Just Back From Safari

The adventure continues! This vacation is just unreal. Yesterday we had to stop the Land Cruiser to let some elephants cross the path. Earlier today I was inside a 8,000 kilometer crater watching a pride of lions frolic in a field. On the way out of the crater our 4-wheel drive went out and we had to avoid mud slides. Good thing the brakes still worked, because we needed those to avoid the 40 monkeys that were camped out on the tarmac on our way back home. And now I'm on the Internet. How is this my life?

I'll post pictures when the computer works-they will do more justice then my words! But basically, the 4 of us headed up to Ngorongoro Conservation Area yesterday, and toured around Lake Manyara and then Ngorongoro Crater today. It seriously felt like we were in Jurassic Park. This crater was formed when a volcano collapsed 2,000 years ago. The Massai people live alongside these animals within the crater and it was amazing to observe it all.

Tomorrow we celebrate New Years Eve at the Massai Camp. Ok, that is actually the name of the backpackers lodge where we are staying.. It'll be a wild time none the less! Enjoy New Years Eve wherever you are and have a great New Year! I'll post more details on what has been going on in my village and life once I am back from vacation. Love to all!

Trains, Chinese, and Buffets

No candlelight Christmas Eve service here, but the way the Christmas lights inside the Chinese/Indian Cuisine restaurant glowed, there was a bit of that peaceful feeling. No egg nog, but I cut open a coconut with my pocketknife and drank. No snow, but my clothes are still drying from the downpour of rain. No turkey was carved, but we carved a pineapple for dinner last night. No pine trees, but palm trees are plentiful. No Pikes Peak, but I did get up this morning and watch the sun rise over Mt Kilimanjaro.

So Christmas in Africa-it has been an experience! I took a 48 hour train ride with three Peace Corps friends up to Tanzania. It was beautiful! An awesome (but rather long) way to see most of Zambia and a lot of Tanzania. We got off the train in Dar es Salem. The name of the city means "Haven of Peace" and is on the Indian Ocean. We ate Christmas Eve dinner at the Chinese/Indian Cuisine place, which reminded us all of The Christmas Story movie. The waitress however, did not sing us carols. The food was actually awesome and we ended up at a hotel that served a dessert buffet. Christmas morning we went out for breakfast in our pajamas just to carry on the lifelong tradition of staying in your pajamas until at least 11:30 on Christmas morning. Everyone does that right? The afternoon was spent at the ocean, eating, shopping and just enjoying a great day. I was able to talk with my family back home which was so nice, but bittersweet. That night we went to the nicest hotel (we weren't actually staying there) and had a 5 course Christmas dinner. Then Tuesday we hopped on a bus that dropped us here in Moshi, which is a little town nestled in the foothills of Africa's tallest mountain. We watched the sun rise this morning and will be hiking and playing this afternoon. So far the trip has been really relaxing and fun. I'll send pictures as soon as possible.

I sincerely hope that all of you had a Merry Christmas and that the New Year will be full of adventure. I wish you all were here with me! Blessings!

I AM

Just wanted to share an excerpt from Louie Giglio's book, I am not but I know I AM. I read this yesterday and it brought me a lot of peace.

"And in the days to come, when you're questioning, needing, searching, wondering, asking, and struggling you will find His sufficiency at the end of every desperate prayer. When you cry out all the things that you are not, you'll know His answer is, "I AM." For every cry there is one answer:
I need hope. I AM.
Who could possibly be smart enough to figure this out? I AM.
What lasts? I AM.
I need a bigger story. I AM.
Nobody's listening to me. I AM.
Nothings real anymore. I AM.
I'm pouring into others, who's pouring into me? I AM.
I'm not sure why I'm here. I AM.
Somebody just hold me. I AM. "

Thanks to all of you who have spent time in prayer for me these last days. Just to give you an update, I have decided to move from my current hut and into a room at one of the teacher's homes near the school. It is for now a temporary solution, but seems a really great option. I'll be close to the school and the clinic which should be great workwise and influence wise. I will be about 2 miles from my old village, so I can still visit and be involved there. Please pray for this adjustment and also that my "old" village would not feel abandoned or hurt that I have moved. Specifically for my relationship with Cholwe, that it would continue to be strong and grow even with the distance. I love and miss you all!

Thanksgiving

Rain is falling here in Choma, the turkey has been killed, and friends will be gathering in two hours to celebrate all the blessings we have. There was not a turkey bowl, football here is soccer, and all of you are halfway around the world...BUT I still have so much to be thankful for in my life. Above all, that I serve a God who was willing to sacrifice everything to have a relationship with me, a God that allows us to partner with Him in ministry, no matter how much we mess things up! A God that walks beside us, holds us up, and gives us rest when we are weary. Be thankful today and enjoy this awesome holiday.

Just a quick update on life over here. I have been in Lusaka for the week doing some follow up training with Peace Corps. Learned a lot from other volunteers and also PC staff. Had fun in the big city and ate food I did not have to prepare-it was awesome. Right now my biggest prayer request is with my living situation here. After 2 cobras in my hut and another near my bathing shelter Peace Corps medical staff got a little nervous. I went out to my site with our safety and security coordinator yesterday to check things out, only to find a black mamba in my yard. SO, I have a couple options and I'm just not sure the best way to handle the situation. PC is leaving it up to me at this point, I can stay in my hut, move within my village to another place, or move altogether to another village. Ideally I would like to stay in my hut, but at this point it appears there must be a nest or something nearby because it is very unusual to have so many snakes in such a short period of time. Please pray that God would give me direction on what to do and also protect me physically and emotionally.

Love you all-enjoy Thanksgiving!

Zam Phone

I just got a Zambian cell phone-so anytime you want to text me I will text back! Also, if the phone is on and I have reception you can call, it just doesn't have voicemail. My phone number is +26099150741. I would love to hear from you!

