voor de waterpomp  van de boeren gaf een goede omzet. En een groot deel doordat we de verkoper heel veel moesten helpen en corrigeren. Uiteindelijk  moesten we hem ontslaan. We hebben inmiddels een andere jongen gekregen en de meeste lasten zijn weggevallen. Helaas gaat hij nog naar school dus binnenkort moeten we weer op zoek naar een andere verkoper.

Het winkeltje en de oprijlaan en de inmiddels groen geworden omgeving

 

Verder hebben we er 30 legkippen bij. We hadden er eerst 10, maar de verkoop van de eieren was een groot success dat we er 20 bij hebben gekocht.  We zijn dus ook druk geweest met een kippenhok bouwen.

‘de Honda chickenrunner’ Zambian made

 

 

 

 

 

Verder waren er natuurlijk de voorbereidingen voor het plant seizoen. Inmiddels hebben we een veld met soya bonen, zonnebloemen en mais. Ik hoop dat we hiemee zelf voer voor de kippen maken  samen met nog een aantal andere goedjes.

Hier een veldje met mais.

Ook heb ik training kunnen geven aan mensen van een kerk dichtbij in ‘conservation farming” hopelijk hebben de mensen iets opgepikt. Ik denk soms dat het belangerijkste is om mensen uit te dagen om over te gaan nadenken en  niet alles meer als een vanzelfsprekendheid te beschouwen (dit geldt ook voor mij op bepaalde gebieden).

 

Maar boven dit alles geloof ik dat wat we doen we moeten doen vanuit ons hart tot eer van God. Het mag niet altijd de beste manier zijn maar als we het doen vanuit ons hart is het op dat moment het beste. Mischien moeten we later heel veel aanpassingen maken maar dat is een deel van het groei process.

Wat betreft conservation farming, ik merk en zie dat daar al veel over gepraat en lesgegven is in Zambia. En toch blijven mensen op de oude manier voortgaan. Jammer genoeg.

Een belangerijk punt om een betere oogst te behalen is om gelijkmatige ruimte tussen de planten te hebben. De drie belangerijste punten in behoudende landbouw zijn .

 zo min mogelijk grond beroering, roteren van gewassen en “mulch” oftewel een bedekking van de grond met organische materialen

 

Ilne is momenteel druk bezig met het voorbereiden om Rashelle te gaan thuis schooling geven. In November is zij naar een cursus geweest en helemaal enthousiast geworden. We hebben nu voor Rashelle een special plekje gemaakt wat haar klaskamer is. (kleuterschool)

Het bovenste deel is nu rashelle’s skyscraper bed en het onderste haar schoollokaal, hier nog niet helemaal af maar inmiddels al een stuk verder ontwikkeld en vol behangen met allerlij schoolgoed.

Simon hoopt nu samen met Tim voor twee morgens naar een peuterschool te gaan. Ik voel nu al een beetje jammer voor de juffrouw ;) Rashelle was daar vorig jaar en was de beste leerling van het jaar (een beetje trots).

Het zal me benieuwen hoe snel Simon zal leren om engels te praten. Hoewel hij nu al zijn buurman engels er tussen door gooit.

We hebben op oud jaarsdag zes kleine hondjes gekregen.  Hij noemt ze  “cuties”.

 

‘ onze Village specials’

Het gaat dus goed met ons en beetje bij beetje wordt onze verblijfsplek opgeknapt. Mede dankzij een bezoek aan Zuid Afrika in December waar we weer een aantal spullen van onze huisraad mee konden nemen naar Zambia waardoor het weer een beetje meer huiselijker voelt.

We zitten inmiddels vol in de regen en pad naar het dorp is weer een glybaan  door de vette klei. En zoals altijd raakt onze gasfles altijd op een verkeerde dag op. Gelukkig hebben we net een aantal nieuwe gasbusjes gekocht in zuid afrika voor het camping gas stelletje.

En  een ‘butterfly kiss’ voor allemaal

 

 

 

Wel en dan nu het nieuws voor 2015! Whooohoeeeee.

Ik geloof dat God me een visie heeft gegeven waarmee we de allerarmste boeren mee uit de vicieuze circle van armoede mee kunnen halen en daarbij zelf een profijt kunnen maken waarmee we projecten van weduwen en wezen mee kunnen ondersteunen.  We gaan nu eerst het hele plan op papier zetten en wanneer dit gecheckt is door een aantal deskundigen we het openbaar zullen maken.  

Hopelijk zal dit zijn in de volgende nieuwsbrief.

Voor een ieder die nog niet onze beste wensen voor het nieuwe jaar hebben ontvangen hier zijn ze.           

Hartelijke groeten van de Paalmannetjes

(voor ons winkeltje kunnen we oude mobiele telefoon laders gebruiken. Alle soorten zijn welkom, als wel usb kabels  met een grote naar een enige soort kleine usb stekkers)

fam. Paalman.

Postbus 670218

Mazabuka,

Zambia. 

Andere post is ook leuk hoor.!

(En wist u dat we slaapplek hebben voor  gasten , Juni en Julie zijn heerlijke maanden in Zambia!)

