Monday, May 28
Update on the birthday party from yesterday: not that different from our birthday celebrations. There were three of us Americans that went to this party. We were asked to dance for them and with them. They prayed before, saying thank you for another year for Chile (little girl's name). Then we were asked to run a few children's games, so we chose Red Light, Green Light and Simon Says. I think they enjoyed the games, but our dancing was nothing of note to them. Haha!
Church last night blew me away. As previously mentioned, I had a hard time hearing the lessons on other Sundays. Last night was different. The story was of Joseph in Genesis 45, where he tells his brothers who he is and that he is not angry with them. The preacher talked about how Joseph had many problems, yet God blessed him and used him for His glory! He also talked about how it is our duty to inspire hope to the helpless, the orphan, the widow, and those who are in need. It just struck me in a different way this time, because I am in Zambia. He kept asking the church what was holding them back from inspiring that same hope that Joseph inspired for his brother and in turn the whole land. That is my job here, but it is also my job back home...to inspire hope!
Many times during my stay here, one of the children has grabbed onto my hand without fear. It lifts me up and makes me want to continue for their sake, even when I am not feeling my best or missing home.
Life is too good to not be shared. Inspire Hope.
P.S. We played with a soccer ball on the field today. Webster (our chorus director and night guard) played as well. All Zambians are fast...enough said. It was a blast though and good to touch the ball again. I plan on leaving a pair of cleats here :)
Monday, May 28, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Choma and Birthdays
Saturday, May 26
On Saturday we went to Choma, another town about an hour from the mission. The markets there are bigger than in Kalomo and sell more "chitenges". I bought two that I may or may not wear as a skirt. I'm thinking pillowcases or a bag. I also went ahead and bought a Zambia jersey to add to my collection. They won the Africa cup this year! We had a picnic on the museum lawn, with food from the local grocery store. By the way, Oreos do exist over here, they are just harder to get. I found some in the Spar.
The museum had a crafts area in which you can buy things. I am excited about what I bought, but cannot say because they are gifts for people back home.
When I got home, I slept for 12 hours due to a massive headache, but I am much better now.
Sunday, May 27
Another morning of church...I am learning how services are conducted here, but it is hard to listen when the PA system doesn't work. That doesn't mean that God is any less important, its just not necessary to be loud. I am curious if our idea of being loud has lessened our ability to listen well. That is a religious question and a life question. Something to ponder for you.
In the next few minutes, I will be going to a birthday party for one of our neighbors here. May God's light shine though us as we make new friends!
On Saturday we went to Choma, another town about an hour from the mission. The markets there are bigger than in Kalomo and sell more "chitenges". I bought two that I may or may not wear as a skirt. I'm thinking pillowcases or a bag. I also went ahead and bought a Zambia jersey to add to my collection. They won the Africa cup this year! We had a picnic on the museum lawn, with food from the local grocery store. By the way, Oreos do exist over here, they are just harder to get. I found some in the Spar.
The museum had a crafts area in which you can buy things. I am excited about what I bought, but cannot say because they are gifts for people back home.
When I got home, I slept for 12 hours due to a massive headache, but I am much better now.
Sunday, May 27
Another morning of church...I am learning how services are conducted here, but it is hard to listen when the PA system doesn't work. That doesn't mean that God is any less important, its just not necessary to be loud. I am curious if our idea of being loud has lessened our ability to listen well. That is a religious question and a life question. Something to ponder for you.
In the next few minutes, I will be going to a birthday party for one of our neighbors here. May God's light shine though us as we make new friends!
Friday, May 25, 2012
The Dip
Thursday, May 24
I think I've hit exhaustion already. Going all day and staying up late is not doing my health good. Several people have already gotten sick and I do not want to get it. A nap was helpful after dinner, so that I sould sing.
A couple of items of note....we ate shema for the first time at lunch. It is the traditional Zambian meal, usually eaten with the right hand only, no utensils. We were allowed to adjust it a little, as long as we tried it. It wasn't terrible but I could not eat it daily as the locals do.
After dinner we went to watch the sunset, which was beautiful! The best spot is over by the soccer field and a game was going on...bonus! I was able to take some video and pictures of the events. My nap was soon after, then it was chorus practice time with Webster. We now know 3 songs in Tonga and are doing very well. Lots of compliments coming our way! I'm pretty sure I smile ear to ear when I'm singing in a different language. We will be performing these songs when we visit our cook, Leonard's church. I can't wait!
Continue praying that sickness will not dampen our spirits to serve here in Zambia and that we would be renewed each day with purpose and joy! Love to you.
I think I've hit exhaustion already. Going all day and staying up late is not doing my health good. Several people have already gotten sick and I do not want to get it. A nap was helpful after dinner, so that I sould sing.
A couple of items of note....we ate shema for the first time at lunch. It is the traditional Zambian meal, usually eaten with the right hand only, no utensils. We were allowed to adjust it a little, as long as we tried it. It wasn't terrible but I could not eat it daily as the locals do.
After dinner we went to watch the sunset, which was beautiful! The best spot is over by the soccer field and a game was going on...bonus! I was able to take some video and pictures of the events. My nap was soon after, then it was chorus practice time with Webster. We now know 3 songs in Tonga and are doing very well. Lots of compliments coming our way! I'm pretty sure I smile ear to ear when I'm singing in a different language. We will be performing these songs when we visit our cook, Leonard's church. I can't wait!
Continue praying that sickness will not dampen our spirits to serve here in Zambia and that we would be renewed each day with purpose and joy! Love to you.
Sister, Sister
Wednesday, May 23
Second day of therapy went a lot smoother than the first. I
laughed a lot more, but I also stretched myself a lot more too. I changed my
first two Zambian diapers….so different from babies back home. They use cloth diapers and of course smells
are different. I think the aunties are
warming up to us too. Seeing us more as friends than intruders is a great
thing.