Sacrifice

"At any step along the way He could have called it quits...When He saw the dirt floor of His Nazareth House. When Joseph gave Him a chore to do. When His fellow students were dozing off during the reading of the Torah, His Torah. When the neighbor took His name in vain. When the lazy farmer blamed his poor crop on God. At any point Jesus could have said, "That's it! That's enough! I am going home." But He didn't. He didn't, because He is love." - Max Lucado

Friday was an exhausting day. I played pharmacist at the clinic all afternoon. People were coughing on me, I was dropping pills on the floor and having flashbacks to "It's a Wonderful Life" where the pharmacist almost kills someone by giving them the wrong medicine. Except Jimmy Stewart wasn't with me at Chifusa Rural Health Center to stop me from unintentional homicide. It was hot-Africa hot. I didn't want to ride my bike home, I just wanted a car and air conditioning and America. I was hungry. I wanted to order Chinese for dinner and not have another bowl of rice. And you all thought I had such a cheery disposition here in Zambia!

Then, as I am standing on a termite mound trying to text my parents, I see these two children riding full speed ahead on the back of this donkey. I had to laugh out loud. Honestly, donkeys really do look like Donkey from Shrek and you have to laugh out loud when you see them. It made me think how silly Jesus probably looked riding on one into town on Palm Sunday. Except I doubt it was called Palm Sunday then. Anyway, it just reminded me of all Jesus sacrificed to come to earth and show us His love for us. I love the quote above from Max Lucado's book A Love Worth Giving. As there as so many things throughout my day that seem too hard or too much for God to ask, it is so humbling to remember all that Christ gave up so that I can have a relationship with the Living God.

So Friday was challenging, but there were also really great parts of my week too! On Monday the Independence Eve Party went awesome-we had lots of dancing (Electric Slide and Square dancing were a huge hit), played Pictionary (easier to explain than Celebrity), ate good food and just had fun together. Tuesday was Independence Day and we had a festival at the school with more dancing, singing, poems and skits. Cholwe came for dinner again on Saturday night and we "baked" something that slightly resembled chocolate chip cookies without chocolate chips. I left Chifusa Sunday morning and arrived 3 hours and 13 minutes later here in town. I am sore and sunburned but I always enjoy challenges, so I felt pretty good about making it here in one peace. This morning (Monday) at 6am I went to a women's bible study and it was great. We just got to know each other and prayed together which is something I have been missing since coming here. It is pretty awesome how God has brought people into my life here when I have so been craving fellowship!

Thanks again for your prayers and emails, I miss you all. And a special Happy Birthday to my much older sister April! Wish I were there and love you!

Work in Progress

The week flew by and I am back in Choma once again! Tonight I am staying at the home of a missionary family from Florida that is living here in town. We are going to a Christian fellowship thing they have once a month. I'm really looking forward to being around "family".

The past week has been really awesome in the village. I came back and found that my roof had been re-thatched and just in time as we have started to get more rain lately. Sunday morning Cholwe came to my house to tell me that Omsely (a guy from our village) was started a youth program. She also told me I was co-founder. This was the first I heard of it, but Omsely stopped by later that day and we had a really good discussion on this "youth group". We will focus on youth in our community that are not attending school. I am really excited, now that I know about the program. It will be an opportunity to connect with youth that I would have not contact with through the school. We are going to do sports leagues, community projects, and also have a lot of practical education courses.

On Monday I was supposed to have a meeting with the PTA at school, but there was a funeral so I ended up just meeting with the headmaster, having lunch and teaching him how to use Excel. Don't get any crazy ideas, the computer is run off solar panels attached to his roof and I'm pretty sure they no longer have that version of Excel, but at least it will help with some of the school information.

Tuesday morning I organized for a meeting with all of the local church leaders. Twelve churches were represented and it was the first time any of the leaders had met together. We prayed, talked about the issues in the area, and discussed how the local church can be part of the solution. It was a chance for me to really express my heart for the people and also my belief that the local church is essential in caring for people. We are going to meet once a quarter and I know this will be really key in my work over the next two years.

Wednesday my director from Peace Corps Lusaka came to my sight and it was good to talk with her and just fill her in on all that is going on in my village. Also she is working to get some added "security" on my house in an effort to keep as many snakes out as possible. Amen to that! That night I went to one of the teacher's homes to have dinner. I was able to convince her that we need to have more parties in Chifusa and so on Monday night we are having an "Independence Eve" party at the headmaster's house. We're cutting the heads off chickens and drinking Fanta and calling it a night. I think I'm going to try and get some "Celebrity" going on too...we'll see how that goes. If everyone puts 50 cent and Madonna it may be a short game. Next Tuesday is Independence Day so we have a big festival at the school. They've convinced me that I need to show an "American" dance, so I'm trying to remember how to do the Electric Slide.

Thursday afternoon I had the opportunity to talk to all the students at Chifusa Basic School. I had "2 truths and 1 lie" to start off by introducing myself and then multiple choice questions on Peace Corps and ended with a true/false deal on HIV. The whole school got into it and was really interactive throughout the presentation. After the assembly we broke into our "clubs" and I was able to meet with the anti-AIDS club. They shared songs and poetry that they had been practicing for the Independence Day festival. I'm really excited to spend more time with this group of students and just see how we can work together to combat HIV in our area.

Today is Friday and now you are fully caught up on my life! Hope your week has been awesome and I'll check my email again tomorrow so send me your updates too!

Simplicity

Each morning begins with sunrise, the end of the day marked with the majesty of a sunset. A blaze of fire ascending and descending day in and day out. The moments in between-the smiles, tears, sweat, love, work, joy, these are the moments we call life. There is such a difference between "life" in different societies and yet there is still this common thread that weaves us together. One day we will see the tapestry in full, for now we only see the part.

