Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Game Time

It was such a joy to come back to Chifusa this past week. A new term at school has started, the rains have made everything more vibrant and my relationships with people in my village continue to grow. I have been getting up early in the morning to go for a run and it also gives me a chance to pray and think through my day. I absolutely love the way the sunlight and fog mix together to give everything a magical appeal. After my jog I get to enjoy French pressed (thanks Ry & Bren) coffee (thanks Tito) while listening to the BBC world news on my radio (thanks Hagood’s) and eating cinnamon roll oatmeal (thanks auntie Carol & mom). Life is so rough! While I am doing my morning routine tons of kids on their way to school wave and shout to me and I sing greetings back to them as well. This week it just really hit me how blessed I am to be in this situation; the pace of life is such that I can enjoy so many things that I would rush through back home in the states.

My friend Sam Lockhart and her work (thanks Adventure Club) sent out tons of toys and balls for the kids in my village. At lunch and after school I have groups of kids coming to my place to play. Other than a couple of rounds of out of control dodge ball, it has been awesome to watch these kids interact with one another. Leaders rise out of the group and they all work together to entertain themselves. Somewhere between each kick, throw, and catch the burden of poverty, of hunger, of sickness, all of it melts away and there is just a field of kids having a blast. I love that I get to watch and be a part of the fun. My competitive side (thanks Dad) also really enjoys being on the winning team.

When I am not playing, I actually work around here! This past week I was able to meet with the headmasters from three of the schools in my catchment area. All of them are going to work on action plans for how I can partner with them this next term. At Chifusa Basic I will be doing a one hour training each week with the teachers. We’ll be focusing on “Life Skills” that they can incorporate in their classrooms. The students have been given so much information on HIV and yet there is still a disconnect between that and changing their behavior. We are hoping that by giving them the tools for dealing with relationships, peer pressure, etc, we will see a move to behavior change. I am excited to see where the next term takes us.

Thank you again for your continued prayers. You have no idea how much each one of you, because of your influence in my life, is a part of this experience. I hope your days ahead are filled with simple joys!

Sunday, January 07, 2007

All I Need to know I learned in a hut...

2007-Wow! I can't believe it is already here. The last 7ish months have flown by. Looking back on the past year I wanted to just share the top 10 things that I have learned! This is where I am supposed to be super witty and wise....

10. Coffee, ice cubes, air conditioning and Internet are priceless. I repeat priceless. Enjoy them.

9. Very rarely will you actually vomit from eating weird things. Caterpillars, goat intestine, termites, impala...all these things can live quite happily in your stomach. Not that they taste good, but whatever.

8. Snakes may seem scary, but when you hack them with a machete there is such a feeling of empowerment. Who is scared now?

7. Material possessions don't bring happiness. Have you seen the smiles that the Zambian kids have?

6. Never think that using the latrine at night by candlelight will be romantic. You can start a fire. Don't do this. Ever.

5. You can still make new friends and keep the old. One is silver and the other gold. Though I was never in "Brownies" I think they were really on to something with that song.

4. Prayer is awesome. Talk to your Creator. Listen.

3. When you think you can't do something and you are at the end of your rope, somehow God gives you the strength to pull through. These are some of the coolest moments in life.

2. Taking risks and following your passions is the most rewarding experience. Just get up and out there already!

1. Even when I am across the world, and don't see them every day, the people I love can still richly bless my life. Thank you!!!

I WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU ALL ARE LEARNING TOO...Send me your comments!