Football!

We’ve gotten to the ~ 1 week left part of the trip, and are feeling ½ like we can’t wait to get home and see everyone, and ½ like our time here has gone WAY too quickly! So we’ve been going around doing all the things we want to do before we have to leave. This requires a good amount of walking. Not long after my first walk here in Macha, I gained a new appreciation for the foot washing stories in the bible! I will spare you the up close picture of our red dust covered feet…

Walking down the wide road from the ABFA airport and MICS school

Walking back along the smaller road from the football match

 Today after class in the morning we went out to the Macha Innovative (or International) Christian School (MICS). MICS was started 8 (or so) years ago and Gill and Rhonda Krause have been leading the school since. What struck me about the school, besides it’s newness, cleanliness, and well-stocked-ness, was the library and computer lab. They aren’t huge, but they HAVE a library and computer lab! I realized that I have seen no computers (or a library) in the primary school, and few at the secondary school we visited. At MICS, there is a computer lab available for the students where they learn basic computer skills as well as more advanced skills like graphing and word processing. These are really valuable skills for all kids of this generation, and are only available to the 138 students from Macha who attend MICS. If you are interested in sponsoring vulnerable or orphaned children at MICS check out this link http://zambiatomorrow.org/.

Gill gave us a tour of the MICS school

Computer room at MICS, the chalk board says 'what is a computer' and then 'list two differences between a human and a computer' I hope the kids were able to think of some fun answers.

The kids were just finishing the school day. Note both the nice buildings, and that the boy in the center is wearing a winter coat. This (June) is their coldest month, although I bet you can't tell that from the pictures of our students.

After MICS, we walked home past the craft shop again, while the men ran (literally) off to play a soccer match against the Francis Davidson high school team. Gift, who works in the outpatient department at the hospital has befriended several of the guys and convinced them to help him defeat the high school team… at least that was the plan. It was a rough game, hot with lots of dust, the high school students kept up a fast (and sometimes terrifying) pace, but over all it was quite fun (and thanks Preston for the descriptors). After a valiant effort, the high school team slipped in one point just at the end of the match. So, Gift has scheduled a match with the semi-professional team for Saturday… The guys will be practicing (and wearing their Zambia team shirts) until then to prepare.

Lining up for the collegial hand shake after the game.

Team PumpyNut (although that name may be officially taken, in which case they'll have to come up with a new moniker.

There are only a few days left to do our best at capturing the amazing sunsets! Thanks Larry for this shot.