7/14 Lukulu

 We apologize for not posting earlier.  We arrived after dark yesterday and we were totally wiped out after the 13+ hour drive from Lusaka.  That was after the 14 hour flight to Doha, Qatar and the 7 hour flight to Lusaka.

After breakfast(Tom and John cooked), we unloaded the 13 hockey bags of “stuff” that we brought with us.

The good news is we only lost one bag with the Airline.  The better news is they found it during our drive to Lukulu.  It should arrive tomorrow by bus.  Afterward we met with leadership of the groups that we work with to discuss and finalize our itinerary. 

In the afternoon we walked to the Lukulu Training Center to see firsthand the programs that we support.  We didn’t have to worry about wild animals as there were too many children.

The programs are Seamstress, Carpentry, Masonry, Computer Skills, Automotive Repair and Bakery.  The picture below shows the students measuring us for  

Shirts.

We visited all of the programs but here is a picture from the carpentry class.

2023 Team Is Ready

 We are all set to depart on July 10th!  We will be updating blogs and Facebook during our Mission.  Many thanks to all of our wonderful supporters!

Matoya

 After Mass Friday evening we presented a beautiful wooden bowl that Gary Paqueppe made to Brrother Benny who is here for a year from South Africa.

Shortly after we were greeted by a really nice boy that Tom has known for several years named Sugar Boy pictured on the right with his friend Joseph on the left.

Also pictured is one of the church pews that we repaired with new hardware.

After mass yesterday we had a meeting with the church officers and parish council members to discuss our ongoing programs.

A short while later we piled into a long boat and headed for Matoya fishing lodge.  Sancta Maria has a long standing relationship with fishing camp and this has turned into an annual team building afternoon.

Pictured below are Tom and myself along with Fr. Bright, Mike(Matoya Mgr.) and Chris(Matoya bartender/fishing guide).  Tom and I got a chance to go out Tiger fishing but no luck.  It was almost dark for the trip back on the river but very tranquil.  Some of the local fisherman are pictured.

This morning we traveled to the Kayeo church which was fully funded by Love For Lukulu.  It was about half finished in 2019.  It was a lively service with lots of singing and dancing.  Note the 2 chickens that were included in the offering.

The young girls above with the yellow skirts dance in, during and on the way out and they’re really good.  The little fellow shown below sat next to me.

After mass we had some time to mingle with the parishioners.  Here they are pictured in front of their church which they are very happy to have.

We returned to Lukulu just in time for the closing song at Sancta Maria.  The men’s choir was singing this week and they sang us a song in which they thanked us.  They were excellent.  Below are some pictures taken after mass showing the children that we look forward to seeing every year.

After lunch with the Team, Tom came up with the idea of showing them how we sell tickets to win a prize.  We had a cooler backpack that was donated for the St. Agnes rummage sale and we raised 210 kwacha.

Brother Benny(from South Africa) was the lucky winner and he was really excited to win.

Tomorrow we leave at 5:00 a.m. for Lusaka and we fly out Late Tuesday evening to begin our 30 hour journey arriving late Wednesday evening at MBS.  Zambia is 6 hours ahead of Michigan.  We achieved a lot while we were here and look forward to starting planning for next year.  We are always looking for new missionaries.  It is a life changing experience.

Visiting schools & Lepresarium

 Yesterday morning we visited the Secondary School.  We then went to the Lukulu Training Center.  Tom reunited with Agatha who did our cooking, laundry and housekeeping 3 years ago.  She now teaches the Sewing and Design curriculum.

We also saw that the school lunch program is still going well with the same 2 guys from 3 years ago.

The instructor of the automotive engineering program is a woman who seems to be very qualified.

We went to the lepresarium where there are 2 individuals remaining plus 2 caretakers.  The woman pictured has been there for about 50 years and was a joy to be with.  She danced with both Tom and I and asked that her tv be fixed(it was ancient) because she was bored.  Love For Lukulu provides 100% of the support for this program.

In the afternoon Fr. Bright took us to see the 4 homes that we have built for elderly.  Pictured is one of those recipients.  She was so much fun.

After mass we were treated to a gorgeous sunset as most of them are here in Lukulu.

One of our generous donors gave $100 specifying that it be used for the needy, so we went to buy goats.  I believe one of them was going to the lepresarium.

