Pray for Melissa Schiete

I just wanted to post this for those of you who know Melissa Schiete, so that you can be praying for her while she is in Africa.

June 16th, 2007
Dear Family and Friends,

It certainly has been a busy and fruitful time this past week in Chitokoloki, Zambia. I do apologize for how long it took for this e-mail – the main reason is because internet connection/signal is very low and it always seems to drop when I'm ready to send an e-mail! So, e-mail may not be the best way for me to connect to people…sorry everyone!
Anne Marie and I arrived safely at Chit last Friday, June 8th. We got settled in quite fast as the missionaries here are very hospitable and helpful with things. Tanis Walker is "housing" us, and the accommodations are much better than I ever would have thought. The Lord has blessed us with a roof over our head, (mosquito nets!), and basic provisions. Tanis' house is situated right on the Zambezi river…the view is absolutely beautiful in the early mornings and late evenings.
I hardly know where to begin writing when it comes to the town, the people, and everything in between! Words can hardly suffice to describe what I've already seen. Friday was filled with a birth, my first time to see a live birth. It was a grueling time, as we almost lost the baby at the end. But the Lord allowed the little one to cry out with a first breath…truly amazing. Saturday was filled with getting to know the village some more. Anne Marie did rounds with Tanis (who is a nurse) while I visited some of the men in the men's ward…of course I didn't know any of the language except "muna handi" which is a simple greeting in Lunda. But their faces just light up once visitors come in – especially one little boy who had a gorgeous face but was very weak with a sickness that no one could diagnose. It was a blessing getting to know him and his father, who spoke broken English; *sigh* but that little boy died Monday night after a long day of fighting a high fever and trying to breathe. It reminded me of how our lives are but a vapor – how are we spending our lives? Sold out for Him? Hmmm…death and life tend to make one think a lot about eternal things. And the people here are surrounded by it 24/7…"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live" Deut. 30:19 May we constrained to tell other of the light of The Gospel…Jesus Christ, who is the Hope for all the Nations.
The meeting on Sunday was very neat! The speaking and hymn singing was all in Lunda and/or Lavale…it was my first time to be in a meeting that spoke a different language. It was always nice when they translated things for us : )
The generator is about ready to go out, so I must wrap up this short e-mail...
Be praying for the ministry that I am working on here in Chit. They need a permanent preschool/kindergarten teacher of English at the mission. Although I'm not permanent, I will be doing "camps" for the time I am here with about 50-60 kids. Last week, it started out with only 12, the next day there were about 35 and the day after that there were around 50...hahaha. They keep multiplying! : ) The kids are very obedient and it's helpful having Lillian with me, she is doing the translating for me whenever the kids do not understand. This whole opportunity has been a learning process, but I'm so thankful that the Lord has given me the opportunity to share with these young children. Not only how to speak English, but after their "school lesson" they all sit around me and we read a Bible story and I've been trying to give an overly simple gospel message every time. Perhaps the kids don't understand it all, but repetition is the key. And some of them are very attentive...just pray that the Lord would work in their hearts. That would see that they do not need to fear, but that the Lord will be their Father.
I must go now! It frustrates me that I cannot talk to each of you in person or write back to each of your e-mails...but know that Anne Marie and I have been receiving them. You have all been so encouraging...thank you for your prayers.

In His (Nzambia's) Hands,
Melissa S.

June 23, 2007

Hi,
We spoke with Melissa today and she has malaria. Thankfully, she is on a compound with doctors, nurses and medical care. She is being treated and they tell her she should be better in 48 hours. She laughed as she told us she has only been bit 4 times while she has been there and one of those pesky mosquitos happened to be a malaria carrier! So, she has a good attitude. She is tired and would appreciate prayer that she can get the needed rest. She says she will probably cancel her classes on Monday and maybe Tuesday so she can rest. Everyone there is very encouraging and wanting her to take care of herself. Pass this along to whoever for prayer and encouragement for her. She wants to be out there working hard and she doesn't like to sit still!!
Thanks,
Kristy Schiete