Wonderful, Merciful Savior

Yesterday, I opted to stay home and not go in to Choma for the market. I knew I needed to save money for my elephant ride next week and definitely didn't need to be tempted to purchase anymore chitenges!! Instead, Lace and I slept in until 11, it was AH-mazing! Caroline also stayed behind so the three of us ate breakfast/lunch, prepared by Caroline herself, then we laid out on the back porch for a couple of hours. After laying out we planned to pop some popcorn (literally Caroline popped the kernels, for some reason I find this very interesting!) and watch Twilight. The others who had gone into the market came home right before Twilight started so they were able to watch it with us. It was a great Saturday afternoon with some much needed R&R.
Last night we were invited to the Seven Fountains Orphanage by the Colliers (sp?). They have a wonderful home and set up for the babies they have at their orphanage. The Colliers made us a beef stew with all the works (bread, salad, rice, and desserts). The lights went out right before the meal was served so we were able to eat by candlelight/head lamps. I mean, what would a night be without the power going out!??!(As I am typing this the power JUST went out).

Today “Ba Leonard” (apparently the “Ba” = Mr. in Tongan) invited us to his village for church service and lunch. We were greeted by the Kasibi Church Singers as we got out of the Khaki Jackie.

Will Pippin, who is staying at the Hamby’s house, provided a wonderful lesson (given just 10 minutes of notice to prepare) on Hebrews 12. Dr. Tullos led communion and we (the girls) sang "Wonderful, Merciful Savior" for the congregation.
These two were translators for the service (very much appreciated!) I just heart the one on the left, he was funny! Rach and I nicknamed them "Timon and Pumba".

After church most of us walked back to the village (to “Ba” Leonard’s home). Those who did not walk established a record for how many people you can fit in Khaki Jackie...31!! (Woot-woot).

When we arrived at Leonard's he had a traditional Zambian meal prepared for us. And Of course it was DELISH!
When we finished eating we walked outside where the rest of the village people were standing around a band who began playing. The kiddos from the village instantly started dancing in a circle around the band and I mean DANCING. I think this is where booty dancing derived, because these kids can move! Videos soon to follow. A lot of us from the group joined in the circle and attempted to dance like the kids it was SO MUCH FUN!

Leonard getting his groove on while holding his daughter

Mini Michael Jackson here, can REALLY move

This woman was dancing while carrying a baby chintege'd to her back. TALENT.

I would have to say this was the best church potluck I have ever been to! We did not want to leave the festivities. Now we wish we would be around next Sunday for church so we could head back to Kasibi Church of Christ again. We are so thankful to Leonard for the invitation.

Since the power is out B. Weave made the executive decision that we will have our own church service with the use of our headlamps tonight in the house. However, we soon discovered Ian has decided to get baptized tonight. So we all made our way over to the Hamby house and witnessed as our precious Ian became a brother in Christ. Dr. Tullos took Ian's confession and baptized him in the tub outside the Hamby house. Little did we know that D.T. would also be baptizing 5 additional people tonight. It was a glorious night!!

Ian's friend, David, was one of the six to be baptized this evening

A moment shared between the friends :)

"Wonderful merciful Savior
Precious redeemer and friend
Who would have thought that a lamb could
Rescue the souls of men, Oh You rescue the souls of men

Counselor, comforter, keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts have
Hopelessly lost the way, Oh we hopelessly lost the way

You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace our
Hearts always hunger for, Oh our hearts always hunger for

Almighty infinite father
Faithfully loving Your own
Herein our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne, Oh we're falling before Your throne"