The last few weeks have been the "usual" if that is possible in Africa.  There has been so many malaria cases in clinic and several more severe cases at the hospital.  I was worried about what I would find Friday at Liteta because of how many I saw in clinic on Thursday.  I was presently surprised when all but one of the kids with malaria at the hospital Friday were ready to be discharged home.  It's a good sign when you have to go find the patient because they are playing outside.  Another little girl was practically jumping on the bed as I came to round on her and giggled through her whole exam.  She was rightly named Gift.  Her smile was my gift that day.  It helped when we lost a little three month old girl to sepsis/pneumonia.  

This week also included a belated birthday party for two team members.  Black raspberry pies turned out well for the celebration (and even coincided with Pi day:).  Wednesday was Youth Day in Zambia.  I was able to do a follow up talk with the youth of my church on HIV/AIDS and purity.  We had a good time demonstrating how quickly diseases pass when we don't follow God's guidelines.  His rules aren't to be mean and say we can't have fun, but are to protect us.  

Yesterday had an amazing day at church, Dominion Centre Grace Ministries.  It was one of those times the presence of the Lord was so powerful it felt like you were in the very throne room of heaven.  Christine had a picture that this was just the hem of His garment in the room.  I like how that fits with the image of the earth being his footstool.  How incredible and big is our God!

During worship God dropped a word into my spirit that I felt I needed to share but wasn't sure how or when in the service.  He was faithful to make it clear when Christine got up to preach and started with asking me to greet the congregation.  The message was that even in all the bad and difficult situation in each of our lives, God says He is working them to bring glory to Him.  Political upheaval in Ukraine/Crimea, disappearing planes, thyroid cancer with paralyzed vocal cords, three month olds dying of sepsis, chronic medical problems that interrupt life plans...we live in a sinful world but He is working in every situation to bring glory to His name.   

It was a beautiful lead in to Christine's powerful message on "By Faith...Trust God!"  (I had no idea what she was preaching beforehand) As she read Hebrews 11, the words just leapt off he page talking of Abraham, Joseph, Moses etc walking by faith, looking forward to a promise, not seeing it fulfilled in their lifetimes but seeing the heavenly home...the builder and architect being God.  They believed in what is not seen so were able to step out of their comfort zones and let God work mightily through them.  They weathered dry seasons, becoming stronger in character and faith.  They faced and overcame giants of all sorts through His strength.  And the same Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the dead is living in us so we can do the same today!

Our music class ended well.  So you don't think the topics were just history, we also taught about evaluating the songs we sing in church, arrangements of instruments, choirs, songs in a service etc.  One of the pastors asked us to come do a one day music seminar at her church later in April.  Great pastors to work with and great connections!

Last weekend we held a health screening and evangelism day at my church, Oasis of Love PAOG.  There is a Zambian doctor in the congregation and at least 4 nurses.  Christine joined us on Saturday.  We checked people's blood pressure, height and weight for BMI, blood sugar and HIV.  We had a great turn out.  I only know the numbers for Saturday.  We saw 70 people total with 1/3 getting tested for HIV.  The evangelism team had 5 people accept Christ.  Sunday morning there were definitely more visitors in church.  We saw a good number of people after church and had some good health discussions.  The evangelism team normally goes door-to-door on Saturdays but during the rainy season that produces muddy shoes.  They were afraid people were more worried thinking about the house getting muddy than listening to the message.  This was a way to be seen in the community during the down time and is a great touch point later when they go out again.

 Praise team helping to draw people's attention while worshiping.

 Two of our nurses getting ready for the day while Bishop waits for his turn.

Pastor Malembeka, Christine and me talking about health matters.