Under the Zambia Sun

We've Moved!!!

2007-06-29T16:03:00.000+02:00

Hi everyone! We couldn't very well keep writing Under the Zambia Sun, now that we've moved to South Africa. So-o-o-o, you can now find our new blog at www.cokers4him.blogspot.com. Hope to see you there!

A Zambia Remembrance

2007-05-28T16:11:00.000+02:00

Yesterday, at the filling station, I told a Zambian acquaintance that it was the last time I would see him since we were moving. His face dropped and he replied, “You must give me a remembrance.” This is a common occurrence here and is sort of like our exchanging pictures in the U.S. to remember one another. I should have been better prepared for this, but quickly looked through the vehicle and gathered various tracts and gave as a remembrance.

As I thought of remembrances, my mind turned to our life’s season in Zambia. What did I want to remember? Good things, bad things, beautiful, sweet and even the difficult and ugly. It may not all mean much to you, but here are some things we want to remember…

A Zambia Remembrance…
Beautiful people: Bemba, Mambwe-Lungu, Namwanga, Tabwa, Nyika
Beauty of rural Zambia: Waterfalls, Lakes, Mafinga mountains
Goats, pigs, chickens
Flowering trees: Jacaranda, Flambouyant, Tulip trees, Acacia, Protea
Bicycles & people on the road, Ladies riding side-saddle
Rural villages: huts, mud bricks, grass roof, painted designs, outdoor toilets/kitchens, wash dishes in the dirt,
Zambian church leaders: Misheck & Teresa Z, Patrick C, Edward & Maureen M, Florence M, Bornface & Lucy C, Frank & Josephine S, Brian & Sharon M, Ruth & Jimmy S, John M,
Smile & laughter, Poverty & begging
Handshakes & curtsies
Pothole roads
Zambia Mission Family, Kasama Missionary Friends
Copperbelt region, Ndola rural
Kalwa Farm: Uncle Tom & Aunt Lucille, motorcycle rides, Baldrock,

1st Chistmas with Garrisons, Misasa (grass shelter) meetings, Baptism at the river
Citenge: pretty, bright, colorful, funny pictures
Chickens, goats & mongooses running across the road
Camping in the villages, Cooking over a charcoal brazier, Frozen Musungu packets
Coffee & “biscuits” under the stars with friends at Chandaula
Chikumanino market
Homeschooling Drew, Michelle & Nate, Kasama International School
Bible studies at our home, Friends of Jesus Club
TEE class, Leadership Bible Schools
Literacy Teacher Training, Women’s meetings
Campfire meetings, Volunteers
Spiritual Darkness, Witchcraft, charms, muti, Possession/deliverance
Truth/Lies
Bemba language, Beautiful singing, worship choruses, clapping & dancing
Wooden plank pews, Dirt floors
Farewell lines with singing & handshakes
Slashing, cultivating, digging, chopping by hand
Babies on backs
All-night prayer meetings
AIDS, death, mortuary
All-night funerals, wailing, singing, preaching
Plastic bag kites & “footballs”
Long Road trips, Tall savannah grass, girls left/boys right
Thorn Trees
Colorful sunsets, dark nights, breathtaking stars, smell of rain
Water shortages, Power outages, telephone faults
Putse flies, malaria mosquitos
JESUS film, laughter, cheering
Ladies carrying water
Gifts of beans, pumpkins, corn, sweet potatoes & live chickens
Chishimba Falls, Rock Paintings, Kapisha Hot Springs, Shiwa Ng’andu
Lake Tanganyika, Victoria Falls
Mission Meetings, Golden Franklin Awards, Secret Pals, Team ReportsHunting: Lochinvar, Toler Game Ranch, Bangweulu, Bruce Miller, Protea, Chandauka

No hurry...

2007-05-27T09:16:00.000+02:00

We've learned that things often don't work out the way you plan. And it's really up to us how we react. You can either roll with the flow, or get all uptight.

Here's our moving truck. In the first 2 pics, it's sitting at the Garage. This was it's home for most of one week! It was in bad shape and needed a part which, of course, could not be found in Kasama. It took 2 days to get this part from Lusaka. But, praise God, once the part arrived, our trusty mechanic, Ba Brian, was able to get the truck up and running within some hours. So, the last picture is with the truck at our home, finally loading on Friday.

