Another glorious and exciting day on camp starting with breakfast and leaders devotions where Gilbert shared on suffering for Christ... something that I don't really think we're doing in any great way, but I'm reminded how many in this country do, especially those who are in pastoral ministry and rely on the meager offerings of their parishioners. It was good though that we had an opportunity to give as there have been two people on our camp affected by deaths in their families and we gave towards their funerals, which Reid tells us are expensive and can really be a debilitating factor in a family who loose their main bread winner and then are expected to shell out months of wages to pay for their funeral... amazing how much of an impact death has in this country.
Now into the day... we went to the crocodile park and saw some cool stuff, they had a stack of snakes (some kids got to touch them!) a couple of turtles that looked more like rocks, cause they didn't poke their heads out (and on a side note we're told their very delicious!) and the main highlight was the crocodiles that the Zambian leaders kept saying to our guide 'provoke it, provoke it!' meaning they wanted the guide to poke it with a stick so they moved! And that's just what they did! The crocodile turned their heads, mouth wide open and kind of growled... and all of us jumped miles in the air and took a few steps back, even though we were behind a barrier!!! The biggest one was about 4m long, Borris and he looked pretty imposing. The kids were all amazed at these massive animals, it's great to just watch their reactions as they see new things. We finished in the play park where all the kids played fairly happily together... although there probably wasn't enough activities for 40 kids and each swing, merry-go-round and climbing frame would be condemned in Australia under workplace health and safety! Not that they're dangerous, but that the potential for injury was high, thankfully we were fully prayed up before going!
In the afternoon we had our mini-olympics which was really great, we came up with team chants, had relay races and some team games. The points scoring was questionable and there has been some complaints put forward to the IOC (International Olympic Committee) - because my team didn't win! But the kids had a great time and all were awarded a medal at the end that they are cherishing like they actually won it at the olympics! Many of them took it straight to their bags so it could be kept safe and they told us they were looking forward to showing their parents (meaning whatever relative is looking after them) when they return home.
In the late afternoon we leaders were treated to an outing to Royal Livingstone resort where we sat on the deck over the Zambezi river watching the sun go down and drinking coke and mocktails with Zebras just beside us eating grass. Was amazing and everyone came back with stories of how amazing the toilets were... they were even playing music in there!! But I hear you saying 'what about the kids?' they were back at the church being spoken to by a local pastor, Simon, who shared on sexual purity for the second time.
We all had dinner together, copious amounts of nshima as usual! Singing, Sharing by the elephants and a short message by pastor Gilbert.
Another exhausting and fruitful day, we're missing our families and friends and know that the work we are doing here will have eternal value and is so worthwhile.
Finally one of the Zambian leaders, Sarah had to leave early this morning on a bus back to Ndola because her husband is very sick, please be praying for her on the long journey with her 1yr old Beauty and for her husband's full recovery, we'll miss her for the last 2 days of camp.
Heaps of love
The camp team
