Neighborhood Barbeque

We live in an "yard" as it is called here, that has 5 apartments and a small house in it. Everyone is very nice and always greets us with smiles and "hello," but we really didn't know anyone. We decided to host a backyard barbeque. As you can see my invitation was VERY creative and professionally made!!!  

The grill we used had been built for the Hale's (previous missionaries here). When they left, the grill stayed of course. It was made out of a barrel cut in half, but sure provided a lot of grilling space! It was great!!

Mr. Suresh Babu and his wife, Usha Suresh are from India. They have been in Zambia for many years (maybe 15 to 20, I can't remember exactly). At one point in the evening I said, "Someone is missing." I proceeded to explain who I thought it was and Mrs. Suresh said, "Oh that is the maid. Don't you have a maid? You do everything yourself??" Yep, I do everything myself...with the help of Elder Phelps, of course!!

These two are their children, Manasha Suresh and Rakshit Suresh. Manasha is 22 and is studying to be a doctor. She made some delicious and fancily decorated cupcakes. I should have taken a picture of them. Her parents said she loves to cook. They showed us a picture of some of her cake decorating. Very impressive! Even though she would love to make money by decorating cakes she spends most of her time studying. Rakshit had been to a debate tournament earlier in the day and did very well.

This is Dingani Miti and his wife, Mubanga.  They have a little 10 month old baby, named Tito. Since it was a little on the chilly side, Mubanga took him to her mother's house for the evening. She is super friendly!!

Fadzai Mwanza is single and lives alone in the small house you see behind her. 

The guard at our place was helping Hal get the charcoal burning. His name is Bonface. He speaks very little English.

Even though we started early, we ended up in the dark. There was plenty of food. And everyone told us multiple times how much they appreciated the evening event and they all thought we should get together, at least every other month!

Suresh Babu and Anu Suresh (also from India), own and operate a restaurant here in Zambia. (Good people to invite to a social gathering where food is involved)! They brought some delicious Indian dishes!! They were wise and kind and didn't put much heat into their dishes. I guess Indian foods can be extremely hot...as in spicy hot!!  I could eat their food again! Their two children are Mithra and Parmetha.

The two Suresh families did not know each other previously and they just happened to rent apartments in the same building.

Now you may understand why it is so difficult to understand and remember names!!!