Dave visited the neighboring dairy and saw firsthand the high-tech milking procedure common to Zambia. We are gathering ideas to implement at Villages of Hope. As we expected, milk production is very low--in this case 2-4 liters per day per cow--mainly because of marginal nutrition. We expect to soon lay out plans for the dairy and will experiment with making silage and drying good quality hay for use in the coming dry season.

Sue had a "four degrees of separation" (not even six!) experience yesterday. Our host, Kathleen introduced me to Anita Leopold who is here with her husband, a new manager/pastor/dairy specialist for the Villages. People wear many hats here. Anita mentioned that she previously lived in Microsnesia before she married Dick. I asked her if she knew Rick and Cindy Hermes from our church, and she exclaimed that yes, she had helped to teach them about missions work there! Minda, Kathleen, Anita, Sue - all the way around the world!

I am touring a local nursery right now to see how big landscaping plants get here. They are all tropicals and our "houseplants" - great fun to use in design. They are about $1 -$50 each - so much less than at home. I am designing for the front of the take-away resturant, the vegetable store, and the school. The kids are going to design the school courtyard with me. I am so intrigued to hear their input! More later, Dave, and Sue