At dinner last night, Andrea told me about a conversation she had with her villagers. They wanted to know why she always watched the sky at night and this led into a conversation about the moon and the sun. She told her villagers the sun was a ball of fire. They gave here a puzzled look and paused before asking, "You've been there? It is in America?" I think that is the funniest story. But it also goes to show just how far apart our worlds prove to be at times.

One aspect of my life here in Zambia that I have come to appreciate is the simplicity. So much of life here is just survival-walking to the well for water, cooking meals, farming maize, caring for the sick, resting when the heat is unbearable. In this surviving there comes a slowing down of your mind of the restlessness. Things that really matter stand out. Things that don't matter just slip away without notice. As I think about coming back to the States in two years I want to hold on to that aspect of my life here. I want the sunrise and the sunset to take my breath away daily.

There is a unity of spirit among the people in my village. An attitude of "we are in this together." It is so neat to see how families work together to care for the young and the old. I am starting to feel that this is becoming more of my home. The last 3 weeks in the village things have just started to "click". I'm spending more time with people and just enjoying their friendship. One special friendship that is developing is with the head nurse at my clinic- Mrs. Mpongo. She has been on maternity leave and just delivered her baby girl on Tuesday. I told here I was leaving to come into town on Wednesday so she needed to deliver before I left. I love when people do what I tell them! So I've been spending time each day at her home, helping to shell maize, water the garden, and eating meals with her family. Tuesday morning I came over to find that she had delivered the baby- and she named her Chipego. So now there is little Chipego (the baby) and big Chipego (me!). That was definitely the highlight of my week!

Things with HIV work are going really well. I have met with the teachers at the basic school and we've put together a schedule for this term, I'll be teaching each Thursday on HIV related topics. I'm really excited to see how God uses this in my life and in the lives of the kids at the school. I also had a meeting with all the headmen in my catchment area (13) and we identified some key problems in the area and are working together to see how I can partner with the community to work on these issues. Tuesday I have a meeting with all the church leaders in the area to introduce myself, and talk with them about what their churches are doing and want to be doing with regards to HIV. I'm encouraged and feeling that I can make a difference in these next couple years.

When I find myself longing for friends and family back in the US I don't have to look far for the warmth of African hospitality. Thank you for your continued prayers.

"The rich and the poor have a common bond, the Lord in maker of them all."-Prov. 22:

Adventures in Africa...

Just imagine. I'm sipping green tea, eating an apple and reading a book on good ole David Livingston. I'd just finished writing a letter to Rachel, in which (and she can verify when she gets the letter)I explain the love I have for my IPOD as it drowns out the sounds of rats and lizards under my bed at night. Maybe I should have checked on that noise. Hindsight is always 20/20. Back to the story. I hear a little noise coming from my room and then out slithers a cobra. I jump onto my chair and start screaming. This is the second time my village has heard my cry at night. So I'm standing on my chair holding my weapons of choice-an apple core and Nalgene bottle (not sure what plans I had for those) when my neighbors run up. They knock on my door. Sometimes their politeness is aggravating! I yell for them to come in already. At this point the snake is nowhere to be found and I run outside to stand next to my 8 year old neighbor for protection. Finally I hear a thrashing and return to see blood splatter under my bed and the snake dead. To my extreme pleasure even my villagers thought it was big. I make Billy search the entire hut to ensure any of the snake’s extended family (I know how Africans are with their extended families) has departed. After I've calmed down a bit I have to laugh when Billy says to me, "Chipego, it is as if you are not American. Haven't you seen American films? Even small children are not afraid of snakes!" What films has he been watching? Hasn't he seen Anaconda? He later somewhat redeems himself when he tells me, "Since we were born we have not been defeated by snakes. Then what, one night, a snake will come to beat Chipego? No, it isn't so. You came to see how we live, this is how we live." Never being one to appreciate the under-dramatization of events I roll my eyes and tell him goodnight.

So the first time the village heard my call for help was 2 weeks prior to the snake incident. Let me preface this by saying I know all about Smokey the Bear. Let me also say that every morning I attempt to start a fire and it takes way too long. So as I entered my pit latrine that night I wasn't really worried about the candle catching the grass roof on fire. And yet that is exactly what happened. Before I could even remember the Tonga word for fire the roof was ablaze and soon my bathing shelter followed. Where are the marshmallows when you need them? A fire like that should not go to waste! Anyway, Ryan, send those Ft Carson Fire Department shirts anytime buddy. I will wear it proudly.

The Latest

As you all enjoy fall back in the states things here in Africa are heating up! Gone are the mornings of warming myself by the fire, now I basically just sweat all day long. And it’s not even "hot" yet. Enjoy the warm drinks, fall fashion, and changing leaves for me! Things have been a little hectic the last couple weeks, so sorry for not keeping you in the loop. I'll just highlight a couple of the things that are taking place in my world.
=Livingston
I am back here in Livingston today, trying to get my work permit signed and processed through the ministry of health. It is a bit annoying to have to deal with this again (I was here 2 weeks ago). It does look like things will go through today or tomorrow and then I can settle into my village for the long haul. We has a really fun mini-vacation the last time we came-went bungee jumping and on a real life jungle cruise.
=Village Life
I am feeling encouraged about the influence I can have in my village here. I met with the staff at the school and I'll be involved in after school programs and health education. I'm passionate about youth and have connected with a lot of the students already, so I'm excited to see what will come of that over the next two years. My next step is to identify student leaders to be peer educators. I haven't been as involved at the clinic as I would like, so I'll focus on that upon my return. We don't have HIV testing available at our clinic so I want to petition for that with the Ministry of Health. I just really want to do all I can and not have any regrets about the time I spend in Chifusa.
=Cholwe
My sweet village friend, Cholwe, is doing awesome! We have started a Tuesday night tradition of her coming to my hut for "America" food. Things like spaghetti, tacos, cappuccino and anything else I got in a package from the States. It has been really fun and I love the conversations we have over candlelight. She continues to impress me every time we are together. She is doing really well in school and has plans to become a teacher one day. If you come visit me I know you'll love her too!
=Provincial Meeting
Our provincial meeting went fine. Basically it is a time to discuss Peace Corps policy and update each other on what is taking place in our villages. One thing I am really looking forward to is a Zambia-wide conference we will be putting on called GLOW (girls leading our world). Each volunteer will be able to take 2 girls from the village to the conference. We will talk with them and equip them with skills to bring about change in their own lives and in the village. I'm really excited to be part of the planning and implementation of the event. We are working on the grant proposal now, so as more details unfold I'll let you know how you can pray!
=Friendships
I spent the last couple days with my friend Andrea in her village, Dembwe. I felt like God orchestrated the whole thing-we had such great talks and it was just what both of us needed to get refocused and encouraged. My friendship with her continues to grow and really is a huge blessing. We caught a ride to Bryan's village on Monday night at worked at his clinic on Tuesday. Andrea and I weighed babies for most of the morning and then I gave polio immunizations in the afternoon. That night Bryan's headmaster slaughtered a turkey in our honor and we enjoyed it for dinner.
=Returning
If all goes well with the visa situation I'll be heading back to the village tomorrow night. Please keep me in your prayers-pray for my influence in Chifusa and that God will continue to meet me each day. Also, with elections for president coming up this next week there is potential for civil unrest (the current president's vehicle was stoned yesterday) so please pray for physical safety.

