So today, I made 34 peanut butter sandwiches for the kids and mommas for lunch. It was pretty fabulous. I got to thinking while I was doing it, which is always a bad idea, and I realized that sandwiches are ten times more fun to eat if they are in triangles. So, what did I do? I cut them into triangles. It was probably the best thing I have done yet. One of the cooks even told me it reminded him of his childhood, which was the entire point, to enhance the childhoods of these children by giving them sandwich triangles. It was a highlight of my childhood as well.
That is all for now. Much love from Zambia.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Red Dye
So, I am moderately positive that I am now allergic to red dye. So don't go trying to give me any or anything.
Recitation tomorrow. That should prove interesting. The rehearsal today was...fun. And apparently kindergarten had a really awful rehearsal. Oh man. Hopefully all will be fine and God will be glorified which is the whole point anyways.
Half-way done eh? Pretty crazy. It feels like it flew by, which it really did I suppose. Between getting over the time change, being sick, traveling to Livingstone and getting used to everything going on here, I feel like I just got here last week. My two roommates leave on Sunday which is sad. I just got used to having people in the house. They are super awesome and so much fun. Lots of new things will be occurring. Tomorrow is the last day of school for the four year olds, and it is not even a full day. Then there is the recitation and the three year olds do not come to school at all. Then we pack up the school and it is over! So crazy. Ah.
Well, to God be the glory. I hope everything is well with you!
Listen to Phil Wickham or Shawn McDonald if you get a chance.
Recitation tomorrow. That should prove interesting. The rehearsal today was...fun. And apparently kindergarten had a really awful rehearsal. Oh man. Hopefully all will be fine and God will be glorified which is the whole point anyways.
Half-way done eh? Pretty crazy. It feels like it flew by, which it really did I suppose. Between getting over the time change, being sick, traveling to Livingstone and getting used to everything going on here, I feel like I just got here last week. My two roommates leave on Sunday which is sad. I just got used to having people in the house. They are super awesome and so much fun. Lots of new things will be occurring. Tomorrow is the last day of school for the four year olds, and it is not even a full day. Then there is the recitation and the three year olds do not come to school at all. Then we pack up the school and it is over! So crazy. Ah.
Well, to God be the glory. I hope everything is well with you!
Listen to Phil Wickham or Shawn McDonald if you get a chance.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Crazy Fun
Nsync dance parties are crazy fun.
It is the last day of school! Eek. Recitation tomorrow. Then three weeks off. Wahoo. We will see how that goes.
More later.
Much love.
It is the last day of school! Eek. Recitation tomorrow. Then three weeks off. Wahoo. We will see how that goes.
More later.
Much love.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Trip to the Falls
So, the past few days were spent at the Falls. Victoria Falls to be exact. One of the seven natural wonders of the world, and rightly so. The Falls border Zambia and Zimbabwe, and technically I have now been to Zimbabwe (and yes, I made it back fine).
The other four mini-missionaries and I started off Thursday morning at about 4:00 am. We left the village at 5:00 am, got on the bus at 6:00 am, and left Lusaka at 6:35 am. We pulled into Livingstone at 1:00 pm, and were met by the owner of the lodge we would be staying at, Richard. He drove us the five minutes back to Chanter's Lodge, where Megan and Katie shared a room, and Melissa and Kristi and I shared the other. We got unloaded and soon headed to the market in town. We bought a few things, and hopped into taxis to go to the Royal Livingstone Hotel. There, we had High Tea! Interestingly enough, none of us got tea, which is kind of regrettable, but I have had a whole lot of tea since I got here, so I tried an espresso. There were desserts galore, and I tried a little bit of everything. I hardly ate all day to save up stomach room for that. It was an amazing experience. Then, we went outside and sat on the deck on the Zambezi River and watched the sun set, and saw a whole lot of monkeys playing in the yard of the Royal Livingstone. We let our food digest and just lounged on a big couch outside. Then we got back in a taxi and went back to the Lodge. I fell asleep pretty early since we had just an early start to the day.
