What a Day!!!

We invited Mr. and Mrs. Mapoma to come and speak to our students and
workers today to celebrate Heroes Day and Unity Day, the holidays of
the last 2 days. They were part of the founding members of Zambia.
He is 84. So they were expected about 10 or 10:30. I got a call in
the morning reminding me that a class from a local private school was
studying children in need and were visiting orphan care facilities
around the area. They were scheduled to arrive at 10. So they
arrived at the same time as the Mapoma family. They ended up
listening to Mr. Mapoma speak. Then they sang 2 songs for everyone.
The community center was full with children, all of our visitors, and
workers.

The Mapoma family came to our house for lunch and we returned to the
Community Center for the Chimwemwe Ladies. On the way we got a call
that 2 ladies from the US were stopping by to see the Chimwemwe
Ladies. They showed up. Then as Mrs. Mapoma was speaking, 2 more
ladies showed up wanting to buy some bags. The husband of one came in
and greeted Mr. Mapoma who was listening to his wife. This man turned
out to be the District Commissioner, like a governor of a large area.
So he spoke briefly as well.

To end the day, another car pulled up with some Baptist Missionaries
who had come to look at Sena's puppies. They ended up buying the last
2 that haven't been asked for.

So it was quite a day. Mr. Mapoma is a small man with a twinklie
smile and eyes and white hair and beard. He seemed to have a
wonderful time. He has been all over the world. He has had lunch at
the White House, met Pres. Reagan, and was in Berlin when the wall
came down. He said he even walked and got a brick from the wall that
is somewhere in their home. In their home have been all the leaders
for freedom in all the surrounding countries, including Mandela and
other presidents of countries after independence. He was so pleased
and impressed with what we were doing. It was an encouragement.

Well, the day is not over, so who knows who else will show up on this
very interesting day!!!