Another month has flown by and we continue to settle here in Lusaka. The last month has been quite busy, and difficult as we are grieving the loss of a friend and coworker here at ACU.
Mwansa Mbewe, passed away from a brain hemorrhage quite suddenly about two weeks ago. In the short time we had been here, he had become a dear friend, and we were working closely on some projects at ACU. He was only 32 and was the director of the student labor program at ACU. Mwansa lived in such a way that God’s love simply flowed out of him and onto everyone around him. The testimonies at his funeral reflected his love of God. We will miss him greatly. Please pray for his grieving family. Also, pray for ACU that we might be able to carry on the work even as we grieve.
We are feeling more and more at home at our church here and are very grateful for the community of believers we've gotten to know through it! It is a church plant from South Africa. Dr. Paul Kayumba is the primary pastor, but as he has a number of other responsibilities at ACU the churches in South Africa sent up a missionary named Michael Watson about a year ago. Michael was ordained on November 18th, and we had a number of visitors from South Africa come up for the ordination. It was a pleasure to meet them and to hear about the work that God is doing in the church there in SA.
At ACU the academic year just wrapped up and we are in the ‘summer’ holidays. There is still plenty of work to be done during the break as we continue to push for accreditation and prepare for the next academic year. We have been enjoying having the students over and getting to know them all better. This last week I went with Dietrich and some of the students to soil sample out at the ACU farm. Dietrich had a wonderful time! He definitely takes after his papa in his love for soil, and had a blast filling in holes and getting totally covered in dirt!
The rains have finally started, which has been a huge relief and blessing! They are starting about a month late this year, but we are very thankful as we have been waiting and praying for rain. With the rains have come somewhat lower temperatures (highs in the 70s and mid 80s vs. 90+ the last couple of months), which Faith especially is thankful for. It's not easy being 8+ months pregnant in 90+ degrees! I am excited to learn as I watch my first full growing season in the Southern hemisphere!
There have been a number of other little happenings along the way. Both Korinne and Esther had birthdays in November. Korinne is now six and Esther is now two. Korinne has been talking a lot about how to be a good older sister, which is pretty sweet to hear! Esther is as spunky and sweet as ever and loves following her older siblings around and joining in their play.
We celebrated Thanksgiving at some American friends’ house. It was an awesome gathering with more than 60 folks from the US, Zambia, and Australia! You know it's a good party when you hardly make a dent in the dessert because there’s so much!
As I write this, our friend Amber is flying from the US to Zambia. She will be our first visitor here (hopefully of many!), which we’re very excited about! She is going to spend most of December with us and help us as we transition to life with four little people. Please hold us up in your prayers that the delivery of our baby would go well. The due date is December 7th.
As always you can read our past updates here (https://www.raininitsseason.com/), and support us financially here (https://www.actioninternational.org/missionary/madsen). Most of all, please lift us up in prayers!
In Christ,
The Madsens (Isaac, Faith, Korinne, Dietrich, Esther, and Baby)
Prayer Requests:
The Mbewe family as they grieve the death of Mwansa.
ACU as we seek to carry out our mission, vision, and values.
Safe delivery of our baby (due December 7th).
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