On Friday, we got up and ate breakfast at the Lodge, which was included. Since an English man owns the Lodge, we had toast and tea and cereal and eggs, and there were other things offered like mushrooms, bacon, sausage, beans, and tomatoes. Then we were all picked up at 8:30 to go to the Falls. Once there, we paid our way in and headed to the poncho stand. We got our ponchos and headed out on the trail where we would get pretty wet if not for the ponchos. The views were amazing and we had a really good experience viewing the Falls. We then returned the ponchos and went on a few other trails that did not take us as close to the water so we did not get wet. We went on the upstream path, which put us right on top of the Falls, so we sat and watched the water tumble over the edge for a while. There were also some pretty spectacular rainbows that we viewed. At noon we headed over to the bridge that goes across the river and goes between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Megan decided to bungee jump over the bridge, so we played on the bridge while she did that, and got to technically step into Zimbabwe and take our picture there. The land between the two countries, about a meter wide, is called ZimZam. We saw some zebras at the Falls that were in the yard of the Zambezi Sun Hotel, and Melissa got in trouble for taking pictures of them for some reason, but we talked our way out of it and promised not to tell anyone about it. So then we went to the market at the Falls for a few minutes until our taxi driver picked us up at 1:00 and we went back to the Lodge to get ready for our game drive. At 2:00, we got picked up to go to the national park. In the park we saw baboon, impala by the dozen, buffalo, warthog, wildebeast, monitor lizards, bushbuck, lots of birds, zebras from afar, the one rhino named Fwanya, and a family of giraffe! There was a mom and a dad and three children. That was definitely spectacular. We got to see the mom run too which was an amazing sight to behold. After the game drive, we got dropped off in town and went out to dinner at a local restaurant. The food was really good, but the service was not great. All I know is that I got a waffle with ice cream and chocolate on it. We walked back to the Lodge afterwards in the dark and thankfully made it safely.
On Saturday, we got up and had breakfast at the Lodge and then headed into town again. We went through the market a little bit, went to the Livingstone museum which was kind of boring, lots of history and such, and walked around for a while and got some ice cream and went in to a bunch of stores in town. Then we headed back to the Lodge, finished packing, and went to the bus station at 1:00. We left Livingstone at 1:30, and got into Lusaka at 8:15. By the time we got back to the house it was 9:30, and we were all really tired. It was Melissa and Kristi's last night here so they packed and we made popcorn on the stove and stayed up for a little while.
This morning, we took Kristi and Melissa to the airport on the way to church, and off they went. There are three of us in the house now and it is quieter. Tomorrow starts the last week of school until late July. Hopefully everything goes well and that we can prepare for the recitation on Friday.
Well, I am glad to be back at the village because it kind of feels like home now after six weeks of living here. Oh man. It was a great vacation and I am really glad I got the opportunity to see God's marvelous creations. Much love from Zambia!
The other four mini-missionaries and I started off Thursday morning at about 4:00 am. We left the village at 5:00 am, got on the bus at 6:00 am, and left Lusaka at 6:35 am. We pulled into Livingstone at 1:00 pm, and were met by the owner of the lodge we would be staying at, Richard. He drove us the five minutes back to Chanter's Lodge, where Megan and Katie shared a room, and Melissa and Kristi and I shared the other. We got unloaded and soon headed to the market in town. We bought a few things, and hopped into taxis to go to the Royal Livingstone Hotel. There, we had High Tea! Interestingly enough, none of us got tea, which is kind of regrettable, but I have had a whole lot of tea since I got here, so I tried an espresso. There were desserts galore, and I tried a little bit of everything. I hardly ate all day to save up stomach room for that. It was an amazing experience. Then, we went outside and sat on the deck on the Zambezi River and watched the sun set, and saw a whole lot of monkeys playing in the yard of the Royal Livingstone. We let our food digest and just lounged on a big couch outside. Then we got back in a taxi and went back to the Lodge. I fell asleep pretty early since we had just an early start to the day.