I miss you all more than you will ever know. Blessings!

Running Wild

16:30 every day at my house. That is the time we set off. Me, I've got my Nikes, my IPOD, and my LA Marathon t-shirt. The seven of them, sometimes in skirts, sometimes in dresses, always barefoot. Our numbers change on a daily basis, the boys want to see where we are going, or little siblings tag along. We head down a different path each day, we run for 40 minutes, taking new turns each day, crossing fields, passing cows, goats, and pigs. Hurdling bushes, watching for snakes. After 20 minutes we stretch, each child getting to listen to a bit of music on my IPOD before heading for the second part of the run.

We learn about each other. They know my right knee starts to ache at mile 3 and I'll go at whatever speed the slowest runner needs. I know Lisa is one amazing hurdler and we're all slowing her down. I know Cholwe will get us home regardless of how lost we've gotten ourselves. Brillian runs to try and do something better than her sister Brenda. And on and on it goes. And I can see it in all of them, a desire to belong, to run at the same pace, to not be left behind.

In the future we'll talk about HIV, how they can protect themselves. We'll talk about the biological and cultural factors that cause HIV infection rates in Zambia to be 4x higher for girls in their age group, that 1 in 6 Zambians is already HIV infected. I'll tell them that if current prevalence persists, more that 1/2 of the 15 years will die from this single disease. And together we'll figure out ways to keep this disease from ruining their lives.

All in all it is just an hour, an hour I'd spend working out anyway. But hopefully, somewhere in between strides God is using the time to draw us-closer to Him and closer to each other. In spending time with me these girls are catching a bit of my passion for them-that they can be more than barefoot and pregnant; they can be barefoot and running, chasing their dreams.

Crying for Mother Africa

Before he left to return to his village, Freedom handed me a note. Inside was the following:

I want to tell you my poem! My poem is entitled about AIDS.
"Ooh AIDS, ooh AIDS,
You are a killer.
You don't even feel shy.
For many people you have taken.
People from North, East, South and West,
crying, shouting your name.
AIDS.
You are the killer.
Many thousands of people died because of you, AIDS.
How are we going to live,
for this crying continent Africa.
Last year I bury Father.
Later, I bury Mother.
I cry a lot when I think of my beloved parents, and I think things will be easy if my parents still appear.
Ooh AIDS.
Feel mercy,
please we beg you."
Thank you a lot.

Pray for this young man. Pray for all of the orphans in the same place Freedom is because of this disease.

Freedom To Go To School

I met a boy this week. He spoke English well, was visiting from a neighboring village. He came to ask his uncle for money to go to school. He'll be in grade 10 this year. In Zambia, high school costs about 129,000 kwacha, per term, equivalent to about $30 USD. This boy was so sweet-helped each day at my hut as we cemented the floor, whitewashed walls, put locks on the door. He loves school, wants to be an engineer one day, and wants to go to school in Lusaka. But he just didn't have the money. He lives with his older brother; both of his parents have died. Thirty dollars that is all that keeps him from being on the path to following his dreams or being stuck in a sick cycle of poverty. We talked about what I am doing here in Zambia, about HIV and all the issues that it is presenting. I talked to him about my faith in God, that I know He put me here for a reason and that He is watching over him too. I told him how I want to see him graduate-I'll still be here when he finishes grade 12. And he'll do it too; I see something in him that tells me he'll succeed. He is leaving today (Thursday as I write this), school begins on Monday. He has the $30 to go to school now. I met a boy this week...his name is Freedom.

I don't know if your heart aches the way mine does at the extreme injustice of these situations-the gross imbalance of wealth in the world. If it does, if you have ideas, thoughts, solutions, send them my way. I believe God has put me here, put kids like Freedom in my path for a reason. And he has also connected me with a network of people back home that can help. I want to be a voice for these kids. Proverbs 31:8 says, "Open your mouth for...the rights of all the unfortunate." Together we can bring about the "freedom" to go to school.

For You Chipego

Wanted to share a note that Cholwe, a girl from my village, gave me last night before I left to come into town today. I kept it just like she wrote it- enjoy! Oh, and Chipego is my Tonga name, it means "gift".

"Hi Chipego-
How are you? Me I am fine too. My main point is, I want to inform you that you must gave a great journey, and you must not thinking that you are alone in this world. I am with you, and God is with you and I love you like what I love my self and like what I love my mum. I will ask God day in and day out to bless you, everwhere you go, be happy like what you was in America, I love you Chipego because you are kind to me and to everyone but God knows why I have become your friend in this world, I love you very very much. I end here. Yours, Your Friend Cholwe."

