Bonnie with some of her students
Bonnie's classroom
Dinner: My First Night
Friday, July 1, 2011
Hello from Zambia
I am so happy to write this to you. Just to be on the Internet right now I have to buy minutes and I'm not sure how much I bought; I just know it's 50000 kwacha, which is about 10 US dollars.
My stay here thus far has been wonderful. Bonnie has been SO incredibly helpful. I am blessed to be in her home. She is so quick to think of others and I feel comfortable asking her anything or telling her any of my hesitations or misunderstandings. Her housemate, Swazi, is also amazing. She is a sweetheart. The language barrier still remains, despite the fact that I am not on a phone. Their accent is so deep; I feel bad, but I've asked so many Zambians to repeat themselves in the last 2 days. I hope I become more accustomed to it. Swazi also says I have an accent, which is weird to hear. She says Bonnie & I's accent differs mainly because I talk faster. Hah. I need to remember to slow down. :)
Today, I visited the school for the first time, as well the children. I cannot find the words to express how much joy has filled my heart. I have a deep love growing in me for these children. Their smiles are precious. It's cute; they are very interested in Bonnie & I because we're white - as most Zambians are. They play with our hair and touch our skin. Today, a few children were asking me what the moles and freckles on my body were. It never hit me that they don't have very many visible marks on their body.
I also met Doug Hayes and his family - the pastor/leader of Covenant Mercies, as well as Zicky - Wilbroad's wife today. Zambian women greet each other with an "air kiss" on each of their cheeks, and men with a weird sort of handshake. I just noticed it today, and began to greet women in the Zambian way, but have yet to figure out the men's handshake... it may just be a few men, not all. Basically, I am just following Bonnie and trying to pick up on everything she does. I want the people of Zambia to feel as though I am trying to be a part of their culture, rather than a spectator. Their culture intrigues me; I can't wait to learn more. Thus far, I have learned a few phrases they say differently than us. To erase a chalkboard is to "rub it", chips = "crispus", fries = "chips", cookies = "biscuits", a period at the end of a sentence = "full stop", white woman = "muzungu", to move = "to shift", elevator= "lift"
My bedroom is cozy, and it doesn't really get too cold at night. My room looks so pretty with the flowing mosquito net, although I have yet to see a mosquito or many bugs, in fact. It's crazy. The water here goes on and off throughout the day. Today, I took my first hot bath since I landed. And by bath, I mean I sat in the bathtub and used a small container to pour water on me. :) It was definitely a new experience. As much as I tried to not expect certain things, I couldn't help it. During the day, it is mid 70s (although they speak in celsius, which is weird because I do not recall how to convert - hah). I am content with short sleeves and a skirt on. Most Zambians wear long sleeves, or a jacket. They call this cold, but I think it rather pleasant. :)
Please be praying the the love of Christ would shine through me. I want to be quick to reach out to others and see their heart, rather than their outer appearance or seemingly cold exterior. Please also pray that the Lord would give me words of encouragement for Bonnie. The expectations on Bonnie in the Zambian education are fairly high, but rather confusing to her, as well as myself, as an American teacher. Their method can best be compared to "survival of the fittest". They tend to move at a high level, despite the kid's lack of understanding. I am encouraged because I already feel like God is using me. I feel as though I have been able to be ears to listen to Bonnie's concerns as a teacher - we've talked for nearly two hours yesterday and an hour after school today. I was also able to pull a small group during math today to help the struggling students. It is so much work for her and she has such a deep desire for her students to succeed. Her heart to serve reminds me of the Jesus we serve. :) It has definitely challenged me, and it's only been a mere 30 hours.
My stay here thus far has been wonderful. Bonnie has been SO incredibly helpful. I am blessed to be in her home. She is so quick to think of others and I feel comfortable asking her anything or telling her any of my hesitations or misunderstandings. Her housemate, Swazi, is also amazing. She is a sweetheart. The language barrier still remains, despite the fact that I am not on a phone. Their accent is so deep; I feel bad, but I've asked so many Zambians to repeat themselves in the last 2 days. I hope I become more accustomed to it. Swazi also says I have an accent, which is weird to hear. She says Bonnie & I's accent differs mainly because I talk faster. Hah. I need to remember to slow down. :)
Today, I visited the school for the first time, as well the children. I cannot find the words to express how much joy has filled my heart. I have a deep love growing in me for these children. Their smiles are precious. It's cute; they are very interested in Bonnie & I because we're white - as most Zambians are. They play with our hair and touch our skin. Today, a few children were asking me what the moles and freckles on my body were. It never hit me that they don't have very many visible marks on their body.