We were happy we had 2 extra days to use for this unexpected delay. We didn't know why this had to happen, but we're not in control, God is. And God is good, all the time.

TAKEN

2007-05-27T08:30:00.000+02:00

Disappointed, but not really surprised, we filled up my little Suzuki with fuel for the long trek from Kasama to Lusaka. Our hopeful buyer had not shown up by 7 a.m. like she promised and her cell phone was turned off when we attempted to make contact. This was not our first time to experience such a thing - Zambian folks are usually quite optimistic (hopeful) about things they'd like to happen, even if they really have no assurance of the outcome. Not a bad thing really, as long as you don't set your heart on something, and just be content with what God brings.

Wade driving the Suzuki, Nathan and I in the mission vehicle, we set off, mentally taking in the sights & saying silent farewells. Ten minutes down the road, just inside cell coverage, my phone rings. You guessed it... "Hello, my wife says she's interested in your car. Can I have a look? I've just arrived back in town last night and I'm about to leave again now. Can we meet?" So, surprised & hopeful, we swing around in the road and get to visit Kasama once again. :-) At the filling station, they're waiting, watching us approach. "So, this is your car?" he asks. "This is your car," I replied with a smile. He laughs and with a brief look over the car, we park it and go off to the bank. A few signatures and a couple bagfuls of Zambian Kwacha later, we're back on the road, again mentally saying goodbye.

Isn't God GREAT!?! What if the moving truck had not broken down, causing us to be delayed 2 full days waiting on its repair? This man would not have been in town and we would still own an unneeded car. God gives GREAT blessings to His children!

Getting out of Dodge

2007-05-23T19:57:00.000+02:00

With most of the sentimentality of leaving behind us, we’ve been very focused over the last week in getting finished packing and leaving Kasama. Unfortunately, this is proving more difficult than we expected. On the day the moving company was to arrive, we were ready for them. Wade’s cell phone rings… from the other end comes “We’re having vehicle problems, so it’ll be late morning tomorrow when we get into town.” This is normal-we were not even surprised. Downhill we go… As the truck arrives, creeping slowly, we lead it to a local garage. That day, an unfortunate series of events occur (you don’t want to know) which result in a part being needed. Unfortunately, this one is not found locally…again, not surprising, but very frustrating… So, we’re waiting, waiting… In the meantime, the moving crew was able to wrap and inventory everything. We cleaned as much of the house as we could and now we’re waiting for the part in tomorrow post. Please send up regular prayers that this is indeed the part that will solve all the vehicle problems and that it’ll be fixed speedily.

Church Pics

2007-05-23T19:34:00.000+02:00

As I looked through our picture file I thought you might enjoy a few more shots. Some are of a rural church service and some of Leadership Bible School. It’ll be quite interesting to compare these with the ones we gather soon in South Africa. ENJOY!

Chipowe worship Lord's Supper

Wade in Bible School Deacon studying Ladies studying hard

Take it Please!

2007-05-23T18:36:00.000+02:00

Here’s my little Suzuki. Yes, unfortunately, it’s still mine. We’ve tried unsuccessfully so far, to find a new home for this sweet little ride. Surely there are lots of people who’d love her, but there’s just not a lot of market for second vehicles in Kasama. If it was a 4-door sedan which could be used as a taxi, it would already by gone. Please pray that God will send just the right buyers to us. SOON.

Packing, Labeling, Taping

2007-05-21T21:27:00.000+02:00

I guess 10 years is a pretty long time for a missionary to go without packing it all up to move. We’ve finally packed about a million boxes (or so it seems). How did we get so much STUFF?!?! So that’s where this has been all this time…do I really need this…should we take it… should we get rid of this… sell it or give it away… By the end of a day of this, Wade and I are simply exhausted! And of course, the next day someone asks, “Where did you pack ….?” It’s good we’re finally out of the house, staying at a guest house, so we can seriously pack during the day and leave it there at night. The moving crew arrived today with a very sick truck, so pray it’ll be fixed quickly. Tomorrow the movers will inventory our things and wrap the large items. Hopefully, Lord willing, we’ll also get to move everything onto the truck as well. Wednesday is cleaning day at the house and Thursday morning we should drive away with Kasama to our backs. Please pray that all goes well during this process.