That is why I am here, notes like this, lives like this that I can touch for a moment and hopefully make an eternal difference.

Words Fail

With a BA in Communication and 26 years of verbal and non-verbal under my belt, one would think I should be able to express myself. But words fail. I can't adequately tell you of the experiences I've had these past 16 days in the village, the extreme manic of it all-highs and lows, loneliness and community, joy and sorrow, love and hate. I'll do my best and trust that over the next 2 years words will come to fill in the gaps.

Some background first regarding the Peace Corps. Peace Corp has 3 main goals, to help the host country with technical needs, for Americans to learn of the culture and then for the host country to learn how Americans live. My specific program, HAP (HIV/AIDS) focuses on education regarding the disease, assisting orphans and vulnerable children and teaching on healthy living. That is about all the structure I've been given. The ambiguity of the situation is both a blessing and a curse. In my 2 years I'm supposed to partner with host country nationals to build sustainable development- programs, clubs, mindsets that will continue long after I've returned to caramel lattes and guacamole. So this last Sunday I was dropped off in the middle of the village, and told to radio from the clinic if I'm dying. You can imagine the extreme panic that hits a girl as she hugs her friends goodbye and watches the Land Cruiser kicking up dust as it drives away. Words fail.

My village is amazing! My hut is about 100 feet from my neighbor so I can see them and know they're watching me at all times-literally. Everywhere I go people are so excited to stare at me, to talk with me, touch me. For some of them I am the only white person they have ever seen. I've always thought it was funny that Jesus is portrayed in our American culture as light skinned and blue eyed. Now I'm convinced that he may have looked like this-it definitely gets people's attention. The setting of my village is woodsy right by my home and then lots of fields just past. We have a couple small dams and with my love of water it is pretty rad to just sit and think. My actual village is called Simane village, one of the 13 villages that make up the greater Chifusa area. I have found a couple people who speak English, but for the mostly part Tonga is the only way I can talk with villagers. I try my best, but again, words fail.

Already, in spite of loneliness and severe annoyance with bugs, I feel God has me here for a reason. I'm going to break up the blogs and tell you more specifics-but it’s really awesome to see hoe things are falling into place. Relationships and experiences with you all back home have shaped and equipped me to serve effectively here. I am praying about specific ways I can bring you into this experience with me and ideas are forming. When my words fail to God I am thankful for the Holy Spirit who can communicate my needs far better. Please continue to pray for me, that I can glorify God through my life here, that His plans will be my reality.

I thank my God in all my remembrances of you.

PHOTOS

http://www1.snapfish.com/home/t_=17679351

You can check out photos of the trip at the above link. If that doesn't work you can just go into www.snapfish.com and search with my name. I think that should work. Miss you all!

Joy of the Master

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of the Master." - Matthew 25:21

I read this verse earlier this week and wanted to share my thoughts with you all. I have always honed in on the first part of that verse, the necessity of being a good and faithful servant; and often have felt the burden of that responsibility. I love the last sentence- "enter into the joy of your Master". That is the part that stuck out to me this week. Yes, there is diligence that needs to take place in striving to live a life that reflects our love for the Master, but let us never forget to enter into the Joy! To experience true fulfillment and immerse ourselves in this amazing opportunity we have to share in this joy. Wherever we are, let us suck the marrow out of life, truly love and live and be blessed by this amazing God that allows us to partner with Him.

I've heard some complaints for not posting recently - sorry about that! I'll give you the quick rundown on the last couple weeks. I passed my language test (Wednesday), thanks to all of you who prayed. Finished up with training on Saturday and now I have officially sworn in as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer (Monday). I've been having a lot of fun too, so let me just fill you in! Last week I rode around Mwakera Dam (Thursday) in a canoe that was missing the front end, but we didn't sink and this Zambian guy was eager to paddle around, so it was really fun (I'll upload photos later). A little Italy meets Zambia. All the Peace Corps volunteers moved from our home stay families to a conference center (Saturday). I got to watch the sunrise on my last day in the Kitwe area and feel very blessed by my experiences there. It was really sad to say goodbye to my little brothers and sisters there. My nephew, Hunter, sent a bunch of his toys to Victor and Cholwe, so I was able to give those to them the night before I left. It is pretty hilarious to see African children playing with finger puppets and Disney figurines. My nephew rocks! And now I have a niece too - Delaney Grace is beautiful and I can't wait to meet her soon-soon! It continues to be a struggle for me to be away from everyone back home that I love, but definitely makes me dependent more on God, and for that I am thankful.

So now I am in Choma, about 40k from my future home. I am staying until Sunday when I'll be posted to my site. I ordered a bed and mattress and got a ton of shopping done for my house. Purchased groceries and all that today as well. I'll be meeting with Ministry of Health officials and some other potential partners in this week here in the BOMA. I am really excited to go to my village. As I was leaving my home stay family I thought a lot about how scary it seemed to be dropped off, and yet mostly it is that fear of the unknown that brings the apprehension. So it is REALLY scary to think about being in a hut in the middle of Africa with no electricity, cell phone service, or access to America - but once I am there and meet my neighbors and counterparts, I know it will seem like home.

I also got a pet giraffe this week! Ok, it came in the mail today and is the most adorable stuffed giraffe with pink bows and a safari hat. Her name is CeCe and my friends (Britt, Sam, & Michelle) sent her for my birthday. You press her front paw (is that what giraffes have) and their voices come on telling me they love me. Thanks you guys-it really did make me cry. I'm still working to see if I can have a real giraffe, I want to skip over the pet dog and cat phase and just work on big game animals.

Ok, there you have a brief update from me! Send me your thoughts. Live out loud this week and I'll post more before I leave for the middle of nowhere. Love you all.

