A Most Enjoyable Visit

I had the privilege of spending some time with Kim, Brenden, Livie, and the many kids at Project Samuel this past year. The kids are very keen to be with visitors and we had fun doing many different activities together.

One of the things, which the kids really enjoy, is sewing with the machines. Making a skirt can be as simple as cutting a rectangle of fabric, sewing a back seam, a hem and casing, and then adding elastic or a drawstring.  Mistakes are patiently ripped out. Skirts and drawstring bags were made until the fabric was used up! It was not just the girls who were sewing, Isaac was eagerly making his own repairs on a pair of pants and he is pretty clever with figuring out how to solve some problems with the machines. The kids are very enthusiastic, which makes it fun to spend time with them in this or other activities.

Most evenings at the project there is a gathering for devotions. The children, housemothers, and Brenden and Kim take turns as leaders. Not being used to the Zambian accent, I often had to ask people to repeat what they said. Apparently this went both ways because one night when I was leading devotions many of the kids weren’t sure what I was saying. Judy volunteered to translate and although it was her first time at this, she did a great job.

There is always lots going on at Project Samuel. Some recent undertakings include putting up sturdy fencing around the garden and the clothesline, and putting in irrigation. If fences aren’t sturdy enough, the cows just push them down. Without fences the cows and goats eat the vegetables and the kids clothes. Many of their clothes are sporting cow-chewed holes. After many months of dry season there isn’t much green grass around so animals roam the community looking for what’s good to eat. Apparently clothes, as well as landscaping plants, taste good!

After the new fences went up and the irrigation went in we picked up many many vegetable seedlings and the kids helped with getting them planted. They had to dig the holes, place the seedlings, and push soil back in, covering their roots. The old saying about many hands making light work is definitely true. I enjoyed working alongside them to get their garden planted.

While we were out planting one day we had a good laugh when one of the wandering cows stuck its head through an opening in a plastic chair and got stuck. The cow started rearing like a bucking broncho, which upset the other cows near it.  They got skittish and the first cow headed off bawling into the field with the chair still on its head! Their owner must have had quite a surprise when the cow arrived home that night sporting a bright green chair. The kids in Zambia are ready for and definitely enjoy a good laugh.

They are also great at entertaining Kim and Brenden’s little Livie. Their antics give her lots of smiles. It was a joy to spend this time at Project Samuel and I look forward to visiting again!