This morning was church in the village…it felt so good to be back. By back I just mean in a village church in general because I’ve never worshiped with this specific family before. It was so nice to be there. Song leader was Jonathan, Communion man was Matthew, and Preacher man was Mr. Bill. Of course Kadonsi and Nephias came along as our translators. We had a crew on for Sunday School and we had about 30 kids. We talked about ‘true Joy’ and of course had to sing:
I’ve got Joy down in my heart,
Deep, deep, down in my heart!
Spell it!! – J – O – Y down in my heart,
Deep, deep down in my heart!
A classic really. I can see already that this song will be very popular this summer!
There is just something about sitting on a very short bench and singing in another language. Beautiful Chitonga. It is incredible to be around the world and worshipping with other believers. I am so thankful for His great plan for His people to be a family.
7/26/2006
Dirty, Dusty, & Delighted
[this was written Friday, July 21, 2006]
Today was a day of lifting, lifting and more lifting. It was all for a good cause though, because we were unloading supplies from the container. It finally arrived….two months behind schedule…but it arrived just the same! We were so happy to hear that it was about 30 minutes away from the mission when we arrived back here on Thursday evening. It was late, so it wasn’t off loaded until the next morning. After an organizational meeting at the guesthouse (my old house from 2002!) we were off to Seven Fountains to collect 2 lorries full of boxes. They were filled with supplies for the schools and we have at least one more lorry-full of shoes and t-shirts to take to the schools. We were able to find all of the Teacher’s, Steping Stones’, and VBS materials that were shipped this past February. It was some serious team work, but we got it done and we are all feeling quite organized and ready to begin out work.
I am really excited to get to Simakakata on Monday to begin VBS! Our theme is the, ‘Joy of the Lord is my Strength’….I know that we will certainly be in for some joyful singing from these kids! Actually, I must admit that as I think about this theme…I may have very little experience at living it out. The more time I spend in Africa the further convicted I am that our material blessings actually hinder true J-O-Y. There is a song that we will sing with the kids at VBS that says:
J - O - Y, J - O – Y
This is what it means:
Jesus first,
Yourself last, and
Others in between!
Is this really my focus? It is just way to easy to let myself be first, my life and things second, and Jesus and others in between. I don’t want my life to look like that. His plan for true Joy is just so much….bigger. I have seen some very happy people here who are also generous beyond comprehension. My friend even adopted a child when she has no family, no career, but just said, “I had to have her...” Wow. I guess it really is that simple to love.
I continue to be amazed by the lessons to be learned in this place. I came wanting to give and to help….but somehow I seem to always be given and blessed more in return. May you also find this happening in your life where you are today.
Today was a day of lifting, lifting and more lifting. It was all for a good cause though, because we were unloading supplies from the container. It finally arrived….two months behind schedule…but it arrived just the same! We were so happy to hear that it was about 30 minutes away from the mission when we arrived back here on Thursday evening. It was late, so it wasn’t off loaded until the next morning. After an organizational meeting at the guesthouse (my old house from 2002!) we were off to Seven Fountains to collect 2 lorries full of boxes. They were filled with supplies for the schools and we have at least one more lorry-full of shoes and t-shirts to take to the schools. We were able to find all of the Teacher’s, Steping Stones’, and VBS materials that were shipped this past February. It was some serious team work, but we got it done and we are all feeling quite organized and ready to begin out work.
I am really excited to get to Simakakata on Monday to begin VBS! Our theme is the, ‘Joy of the Lord is my Strength’….I know that we will certainly be in for some joyful singing from these kids! Actually, I must admit that as I think about this theme…I may have very little experience at living it out. The more time I spend in Africa the further convicted I am that our material blessings actually hinder true J-O-Y. There is a song that we will sing with the kids at VBS that says:
J - O - Y, J - O – Y
This is what it means:
Jesus first,
Yourself last, and
Others in between!
Is this really my focus? It is just way to easy to let myself be first, my life and things second, and Jesus and others in between. I don’t want my life to look like that. His plan for true Joy is just so much….bigger. I have seen some very happy people here who are also generous beyond comprehension. My friend even adopted a child when she has no family, no career, but just said, “I had to have her...” Wow. I guess it really is that simple to love.