The Countdown Begins

Two weeks from today and I'll be ending training! Since coming back from our site visit I've been ready to get out to my future home. It's kind of like having senioritis all over again. But I know that I'll miss my host family here and the other volunteers, so I'm trying to make the most of my last days in Misaka West.

I've had more opportunities to teach since the last post-2x in Kioba Village at the school (both classes were about 71 students each) and then again this last week in Kamfinsa. I'm loving teaching, the students all stay after class and talk with us too, so it seems like we are connecting at some level. I'm eager to be in my village where I can establish relationships with people and just do life! I think that is were I will see behavior change take place, more than me just talking in front of a group of people.

Had a great experience at Zam church on Sunday. I went with some other vounteers and then my host mom, Grace. The singing was amazing and I understood 2 words that the pastor spoke! It is in a different language than I am learning though, so I didn't feel too bad. It definetly made me miss CCR and all my family there.

Please be praying for me on Friday and then Wednesday of next week. I have my final language proficiency interview. I miss you all!

US STANDARDS, SEMINARS & CARROT CAKE

This morning we had a man with his truck pick us up to come back into town. Now, what I am about to describe in no way gives the story justice (keep this in mind). The truck, a SMALL Toyota pickup drives up the dirt path to Natalie’s home. Inside the truck there is a chicken coupe with about 10 chickens, a mattress, multiple bags of corn and about 5 Zambian boys. We pile in, with all our luggage and our language trainer and leftover cake. We are at absolute maximum capacity. According to US standards. But we see two women and a huge chicken along the side of the road, so our driver says come on in! Ok, seriously now we are at max capacity. According to US standards we are way over. But oh no, here is another boy and another bag of corn and we are saying come on in. The next chicken goes behind the front driver, but really there is no room. And then we arrive into town, the driver has one of the boys hop out to make sure there are no policemen because he would definitely get a ticket. He does this at every intersection. Just laugh with me people, because this is my life now. Insanity. According to US Standards.

"We are so glad you came to talk with us, because people in our villages are dying." These were the words from one man at the seminar we (Bryan, Chris, Andrea & I) taught on Wednesday. We were able to talk about HIV to 30 Community Health Workers, and the group was so receptive and eager to learn. Walking home at the end of the day I had such a feeling of pride in being here, in doing something that has the power to save lives. We taught for about 3 hours and all went well. On Monday I will be teaching all day at the basic school - I am looking forward to connecting with the students!

We have been in Natalie's village this week and it has been such a fun relaxing time. We've had a lot of time to experiment with cooking and made chicken tacos from scratch. And by that I mean we literally killed a chicken, plucked & cleaned it, rolled out dough to grill tortillas, and went to different gardens in the village to get tomatoes, cabbage, onions and garlic. DON'T EVER COMPLAIN ABOUT COOKING IN THE US.

Last night we celebrated my birthday in the village - carrot cake baked on the fire and the village singing happy birthday. It was so much fun. And now I’m in town, reading emails and about to have a cold drink. Life is good. Blessings!

Home Sweet Cifusu

We received our site placements on Saturday afternoon-so my new home will be Cifusu which is in the Kolomo district of Southern Province. I have an active Rural Health Clinic near (about 3k) and also a Basic School, so there will be lots of amazing counterparts to work with while I am there for the next 2 years! I will write more about my place after I actually know more! I will be posted sometime the week of August 15th, after I swear in as a volunteer. There are about 8,000 people in that district area, so I'll have my hands full.

I'm in Choma now, about 2 hours south of Lusaka - we are heading out today for our 2nd visit to the village. We just had a meeting with the District Administration Officer and learned a bit more about Zambian life and how the government partners with us as volunteers. I made spaghetti last night for the 10 other volunteers here and I'm feeling pretty domestic-even thinking about having some chickens when I go out to my village. I know some of you are wondering if it is even me writing this! It is! We'll be back into town on Friday and are having a party for my birthday/going away for another volunteer. Looking forward to that!

The drama of the week was when a brush fire got out of control and one of the volunteers huts burned down! Zambia! What can you do? She was ok and just lost a couple photos. We had an awesome time at the wedding last Sunday, it was like a choreographed musical. Africans can dance! I included a couple pictures on a prior email-if you didn't get them have someone forward them to you. I took some video too of the dancing, so I'll show ya'all when I get back.

Life is good, things are feeling more normal and comfortable here in Zambia. I am excited to get out to the village and actually meet the people I'll be serving. I am sure I'll have many good stories to tell. Blessings!

MY SO "CALLED" LIFE

I'm reading a book by Erwin McManus called Chasing Daylight (thanks Christy) and he talks a bit about this thing-a "calling". All of us that call ourselves Christians are called first to follow God - and often into the unknown. He writes "Faith is all about character, trusting in the character of God, being certain in who God is and following Him into the unknown." I just want to encourage all of you to take steps into the unknown. If we avoid all of the uncertainties in life we will really miss out on truly living. This journey of coming to Zambia was and is very much full of the unknown, but there is so much LIFE in the uncertainty.

The past week has been a good one. The 4th passed without fireworks but it was still fun. I made a sign for the kids at my home stay that said "Happy 4th of July" with a picture of the American flag. Later that day I watched as my little brother Cholwe traced each letter with his finger learning how I had formed them. I made all the kids repeat the pledge of allegiance with me, just like I was at home on the porch with my family. We were without a flag but I faced the US so I'm sure I was facing a flag somewhere! We had a parade of sorts as all the kids walked with us to the market wearing our bicycle helmets and walking our bikes for us. Impala meat, capenta, and caterpillars taste nothing like a good 'ole burger, but playing volleyball and having sack races with the Zambians made it seem a little more like home. The words of Andrea's poem came true - "the Zambians will get such a treat when the American girl pedicures their feet"- once I got all the dirt off their toes, I gave my little sisters pedicures! It was a 4th I won't forget.

