A week is already gone since we received our mission call to the Zambia Lusaka mission. We are working hard to get everything done that needs to be taken care of before we go to the MTC on Nov 28. We have been looking toward this time since we were first married but all of a sudden the time for talk is past and the time for action is here!
Already there are a few things we sure wish we had done a few months ago. We are starting to feel like a pair of pincushions with all the shots we have had, but we are ticking off some of the visa requirements, shopping, travel documents etc. Today we went shopping and found shirts, pants, shoes etc and we think we are getting close to having what we need for that sort of stuff.
We were really excited yesterday to start emailing with a couple who are already there serving. Their names are Jim and Nancy Bullock from Airdrie. Nancy is Paul Dee And Arlene Payne's daughter, so grew up in MountainView. Small world! They are serving in Malawi and have been praying diligently for another couple to help in the branches there. There are units in two different cities about four hours drive apart and they have been covering both of them. The Bullocks have been exercising their faith and had already booked an apartment and begun gathering things to furnish it well before we received our call. If things go as we understand they are being outlined, we will be working in the capital city of Malawi, Lilongwe with about 10 elders in 2 branches there. We still haven't had contact with the mission president so this is all according to Elder & Sister Bullock. They have been so helpful with all our questions. One thing Sister Bullock said to be sure to bring was any makeup because there is nothing available there for a white face. Go figure! We have been reading their blog to get a sense of what we will be doing and what things are like and pretty much everything we read just makes us even more excited to get going. Their blog is thebullocksinmalawi.blogspot.com if you want to check it out to see what we might we doing.
The last two days we have been in Utah gathering freight for the store and saying our goodbyes to all our wonderful friends in the LDS booksellers industry. That is really the hardest part of going, leaving our family and friends but, you know, 2 years is really nothing and will fly by. We are so glad we live in the days of skype and email!
Just as a quick note, as we were at Foundation Arts, they were showing us the original of a brand new piece of the Savior with several African children. Liz is very involved with Mothers Without Borders who work in Zambia and a funny little story she tells involves the man who is the model she used for the Savior. Apparently the painting and his face are quite well known there. He is married to the gal who is the head of the organization and goes over there for months at a time to help with construction etc. He was at a lumberyard buying some doors and when he came out carrying the doors, everyone was buzzing, wondering what Jesus was going to do with the doors.
Well, probably enough for now. As we figure out more things, we will get pictures up and that sort of thing. Thanks so much to all of you for your prayers, good wishes and generosity. We love you all!
- Elder & Sister Prete in Zambia
Location:On the road home from Utah
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