I continue to be amazed by the lessons to be learned in this place. I came wanting to give and to help….but somehow I seem to always be given and blessed more in return. May you also find this happening in your life where you are today.
7/19/2006
Some sweet faces!
Story at bed time is the routine....way too much fun!
Our past two weeks have been spent at Seven Fountains Farm. We aimed to help out wherever possible while here…and there were many opportunities to do so! This orphan home is the first structure on the new property purchased by Zambia Mission Fund-Canada. Before this farm all projects were done over at Namwianga Mission, which is the neighbouring property to this new farm. In 2002/03 I lived at Namwianga and worked with many projects under ZMF-C, including the original orphan home: The Haven.
Rod and Sue Calder moved with their family from there over to this new orphan home: Seven Fountains Orphan Home and we have enjoyed our time with them very much!
As if these faces don’t make you want to join us over here right now!
Elise finding her feet!
Having a swing!!
Our past two weeks have been spent at Seven Fountains Farm. We aimed to help out wherever possible while here…and there were many opportunities to do so! This orphan home is the first structure on the new property purchased by Zambia Mission Fund-Canada. Before this farm all projects were done over at Namwianga Mission, which is the neighbouring property to this new farm. In 2002/03 I lived at Namwianga and worked with many projects under ZMF-C, including the original orphan home: The Haven.Rod and Sue Calder moved with their family from there over to this new orphan home: Seven Fountains Orphan Home and we have enjoyed our time with them very much!
As if these faces don’t make you want to join us over here right now!
Josh, Daniel, Matt, Lish, and Lulu Rod and Sue Calder moved with their family from there over to this new orphan home: Seven Fountains Orphan Home and we have enjoyed our time with them very much!
We have just picked up the Education Team from the airport. We are spending the next couple of days at a campsite planning and gather supplies. We will head to Namwianga on Thursday to begin our work there.
If you have been reading regularly...thank you! I'll try to post more pictures soon!
7/10/2006
In Brief...
Not IN Briefs!! haha! lame, I know...But just in case you wanted to know, the Chitonga word for undergarmets is: Bomba.
------
We are with Ruhtt and Shepherd at their internet cafe...it is lovely here. We are all sitting by the computer and we are thinking of points of interest from the past few days. We've mostly stayed at Seven Fountains Farm so most will be about those darling children!
- Matthew has a Lizard in his room....but its okay, they've bonded now
- Dumulu says, "Auntamala is hot."
- Stephanie AND Tina peed on Alisha - great.
- We chopped veggies and baked for 200 Americans on the Medical Mission - wow
- Hotmail isn't working for Lish and Matt....container isn't here since may....no luggage, still in London??? But this IS africa and things just take longer
- Had a dance party with LuLu, Stephanie, and Chibo - such cute moves
- Jack had a splinter, took two days to get out !
- Bedtime tucking in is WONDERFUL. "Snug as a bug ina rug....sleep tight...see you in the morning sweet one...."
- Matt and Lish feel like they've walked the entire Sahara desert. Wimps.
- Tamara drives them nuts b/c she knows TOO many people and if you didn't know....likes to talk just a bit!
- Jennifer made Alisha a Chitenge as a welcome gift.
- Matthew had a beard!!!
- Matthew is UNCLE and Alisha is AUNTIE....and Tamara is TamaLa or Madam again :)
- No Nshima yet....Tamara is impatient....LOVE THAT STUFF!
- Aggie went back to school :( we'll pick her up on Friday!!
- Matthew wants to take Demulu and Chibo home.....sweet faces!!
- Stephie asks for gum 99 times a day
- Stephie wears her shirt on her head like long hair...all the time. no kidding
- Pop comes in glass bottles
- Roads aren't really roads....more like goat trails
- An american said that everyone is calling us Canadians the Chinooks. What??????? We were truly stumped. Rod suggests that he meant to say Canuck. strange.
- Sue works HARD!!!!!!!
- Cecilia has gone with school to track
- Canadian team comes soon!!
- Mastercard and credit union doesn't work here - Matt is not impressed.
- We sang in CHITONGA at church!!
- Tamara is remembering new Tonga words everyday
All in all, we have many laughs everyday and are so thankful to be here. Thanks for reading! Sorry if there are spelling errors in this...we are in a rush.
