From The Kitchen Table May 2008

SCHAEFER FAMILY NEWS
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.

Please pray for:

* 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

From The Kitchen Table

SCHAEFER FAMILY NEWS

The Desk of Lynne Schaefer

April 2008

"The Future is in God's Hands"

Greetings to you all!

This newsletter is well overdue! I was going to feel guilty and beat myself up over not writing it sooner - but I have decided to give myself a break and just happily write it even though it's late!

It has been a rather busy few months for us Schaefer's. We are still in Cape Town trying desperately to get everything done that needs to get done whilst here. Time just seems to be running away from us and we find ourselves with a back-log of things to do. We are, however, very proud to be parents of 5 wonderful children. We are so grateful for the safe arrival of our little Luke! He is such a sweetie and is getting a serious overdose of love and attention. I am convinced that he pretends to be asleep most of the time just to have a little peace from his siblings who all adore him.

The Birth of Luke

The birth went well. Luke came a few days early which was wonderful. He was born on 6th March and weighed only 2.9kg, a skinny little boy with legs that looked like chicken bones! He is so sweet. He hardly moved when he was in my tummy, he was a very laid back boy while in there. Now that he is out he is just the same. Laid back like his dad! I had a home-birth in the wonderful home we have been staying in. Ester, our German missionary midwife friend, came down from Zambia for a 2 week break in Cape Town. We were so hoping that Luke would be born while she was here - she had done all my ante-natal care while I was still in Zambia. She was with me the whole day I was in labor and Luke was born the day before she was due to leave! God answered our prayers and she got to be at the birth. (She then had problems with her flights back to Zambia and got to stay for a few extra days). It was great. My sister Lorna was also there and we had a wonderful midwife who did the delivery with Ester to assist her. I had another waterbirth and it all went smoothly. The only downside to having a baby at home is that it is difficult to rest with 4 other kids running around and wanting to see the new baby. Olivia walked in the morning after the birth and saw Luke and said, "What's that baby doing in Luke's clothes?". She did not realize that the baby was actually Luke. She had helped pack all the baby clothes in the drawers days before Luke arrived.

Our Stay in Cape Town

We have had a wonderful time whilst here in Cape Town. Grant came down from Zambia on the 14th February. The kids and I have at least had a holiday but he has been so busy since he came down that he has not been able to have much of a break. We have been able to visit with friends and family and attend our own church! The children and I spent many days on the beach when the weather was fine. Joel has been learning to surf and was even given a wet-suit. The girls have enjoyed collecting shells on the beach and building sand castles. We went to a variety of beaches and the children would play while I just sat on my deck chair with my bulging belly! We have so enjoyed having a library to go to, having other moms to visit and friends popping in for coffee. Now that Luke has arrived the beach days are few and far between. Grant had to go up to a church in Johannesburg for a few days and we will soon be heading off to Port Elizabeth to see Grant's mom. We will be in Cape Town for a few more weeks and then we will head back up to Zambia. It's a long drive - with 5 children now!

Happy Birthdays!

Olivia just had her 3rd birthday and Charley will soon be turning 6. Olivia is really talking nicely now. Charley is still very shy and not much of a peoples person. She warms up once she knows you but she is not as outgoing as her siblings. Grant and I just celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary.














How am I Coping?


So, how am I coping? That is a question that so many have asked me. Well, at the moment I am feeling the stress of not being in my own home. The kids not having their toys and all the space around to ride their bikes and just run! Being here is a different kinds of busy that we are not used to. I am also feeling very tired and emotional - a normal state of having a new baby! The children are all missing their Zambian home and looking forwards to going back. I am anxious about the long drive to get there and the rising diesel costs! But, we know that God is in control. He has always provided for us and we know that he will never let us down. Each day I pray for his protection and provision for our little family.


A Big Thank You

A big thank you to all of you for your prayers and gifts for little Luke. We have been so blessed with so many baby clothes, nappies and gifts for him. Thank you everyone! I have not had time to write emails the past few weeks. But, thanks to all those who sent us emails!


Prayers and Praise:

Praise God for:

* The safe arrival of Luke
* God's provision and safely while we traveled to Cape Town and while Grant traveled
* God's provision of baby things and needs while in Cape Town
* For the wonderful House of Christine, Ethel and John, that we were able to stay in while in Cape Town
* For the spiritual input from our Church and Pastor while down here
* For the help from family and friends while Grant was away and while we have been here

Please pray for:

* A safe trip back to Zambia
* For God to continue to provide with the rising costs and depreciating Rand. As the Rand gets lower it affects us greatly in Zambia as we get much less when we change it into Kwatch.
* For the safety of all the children as we go back into a malaria area.
* For Grant's mom, Helen, who has not been well.
* For me as a mother to have patience and joy as well travel and camp all the way back to Zambia

God bless you all.

With Love,

Lynne Schaefer and Family

Grant, Joel, Hope, Charley, Olivia and Luke

mbalamama@yahoo.co.uk
mbala5@yahoo.co.uk

P.O.Box 420032MbalaZambia.

Tel +260 9778 69880