The question was quite a simple one: do you have a gas blow lamp? No.  No.  No.  15 times, no. Then the breakthrough: Roger Green (Projects, Flying Mission Zambia) spotted what he wanted on a dusty top shelf - in the TV Hire shop!!! Elation! Now, finally, he can get on with his plumbing at Chilongolo. He brought 'said item' home, rejoicing at his success. But his delight soon fizzled out

John and Faith Solt recently joined the Flying Mission Zambia team from the USA. Part of their orientation programme was to live with a family in the bush for 10 days. Here are some of their comments on that experience.

We felt like spoilt Americans. After the first full day in the village (second night) we laid awake in bed in the thatched roof hut wondering if we would survive ten days.  We told God, "We're not strong enough. We need your help."

By Toby Wilson, aged 6

Toby wrote this story after his family traveled to Peter Fisher's game farm located at the head of the Zambezi River in the far northwest of Zambia. Toby is the elder son of Bryan and Diane Wilson.  Peter Fisher is Chairman of the FMZ Board.

Toby and Ross woke up early in the morning because it was a special day. They were going to Peter Fisher's game farm. So they packed all the stuff into the car and they zoomed to Chilongolo and they put all the stuff in the aeroplane and flew to Peter's farm.

The Human Resources Department is based at Head Office in Gaborone. It deals with enquiries about positions with Flying Mission and provides relevant information to those interested in joining the mission. Once accepted, those missionaries then work with HR to get themselves, their families and their goods and chattels into the country for a particular time. Sounds easy? It is NOT. Africa has its own challenges when it comes to communications.

Christmas is a special time of year for Christians all over the world. Here in Zambia, the Flying Mission Zambia family shared their Christmas joy with the 'Rainbow Kids'. 180 local children raced to the hangar to see what was being prepared. They were very full of anticipation as they arrived on a wet Christmas Eve, leaving their shoes at the entrance.

Flying Mission Zambia first 'set up shop' in Zambia in 2004. Pioneering is a challenge and personnel have been working flat out since the inception of the project. Retreats had been discussed in the past, but only this year was it possible to arrange some time away from base as a team to refresh weary bodies, minds and spirits - and revive family life!

Whilst visiting our partner missionaries at Chitokoloki recently, we were thrilled to hear this story from Gordon Hanna, the administrator there, and asked to share it with you all. Here it is as Gordon tells it:

Early this week the 'MICS Marching Band', along with all the workers of the UBUNTU campus' met at ABFA, the "All Blessings From Above" airstrip in Macha. They were welcoming home the van Stam family, back from a 2 month leave in their homeland, Holland.

The family arrived safely with Flying Mission Zambia (FMZ) Pilots, Dave and Guillermo, who brought them in for a safe and smooth landing.

The band greeted the family with music, cheers. streamers, and dancing.

Flying Mission Zambia (FMZ) uses the Internet extensively to conduct its business and communicate with the rest of the world. EvaLynn Lott (16) has written of some events which finally enabled her family to have an Internet connection at their home 4 kilometres from Chilongolo, FMZ base, where her father David is Chief Pilot.

'Okay everyone - are you ready? 'asked Dad. The tension was building inside of me, just like the tension on the ropes that were helping to raise the Internet tower in our garden. I was excited - and scared. If this tower did not go up as hoped, we could end up smashing a corner of our house, or worse still, hurting someone.