We are having awesome cultural training each Thursday and this last week we discussed politics, geography, and economics within Zambia. Elections for a new president are supposed to take place in November or December, so that should be exciting. My heart continues to be burdened for this country, where the life expectancy is the lowest in the world at 37 years. Another stat I read this week notes that at the current rate of infection 1/2 of the 15 year olds in Zambia will die of HIV/AIDS. Reading Matthew 10 this week, where Christ talks about putting new wine into new wineskins - I need to figure out a way to do this! Not to get a glass of wine (though that would be nice), but how to educate people in a new way and have it be relevant. Obviously the info or the mode of communicating has not worked so far. Please pray that God would show me how to do this.

The week ahead holds much promise - on Tuesday I'll be giving an hour talk to an 8th grade class on nutrition. Educating on healthy living is one of the goals of the HIV program. Please pray that I'll have peace as I'm speaking to the students. I also have my 2nd language competency on Friday and then Saturday I find out my village placement! Please pray for all these things. Blessings! I'm off to the African wedding...

INDEPENDENCE DAY

It has almost been a month since leaving home and I miss America! Things are still going well here, but I could really use a pedicure and Mexican food. Life goes on. I got to talk with my mom/Dev/Andrea and that made it so much better! This week was filled with a lot of studying - we had a big language competency on Friday morning...I think it went ok, but it is quite possible I said something really stupid. Everything sounds the same in the language I'm learning! I've learned the value of laughing at myself regularly. I did my first load of laundry here yesterday, to much laughter from my host family. For some reason Africans find most things white people do to be very funny. It was only a 2 snake week, which is better than a 3 snake week, but best would be never seeing a snake again! Seriously, snakes have no value (sorry if you like them).

We had some great cultural training this week, a lot about gender roles in Zambia. Just FYI, I am worth about 4 cows in Zambia. That is the going rate for a wife in the southern province. It was really interesting to hear about all of the traditions and practices that take place in the marriage process here. There are a lot of gender issues that are contributing to HIV in this country. Married women are the highest in new infections here - they have zero say in the marriage and due to the amount of infidelity that takes place, many men are infecting their wives with the virus. Women have been beaten or killed when they have suggested using condoms within their marriage. Honestly, every day I thank God for all of the freedom women have in the US.

We have 4th of July off from training and are having a big party at the Mwakera Center. Our host families get to come and hang out. It's going to be a BIG deal- we're even killing and grilling a goat. I'm sure a lot of you will do the same! ; ) Enjoy your bbqs and fireworks! Then next Sunday I get to attend an African wedding, which will be a whole new cultural experience. The cousin of someone (I'm still not sure who) is getting married and we are the token Americans. I'll let you know how it goes!

Miss you all!

HOPE IN THE HOPELESSNESS

This week was a rollercoaster of emotions. As we learn more and more of the situation here in Zambia things seem more hopeless. My homestay family is all sick-most likely malaria and my little brother has worms. They don't have time or money to get transport to the clinic, so we have tried to get some free meds thru the Peace Corp for them. Coming here I had in mind that HIV and AIDS was the biggest problem here, and yet each day there seems to be needs that are more pressing or devastating. No doubt HIV & AIDS is causing enormous problems, but there are endless issues that needs to be addressed. My heart is broken each day for the people here in Africa, for the struggle they endure, and often times have no choice but to perpetuate.

Yet, in the midst of all this hopelessness, God has given me hope. Hope that regardless of how insignificant my actions may seem, He has a purpose for my life here. Last night, as we were going to eat shima (the staple food) my homestay brother uttered the most beautiful prayer. His words as best as I can remember were that God would remind him to give to those who have less. This is coming from a 26 year old man who is responsible for providing for 8 siblings and his widowed mom. A man who has no hope of getting out of this cycle of poverty...and yet he realizes that God can still use him to give to others. It was humbling to hear.

Some of my favorite memories from this week...dancing last night to some American hip hop music and seeing my little 4 year old brother (Victor) shake his booty like nothing else, it was hilarious...teaching the kids some sports cheers on my front porch...teaching the girls to say "Whatever" when boys are teasing them...watching the sunset from the porch while listening to music...having my little sisters (Nchimunya & Milimo) meet me at the trail after school and race me back home...having 20 African kids chase me on my bike while I ride to class.

Life is good. My heart is broken, but it is full.

KAMWAMBA & COBRAS

Learning a new language. Check. Bathing from a bucket. Check. Eating dried fish with eyeballs. Check. Watching amazing sunsets. Check. Waking up to roosters crowing at 2am, 3am, 4am. Check. Watching my host family kill a spitting cobra. Check.

Life in the "bush" is all of these things and more. I left the airport 2 weeks ago, and already it seems like a lifetime ago. Things here are so different, and I often find myself laughing just thinking about how to describe things to all of you! So the things I've listed above, they are now my life, which is just so insane. I arrived in Mwakera West 2 days ago, and I am staying with Baa Grace. I have been given the Tonga name, Chipego, which means "gift". I have my own "hut" which is one room with a thatched hut. Andrea, another Peace Corp volunteer, stays with Grace's daughter and so we eat our meals together and do a lot of laughing throughout the day! I am really thankful that she is here with me now, but it will be really hard to part ways in 9 weeks and be alone in a village.

I am confident that I can do this, can live here in Africa and come to love life here, it is just a matter of sorting through all of the emotions that come with that. It is really hard to have all of these experiences, but not be able to share them with the people that know me, with people whom I have a history. So basically everyone needs to come here and experience it with me! I can't put into words what life is like here, the beauty and pain of life in Zambia. The people are wonderful, loving, warm and welcoming. I've come to realize more that we are all the same, seeking, searching to be known and understood. I am reminded each day of the differences also. Children are sick and there is no medical care for them, people have to walk miles to get water and don't understand the importance of sanitation. While at the clinic in the southern province a pregnant 18 year old girl learned that she is positive for the HIV virus, and she will most likely not have the medical care needed to keep her child from contracting the disease. It is being surrounded by these situations that remind me of why I am here, how I can help. But is is overwhelming and the problems seem insurmountable at times.

