We arrived in Lusaka at 12:30; we last were there in February of 2003, and were struck by the number of changes in the city in the intervening four years. Areas that formerly consisted of makeshift homes and dirt roads now have brick or concrete houses, pavement, electricity, and water service. New apartments and office buildings have sprung up throughout the city, and there is a general air of increased prosperity.


Trevor and Monica live in the "suburbs," a drive of about 15 minutes out of downtown Lusaka. When we visited four years ago they had just begun construction of a housing compound for themselves. It is now complete. We spent the next week in their guest cottage, located a few feet from the main house. We attended several Christmas week gatherings hosted by their friends and neighbors, and enjoyed chicken cooked outdoors on a spit on Christmas Day.