I also met Doug Hayes and his family - the pastor/leader of Covenant Mercies, as well as Zicky - Wilbroad's wife today. Zambian women greet each other with an "air kiss" on each of their cheeks, and men with a weird sort of handshake. I just noticed it today, and began to greet women in the Zambian way, but have yet to figure out the men's handshake... it may just be a few men, not all. Basically, I am just following Bonnie and trying to pick up on everything she does. I want the people of Zambia to feel as though I am trying to be a part of their culture, rather than a spectator. Their culture intrigues me; I can't wait to learn more. Thus far, I have learned a few phrases they say differently than us. To erase a chalkboard is to "rub it", chips = "crispus", fries = "chips", cookies = "biscuits", a period at the end of a sentence = "full stop", white woman = "muzungu", to move = "to shift", elevator= "lift"
My bedroom is cozy, and it doesn't really get too cold at night. My room looks so pretty with the flowing mosquito net, although I have yet to see a mosquito or many bugs, in fact. It's crazy. The water here goes on and off throughout the day. Today, I took my first hot bath since I landed. And by bath, I mean I sat in the bathtub and used a small container to pour water on me. :) It was definitely a new experience. As much as I tried to not expect certain things, I couldn't help it. During the day, it is mid 70s (although they speak in celsius, which is weird because I do not recall how to convert - hah). I am content with short sleeves and a skirt on. Most Zambians wear long sleeves, or a jacket. They call this cold, but I think it rather pleasant. :)
Please be praying the the love of Christ would shine through me. I want to be quick to reach out to others and see their heart, rather than their outer appearance or seemingly cold exterior. Please also pray that the Lord would give me words of encouragement for Bonnie. The expectations on Bonnie in the Zambian education are fairly high, but rather confusing to her, as well as myself, as an American teacher. Their method can best be compared to "survival of the fittest". They tend to move at a high level, despite the kid's lack of understanding. I am encouraged because I already feel like God is using me. I feel as though I have been able to be ears to listen to Bonnie's concerns as a teacher - we've talked for nearly two hours yesterday and an hour after school today. I was also able to pull a small group during math today to help the struggling students. It is so much work for her and she has such a deep desire for her students to succeed. Her heart to serve reminds me of the Jesus we serve. :) It has definitely challenged me, and it's only been a mere 30 hours.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Are you ready?
Over the last two weeks, I have been asked this question dozens of times. The first few times, my quick answer was a mix of "This trip is still so unbelievable to me, that for me to begin to imagine what I will be doing for the next five weeks is seemingly impossible" and "I have a long list of things to complete, but I've still got time." It wasn't until Father's Day that a family friend asked me if I was spiritually ready. Up until that point, my readiness was focused on my physicality, my financial state and the number of materials I could check off my list of things to pack. My mind was focused on the things I could control. The week to follow was, I believe, God's way of showing me in practical ways that I was not in control.
With a remaining need of nearly $700, I found myself beginning to wonder if I would be able to cover for all my needs, as well as some of the requests of the school. Although I was hesitant, I was trying my best to walk out my last 10 days home with the greatest amount of faith I could. It was Monday of last week that my finances began to shake my faith. Everything was a dollar sign; my food, my gas, the clothes I wore, my medication, my vaccinations. All I could think was "How can I get more money?"
But then the Lord revealed himself to me. The medication I thought would be $400 was now only costing me $40.
Then, Wednesday came around. This was the day I parked my car in a non-parking lane. May I point out that the non-parking times existing only on that day for 3 hours? May I also point out that I parked right in front of the sign that stated this? I felt so foolish. I felt irresponsible and completely weary. I needed my car, but I did not have the hundreds of dollars it would take to retrieve it. I barely had enough money to buy myself a bite to eat. I could hear the whispers of the enemy louder now, "You are not financially ready for this trip."
But then the Lord provided. He has blessed me with a loving boyfriend who willingly took the shot for me, with no expectation of reimbursement. I could feel the burden removed from my shoulders.
Wednesday night brought with it it's own set of troubles. As I stood with Nathan and two close friends anticipating the entertainment of U2 at their 360 Tour, I began to feel dizzy. As my body dropped and everything faded away, the whispers of the enemy were becoming all too clear - "You are not physically ready for this trip."