I've tried to upload photos here, but the computer is not letting me, so sorry about that! I will continue to try in the future. I will try to bike into town each Sunday and email and update you all - so you can email me too!

As I fall asleep at night, under my mosquito net, I think of home back in the States and I miss you all. Blessings!

Life in the City

Greetings from Lusaka! I've been in Zambia 2 days now and well, basically I'm already Zambian. I've seen monkeys, zebra, giraffe & water buffalo. And this was just at my campsite yesterday. I know you think I'm lying, but I have photos to prove it! I've also "almost" killed the largest spider I've seen in my life...It was a quick sucker though and I only slightly maimed the guy before he got away from me. Colorado basements have nothing on spiders found on the back of your toilet here. I've also become an avid World Cup fan, futbol is huge. We have a TV at our campground now, so life is a bizarre mix of nature and technology right now. We've received the first in a series of shots...And have been doped up on malaria meds for the last couple days. The side affects are only depression and vivid dreams, thankfully I'm not experiencing either.

We received our Provence placements today - and I'll be in the most Southern Provence of Africa, which was my first choice. It will be hot and sandy but home to Victoria Falls and the largest lake in the area so I'm looking forward to that. I start my language training Sunday and I'll be learning Tonga. Right now I can only tell you that peepee means No.

In my group of HAP volunteers (HIV/AIDS Program) there will be 4 of us in that region, Andrea (Utah), Bryan (Colorado), and Kris (Texas). We have all begun to bond and joke around and I think we'll be an effective team for that area. Bryan and I have worked out a deal where I'll do his laundry if he kills any snakes for me. I may be doing a lot of laundry. We'll be about 30K from each other, but transportation is fairly easy in that area. I'll be about 2 hours from the capital city, so I can hop down and pick you up from the airport in a days travel no problem. We leave tomorrow for a site visit that will take me through Thursday of this next week.

All in all I feel really excited about being here. Home seems a million miles away but I still feel rooted in who I am and can feel your love all the way over here. Please continue to pray for me, that I'll be able to sleep at nights, kill the big hairy spiders and just really accomplish God's plans for me here.

Love you all!

THE BEGINNING

Good morning! I sip my last caramel latte as I write this and I'm treasuring my final day (for awhile) here in the United States. Training has been great here in Philadelphia and I am feeling awesome about going to Zambia today (or at least starting the flight that will put me there on Friday). There are 58 of us that are going to Zambia and we'll be spread out in 5 provinces. I'll stay in Lusaka for 2 days and then have a 5 day site visit with one of the community mobilizers in a village. I am ready to be there and meet the people I'm going to serve and just see what this new chapter of my life is going to be all about! Please continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I'll be in touch soon! Miss you.

ONE WILD NIGHT

What a fun night! We had a lion, a flamingo,a tribal warrior and a couple tacky tourists...just to name a few of the crazy animals that showed up for my "wild" party. Women attempted to carry water buckets on their heads and men ate bananas (that Gwen song just came in handy there!) so fast monkeys would be put to shame. It was an awesome send off and with the rare exception (SAM), few tears were shed. For all of you that couldn't make it - you were missed! I hope you had a wild night of your own!

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please Pray for Me!
>Physical, emotional & spiritual protection while traveling and serving in Zambia.
>Quality relationships with other Peace Corp volunteers.
>Comprehension of the language and culture in order to effectively learn and teach.
>Unity with my host village.
>Preparation of the Zambian people to be open to information regarding prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.
>Guidance and direction as to the best methods of communicating with my village.
>Opportunities to share my faith with other volunteers and/or the Zambian people.

You will be in my prayers as well! Blessings, Caitlin

PRESSING NEEDS

“And let our people also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs,
that they may not be unfruitful.”
– Titus 3:14

Dear Friends~
When I came across this verse last week, I was encouraged once again as I prepare to embark on this journey. There is a “pressing need” to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic that is affecting so many lives in our world. I truly feel blessed to be a part of attempting to change the tide of this deadly disease. As a Peace Corp volunteer, my mission while in Zambia is to work closely with the Government of the Republic of Zambia to establish vital integrated and accessible HIV/AIDS care, prevention, and treatment services to help ease the burden of HIV/AIDS. With 16.5% of the population infected, Zambia is facing the most critical development and humanitarian crisis in their history to date.
I leave June 4th for Philadelphia to meet up with the other Peace Corp volunteers that will serve in Zambia. Then, 3 days later we will depart for Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia. We’ll be in the capital for 3 months of intensive training, and then I will be placed in a rural village. I’ll be living, teaching, serving and learning from the people of my village for 2 years. Visitors are welcome!
Amidst the tearful goodbyes to friends and family, I feel peace and confidence that the road ahead is one which God is going to bless! He has me at a place in my life where I am able to do this, and He has opened doors for this opportunity. I’ve included my mailing address for the 3 months of training- I would love to hear what is going on in your life while I’m away. Mail normally takes a minimum of 2-4 weeks to arrive…so if I don’t reply right away please don’t be discouraged! The Peace Corp advises that you should number your letters and also write “Air Mail” and “Par Avion” on all envelopes. Also, for those of you that use internet, I have started a blog and I’ll do my best to post messages and photos–the address is below!

Let the Journey Begin!
Love, Caitlin

Mailing Address:
Caitlin Clarkson/PCT
PEACE CORPS
P.O. BOX 21527
KITWE, ZAMBIA

Blog Address:
http://zambiak8.blogspot.com/

Email Address:
caitclarkson@hotmail.com