Road trip to Zambia

It was barely a week since the LXP Graduation, my permit was due to expire in 3 days and we were in rush hour to close off the year and pack for our 30+ hour road trip to Zambia. The Lord was calming the rising frantic tide inside me, reminding me that a few days ago, He had just provided for our travels to Zambia and he was going to work all of these things out for our good because we love Him. So, on this Ngosa’s adventure, we spent 2 days traveling across 3 countries on a bus with no air-con. We were frazzled to say the least, and yet God kept probing me to remain grateful. So I chose to focus on the truth He made it possible for us to exit South Africa before my permit expired. And we were going home to Zambia… There was a lot to be thankful for. Thank God for Cornelius who started us playing the ‘what can we be thankful for’ game each time one of us began focusing on the negatives.

“Therefore we do not become discouraged [spiritless, disappointed, or afraid]. Though our outer self is [progressively] wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day by day. For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]! So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Prima’s South African Visa

Upon arrival in Zambia, we immediately got to work on my Visa and submitted my application in the first week. Five days after our Visa Application, we decided to go and check on the progress; (we had been asked to return after 10 working days). The Lord blessed us with a God-speed, 3-year Spouse VISA issued while I waited in line!!! As this was one of our objectives for visiting Zambia, it was so refreshing to get it so early in our visit. I was so cushioned by the Lord’s on-time faithful provision towards us. And we are so thankful to our friends who gave towards the VISA process and to everyone who has supported us in prayer throughout. This was a highlight!!!

Mum’s Health

We got the news 3 weeks before our LXP closure. Mum (Cornelius Mother) had a third stroke in 6 years which led to the loss of her sight as well as her memory. We dedicated our time in Zambia to caring for Mum. The Lord provided again for our needs, through generous friends who supported us. And it was a timely giving which assisted us to take care of Medical bills and travel costs to take her for daily therapy. Some days she had an understanding of what was happening and on other days, she couldn’t remember who we are. The dementia often got the best of her and on these days therapy was a battle or it had to be discontinued.

The emotional turmoil was the hardest to process for me. I watched Cornelius’ unwavering commitment to the daily routine. He spent at least 3 hours in traffic to and from Mum’s Therapy sessions daily. I didn’t hear him complain a single day. It was a hard time. A difficult and testing time for our marriage too. But I believe that the Lord taught us a lot of tenacity and resilience. You somehow learn when to wear your heart on your sleeve and experience healthy emotion. Then you learn when to let your heart stay inside you without ‘feeling’ everything towards the situation and especially for a young marriage.

As a young girl, I watched my parents tirelessly care for their extended family. I also recall vividly when my grandma was diagnosed with cervical cancer and how much my parents gave of themselves to attend to her needs. It seemed manageable. But it’s different when it’s your turn. Our Mum is only in her 60’s, so she is not an ‘old’ woman at all…But she is in delicate need. And that need, I have learned is not a burden to be dragged on our shoulders. It’s an opportunity to love, to share, to empathize, to be selfless, to give, to be compassionate, to laugh, to be united, to pray.

Family Christmas

This was our first Christmas in Zambia after our Wedding. We spent Christmas day with part of our family. My Mum Cathy, and my older brother and sister’s family made it to our Christmas lunch. As Nshima (a maize/corn meal) is the staple food eaten twice a day in many homes, most Zambian families treat themselves to rice, pasta, potato salad/ coleslaw, and chicken or meat for this ‘special day’. So we had a very simple, yet absolutely special time sharing together.

2016 was celebrated with the Ngosa extended family at my parents in law. It was especially lovely to have Mum Mary being a part of this family gathering in the light laughter of treasured moments. What a blessing to just be there and spend time sharing a meal with our extended family. Many of them are striving to put food on the table daily in the midst of a drought (economic and literal). So we had a very simple, yet very special time sharing the Lords blessing together.

It didn’t matter now that I had no gift for Cornelius and he had no gift for me. We had no gifts for anyone actually. But the best and most important gift was being able to share the Love of Christ with each other and everyone around us! Love and Peace is what really matters after all.

Praises

• Timely Financial Provision
• Prima’s S.A Spouse Visa
• Time caring for Mum
• Time spent in Zambia with family and friends
• Safe Travel

Prayers

• Continued recovery for Mum’s Health