 

 

 

 

 

Newsletter

 This is a time of reflection, looking back to 2014, looking ahead to 2015. A good time to think about where we are:

Where are we, physically? We just returned from South Africa. Back to Mazabuka. Myself and the children went down south for two and a half weeks, and Carl just came to pick us up. We had a great and relaxing time with my sister’s family (and a broken camera). We could do the necessary shopping, which was a great pleasure as everyone else was doing their Christmas shopping (made me miss the village a lot). Mostly we had to shop to set up the new school for the children, since our formal home schooling will commence in January. After my training in November, we are fired up and looking forward to starting that. Ask my poor family- I should be send on promotional tours, I’ll try and convince everyone of the benefits;) The boys are also ready to go back to crèche- Simon will start new, exciting!

Carl was waiting in Zambia, watching the clouds for the rain to come- and waiting and waiting and waiting. But it came- and man did it come. So, now we are actually waiting for the mud to subside to work in our gardens again. Despite the water it is not always an easy time for vegetable gardens- so I have some work too. Carl planted soya beans, maize and sunflower- mainly as chicken feed, since our chickens are doing well, and egg-selling a hit.

Where are we,  emotionally? Doing very well. It has been a busy but good year. We have been involved and could see things happen and change. We could also see ourselves grow, and settle. Then it is nice to go to bed at night, knowing it is not for nothing. We have also grown in our African-ness (though I have never been anything but)- I had to share this photo with you.

It’s Carl’s motorbike, his only transport since I had the car in South Africa. There are four crates strapped on the back of the bike to transport his 20 new chickens. When he was using our car to plow the other day, one of the big farmers, smilingly commented: “Are you trying to get a short-cut to your residency?” Belonging is the name of the game.

 

Where are we, spiritually? Also in this area, we are filled with gratitude. It was one of our greatest needs while in Liberia, and here it has been met. We have a church family where we can be active, and belong. But we also experience God’s presence first-hand daily in our work and surroundings. God greatly encouraged me earlier in this year, and now God has placed a vision in Carl’s heart. A big vision. It is not all clear yet, so we are going to leave you wondering. If it crystallizes Carl can write about it beginning of next month. We can see how this little piece of land we are on, can touch many lives and people- on all levels. Isn’t that exciting?

To God be the glory (or as they say in many tribes around us- to God be the groly). He is the One who holds us day by day. Is there anywhere else to be, than in His Hands??

Ps. A small testimony of how the work here reaches our own children:

This is a sketch Rashelle made after going to a conservation training with her father. This shows how God’s blanket works to slow water loss, but also how God can change our heart- creating a new creature. Carl has been doing training in the church of one of the pastors of Hope Builders Ministries Zambia- this is an open door to willing and eager people.

We pray that 2015 will be a very special year for all of us!!!! 

The play park

We finally finished something we've been busy with for a while. And I just couldn't wait till the next newsletter.

We are hoping to make the children feel comfortable close to us, without them sitting on our veranda staring at me. Even adults come sit on the tyres and have a conversation.

Tim turns 4

Our oldest son, has turned 4- a wonderful day for all of us. Reminding us how blessed we are.

For their fourth birthday, they get an Afrikaans
bible.

His one request was a ride on a quad bike, so we went to friends who own a quad bike, and they allowed his dad to take him for a spin.

 

And then he got to blow the lights out of the airplane.

 

He asked to go to bed at night- always a good sign;)

 

We thank God for this little boy, and pray that God will carry him into this new year, teaching him more of who he really is in Christ.

Newsletter November 2014

I promised to have a different format this month, and I want to keep my promise. I asked for input into the name our place/project. There was almost complete consensus by all who replied. And we feel at peace with the name too. So, we are planning to name this place Nongo Farms. But….

 

We serve a faithful God! We sent the request that people should tell us what they think, thinking it was our own ideas. But God came to confirm that it was much more. While on the ladies retreat I wrote about last month, a lady told me that she believes God will give us the ‘strategy for ministry’- she told me three times. I forgot. Then when I came home, I send out the e-mail, and the responses started to roll in. At the exact same time, separately, it clicked for Carl and me. Nongo Farms, is our strategy. We received a copy of what the lady said, and Carl heard it for the first time. The next morning, what she said, and what we received from the Holy Spirit, was confirmed by two men visiting our church. They prayed for me and Carl separately, since I was in the Sunday school. Their words were completely in line with what has been said, and what started to grow in our Spirits.

 

The picture is not completely clear, but slowly a picture is starting to emerge, of little farms all over Zambia. Farms that are focused on providing- like widow’s claypots, not running dry until there is no need. It sounds beautiful, at least it does to me. But it is hard to imagine, as we are standing in a spot now, where things are small, and failure seems to follow close behind us. We just have so much to learn, so much to grow, so much, so big…. I guess that is where faith comes in. Not in ourselves, that would be VERY pointless, but in a Faithful God.

On the farming side, it seems to be a constant fight- against diseases, against mice, against even the cute guinea fowls. Things just don’t always turn out as you expect. So, we keep fighting. We hope to get our first layers before the end of the week. I might wait to get you a photo of them. We have big plans for all our eggs;)

Anyway, I was suppose to answer questions.