We were right by a local store so we purchased 50 suckers to give to the kids.  Fr. Bright is shown passing them out.

As is normally the case when you are passing anything out it quickly turned into a mob.

Later we visited the Nursing School.  This is perhaps the one stop that Tom and I were most looking forward to.  Sisters Pat and Elizabeth took on this project less than 2 years ago and their progress is mind blowing.  The site had been abandoned for several years.  They have refurbished buildings, built new ones, and have a number of donors behind them, some of whom have provided equipment, furnishings, medical supplies and monetary grants.  Pictured is one of the labs.

They built dorms for the students, set up classrooms and labs, acquired equipment for the kitchen(including 2 cooks), etc.  This was the final day of the 1st year for the 60 students.  It is a 3 year curriculum.  The students will have a few weeks of break before they start their 2nd year and 60 more students begin their 1st year.  I asked a few of the girls to check my pulse and they got it perfect.  It was refreshing to see several male students.  Pictured is a wall containing the names of several supporters.  Love For Lukulu will be added to the wall as we provide some students with scholarships.  

After mass which was held outdoors we met with students who had received scholarships and heard some of their stories.  We had an opportunity to explain what it takes to raise the funds that we do.  Over 1/2 of the students are struggling financially.  One scholarship recipient told us that he would not be there if he had not received our scholarship support in the Secondary School as well as the Nursing School.  After lunch outside we had an opportunity to visit with the instructors and students.  They were very excited to finally have a few weeks off.  The curriculum lasts 11 1/2 months.  Here we are pictured with this year’s class.

I can’t emphasize enough how important this nursing school is.  Not only does it provide a huge opportunity for the students, it also provides employment for staff and commerce for local businesses.  After just 3 years we can see a significant difference in Lukulu.  There are houses being built, more vehicles, etc.  The annual costs to attend the nursing school are only about $1,000, but that is a huge amount of money here.  We are hoping to find donors who are willing to make a 3 year commitment(total of $3,000) to sponsor 1 or more specific students.  If you would like to sponsor a student we can definitely make that happen.

Fishing and Metete

 Late yesterday afternoon Fr. Bright was dying to try his new fishing pole(which Tom brought for him) so we and several others piled into a longboat and headed up the river.  We didn’t catch any fish but had a fun time and saw some amazing scenery.

This morning we took the ferry across the river into the Metete District.

We drove to the village of Sakachambili on the Lungwevungu river.  It took almost 3 hours to go 34 miles.  We passed several small villages enroute.  The trail(no roads) was rough and we had to stop at each water hole to decide where to cross.

We were welcomed in the village of Sakachambili on the Lungwevungu river.  After mass the villagers were able to try on eyeglasses that we brought from our donors.

The people were so warm and friendly and the children were adorable.

We watched local boats go by while we were waiting for the ferry to take us back across the river.

Mothers Milk and Project Day

 This morning we went to the Village to purchase some tools, nuts and bolts for our project repairing church benches.  Many of them were in very sad shape.  A few of the locals helped with the repairs including some welding.

Once we got the guys going on the benches we went over to the Mothers Milk program to observe and help.

Each baby received a hat, a gift of a backpack, scarf or baby blanket, all received formula and some received heps(high energy protein supplement), and a cross.  We also had hats for all of the mothers. 
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And all of the babies received a lollipop.

All of the things given for this program are made possible by the generosity of our many donors.  Words cannot express the happiness that these mothers had today.

Mass at Kaluwawa

 Today the youths headed out for home.  The truck pictured will carry as many as 50 plus belongings. 

 Our first stop was Kelilende which is one of the churches that was funded by us.  While there we presented them with a cross made by Tom Grobaski.  

We then went on to Kaluwawa which is the farthest away parish on the western side of the district.  While there we celebrated mass outside as they are working on a new church which we are providing funding for.  

We also brought eyeglasses which were donated and many of the locals were able to find ones that worked for them.  One of those women is pictured with her “new” glasses. 

 Tom had everyone doing the Ohio State cheer and we taught the kids the hokey pokey. 

Later Father Bright challenged some of the youths to a game of basketball.  

After dinner we were invited to the Sister’ house for dinner.  We all had a good time.  Pictured are Sister Pat, Father Bright, Sister Elizabeth and Brother Max.