Taking advantage of the full moon and with about half of our therapy time remaining,  we took a break and made a quick trip to Livingstone to view the lunar rainbow at Victoria Falls in Livingstone.   Victoria Falls is one of the seven wonders of the world! It is also called Tokaleya Tonga: the cloud that thunders.  On one side is Livingstone, Zambia & the other is Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.  According to Wikipedia, "It is much larger than Niagra Falls. While it is neither the highest nor the widest waterfall in the world, it is claimed to be the largest. This claim is based on a width of 1,708 metres (5,604 ft)[3] and height of 108 metres (354 ft), forming the largest sheet of falling water in the world...There are no mountains, escarpments, or deep valleys which might be expected to create a waterfall, only flat plateau extending hundreds of kilometres in all directions. The spray from the falls typically rises to a height of over 400 metres (1,300 ft), and sometimes even twice as high, and is visible from up to 50 km (31 mi) away. At full moon, a "moonbow" can be seen in the spray instead of the usual daylight rainbow... David Livingstone, the Scottish missionary and explorer, is believed to have been the first European to view the Victoria Falls — which he did from what is now known as 'Livingstone Island' in Zambia, the only land accessible in the middle of the falls. David Livingstone gave the falls the name 'Victoria Falls' in honor of his Queen..." So much for the history lesson!  Here's what I will remember about one of the Seven Wonders of the World:    *the Japanese guy who stood in front of the audience and directly in front of me for about 95% of our viewing!     *the Japanese couple standing in front of everyone (not related to the inconsiderate young man who blocked our view). They couldn't operate their camera, so they read their manual using flashlights.      *the young couple from who-knows-where (again standing in front of everyone) making out. Excessively.  Seriously, I will remember the breathtaking beauty and mighty power, the soft mist and perfect weather, the bright glow of the biggest full moon Ive ever seen, and the most spectacular, ever-changing giant moon bow. I will also remember calling Coy to have him hear the roar of the thundering waterfall in the background  ... and wishing he was there, too. Livingstone wrote of the falls, "No one can imagine the beauty of the view from anything witnessed in England. It had never been seen before by European eyes; but scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight."

Zambia is plagued with HIV/AIDS, in fact its an epidemic and the prevalence seems to remain at critical levels.  As I understand it, the  primary means of HIV transmission here is through heterosexual sex and mother-to-child transmission. There appears to be a stigma and much misinformation about HIV/AIDS that prevents people from seeking treatment and care.  This is complicated by a lack of information and the availability of treatment services...and years of customs and traditions.  There are billboards along the highways, especially  near the towns warning the public about HIV/AIDS and encouraging abstinence.  One sign states, "We're all infected until we're tested." When we arrived at the airport, of course we all had to use the restroom.  And right there in the airport facilities are free condoms -- a big box!  In Hawaii people are presented with leis and in  Zambia we are greeted with condoms! What a cultural difference! Last night at church Mr. Merritt preached and the topic was ... abstinence. Since AIDS is so prevalent, educating the public is critical even in church.  Mr. Merritt was explicit in his presentation and warned the men that circumcision is not protection, which is a common belief. He captured the audience's attention using two different colored marbles and placing them in a bag.  He required each of the twelve male "volunteers" standing on stage to draw out a marble.  If it was red, then they were dead and if it was white it was alright (he didn't use those words but probably should have). Then, those men remaining had to draw again and again until all were "dead".  Probability proven. Point well made.

Today started out as a typical Sunday morning in Namwianga.  Following church and lunch  everyone was on their own until the 5:00 dinner time.  Some slept, some read, some worked, some played,  and some got lucky enough to access the internet.  I was strolling around the yard searching for pictures to capture with my camera when I noticed the excitement in front of the main house -- "The Hamby House" - the house with the verandah on which we eat each meal.  The headquarters.  A shipment from the states arrived with much needed supplies for the clinic and the Havens. It was a big deal and it took almost all afternoon. About twenty-five men came to help unload and deliver the goods. And a policeman showed up to supervise. He rode his bicycle from Choma.  No gun.  There was the usual bit of confusion and organized chaos, but all went well.  It was a good day! 

