Monday, October 30, 2006
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!
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!
Friday, October 20, 2006
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!
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!
Friday, October 13, 2006
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:
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:
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
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.
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.
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