But then the Lord stepped in. I was aided by the medical team and was found to be dehydrated. Thankfully, I was not severely dehydrated (i.e. nauseous) and all I needed was some water.
The next day - only 5 days from my trip - I looked at my budget and my funds to see that I would need more than I anticipated. This was no longer a simple financial worry, it was affecting my spiritual readiness. My thoughts were not focused on the goodness of the Lord; I was allowing my troubles to drown me in anxiety. My prayers were more so, "Are you going to provide, Lord?", rather than loud proclamations of, "You promise to be faithful. I trust in you." The whispers of the enemy were beginning to be truth to my ears - "You are not spiritually ready for this trip."
But then the Lord's embrace met me. An anonymous letter had been sitting on my kitchen table for the last 24 hours, brought in from the mail, but temporarily overlooked. I believe overlooked because the Lord knew that I needed it most at that moment. Upon opening it $100 fell out of the envelope and tears streamed from my eyes. The whispers of the enemy were now a distant memory; the Lord's faithfulness was constant.
I see God's fingerprints all over this trip. He is quick to remind me of his love for me when I feel weak. He has been gracious to refocus my gaze from those things that I thought I could control to the ability of my Savior to provide. The last two years of preparing for this trip - the doors that shut, the people I came in contact with, the time that I could say nothing, but "Your will, God", the faith built up inside me - has been so much more than I could have imagined. It has made me all the more grateful that I was not in control because I couldn't have fashioned this process to be nearly as beautiful as the Lord has shaped it to be.
With a remaining need of nearly $700, I found myself beginning to wonder if I would be able to cover for all my needs, as well as some of the requests of the school. Although I was hesitant, I was trying my best to walk out my last 10 days home with the greatest amount of faith I could. It was Monday of last week that my finances began to shake my faith. Everything was a dollar sign; my food, my gas, the clothes I wore, my medication, my vaccinations. All I could think was "How can I get more money?"
But then the Lord revealed himself to me. The medication I thought would be $400 was now only costing me $40.
Then, Wednesday came around. This was the day I parked my car in a non-parking lane. May I point out that the non-parking times existing only on that day for 3 hours? May I also point out that I parked right in front of the sign that stated this? I felt so foolish. I felt irresponsible and completely weary. I needed my car, but I did not have the hundreds of dollars it would take to retrieve it. I barely had enough money to buy myself a bite to eat. I could hear the whispers of the enemy louder now, "You are not financially ready for this trip."
But then the Lord provided. He has blessed me with a loving boyfriend who willingly took the shot for me, with no expectation of reimbursement. I could feel the burden removed from my shoulders.
Wednesday night brought with it it's own set of troubles. As I stood with Nathan and two close friends anticipating the entertainment of U2 at their 360 Tour, I began to feel dizzy. As my body dropped and everything faded away, the whispers of the enemy were becoming all too clear - "You are not physically ready for this trip."
But then the Lord stepped in. I was aided by the medical team and was found to be dehydrated. Thankfully, I was not severely dehydrated (i.e. nauseous) and all I needed was some water.
The next day - only 5 days from my trip - I looked at my budget and my funds to see that I would need more than I anticipated. This was no longer a simple financial worry, it was affecting my spiritual readiness. My thoughts were not focused on the goodness of the Lord; I was allowing my troubles to drown me in anxiety. My prayers were more so, "Are you going to provide, Lord?", rather than loud proclamations of, "You promise to be faithful. I trust in you." The whispers of the enemy were beginning to be truth to my ears - "You are not spiritually ready for this trip."
But then the Lord's embrace met me. An anonymous letter had been sitting on my kitchen table for the last 24 hours, brought in from the mail, but temporarily overlooked. I believe overlooked because the Lord knew that I needed it most at that moment. Upon opening it $100 fell out of the envelope and tears streamed from my eyes. The whispers of the enemy were now a distant memory; the Lord's faithfulness was constant.
I see God's fingerprints all over this trip. He is quick to remind me of his love for me when I feel weak. He has been gracious to refocus my gaze from those things that I thought I could control to the ability of my Savior to provide. The last two years of preparing for this trip - the doors that shut, the people I came in contact with, the time that I could say nothing, but "Your will, God", the faith built up inside me - has been so much more than I could have imagined. It has made me all the more grateful that I was not in control because I couldn't have fashioned this process to be nearly as beautiful as the Lord has shaped it to be.
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