 

How do people react to us: are they open and friendly?

That’s a really easy question. They are some of the friendliest people you will ever meet. I could literally stop anyone on the street and they would smile and start a conversation.

 

Are they open to the gospel? Carl firmly feels that evangelism has been thoroughly done in Zambia. Most people have heard the gospel, and you can find churches almost everywhere. Mostly Seventh day Adventists (I mention this first, since in our area it is most prevalent), Catholic churches, Baptists, Anglicans and most Pentecostal churches. How clear the gospel message is? Uhm, more difficult to say. I think the fact that you need to believe in Jesus, and that He has died for our sins, that part has been conveyed, what is lacking, is how do I live this out in my everyday life- discipleship.

 

Because people are so open, it is very easy to do. People also like to talk. Carl, especially, spends long hours discussing whatever people come to ask. Because we are in a SDA area, we often have to answer to not celebrating the Saturday as Sabbath. But truth be told, it gives us a lovely launching plate for discussions about having a relationship with God instead of just following rules.

 

 

A maize shelter

Do you preach?

No (not yet). As I’ve mentioned we live in a SDA area. So, people are trying to convert us! We are careful not to step on toes, and yet speak up for what we find in the Bible. Mostly, currently we are working on a more personal basis- getting people to trust us. The other big stumbling block is the language. Many people just do not speak English. This is not really a problem in churches, because you can use a translator, but makes things like children’s clubs (which we would love to do) much harder. Almost none of the small children speak a word of English. So, we wait. Sow seeds- showing the Jesus film, becoming part of the community, praying for people, and focusing more on personal discipleship. The organization we work for also strongly believe more in indigenous missions. Equiping the saints to reach out to their own people. It allows people to choose Christ for the right reasons.

 

What does the culture look like?

There is a lot of diversity, but in general people are always welcoming. Modest in some ways, but very immoral in other ways. Your body needs to be covered, yet you can have as many girlfriends as you would like. Polygamy is fairly common.We have learned to count the amounts of huts in a clearing. Weddings come when you have the money Funerals take precedent over all else. People come from far and wide, and stay for four days, expecting the bereaved family to feed them, and very often have no idea what the person died of. Children are treasured until they can start working, and then they learn to work!  People in general work very hard- there is no way I can keep up with them. All those stories about lazy Africans, were not written here, that I can promise you. But they are indeed always late, and never worried. We love it! I’m not sure how to filter what the children take on.

 

 

Witchcraft and animism?

Lots, mixed right in with Christianity. And it is very real. There is an explanation for everything that happens. And it is very seldom scientifically sound. We just had a lady die because demons (in the form of small children) locked her mouth.

 

Future plans for traveling?

To be honest, we don’t know. Anyone that knows us for a while, know that financially we trust God in the big and the small things. We do not safe up for it. The budget does not quite allow that. Ilne and the children are trying our best to get to South Africa in December. But will probably just make it to Pretoria. Carl is too busy then, and is looking forward to getting things done without us bothering himJ The Netherlands and America is another story, since our car will probably not like to take us over the Mediterranean/Pacific, but who knows…

 

OK, that was a lot of reading. I’m trying to think if there was more urgent news:

Our president passed away today, which is always a good time to pray. He’s been sick for a while, so it is not unexpected. So, we are waiting to see what happens. (the flag on the picture in half-mast, but you need a magnifying glass to see that).

 

Our children just had their 44^th cousin born. Congratulations to my sister and husband- we praise the Lord for one more South African/Turkish/American. How beautiful is new life!!!!!

 

Also, a big thank you to all those supporting us in so many different ways. There have been parcels, gifts from people’s weddings, people doing different fundraisers for us. It is hard to convey the feeling in our hearts. So, please take the thank you, and know it comes from deep in our hearts!! May God bless you for your faithfulness.  

 

If there are more questions, keep them coming- it makes for very easy writing ;)

 

Blessings to all

Elephants on the shores of the Zambezi

Having the right attitude

The other night I was laying in bed, in my pajamas. Someone came to our door, knock knock. A lady needed to go to hospital. What for, I ask? Stomach ache. It took all my training in casualty and motherhood to keep my face straight. I explained at length, that in general it is not necessary to go to hospital for STOMACHE ACHE! I asked every question I could think of, but there were no other symptoms. The guy listened and then asked if we could now go to hospital. ARGH. My attitude was terrible. I eventually asked, if I should come see her. Yes, please.

So off I went in the dark. I took a picture of the bridge I had to cross in the dark.

 All the while I was praying: Lord, please I need Your heart for these people, not mine. Mine is slightly irritated. Then I walked into the hut. The entire place was covered with blood. The woman was in immense pain. My irritation fled as quickly as it came. Again I asked every question, but it was like running into a wall. Eventually I said, well, obviously this is not stomache ache, and she needs to get to a hospital. It probably was a miscarriage, but she would/could not admit she was pregnant. Why? I don't know, but I'll leave it to the One with the Right Attitude, an attitude of Love.

It taught me again: don't listen with your i'm-tired-and-want-to-sleep ears, listen with the Spirit that God has placed within you.