Its been a long time since my last posting - cant believe it was that far back. How time flies! So much water has gone under the bridge since then, so to speak. my daughter, Taonga, gave up on Biotechnology just after one semester and decided to emulate her Dad and switched into the Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences - trouble is, I recall during the bad old days of ZCCM when we used to joke that "if my child decides to do any of these mining/engineering courses, i will disown them." And so after much agonising I came to the conclusion that I couldn't disown her without disowning my self. Then I arranged for her to spend sometime of her end of year vacation at my work place - we call them Christmas Beatles as they only appear during the December holiday. She loved being in the work zone so much that I am now resigned to the fact that she will go on to become a geologist. She is now in her second year and loving it. The Lord has been gracious in all this and I am forever grateful.
Another milestone in our life has been the graduating of our youngest daughter, Elizabeth from Primary School and transitioning into High School. Not only going into High school but also securing a place in a prestigious selective high school for academically gifted children, joining her big sister Lusungu who is now in year 10. Elizabeth is loving High School and obviously is working very hard - every time she comes home from school , she dumps her bag just inside the house and slumps in the lounge where she falls asleep almost immediately.
As for my second daughter Lusungu, she is now in year 10, a senior at her school - a "white shirt" as they are called. She is taking her responsibilities of being a senior seriously involving herself in all sorts of leadership activities such as being a peer leader. Lusungu is also working hard and doing well academically - we are proud of her.
A few days ago we celebrated Taonga's 20th birthday. While it was a joy to c
elebrate yet again another year, Taonga felt a sense of loss because she is no longer a teenager. For me the big thing was that for the first time since she was born, she was not home on her birthday, but rather was out with her friends. It has always been a tradition of ours to spend time as a family and recount the events of our children's births. this keeps the memories fresh and the children have never tired hearing about all these accounts of how their first day was, how we felt the first time we saw them etc. but for the first time, my baby was not home preferring to be with her friends. And that cut way too deep. Then came the realisation that my baby had grown and in so doing was spreading her wings learning to fly...she was no longer bound to the nest, as much as she valued the comfort and security the nest (home) gave her. The sooner we accept that the better for all of us. Then the question comes - have we imparted enough values for her to go out in the world and make it? Is she going to look after herself or get caught up in the peer pressure that comes with growing up? Then the song we sang when taking her from Nkana Mine Hospital for the first time 20 years ago comes back to my mind..."how sweet to hold a new born baby and feel the pride and joy she brings, but better still still the calm assurance this child can face uncertain days because He lives..." I guess I have to leave this issue at that. Christ Lives and therefore I can entrust my family into his hands.
elebrate yet again another year, Taonga felt a sense of loss because she is no longer a teenager. For me the big thing was that for the first time since she was born, she was not home on her birthday, but rather was out with her friends. It has always been a tradition of ours to spend time as a family and recount the events of our children's births. this keeps the memories fresh and the children have never tired hearing about all these accounts of how their first day was, how we felt the first time we saw them etc. but for the first time, my baby was not home preferring to be with her friends. And that cut way too deep. Then came the realisation that my baby had grown and in so doing was spreading her wings learning to fly...she was no longer bound to the nest, as much as she valued the comfort and security the nest (home) gave her. The sooner we accept that the better for all of us. Then the question comes - have we imparted enough values for her to go out in the world and make it? Is she going to look after herself or get caught up in the peer pressure that comes with growing up? Then the song we sang when taking her from Nkana Mine Hospital for the first time 20 years ago comes back to my mind..."how sweet to hold a new born baby and feel the pride and joy she brings, but better still still the calm assurance this child can face uncertain days because He lives..." I guess I have to leave this issue at that. Christ Lives and therefore I can entrust my family into his hands. 
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