On Friday, we got up and ate breakfast at the Lodge, which was included. Since an English man owns the Lodge, we had toast and tea and cereal and eggs, and there were other things offered like mushrooms, bacon, sausage, beans, and tomatoes. Then we were all picked up at 8:30 to go to the Falls. Once there, we paid our way in and headed to the poncho stand. We got our ponchos and headed out on the trail where we would get pretty wet if not for the ponchos. The views were amazing and we had a really good experience viewing the Falls. We then returned the ponchos and went on a few other trails that did not take us as close to the water so we did not get wet. We went on the upstream path, which put us right on top of the Falls, so we sat and watched the water tumble over the edge for a while. There were also some pretty spectacular rainbows that we viewed. At noon we headed over to the bridge that goes across the river and goes between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Megan decided to bungee jump over the bridge, so we played on the bridge while she did that, and got to technically step into Zimbabwe and take our picture there. The land between the two countries, about a meter wide, is called ZimZam. We saw some zebras at the Falls that were in the yard of the Zambezi Sun Hotel, and Melissa got in trouble for taking pictures of them for some reason, but we talked our way out of it and promised not to tell anyone about it. So then we went to the market at the Falls for a few minutes until our taxi driver picked us up at 1:00 and we went back to the Lodge to get ready for our game drive. At 2:00, we got picked up to go to the national park. In the park we saw baboon, impala by the dozen, buffalo, warthog, wildebeast, monitor lizards, bushbuck, lots of birds, zebras from afar, the one rhino named Fwanya, and a family of giraffe! There was a mom and a dad and three children. That was definitely spectacular. We got to see the mom run too which was an amazing sight to behold. After the game drive, we got dropped off in town and went out to dinner at a local restaurant. The food was really good, but the service was not great. All I know is that I got a waffle with ice cream and chocolate on it. We walked back to the Lodge afterwards in the dark and thankfully made it safely.
On Saturday, we got up and had breakfast at the Lodge and then headed into town again. We went through the market a little bit, went to the Livingstone museum which was kind of boring, lots of history and such, and walked around for a while and got some ice cream and went in to a bunch of stores in town. Then we headed back to the Lodge, finished packing, and went to the bus station at 1:00. We left Livingstone at 1:30, and got into Lusaka at 8:15. By the time we got back to the house it was 9:30, and we were all really tired. It was Melissa and Kristi's last night here so they packed and we made popcorn on the stove and stayed up for a little while.
This morning, we took Kristi and Melissa to the airport on the way to church, and off they went. There are three of us in the house now and it is quieter. Tomorrow starts the last week of school until late July. Hopefully everything goes well and that we can prepare for the recitation on Friday.
Well, I am glad to be back at the village because it kind of feels like home now after six weeks of living here. Oh man. It was a great vacation and I am really glad I got the opportunity to see God's marvelous creations. Much love from Zambia!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
40 Days and 40 Nights
So I counted today and I have been gone for 40 days! So crazy. I remember when I was counting down to leave and getting to the 40 day mark. I thought it was pretty cool. That is about the time when Lynn Sonnenleiter was really encouraging to really rest in the Lord and seek his guidance and protection.
The past 80 days have been a whirlwind of emotions and crazy events. The first 40 days were spent finishing up school, getting my professors to move my exams, studying for exams (kind of), taking exams, running back and forth to Raleigh to see people there, getting placed at North Pitt for YoungLife, getting involved in and finishing out the year at NP, saying "see you later" to tons of people (last of all my family right before boarding my first of many planes). The next 40 days involved flying to DC, flying 16 hours to Ethiopia, spending a night in sketchy sketchy Ethiopia (ah, sketchy!), finally arriving in Zambia after throwing up twice on planes (ew), meeting all the people that live here and the kids, spending 5.5 weeks in school figuring out how to deal with 3 and 4 year olds that know little or no English, getting adjusted to living in a house by myself that seldom has power at night, growing to love reading by candlelight, going shopping in markets and going on all-day grocery shopping excursions, lots of picture taking, lots of tears, lots of smiles and love, new housemates, lots of food, reading lots and lots of books.