Mrs. Mono is gifted.  She is a seamstress who can literally  make anything. I have been hearing about her talents over the years from Dan & Beckie and the students  so I was sure to purchase something.  Mrs. Mono lives next door and was eagerly awaiting her potential customers. Beckie and I were first.  We  got first pick of her goods: purses, wallets, headbands, aprons, rugs, covers for i-pads, and if she didn't have what you want, she will make it for you to perfection -- and in record time! Mrs. Mono certainly lived up to and exceeded my expectations ... and her salesmanship abilities match her sewing talent! When she was  very young Beatrice Mono's mother sent her to sewing school for two years. Her first job was making uniforms for the school children. She uses a 1950's sewing machine which was originally purchased for repairs of the tents for the medical mission. Mrs. Mono admitted that she sleeps very little and prefers to sew at night so she can work uninterruted.  Some of her profits go to The Mission and some help send her family through school.  Mrs. Mono's husband is a teacher but we didn't meet him during our stay.  They have four sons and a daughter.  Two of the sons went to college and one son is married and has a child. The family also raises chickens and grows tomatoes, so they certainly have an entrepreneurial spirit! For the first time since Beckie has been coming to Namwianga Mrs. Mono invited her for dinner and I was invited! Wow! Dinner out on Saturday night! Our hostess gifts for  Mrs. Mono included  a small calculator and a collection of buttons. I also presented her with a silver metal fish with the engraved words, "Jesus said, follow me and I will make you fishers of men". I explained that my father designed this little fish, had them mass produced, and gave them to many people.  I told her it was an honor for me to give her one -- the first in Africa!   Mrs. Mono's table had been set and was covered with a white lace cloth. I felt that she was proud to unveil her specially prepared food but I think she was more proud to have us sitting at her table. The meal began with the traditional hand washing. Mrs. Mono placed a large empty bowl in front of me, and as I sat at her at her table she poured warm water over my hands and then Beckie's hands. She asked Beckie to offer a prayer then she served pan fried chicken, rice, potatoes, a sauce for the rice, slaw with tomatoes, and lemonade. As we enjoyed each other's company I sensed the deep respect that each of us share.  Mrs. Mono expressed her gratitude to Beckie for making the efforts to sell some of her products. She repeatedly said, "You are blessed."  After dinner Beckie was presented with a beautiful hand made skirt and she gave me one of her famous purses.  We assured Mrs  Mono we will visit one more time before we leave The Mission.  I have a friend in Zambia!

For two weeks now all I've seen of Ruth is flat affect. At first her cries were like a water faucet- on about as fast as off. But mostly she has no response. Yesterday the girls brought a plastic container with different shaped blocks. We bombarded "the babies" with speech. Then we decided to see what would happen if we placed the toys in the center of their little circle and say nothing. Suddenly Ruth made a sound, then more and more-- no distinguishable words, but clear intent! We quickly discovered that Ruth is possessive. She wants the toys -- all of them. It was an amazing thing to watch.  Then, Ruth stood up and took a few steps independently! Oh My, the secrets these children hold! 

Mr. Phiri (sounds like "Peiry")  is a very humble and  important man.  You can see it in his posture, his dress, and his confidence. He is well educated. He was educated in the states and has a Masters Degree in linguistics.  According to those who know him, Mr  Phiri always seems to have a smile and never seems flustered. He reportedly does well delegating responsibility, which, to me, indicates a natural leader. Mr. Phiri  is superintendent of The Mission, which includes the schools, clinics, and hospitals. He knows a lot of people, understands the law, and has much respect for those who help The Namwianga Mission.  He owns and operates a farm near Choma, is in charge of the water supply, the radio station, and runs the farm at The Mission. Needless to say,  he is somewhat of an entrepreneur.  As busy as he is, Mr. Phiri almost always makes time for Ian, Dan's 15 year old. Ian reports that Mr. Phiri is easy to talk to and is interested in and helped him with his Eagle Scout project.  Ian says, "...he does what he can to help". Mr. Phiri is held in high regard. He is definitely "a mover and shaker" -- a major influence in this community. And, he is a promoter of speech-language pathology in this area! And, as Beckie says, "He gets it"! On their exploratory trip to discover the possibility of services in Zambia, Dan, Beckie, and Sarah met Mr. Phiri in the fall of 2007. Following introductions and a welcome dinner at "Miss" Ellie's house on their first night, Mr. Phiri reported that he thought the possiblity of services for the infants, babies, and toddlers is a "gift from God". Mr. Phiri's team had been told they must come up with a new program and they had  exhausted all of their options. Speech-language therapy at The Mission seemed to be just what they needed. That year Mr. Phiri accompanied Dan, Beckie, and Sarah to Lusaka to meet the Minister of Education (they were even interviewed on the Zambian TV). Since then Dan and Beckie have maintained and deepened their friendship with Mr. Phiri.  I was honored to have met and visited with Mr. Phiri at breakfast yesterday. 

Last night after dinner Dan, Beckie and I got to talking to Kara about The Rebels and Oxford in general.  Kara's boyfriend is from Tupelo and is a die-hard Rebel fan. So she wanted to know more.  Bless her heart. She was bombarded with information. So topics were rapid-fire and ranged from Hugh Freeze to The Bottletree, to Double Decker, the Rebel Yell, and.... The Grove, ETC!.  We talked on and on into the night. Poor Kara.