My Dreams and Reality Become One

There has been this real mix of emotions and understanding in my mind when I awake in my bed in the morning. My dreams at night consist of people and places from back home – my past reality. But when I awake, I am in my dream – my current reality. It takes me a few seconds to figure out which is my reality – my family and friends from Maryland or the school, home and culture in Zambia. Then, it hits me. I have been in Zambia for one week now. One of my dreams is now my reality.

She also congratulated me on eating my first real Zambian meal tonight – Nshima. Nshima is made from cornstarch and it reminds me of a very thick, dense mashed potato. It has no real flavor, but takes on the flavor of the relish, or the food and gravy being eaten with it. The most unusual part of all this is that the whole meal is eaten with your hands. Check me out, eating my first Nshima:
Results: I like it. It is very filling, so as I sit here, I feel quite content. ☺

Other than eating Nshima, today I got to spend the day "our" 24 amazing children at school. Teaching in Zambia can quickly become overwhelming. Not only is the content different than that of the states, but the process of teaching is also different. Bonnie has been encouraging to me as she strives to work best with what Zambia has presented with her, rather than try to conform the school to what she knows of teaching from the states. It is hard for me. As a teacher, I so enjoy the success of my students. It is hard to assess this in our 6’x 10’ classroom full of 24 students eager (and loud) to learn.

In Social Developmental Studies (STS) today, the students were copying the information from the board. The students do not have books; only the teacher has a teacher guide and one student book. As a result, every subject has the students copying the information from the board into their workbooks (a mini paperback notebook). As each day goes by in Zambia, I challenge myself to make the most of each moment given to me, so today I did in a small way.

The students write at different paces. As students were finishing their copying today, I knelt down next to them to have them practice their reading. The first girl I walked up to – Mapalo – I assumed she would excel. I was happy to see her read most of the words without struggle. When an unknown word came, I helped her sound it out and then she blended it together. The next two students I went to - Febby & Alice – I felt the need to first see if they knew their sight words. I pointed to words like “a” and “the” to see what level I was working with. To my surprise, neither of them could read these simply words.

At that point, I scanned the text and found 5 words for these girls to focus on (and, a, the, and, is). I told them I would read but when we came to one of their special words, it was their turn to read. I could see their excitement with each new special word. In the end, I wrote these 5 words at the top of their paper and had them repeat them a few times. ☺ This filled my heart with joy. Today, I taught two young students how to read. Yes, only 5 words, but tomorrow I will add to their list.

My heart aches for these children. I wish I could divide myself into 24 pieces, or at least me into 12 pieces and Bonnie into 12. Each student is eager to learn. As I read with just those 3 students today, others were gripping onto my arm - “Teacher, read with me!”

Please be praying for these three students, as well as all the other students at Lighthouse. I have seen in very real ways over the last week that education is one of the most influential ways to stop the cycle of poverty.

Check out two of the beautiful smiles I get to see everyday:

Kennedy & Moses

Everyday Life in Zambia

I cannot help but notice how different the culture is here, not only from the states but also from what I expected. I find myself enamored by things that are common everyday practices. Allow me to fill you on a few.

Today, Bonnie & I went to the Zambia’s annual Trade Fair with Bonnie’s friend Lucky and her children Metah, Thomas & Henry. They are a lovely family and anticipate hanging out with them more. While at the Trade Fair, there are hundreds of vendors from all over Africa selling whatever it is they are known for. Before checking out the vendors, we stopped to watch a mini-concert. It was being put on to encourage the public to peacefully vote in the upcoming election. Heading the show was a well-known musician. While standing there, he called up about 6 young girls – I’d say about 14, 15, maybe 16. He then held a competition to see who could dance the best. Then these young girls started shaking the bodies, particularly their hips and their bottoms, all over the place and the people watching began cheering. I was surprised and felt as though I shouldn’t be watching. Come to find out – what we’d consider promiscuous in the states is common here in Zambia. The girls were not looked at as sensual. It has boggled my mind how much are views are shaped by the society we live in.

Ironically, the girls on the stage were dancing to Christian music being sung in Bemba (the native language of Ndola). It is crazy to me how typical it is to see books about Christianity in every store, pictures of Jesus and signs like this in a taxi:
(Trust me, this taxi needed to be covered in the blood of Jesus; I was surprised we made it home alive. ☺) You also hear Christian songs on the radio of stores and in taxis, as well as see stickers such as “Praise God”, “Riding for Jesus” on the front of buses. My fear is that although Zambia has proclaimed itself a Christian nation, that much of the practices of followers of Christ are being neglected. I am not here to judge, though. I can only pray that the Lord would impact their lives in a way that would glorify him. All I know is that we serve a God of many nations – and I am learning how diverse that is everyday.

A few other things:
1) There is a “bride price” for the groom to pay the bride’s father before being bale to marry. The bride price is determined by the parents’ according to how worthy they find their daughter (beauty, education, etc.).
2) In the states, we’d consider a woman’s chest to be immodest; here, a woman’s thighs are considered particularly attractive. So wearing a dress about your knee or even wearing shorts is considered very immodest. In fact, in some parts of town, it is common for an older man to cut a woman’s clothing off and beat her if she is dressed immodestly.
3) Here, it is very uncommon for children to talk disrespectfully to their parents or adults in general. My housemate, Swazi, was saying that her main view (and much of Africa’s) of America ‘s teenagers was their wild and crazy lifestyle. Today, she met an American teenager (about 14) on fire for God and she was surprised. For passion at such a young age is not common here, nor is it common of her thoughts of America. As I thought about it more, I assumed her misconception has probably come from her view of America via Hollywood. This saddens me.
4) Bus rides are most interesting. Imagine a 10 passenger van, but a few feet shorter and a lot of feet shorter and thinner. Now imagine shoving 25 people in that van. That’s the typical transportation here, unless you are taking a taxi. But even with a taxi (as you saw in the above picture), the rules of the road are not strictly enforced.
5) The time is "military time". Six o'clock in the evening here is known as "Eighteen".
6) Lunch is at 14 (or 2pm) and dinner is at 1930 (or 730pm).

Their culture stops me in my tracks everyday and keeps me awake at night. I find myself not being able to properly take in all the things that are coming into my mind. Please pray for me to make the most of each day. I find myself missing home more and more each day, and at the same time wanting to experience more and more of Zambia.

A Glimpse into My New Life

Bonnie with some of her students
Bonnie's classroom
Dinner: My First Night

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.

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.

Supplies

Dear Friends,

I am in need of your help! As many of you know, I am leaving for Zambia in just 5 days. Bonnie was asking for a few things for herself and the school. If you have any of these items you'd like to donate, or even a small monetary donation, it would be greatly appreciated, not only by me, but also by Bonnie and the children of Ndola, Zambia! :)

■how to draw books for kids
■how to make paper airplanes for kids
■pencils
■early reader books (K-1)
■math activity books
■learning to read books/phonics books
■flash cards, activity books, and charts
■math aids: charts for multiplication, division, fractions and anything else you think would be helpful
■science charts: Parts of a plant, phonics, a labeled picture of the heart that is elementary level and any other science charts
■candles(small votive)
■aa, aaa batteries
■canvas tote bag
■blank note cards for giving out notes of encouragement
■ankle socks
■ground coffee
■propel, crystal light packets
■leggings and tights (multiple colors)


If you have any of these, please contact me as soon as possible, seeing that I am leaving in less than a week! Thank you SO much!

$400 to $40

When I thought the Lord had outdone himself already (by providing my anti-malaria pills for $140), he decided to show me in an even greater way his love and providence over this trip. Here I am purchasing my pills for ONLY $40. =)