The one thing that has been consistent through everything has been the Lord's presence with me. I have been placed in many situations throughout the past few weeks and months that have been new and scary and sad and happy and everything. It has been so comforting to be able to access the internet and talk to people at home, but above all else, it is a huge comfort to know that no matter what the Lord is with me. Although I fail many times to come to him in good times or bad, He is always with me and consumes my every moment. His blessings have been huge during the times of sadness, of happiness, of transition, of longing for something, anything. There is no doubt in my mind that this is where the Lord has me at this time. I am learning so much about myself and about who I am in the Lord and what He may have planned for my life. It is exciting and nerve-wrecking at the same time! Oh man.
Well this is a little bit of what has happened in my life. I am almost at the half-way point in my trip which is scary and exciting. When I get back, I want a Moes burrito and a Cook Out milkshake. I have it all planned. I go to Livingstone and Victoria Falls in two days! Hoorah! There will be many exciting things for us to do and I can not wait. Yay for awesome opportunities that are once in a lifetime.
Thanks for the continued love and support. I miss all of you. Peace and love from Zambia.
The past 80 days have been a whirlwind of emotions and crazy events. The first 40 days were spent finishing up school, getting my professors to move my exams, studying for exams (kind of), taking exams, running back and forth to Raleigh to see people there, getting placed at North Pitt for YoungLife, getting involved in and finishing out the year at NP, saying "see you later" to tons of people (last of all my family right before boarding my first of many planes). The next 40 days involved flying to DC, flying 16 hours to Ethiopia, spending a night in sketchy sketchy Ethiopia (ah, sketchy!), finally arriving in Zambia after throwing up twice on planes (ew), meeting all the people that live here and the kids, spending 5.5 weeks in school figuring out how to deal with 3 and 4 year olds that know little or no English, getting adjusted to living in a house by myself that seldom has power at night, growing to love reading by candlelight, going shopping in markets and going on all-day grocery shopping excursions, lots of picture taking, lots of tears, lots of smiles and love, new housemates, lots of food, reading lots and lots of books.
The one thing that has been consistent through everything has been the Lord's presence with me. I have been placed in many situations throughout the past few weeks and months that have been new and scary and sad and happy and everything. It has been so comforting to be able to access the internet and talk to people at home, but above all else, it is a huge comfort to know that no matter what the Lord is with me. Although I fail many times to come to him in good times or bad, He is always with me and consumes my every moment. His blessings have been huge during the times of sadness, of happiness, of transition, of longing for something, anything. There is no doubt in my mind that this is where the Lord has me at this time. I am learning so much about myself and about who I am in the Lord and what He may have planned for my life. It is exciting and nerve-wrecking at the same time! Oh man.
Well this is a little bit of what has happened in my life. I am almost at the half-way point in my trip which is scary and exciting. When I get back, I want a Moes burrito and a Cook Out milkshake. I have it all planned. I go to Livingstone and Victoria Falls in two days! Hoorah! There will be many exciting things for us to do and I can not wait. Yay for awesome opportunities that are once in a lifetime.
Thanks for the continued love and support. I miss all of you. Peace and love from Zambia.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Busy, busy, busy
Well, I surely have been busy around here. On Monday, two people from the home office on staff with Rafiki came and are staying in the Koch's house because they are not here. Then, on Tuesday, Linda's daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren came. The daughter and son-in-law are staying in the guest house, so all six beds are full in here and there are people coming and going a lot!
Today, I finally got to butcher pumpkins. We cut them up and pulled out the seeds and goop and cooked them so that we can get the meat out and freeze it. Super exciting.
We played with shaving cream in school today which was awesome. The kids were kind of rowdy today and we had a few discipline issues, but that is kind of typical. I don't like being the one who usually has to take kids to time-out though. After tomorrow, we only have two more weeks of school and then there is a three week break so I can have lots of fun! Yahoo! Then there is three more weeks of school before I return home.
It is really awesome having people close to my age here. I am growing close to the other mini-missionaries which is so great. We talk about a lot of things and do a lot together. We are all going to Livingstone and Victoria Falls together next week so that will be awesome! It will be like a vacation within a vacation!
I am kind of struggling a lot with home sickness right now. This is definitely the longest I have been away from home and it is dawning on me how long I still have to go. It is frustrating to be so antsy about getting home when I want to be in Africa so badly as well. Ah.