School’s OUT!

2007-05-21T21:22:00.000+02:00

Nathan’s done with 6th grade! He’s just finished the last lessons in Math, Science and English with the Bob Jones HomeSat DVD program. Last week and this week, Nathan’s had fun joining some of his friends at the local school he’s attended full-time and part-time since he was in pre-school! He’s had fun playing football (soccer), tennis, congololo club (environmental education/involvement), and just plain hanging out with his buddies. It’s been a real treat!

Farewells

2007-05-21T21:04:00.000+02:00

Ever been tired of saying goodbye? We’ve been in and out so much over that last couple of months, that our leavetaking has been delayed. So, again and again we’re experiencing the emotional stress of remembering our past 10 years (Drew, Michelle & Nathan’s growth marks on the kitchen door hinges, the tree we planted in the front yard), seeing friends (Zambian pastors/leaders, church members, grocery store workers, gas attendants, school teachers & other missionaries), and saying goodbye again. Pray that we have a good parting with everyone. Pray also for our emotional strength and peace.

CESA Women’s Meeting

2007-05-21T20:58:00.000+02:00

I know you thought we fell off the face of the earth, but we didn’t. We do feel as though we’re running in around in circles though. May 1 – 6, Dee Ann had the privilege of attending the Central, Eastern, & Southern Africa Women’s meeting with 230+ missionary women outside of Nairobi, Kenya! It was wonderful to see friends and colleagues working in various countries and share how God has and is working in our lives and among our people groups. Our theme was The Secret of Contentment with Scripture drawn from Philippians 4:11-13. We were refreshed & challenged by the worship led by Paulie Heath and our guest speaker, Cynthia Heald. The week included daily worship, devotional teaching, small group times, numerous skills/info workshops, & even one free afternoon when many went shopping!!! One special treat was that I was able to stay over 1 extra day to be with Michelle at here boarding school nearby! We had a great time chilling, chatting, decorating her dormroom, etc…

On Zambia Time-April '07

2007-03-31T08:31:00.000+02:00

ON ZAMBIA TIME April 2007
Wade, Dee Ann, Drew, Michelle & Nathan Coker
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live, even if he dies, and everyone who lives ane believes in Me shall never die." John 11:25-26
HAPPY EASTER!!! Do you remember the excitement you had when you first understood and believed what Jesus Christ had done for you? If you've forgotten, now is a great time of year to stop, get alone and recall that first love. Fan the flame of your passion for your LORD Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for you, rising again to conquer death and the grave!
Westview Baptist Church-Opp, Alabama
Jesus said, “Go ye therefore…,” and that’s exactly what Westview Baptist Church DID! Volunteer missions gives any church the privilege of touching the frontlines of international mission work. Westview Baptist Church stepped out of their comfort zone to be on mission with God! Three volunteers left fast food for slow nshima (thick cornmeal mush) and greens, good roads for dirt paths and mud. Though these things seem less than desirable, Bro. Scott, Larry and Larry report they had an awesome experience, unlike anything before! J Three Zambian Baptist church leaders teamed with the volunteers to reach the Lungu people of Chipanda village and Senga Hill area, also touching a township in Kasama. Eighty-seven people responded by praying to receive Christ as Savior! Please pray that our local Baptist church people will follow up on all these and begins discipling them.
Zambia Cluster Prayer Retreat 2007 "Facing Our Giants"
I wish you could have been at this meeting. We had a wonderful 3 days of worship, prayers and commitment. Through small group times, we studied giants in the Scripture, like Goliath, the people of Anak, and even those huge "giants" in our own lives that often cause us to shake in our boots - fear, unbelief, sickness, kids, language learning, witchcraft, the insurmountable task of reaching our people groups… At the close of our meeting, we each gave our particular giants over to God, trusting Him, Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or even imagine!
What are your "GIANTS"? Ready to give them to God?
PRAY:
*Michelle will have a great 2 1/2 week at home in Kasama. This will be her last time in Zambia, her home since she was 2 years old.
*Leaders' Bible School in Kasama. Pray for Zambian church leaders to gain the knowledge needed to grow their churches, reach the lost and bring glory to God.
*For safe travel to Johannesburg, South Africa, to attend the Annual Missionary Training Meeting for the Southeast Cluster. For us to make meaningful contact with the missionaries who will be our new Baptist family in South Africa.
*For Joshua & Amy Bowman as they assume the Strategy Leader role for the Northern Evangelism Team in northern province, Zambia. Pray for God's wisdom & guidance as they lead new missionaries in difficult places.
PRAISE:
*For God's help as Wade began doing the Strategy Facilitator email work from Zambia. *Zambian believers accepting and affirming our call to serve in South Africa. *Refreshment of Prayer Retreat through worship, prayer, commitment & fellowship with other missionary family.