HELLO FROM THE THREE OF US!
------
We are with Ruhtt and Shepherd at their internet cafe...it is lovely here. We are all sitting by the computer and we are thinking of points of interest from the past few days. We've mostly stayed at Seven Fountains Farm so most will be about those darling children!
- Matthew has a Lizard in his room....but its okay, they've bonded now
- Dumulu says, "Auntamala is hot."
- Stephanie AND Tina peed on Alisha - great.
- We chopped veggies and baked for 200 Americans on the Medical Mission - wow
- Hotmail isn't working for Lish and Matt....container isn't here since may....no luggage, still in London??? But this IS africa and things just take longer
- Had a dance party with LuLu, Stephanie, and Chibo - such cute moves
- Jack had a splinter, took two days to get out !
- Bedtime tucking in is WONDERFUL. "Snug as a bug ina rug....sleep tight...see you in the morning sweet one...."
- Matt and Lish feel like they've walked the entire Sahara desert. Wimps.
- Tamara drives them nuts b/c she knows TOO many people and if you didn't know....likes to talk just a bit!
- Jennifer made Alisha a Chitenge as a welcome gift.
- Matthew had a beard!!!
- Matthew is UNCLE and Alisha is AUNTIE....and Tamara is TamaLa or Madam again :)
- No Nshima yet....Tamara is impatient....LOVE THAT STUFF!
- Aggie went back to school :( we'll pick her up on Friday!!
- Matthew wants to take Demulu and Chibo home.....sweet faces!!
- Stephie asks for gum 99 times a day
- Stephie wears her shirt on her head like long hair...all the time. no kidding
- Pop comes in glass bottles
- Roads aren't really roads....more like goat trails
- An american said that everyone is calling us Canadians the Chinooks. What??????? We were truly stumped. Rod suggests that he meant to say Canuck. strange.
- Sue works HARD!!!!!!!
- Cecilia has gone with school to track
- Canadian team comes soon!!
- Mastercard and credit union doesn't work here - Matt is not impressed.
- We sang in CHITONGA at church!!
- Tamara is remembering new Tonga words everyday
All in all, we have many laughs everyday and are so thankful to be here. Thanks for reading! Sorry if there are spelling errors in this...we are in a rush.
HELLO FROM THE THREE OF US!
7/06/2006
Loving It!
We are sitting in the new Internet Cafe in Kalomo. What an excellent addition to Kalomo! So Modern and nice. Ruhtt and Shepherd, a missionary couple own it and this who complex is nice. There is a take away restaurant, a gym, a butcher shop, ICE CREAM, and other stations. So nice to have this convenience so close!
Seven Fountain's Farm is such a nice set up. Aggie and Jack were PRICELESS when I first arrived at the farm. Big smiles and hugs. SWEET! I just love these kids. They were both glued to my arm or leg for the first hour or so...Fine with me! Shortly after arriving the power went out... true Zam experience.
Yesterday was the day of GREETINGS. It was way too much fun. We started at the Clinic and visited people at the Secondary school (my neighbours when I lived here!), the hurses of course at the clinic, My dear friend Jennifer at Wasawange (who escorted us all over the place), Cecilia at the HAVEN (the orphan home I worked in when I lived here), then around to some old friends in Eureka and then walked a couple KM up to my friends hut by Mutala. By then we were pooped so we headed back tired and thirsty. So, so good to reconnect...there are still amy many more to see but that was a great start! After supper I had the blessing of tucking in those little darlings at the Seven fountains....but not before tripping down memory lane with Emily, Dan, Josh, Twaambo, Cecilia, and Jack. Jack started the whole thing by saying, "Auntamala, that day you put me in my room....I didn't do anything!" HAHAHA! I laughed so hard I cried! I don't rememeber what day he is talking about...but clearly he does. Oh what kid. I guess we didn't get to the bottom of whatever situation that was!
Today we are off to under five clinic with the nurses! I am pumped!!!!!! Definately on of my favourite things to do. We are going to Swart and Yusa farm which is especially neat since I have met the the son of the people who own Yusa farm. He lives in Regina with his wife and children...so I will have to take 'greetings' to his mom. We will weigh and measure babies to be sure that they are growing well. If they are malnurished they will recieve a portion of HEPS (High Energy Protein Supplement). The nurses will also administer the appropriate vaccinations to the children. It will be a great day...and a great first time Zam-experience for Alisha and Matthew.