Your prayers and love are much appreciated. It is getting pretty cold here so I am having to bundle up a lot every day! It is really dry as well and the threat of fire is more eminent.
Every day is an adventure! Peace and love from Africa.
Today, I finally got to butcher pumpkins. We cut them up and pulled out the seeds and goop and cooked them so that we can get the meat out and freeze it. Super exciting.
We played with shaving cream in school today which was awesome. The kids were kind of rowdy today and we had a few discipline issues, but that is kind of typical. I don't like being the one who usually has to take kids to time-out though. After tomorrow, we only have two more weeks of school and then there is a three week break so I can have lots of fun! Yahoo! Then there is three more weeks of school before I return home.
It is really awesome having people close to my age here. I am growing close to the other mini-missionaries which is so great. We talk about a lot of things and do a lot together. We are all going to Livingstone and Victoria Falls together next week so that will be awesome! It will be like a vacation within a vacation!
I am kind of struggling a lot with home sickness right now. This is definitely the longest I have been away from home and it is dawning on me how long I still have to go. It is frustrating to be so antsy about getting home when I want to be in Africa so badly as well. Ah.
Your prayers and love are much appreciated. It is getting pretty cold here so I am having to bundle up a lot every day! It is really dry as well and the threat of fire is more eminent.
Every day is an adventure! Peace and love from Africa.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
The Craziest Day Ever
Today has been just really crazy. First, I got a call at 9 am from one of the staff telling me that from 10-12 I was supposed to play soccer with the children. That was fun. I played with the older boys and tried to teach them a few things.
Then, we had new children come! Lisa and Gladdis are 4, and Agrippa is 2. That was surely big news around town. The girls live with Momma Florence and Emmanuel, Ben, Salvio, and Mubiana. Agrippa is living with Momma Mwanza and Joseph, Happy, Jeff, Rachel, Samuel, and Mirriam.
Then, we had three new mini-missionaries come! They are staying with me! Wahoo! People around here! It has been quiet in this house for four weeks (yes, I have been gone for four weeks!) and it is good to have company. My roommate is Megan and she is 23 and an art teacher! This will be really fun getting to know her and Melissa and Kristy and showing them the ropes and introducing them to the children. They will help tutor and paint and do things around the village.
Well this has been a fun filled and exciting day and I am glad that new adventures will be beginning! I feel like I am at camp sometimes now. I do feel at home here but will be glad to return to my home in the states, albeit really sad to leave the children I love here. The longer I stay the more attached I get. Oh man...
All my love. Thank you for your prayers and support.
Then, we had new children come! Lisa and Gladdis are 4, and Agrippa is 2. That was surely big news around town. The girls live with Momma Florence and Emmanuel, Ben, Salvio, and Mubiana. Agrippa is living with Momma Mwanza and Joseph, Happy, Jeff, Rachel, Samuel, and Mirriam.
Then, we had three new mini-missionaries come! They are staying with me! Wahoo! People around here! It has been quiet in this house for four weeks (yes, I have been gone for four weeks!) and it is good to have company. My roommate is Megan and she is 23 and an art teacher! This will be really fun getting to know her and Melissa and Kristy and showing them the ropes and introducing them to the children. They will help tutor and paint and do things around the village.
Well this has been a fun filled and exciting day and I am glad that new adventures will be beginning! I feel like I am at camp sometimes now. I do feel at home here but will be glad to return to my home in the states, albeit really sad to leave the children I love here. The longer I stay the more attached I get. Oh man...
All my love. Thank you for your prayers and support.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these
Well, not too much is new here. I have been sick and out of commission so I missed two days of school which is sad. They carried on without me however and now I am good as gold.
The school building process is carrying along smoothly, the walls are going up still and there are many more blocks awaiting to be put up! God is a great provider!
Lackson, a kindergartener, has taken to me after I spent a week eating at their table. He is SO sweet! He does get in trouble at school sometimes though. But he lost another tooth! I saw him today and we hugged and he showed it to me. He has taken to giving me kisses, as does Emmanuel and Grace.