Zambia Cluster Prayer Retreat

2007-03-30T20:56:00.000+02:00

We had another great Prayer Retreat! It was a very special time to slow down, focus on hearing from God and choose to slay our GIANTS! (If you want to know more, read On Zambia Time-April '07) Here are a few pictures of our time together. Pray for all of us Zambia missionaries as we leave this retreat and re-enter the places where we live and work. Blessings!

Volunteer Missions

2007-03-30T20:37:00.000+02:00

Jesus said, “Go ye therefore…,” and that’s exactly what Westview Baptist Church DID! Volunteer missions gives any church the privilege of touching the frontlines of international mission work. Westview Baptist Church stepped out of their comfort zone to be on mission with God! Three volunteers left fast food for slow nshima (thick cornmeal mush) and greens, good roads for dirt paths and mud. Though these things seem less than desirable, Bro. Scott, Larry and Larry report they had an awesome experience, unlike anything before! J

Three Zambian Baptist church leaders teamed with the volunteers to reach the Lungu people of Chipanda village and Senga Hill area, also touching a township in Kasama. Much prayer preceeded this endeavor, as previous attempts have been difficult. Being called Satanists, ordered to leave, and threatened with beatings are some previous responses. But God went before the Westview team. Upon arriving in Chipanda village the first day, it was reported that everyone was at a funeral. A 3-yr-old child had died and all were gathering at the appointed place. Wade took our church leaders and team to the funeral site to pay respects to the family. Later, a Lungu friend told Wade it had been arranged for him to preach to those gathered for the funeral. WOW! This was quite unexpected, as this area is steeped with Jehovah’s Witnesses who normally want nothing to do with us. Faced with this amazing opportunity, Wade and a Lungu interpreter climbed to a hilltop overlooking ~200 people. From John 14, Wade proclaimed the hope that all people can have through Jesus Christ. In the days that followed this sad, but God-ordained event, the Lungu people of Chipanda & Senga Hill were unusually open and attentive to the Good News of Jesus Christ. Eighty-seven people responded by praying to receive Christ as Savior! Please pray that our local Baptist church people will follow up on all these and begins discipling them.

SEE WHAT THE TEAM SAYS:
1. What has been the most meaningful/memorable moment of this mission trip to you?
“For me, it is realizing to a greater degree all the people in northern Zambia that have never had a clear presentation of the gospel and the enormity of the task.”
“ Lunch with all the men in the Chipanda village hut. The worship was truly the work of the Holy Spirit. (God was there.) I wish I could bottle it up and carry them all home with me, but I can’t. But the time is forever in my memory.”
2. How has this trip impacted your life?
“I can honestly say that my life will never be the same. To worship with and see the faith of the Zambian believers has been life-changing. These people sho have so little in material wealth, have a passion for God that (I hope) is contagious. I will be a better person, believer, minister of the Gospel because of this brief trip.”
“I believe God continues to increase my burden for people that are lost. My question becomes, ‘Father, what part would you have me play, having seen what I have seen? How do I communicate this with my church family in a way that draws us closer to the heart of God?’”
YOU, too, can be a volunteer missionary!