I LOVE this place and these people so, so much.
I am blessed to be here. May you also be wherever you are at today!
Seven Fountain's Farm is such a nice set up. Aggie and Jack were PRICELESS when I first arrived at the farm. Big smiles and hugs. SWEET! I just love these kids. They were both glued to my arm or leg for the first hour or so...Fine with me! Shortly after arriving the power went out... true Zam experience.
Yesterday was the day of GREETINGS. It was way too much fun. We started at the Clinic and visited people at the Secondary school (my neighbours when I lived here!), the hurses of course at the clinic, My dear friend Jennifer at Wasawange (who escorted us all over the place), Cecilia at the HAVEN (the orphan home I worked in when I lived here), then around to some old friends in Eureka and then walked a couple KM up to my friends hut by Mutala. By then we were pooped so we headed back tired and thirsty. So, so good to reconnect...there are still amy many more to see but that was a great start! After supper I had the blessing of tucking in those little darlings at the Seven fountains....but not before tripping down memory lane with Emily, Dan, Josh, Twaambo, Cecilia, and Jack. Jack started the whole thing by saying, "Auntamala, that day you put me in my room....I didn't do anything!" HAHAHA! I laughed so hard I cried! I don't rememeber what day he is talking about...but clearly he does. Oh what kid. I guess we didn't get to the bottom of whatever situation that was!
Today we are off to under five clinic with the nurses! I am pumped!!!!!! Definately on of my favourite things to do. We are going to Swart and Yusa farm which is especially neat since I have met the the son of the people who own Yusa farm. He lives in Regina with his wife and children...so I will have to take 'greetings' to his mom. We will weigh and measure babies to be sure that they are growing well. If they are malnurished they will recieve a portion of HEPS (High Energy Protein Supplement). The nurses will also administer the appropriate vaccinations to the children. It will be a great day...and a great first time Zam-experience for Alisha and Matthew.
I LOVE this place and these people so, so much.
I am blessed to be here. May you also be wherever you are at today!
7/04/2006
Safe and Sound
We are here! Our flights were great...my travel partners were pretty sleepy though ;)
In London we did the double decker open top tour...it was great! I definately crashed though and slept through a large chunk of the tour....at least we weren't on a walking tour!
It was wonderful to be greeted at the airport by Rod and Sue. What great people! It would have been absolutely perfect if our luggage had arrived :( Oh well....I was thinking ahead and packed lots of clothes in my carry on. At this point I don't even care that its not here...I'm too distracted by the smells, sights, sounds and people around me.
Lovely.
In London we did the double decker open top tour...it was great! I definately crashed though and slept through a large chunk of the tour....at least we weren't on a walking tour!
It was wonderful to be greeted at the airport by Rod and Sue. What great people! It would have been absolutely perfect if our luggage had arrived :( Oh well....I was thinking ahead and packed lots of clothes in my carry on. At this point I don't even care that its not here...I'm too distracted by the smells, sights, sounds and people around me.
Lovely.
7/02/2006
Off to a land that I love...
My blogging record thus far has been nothing short of pitiful...but here I am, for another shot at it. Guess I am just easing into this fad rather than jumping in with both feet.
The reason I started blogging in the first place was to prepare for blogging about my summer in Zambia, Africa....I had planned to share my previous Zambian experience in 2002-2003 with blogland to give some background before heading out again this summer....but basically I never got around to it.
So here is the short story:
-Lived at Namwianga Mission from 2002-2003 -
LOVED IT! LOVED THE PEOPLE, LOVED THE WORK, LOVED THE CLIMATE, LOVED THE FRUIT (not the bugs). LOVED IT ALL!
-I have lived, breathed, talked, dreamed, planned, lived Zambia ever since returning to Canada
-I am now blessed to return this summer!
Matthew, Alisha and I will travel ahead of the Education Team (departing tomorrow) to work with Rod and Sue Calder in their orphanage for 2.5 weeks, and also reconnect with people/work that I was involved with in 2002/03 . It will be wonderful! I am especially blessed to be able to share it with two of the most special people in my life...they will finally see this place and people I have nattered on and on about for nearly 3 years. It will be great to see them experience it all for the first time.
