From The Kitchen Table
The Desk of Lynne Schaefer
May 2008
"Holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of
Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain."
Philippians 2:16
Dear Family and Friends
What are the Schaefer's up to?
Well, at the moment we are in transit back up to Zambia via Port Elizabeth. Grant's mother, Helen, broke her ankle after a fall from passing out. She has been in and out of hospital a few times the last few months and we are here to spend some time with her. She will no longer have any chemotherapy as it is no longer helping her. She was in a lot of pain from the cancer but the doctor has now put her on morphine, so she no longer feels pain. She is now in a frail care facility where she will most likely stay. We will head back up to Zambia as soon as we feel she is well cared for. It is a difficult time for us as we are both desperate to get back home - and also very concerned for the well being of our mom. We both feel that it is our responsibility to care for our parents when they are unable to care for themselves. But, our situation as missionaries in another country makes this very difficult for us to do. It has been a very stressful time for Grant as he is very concerned for his mother. We will most likely head back home in the next week or two.
We had such a great time while in Cape Town. Before we left we stayed with some very good friends of ours. It was such a joy to stay with them and be a part of their family for a few weeks. We learned so much from them in the short time we were with them. We are now really missing all our friends and family. We are also missing our church and the input from our pastor. We will miss the excellent sermons and the fellowship we got each Sunday.
Motherhood
At the moment motherhood is rather overwhelming for me. We are staying in Grant's mother's little house. It is very small for a family of our size. The kids are all sleeping on a sleeper couch like four soldiers in a row. They are not at all bothered by it as they are used to sleeping anywhere. But, they are also not used to staying in a very small house. The house is in a complex and there are lots of other kids around. Some of the children are rather mean. One boy was rather nasty to Charley and threatened to puncture her bicycle tyre. At least she had the sense to just ride off and ignore him. Joel went out and put a tract in their post box. He also asked them if they go to church. But, now they have got to know the kids and all the kids seem to hang out around our little house. They are no longer nasty to our children. They all seem to come from bad homes. We seem to attract kids and cats. The neighbours cats seems to think he would rather live with us. It can been quite stressful not being in your own home and always being in an "on the move" mode. I am trying to fit school in and keep some kind of routine. It is obvious that the kids are missing their own home and routine. However, we both feel that we need to be here in Port Elizabeth at this time. I know that God will give me the patience and strength as we remain in this transit mode.
Luke
Luke has been a very fussy baby to breast feed. That is something I am not used to as I fed all the others with no problem. I am persevering in the feeding though, as I know it is what best for him and is weight is fine. He is definitely growing. He is now smiling and cooing. He has all his sibling oooing and aaaahing all over him all the time. Poor chap, I am sure he will survive it. He wakes up quite a few times at night. We all love him so much and are so thankful to have him. 
What Smells Like That?
Grant has desperately been trying to save us money by making bio-diesel. It has been a noose around his neck since he started. He is now buying used oil here in PE, filtering it, adding some paraffin and throwing it into our tank. It seems to be working and it is saving us money. It costs half the price to fuel. We are driving around here on it. The fuel in South Africa just keeps on going up in price. But it is not nearly as expensive as it is in Zambia. In Zambia it is nearly R20 a liter. Whenever we start the car in the morning it smells like fish and chips! Yum!
Please keep us all in your prayers and we remember you in ours.
* Grant's mother Helen and her health
* For our long trip ahead in the next few weeks
* For God's continual provision during the increase in cost of living etc.
* For the safety of us as a family.
With Love,
Lynne Schaefer and Family
Grant, Joel, Hope, Charley, Olivia and Luke.
mbala5@yahoo.co.uk
P.O.Box 420032MbalaZambia.
Tel +260 9778 69880