When the Time is Right

2007-03-30T20:25:00.000+02:00

Coker Family Update March 6, 2007
Wade, Dee Ann, Drew, Michelle, Nathan
Hello family, friends and partners in prayer! We have exciting news to share with you. Please read below about upcoming changes in our lives and ministry. Remember, at times of adjustment and big change, your consistent prayers are especially needed. We thank you ahead of time for lifting us up to the Father.
Psalm 107 & God’s Goodness
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
How gracious our LORD has been over the past 14 years, to bring us to this distant land of Zambia. Though we came to give our lives in service to Him and to the Zambian people, WE have truly been enriched. The Zambian people have welcomed us, stretched us and loved our family.
They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way;
They found no city to dwell in.
Hungry and thirsty,
Their soul fainted within them.
We have felt a "stirring" for some time, that a change was coming, but have been waiting on the LORD. Various scenarios rolled through our minds, but without confirmation.
Then they cried out to the LORD…,
And He delivered them…
And He led them forth by the right way,
That they might go to a city for a dwelling place.
We are now convinced that God is directing us to leave Zambia and all we’ve known for so long. After much prayer and seeking God, Wade has accepted the position of Strategy Facilitator for the SouthEast Cluster in the Republic of South Africa. We’ll live in the city of Johannesburg, and work with all the teams of that cluster in efforts to reach their people for Christ and plant churches among them.
Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness.
A steep learning curve will come with the next several months, but we’re very thankful for God’s sure leading. He has done and will continue to do wonderful works in Zambia as well as in South Africa. Please pray along with us as we long to follow His footsteps around this bend in the road. Pray that we’ll continually seek God and be filled with His goodness, as we learn and serve in a new way. Please pray for us to have God’s love, joy, peace, and wisdom every step of the way.

Northern Evangelism Team of Zambia

2007-02-27T13:46:00.000+02:00

Here we are - the Northern Evangelism Team, or the N.E.T. for short. Aren't we a good-looking bunch! (Yes, even Nathan in front with the fake buck-teeth! If you can't see them, you're missing out.) The N.E.T. is composed of 5 families, each living in a different place in the Northern Province of Zambia. You may be wondering "Northern Evangelism Team? What does that mean?" Well, the Baptist Mission of Zambia is our Int'l Mission Board entity within Zambia. This Mission is organized as a cluster of ~6 missionary teams. The Northern Evangelism Team works in the Northern Province. (Imagine that!) Our main objective is to reach the people groups within our area with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We believe that all people should have the opportunity to understand that Jesus is God's Son, and that He died to pay the debt owed for their sin. They need to hear he was buried and rose again, conquering death and the grave, so that all who believe in Him may be saved.

Starting from the right side, you'll see us, Wade and Dee Ann, with Nathan in the center, sporting those awesome buck-teeth. (Michelle, our daughter was away at boarding school) We live in Kasama, the provincial capital. We moved here in 1987 with a burden to be advocates for the northern province. We are church planters. Next you find Josh & Amy Bowman with Caleb, Abby and Anna. They are church planters living in Luwingu seeking to reach the Bemba people of that area. Tommy and Cyndi Morreau, in the center, came in 2006 to serve as missionary builders. They've provided wonderful housing for our two new families. They also paved the way for them by meeting people and building friendships as they worked on housing. James and Mary Margeret Adair are next in the photo. They arrived in October 2006 to live in Kaputa, near the northern border, and work as church planters among the Tabwa people. Last, but not least, is the Kimbrough family. Blake, Dawnya, Isabel, Abigail and Isaac also arrived in October 2006 to live in Isoka as church planters among the Nyika people.

Being a team allows us to work together with the common goal of reaching all people groups in Northern Province. It allows us to share our skills, abilities, knowledge and experiences to help one another. As all of us live in remote places, this sense of team gives us unity and provides fellowship too. God has been good and we're grateful for such a great team!

A Goal - YEA!