Tonight, we watched the sunset after dinner and met some of
the college girls. They told my roommate and I that we had to come “visit our
sisters” very soon. We asked if we could see their dormitories and set up a
plan for Saturday. I really want to continue finding Zambian friends that can
teach me even more about life in this country!
Written in the Stars
Tuesday, May 22
Today was our first day of official therapy. It was
difficult to make it exactly like therapy in the States, but we are good to
have even a little progress. Small steps. These babies are orphans, which means
they’ve lost their mother, so whatever help we can give them will be
beneficial. Most of all they need to be held, loved and given attention
individually. The groups stay the same but rotate supervisors and houses during
these weeks ahead. My supervisor is Kara this week and we are doing a good
amount of language therapy. My group members are Shealynn, Hannah, and Kristen.
As for the babies, I have had more time with Jessie, Wade,
Botias, Joseph and Memory. I am feeling more comfortable with “being dirty” and
finding joy in the simplicity of life here in Zambia. Tuesdays and Thursdays
are blackout nights for the country. Usually from 6-8 pm the lights go out and
we have to entertain ourselves with flashlights. Our game of choice so far has
been Nertz. At 8 pm, we met with Webster to practice singing. He taught us a
Tongan song that we had heard on Sunday at church. When I heard it on Sunday,
the harmonies almost moved me to tears it was so beautiful! I could not tell if
Webster was completely pleased but we had fun anyways and I think we sound
pretty good for it not being our language.
Our last roommate made it to Zambia and the four of us work
well together. We even had a bonding workout with abs, arms and legs. Welcome
to Africa (WTA)!
Monday, May 21, 2012
Suddenly I See
Monday, May 21
Last night was a late night, as we played Nertz and had roommate chat. This morning we went to evaluate the children at the Haven. We broke into groups for the three houses so that there would be enough hands to go around. I was at Haven 3, the house with the medically fragile children. Even though they have to be cared for to a higher level, they are still in need of love.
We checked their oral structures, suck/swallow reflex, tone, attention, and muscle control. Some babies had more to be concerned with than others. We were then able to feed the older ones "shema" (a common dish that is corn based and grit-like) and the younger ones "porridge" or formula from a bottle. This time allowed us to check their swallowing and chewing patterns, which is what we'll be doing for the next three-four weeks. I am falling for the children more and more each day, wanting to hold them and love them the way that they desire and deserve. God is helping me put away the selfish desires that plague me in the States. The desire to look good outwardly and think of my agenda is beginning to fade. What an awesome blessing!
Tonight we are going to get our official schedule for the coming work weeks. I am anxious to see and understand what I am supposed to do. If I'm honest, my brain is wanting to be in summer mode but it needs to be in therapy mode still. For the most part, I like to plan things ahead of time and this placement will be difficult to do a lot of that.
Anyways, please continue praying for the children of Zambia, the group here and our travels in between. We are truly blessed!
Last night was a late night, as we played Nertz and had roommate chat. This morning we went to evaluate the children at the Haven. We broke into groups for the three houses so that there would be enough hands to go around. I was at Haven 3, the house with the medically fragile children. Even though they have to be cared for to a higher level, they are still in need of love.
We checked their oral structures, suck/swallow reflex, tone, attention, and muscle control. Some babies had more to be concerned with than others. We were then able to feed the older ones "shema" (a common dish that is corn based and grit-like) and the younger ones "porridge" or formula from a bottle. This time allowed us to check their swallowing and chewing patterns, which is what we'll be doing for the next three-four weeks. I am falling for the children more and more each day, wanting to hold them and love them the way that they desire and deserve. God is helping me put away the selfish desires that plague me in the States. The desire to look good outwardly and think of my agenda is beginning to fade. What an awesome blessing!
Tonight we are going to get our official schedule for the coming work weeks. I am anxious to see and understand what I am supposed to do. If I'm honest, my brain is wanting to be in summer mode but it needs to be in therapy mode still. For the most part, I like to plan things ahead of time and this placement will be difficult to do a lot of that.
Anyways, please continue praying for the children of Zambia, the group here and our travels in between. We are truly blessed!
Sunday, May 20, 2012
A Joyful Noise
First morning at Zambian church! There are many young people from the college and high school. Some of the babies come from the Haven. The one that sat on my lap was names Luca (Luke) and he loved to play with my watch! Other than occupying him, I was able to sing with my Zambian brothers and sisters in Christ! It filled my heart with such joy to be singing again.
I did not stay for the sermon because I went to "Children's Church". I will have to ask what the sermon was about and stay another week. During the children's time, we sang more songs and heard a small Bible story about the Good Samaritan. Their teacher asked them to think about bringing their best outfit to give away to someone they do not know as a way of helping them like the Good Samaritan. I was blown away by the request, but humbled at the same time. God loves all of his children and this was just one glimpse of the soul that exists in the children here.
Sunday's are down time for us, so this may be my day to post every week. I am not sure. Thank you for reading and commenting when you can! It is encouraging to me. I also learned the Tongan for "I love you" but I will type it another time. Besos!
I did not stay for the sermon because I went to "Children's Church". I will have to ask what the sermon was about and stay another week. During the children's time, we sang more songs and heard a small Bible story about the Good Samaritan. Their teacher asked them to think about bringing their best outfit to give away to someone they do not know as a way of helping them like the Good Samaritan. I was blown away by the request, but humbled at the same time. God loves all of his children and this was just one glimpse of the soul that exists in the children here.
Sunday's are down time for us, so this may be my day to post every week. I am not sure. Thank you for reading and commenting when you can! It is encouraging to me. I also learned the Tongan for "I love you" but I will type it another time. Besos!
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