After our time with the Calders at Seven Fountains Farm, we will stay over at Nawianga Mission and work with a group of Canadian Teachers, Nurses and regular Joes that make up the Education Team 2006. We are a part of the VBS crew that will do a week long program at 3 different rural community schools as well as other random works including, a day-long Purity workshop that address many of the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS prevention and Awareness. The teachers will work with Zambian teachers in professional development type ways as they share teacher strategies. The Nurses will work with community leaders to train them in the Stepping Stones program which will enable them to conduct similar workshops in their viallages to teach HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness. It will be so good! Here are some pictures to help make it all seem more REAL as I write this summer. I will attempt to post some current pictures at some point...but internet use might be sketchy...so we'll see how it works out.
Please take time to bring this work before our Father this summer. Many lives will be touched and He is the one who knows the time and place for that to happen.
Pray that our team may be used to His glory!
----------------------------------------------------
aaahhhh...Thanks God for BEAUTY.
This was my most special baby, Eunice. This was taken shortly after she arrived at the orphanage and she is looking much better than when she arrived. Today she is thriving under the care of her Zambian family that adopted her in 2003.
This is John Boy...he was just a few months old when I was there....he is all grown up now and very happy with his new family!
Agnes is a treat! She deserves her own blog someday to tell her story...if I don't get to it this summer, remind me in the fall. She is such a fighter and has lived through some tough life circumstances. Rod and Sue take great care of this little sweetie.
The Calder family! SUCH a fun household...can't wait to be a part of it again...
---------------------------------------------------
Thanks for reading. May you be blessed today!
The reason I started blogging in the first place was to prepare for blogging about my summer in Zambia, Africa....I had planned to share my previous Zambian experience in 2002-2003 with blogland to give some background before heading out again this summer....but basically I never got around to it.
So here is the short story:
-Lived at Namwianga Mission from 2002-2003 -
LOVED IT! LOVED THE PEOPLE, LOVED THE WORK, LOVED THE CLIMATE, LOVED THE FRUIT (not the bugs). LOVED IT ALL!
-I have lived, breathed, talked, dreamed, planned, lived Zambia ever since returning to Canada
-I am now blessed to return this summer!
Matthew, Alisha and I will travel ahead of the Education Team (departing tomorrow) to work with Rod and Sue Calder in their orphanage for 2.5 weeks, and also reconnect with people/work that I was involved with in 2002/03 . It will be wonderful! I am especially blessed to be able to share it with two of the most special people in my life...they will finally see this place and people I have nattered on and on about for nearly 3 years. It will be great to see them experience it all for the first time.
After our time with the Calders at Seven Fountains Farm, we will stay over at Nawianga Mission and work with a group of Canadian Teachers, Nurses and regular Joes that make up the Education Team 2006. We are a part of the VBS crew that will do a week long program at 3 different rural community schools as well as other random works including, a day-long Purity workshop that address many of the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS prevention and Awareness. The teachers will work with Zambian teachers in professional development type ways as they share teacher strategies. The Nurses will work with community leaders to train them in the Stepping Stones program which will enable them to conduct similar workshops in their viallages to teach HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness. It will be so good! Here are some pictures to help make it all seem more REAL as I write this summer. I will attempt to post some current pictures at some point...but internet use might be sketchy...so we'll see how it works out.
Please take time to bring this work before our Father this summer. Many lives will be touched and He is the one who knows the time and place for that to happen.
Pray that our team may be used to His glory!
----------------------------------------------------
aaahhhh...Thanks God for BEAUTY.
This was my most special baby, Eunice. This was taken shortly after she arrived at the orphanage and she is looking much better than when she arrived. Today she is thriving under the care of her Zambian family that adopted her in 2003.
This is John Boy...he was just a few months old when I was there....he is all grown up now and very happy with his new family!
Agnes is a treat! She deserves her own blog someday to tell her story...if I don't get to it this summer, remind me in the fall. She is such a fighter and has lived through some tough life circumstances. Rod and Sue take great care of this little sweetie.
The Calder family! SUCH a fun household...can't wait to be a part of it again...
---------------------------------------------------
Thanks for reading. May you be blessed today!