2007-02-14T19:51:00.000+02:00

We always knew she was special - from the time she came out screaming at the top of her lungs. Even when she was the most beautiful girl baby in the hospital nursery... You get the idea. :)

Anyway, now Michelle's having a chance to show the rest of the world just what she's made of! She recently wrote from boarding school exclaiming "AHHH! I made a goal!" Playing "football" against their rival school, Michelle was playing defense, when the ball came her way and she simply clipped it in for a goal. AHHH! Her school won! How exciting!

Michelle is quite the enthusiastic ball player and gives it her all when on the field. We miss her, but we're so thankful she has opportunities like this to enjoy playing soccer and being involved in other activities. Pray for her to stay well, continue having a great time at school, and stay close to the Lord.

God's Grace

2007-02-08T11:20:00.000+02:00

Grace. Isn't it just amazing?

Many of you heard us speaking while we were in the U.S. Often I, Dee Ann, would share about how God was in the business of changing lives. One of the examples I'd give was about Stephen and Patricia, who turned from a life of practicing witchdoctors, to practicing their faith in Jesus Christ. They gave up their livelihood because they understood the freedom that life in Christ gives - freedom from fear and appeasement of spirits and evil. Stephen and Patricia continue to be leaders in Chipowe Baptist Church, about 5 minutes drive from our home. God is blessing this small rural congregation and they are living out their faith. Recently we attended worship at Chipowe and several gave us gifts out of their "little" - groundnuts (peanuts), maize and beans. Pray for all the believers of Chipowe as they gather for worship, Bible study, telling others of Jesus, helping the elderly, and prayer & fasting.

NET Prayer Update

2007-02-08T11:15:00.000+02:00

N.E.T. Prayer Alert Update February 2, 2007
Northern Evangelism Team, Zambia

Thank you for praying for our teammember, Blake Kimbrough. See how God has answered.

Blake & Dawnya Kimbrough (Isabel, Abigail & Isaac) Reaching the Nyika people.
Blake will be returning from South Africa this evening, with a final 'diagnosis' that he is "intolerant" to Mefloquine (a malaria medicine). The doctor really believes that he shouldn't have trouble with any other medications, so we believe and trust that he won't ever again have that kind of severe pain. Thank you so much for your prayers--that's what got our family through this trying time! We know that the Lord is faithful and we continue to trust in Him.

N.E.T. Prayer Alert

2007-01-25T16:48:00.000+02:00

N.E.T. PRAYER ALERT JANUARY 24, 2007

Greetings Prayer Partners,
Thank you for your faithfulness to pray for us on the Northern Evangelism Team in Zambia. As the need arises, we’ll be sending urgent prayer requests to you in this way. We chose to do this as a team because we felt that more pray-ers were better than fewer pray-ers for these urgent & timely needs.

Blake & Dawnya Kimbrough (Isabel, Abigail & Isaac)
Reaching the Nyika people.
Several days ago, Blake was experiencing classic malarial-type symptoms. After taking medication, he became overwhelmed with severe abdominal pain. The long journey to the capital city began, eventually connecting with medical personnel along the way, who provided some amount of relief. After 3 days in the hospital, questions are still out regarding the exact cause for Blake’s experience, and exactly what should be done differently in the future to prevent another such occurrence.
PLEASE BEGIN PRAYING NOW FOR BLAKE, DAWNYA AND THEIR CHILDREN.
PRAY FOR:
*PEACE IN THE LORD DURING THE TIME OF MEDICAL TESTING TO COME
*WISDOM FOR MEDICAL PERSONNEL WHO WORK ON BLAKE’S CASE
*ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS
*ACCEPTABLE & SAFE MALARIAL MEDICATION TO BE DETERMINED

A River or a Road?