We might be getting kids soon! As soon as the paperwork goes through I guess they will be coming. I hope and pray it will be soon.
We got a new momma, Momma Rachel! Yay. Now we have a child and a momma named Rachel, just like my older sister. What a good name.
New mini-missionaries come on Saturday, so I will have three new housemates, including a roommate, so that will be really different. I have gotten used to being on my own and doing my own thing, but having people around will be really exciting! And plans to go to Livingstone seem to be coming together so hopefully I can do that as well in the next few weeks.
Well, all is well in Africa! Much love.
Matthew 19:13-15
The school building process is carrying along smoothly, the walls are going up still and there are many more blocks awaiting to be put up! God is a great provider!
Lackson, a kindergartener, has taken to me after I spent a week eating at their table. He is SO sweet! He does get in trouble at school sometimes though. But he lost another tooth! I saw him today and we hugged and he showed it to me. He has taken to giving me kisses, as does Emmanuel and Grace.
We might be getting kids soon! As soon as the paperwork goes through I guess they will be coming. I hope and pray it will be soon.
We got a new momma, Momma Rachel! Yay. Now we have a child and a momma named Rachel, just like my older sister. What a good name.
New mini-missionaries come on Saturday, so I will have three new housemates, including a roommate, so that will be really different. I have gotten used to being on my own and doing my own thing, but having people around will be really exciting! And plans to go to Livingstone seem to be coming together so hopefully I can do that as well in the next few weeks.
Well, all is well in Africa! Much love.
Matthew 19:13-15
Monday, June 2, 2008
School
Our school looks like a castle! The walls are going up speedy fast.
The three year olds are awesome and so funny. The four year olds about drove me up the wall today.
I am eating with a new table today! That is exciting. I do not know many of the kids at that table because most of them are in kindergarten. I think there is Jeff, Eva, Edda, Lemmy, Loveness, Bupe, and Zawady, five of which are in kindergarten, and one is two. Momma Beznert is so sweet though but she is feeling a little under the weather right now.
We are under a period of increased load shedding this week so it is even more of a mystery of when we will have power.
I read in the Sunday Post yesterday that Obama is doing better than Hilary, praise the Lord. The people here love our politics, and they love Obama as well.
I got to take a nap this afternoon but it is off to dinner! I love you all.
The three year olds are awesome and so funny. The four year olds about drove me up the wall today.
I am eating with a new table today! That is exciting. I do not know many of the kids at that table because most of them are in kindergarten. I think there is Jeff, Eva, Edda, Lemmy, Loveness, Bupe, and Zawady, five of which are in kindergarten, and one is two. Momma Beznert is so sweet though but she is feeling a little under the weather right now.
We are under a period of increased load shedding this week so it is even more of a mystery of when we will have power.
I read in the Sunday Post yesterday that Obama is doing better than Hilary, praise the Lord. The people here love our politics, and they love Obama as well.
I got to take a nap this afternoon but it is off to dinner! I love you all.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Love Song
I got to go in to town this weekend, exciting times for sure. I bought a lot of presents for myself and others and spent a lot of money! It was good to get out again though. I went to Kabwata Baptist Church this morning in Lusaka, where the service is in English and the pews are made out of wood and not rocks, so that was good.
There is not much new around here. All the cooks are back in action thank goodness. Friday when I was helping in the kitchen, the cook Kennedy told me his testimony and life story basically so that was really awesome.
I am doing really well and I feel really at home here. I get a roommate on Saturday though so things will be changing around here! I will be glad to have some company out here in my little lonely house!
Thanks to everyone for the continued love and encouragement. We will probably be getting new kids this week so that will be really awesome!
Go out and make God famous.
There is not much new around here. All the cooks are back in action thank goodness. Friday when I was helping in the kitchen, the cook Kennedy told me his testimony and life story basically so that was really awesome.
I am doing really well and I feel really at home here. I get a roommate on Saturday though so things will be changing around here! I will be glad to have some company out here in my little lonely house!
Thanks to everyone for the continued love and encouragement. We will probably be getting new kids this week so that will be really awesome!
Go out and make God famous.
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