We are MOVING!

I have wonderful news to share today. We found another house for half the cost of the one we are in! Our lease is up April 30 after which we will need to sign another six-month lease and pre-pay the entire six months. So we are grateful that another house is available now. There are so many reasons why this move is advantageous to our mission here.

The most obvious is cost. We still must pay in advance which is common practice in Zambia. HOWEVER (and this is unheard of here), the landlord allowed us to use half of it to renovate the house!!! What a humongous blessing. The house requires a ton of work but so does the one we are in. When we moved here, not only was the rent overpriced, NONE of it was applied to badly needed repairs. Everything we have done here has been over and above what we already paid.

Another benefit to this move is the house doesn’t look extravagant. The size of the one we are in now coupled with the fact that it is split-level gives the illusion of over indulgence. The “new” home is on a smaller lot and is half the size.

A big plus for me personally is that I like the area, Kensenshi. This is the same community that the guesthouse, our first Zambian "home" is in. It is within walking distance to a little market. The streets are wider and everything seems more open.

Even though the area we live in now, (Northrise) is considered a good neighborhood, I have never been comfortable here. It doesn’t have a community “feel” to it. Kensenshi, on the other hand does.

This was shot from the front of the driveway looking back at the gate. What was I thinking? Who takes a picture looking down the driveway?

This is behind the house. The windows on the left are in the living room. See next photo.


Naturally, the Matambos are coming with us. We didn’t even look at houses without them. Jason and Augustine checked out places together making sure that their accommodations would work for them much better than their current dwelling. This house has a little shed-like structure that Prudence and Jane will use for their bedroom. Although it looks really rough right now, it is a huge step forward for this dear family. We are fixing their place in addition to our own. It will be the first time Bridget and Augustine have moved into a freshly painted house.

Jane and Prudence will share this dwelling. It will be painted and a light fixture installed. The girls are thrilled to pieces. The following picture is of the inside of their little "house." Remember, these are all "before" photographs.


Nearly all homes have “servants’ quarters” on the back of the property. The condition of these places is horrible. The quarters at our new house are a bit bigger but a whole lot nicer. There is even a separate area to cook in. The bathroom has a real toilet instead of just a hole in the ground. We are so happy for Augustine and Bridget. They are so excited that you would have thought Extreme Home Makeover came to visit them.

Below are some photos of the house as it stands now. Although we won’t have enough money to do everything that needs done right away, we will be able to paint, fix faucets, plug holes (yeah, the snake thing still bugs me). The house will be clean when we move in. HOORAY!!!

The next four images are of the main bathroom. Obviously it is in desperate need of TLC. The first thing to be done is screening the drain in the shower. That opening is just asking for creepy crawlies to come visit.

Obviously, they painted over black tile. Hopefully, the tile will be replaced, SOON!

Next image shows the shower which is in the same bathroom.

Where is HGTV when you need it? Jason agrees that the drain in this shower has got to have a screen. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.

And finally, this is the master bathroom. After seeing the condition of the other one, this looks terrific. It will be painted. What I like about this house is that both bathtubs are usable. No rust! The two tubs we currently have are not usable. I am really looking forward to enjoying a nice warm bath every now and then. Ahhhhhh just thinking about it is relaxing.

I can't wait to show you the "after" pictures. Although we can't do everything, or even most things that need done to this house right away, it will look drastically different when we move in. I'll share bits and pieces of the adventures (there's already been some dandies) as they happen.

Thank you all for your love, support, encouragement, and prayers. We are blessed beyond measure!

Blessings and joy,
Beckie