2007-01-22T21:12:00.000+02:00

We felt officially & irrefutably “back” in Zambia as we began our first long trek of our 4th missionary term. Early on, we remarked, “We get to live in AFRICA and go mud-hogging on rainy days!” God is good. The dirt road from Kasama to Luwingu was much worse than five months ago. We were certain our 4x4 Toyota HiLux was tough enough – but were our bodies? “This road feels like a rollercoaster – w/ holes,” said Nathan. “I was thinking it felt more like a bone-rattling jackhammer,” I added. At one point, we asked “Is that a river or a road?” as the sunlight shone off the rainwater making a brook across the dirt path. Such are most of the roads through Northern Province, Zambia.
As we slowly progressed on the 11-hour journey to Kaputa, the natural beauty unfolded before us (pictures will follow later, I promise). Beautiful mountains, shining & immense Lake Mweru and lush vegetation. What a paradise! Except for the fact that there’s no running water, electricity, supermarkets, etc… The point is this. The easy places have been reached. But God doesn’t want people who’ll just go to the easy places w/ good roads; God wants people who’ll go if there are no roads at all. Forget the unspoiled beauty – imagine the blessings God will pour out on those who obey His call! (Some of the pictures shown are NOT of the Kaputa journey, but are in Zambia. As it turns out, my pics taken in a moving vehicle failed to capture the true beauty, and these are similar. ENJOY and imagine it's on the way to Kaputa. )

Pizza Night

2007-01-14T17:40:00.000+02:00

Our Friday night family tradition has now been revived! Make the sauce, mix the dough & set to rise, slice the precious pepperoni, make the taco seasoning for the meat and grate the cheese. With a little muscle and precision placement, Mama Dee’s pizza is back! Nathan’s been studying Cell Structure in Science, so tonight we’re pretending our pizzas are cell models. The dough is the cell membrane, sauce is cytoplasm, spices are ribosomes, pepperoni are mitochondria and hamburger is vacuoles, and a cheese ball could be the nucleus! As our teeth sink into that first bite, we must admit, “We haven’t tasted anything this good in ~5 months!” J

Mama Dee’s Pizza
Dough: (2 pizzas)
1 1/3 cup warm water (can still stick your finger in)
3 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 pkg. instant dry yeast (~1Tbls)
1 Tbls. oil
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar

Heat water in microwave ~1 minute, test heat with clean finger. J
Mix dry ingredients in large bowl. Add water & oil. Mix with a fork and then with hands, adding a little flour if needed, just until not sticky. Oil the bowl generously, turning dough to cover. Cover bowl lightly and let rise 15 minutes in very warm water. When doubled, divide dough and press into two pans with hands. Decorate with sauce and toppings of your choice. Bake on upper & lower racks @ 400F for ~10 minutes, until golden brown on bottom and bubbly on top. When bottom one is ready, move top pizza to bottom for a few more minutes. ENJOY!

Parting is such sweet sorrow

2007-01-07T22:43:00.000+02:00

It's that time again. God know this will never get easier, just more familiar. Here's Michelle ironing in name labels on her clothes. Each and every item. It's a tradition in Zambia that whoever wants comes to the airport on leaving day for RVA, just to give support, love and hugs to all those MKs heading out for another school term. Here's Michelle with Mike and Lindy, her missionary aunt and uncle. Several others were there to pray together before sending Michelle off.

The Coker Crew

2007-01-07T22:32:00.000+02:00

Well, here we are, just in case you don't know us. We're a family of five, spread over two continents and three countries! Wade and I are in the middle with our 3 children, Drew, Michelle and Nathan, from left to right. We love each other...LOTS! Drew's 19 and in university now in the U.S., Michelle's 16 and in boarding school in Kenya and Nathan, 11, is still at home with us in Kasama, Zambia. We're just a normal missionary family! :)

The lost shall be found

2007-01-07T22:18:00.000+02:00

If I look happy in this picture, it's because I am. We arrived back on Zambian soil December 30, to begin our 4th term of service. At first, we were disappointed that 1 of our 11 pieces of luggage didn't arrive on the plane from Louisiana. After waiting in a long line to report the lost piece, we felt blessed to have 10 of 11 with us. 61 pieces did not come! How does that happen? Anyway, as you can see, I'm pleased to now have all my clothes, as well as makeup and a hair dryer. God is good. :)

Welcome

2007-01-06T03:16:00.000+02:00

Welcome to Zambia You're welcome to step into our world and get a real taste of everyday stuff in our African setting. Warnings are in order because this is all new to us. However, we're looking forward to this more informal way of sharing our journey with Jesus as His ambassadors in Zambia.

As they say here - "Mwaiseni" (Welcome)