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: