Thursday, August 19, 2010
This is all going to be a bit chaotic from the way this thing is working. I'll describe the photos in the previous post each time. The order is from the bottom up. Sorry if this is so confusing!! The first photo was me and a sweet baby boy at the orphanage. The next is of a market in the N'gombe slum as we were driving through. Next is the hostel (dorm) at Copperbelt University. This is where the girls hostels intersect and is the yard where they all hang laundry to dry. Hotels at UNZA looked similar in quality. The next photo is with me and my discipler Kinzi and our new friend Faith! Remember her? She's a freshman at CBU who was so eager to hear about Christ. She even facebook friend requested me a few days back and we've been able to keep in touch. We're wearing the African wraps- chitange (spelling?) which is just a piece of fabric, usually 3 yards, that can be used as a way to hold babies, a skirt to keep pants from getting soiled, or a head wrap. The next photo is of our Kamploops Lodge in Lusaka where we all lived for about 5 weeks. I'll explain the next group of photos in another post!
Half of a Conclusion
PROMISE I'll get something written up here soon! Life has been very busy back here at school and it's hard to find a time to just sit down and write. Plus, I'm still processing as I wake up everyday realizing I was still in Africa just a month ago. Weirdest feeling in the world. But here are some photos for y'all to enjoy and hopefully be able to visualize more of my stories with!
P.S. I'd still be lying if I said I wouldn't go back tomorrow. These photos capture so much of what life was life for six weeks and are so dear to my heart.
P.S. I'd still be lying if I said I wouldn't go back tomorrow. These photos capture so much of what life was life for six weeks and are so dear to my heart.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Not the Last!
So I promised I'd write one more entry with a summary of my thoughts from the Zambia trip, along with a few photos. And I still stick to that. Things are incredibly busy here with sorority stuff already starting back up but don't think I forgot! Hopefully I'll be able to have a while Saturday to type this out and make the last post what I had intended. :) Thanks for being patient. Hope y'all are continuing to seek the Lord everyday just as I'm challenged to in all I do back here in America.
In Him,
Amy
In Him,
Amy
Sunday, July 18, 2010
A Week of Lasts
So bittersweet. Though we're all feeling like it's more bitter than sweet right now. We've already begun our week of lasts here in Zambia and it feels so not right. Yesterday we went to the orphanage for the last time... probably ever. I've been trying to soak up as much as possible over the past few days and want to continue that up until I'm out of Africa. I can't believe how time has flown by but it's been more than amazing. Even going to the orphanage yesterday I was hoping it would be different. Not more than five seconds after getting off of the bus, the sweet little girl Mary who always holds my hand while I'm there popped out of nowhere and walked with me. Hand-in-hand we made our way to the orphanage lot for a day of games and Bible skits. She's maybe half my height, around 7 years old, and has the responsibility of carrying her baby brother Thomas on her back from morning to night. She doesn't complain but instead comforts her little brother when he gets upset and wraps him up tight against her when he's getting sleepy. She carries him by using a chitange wrapped around her and she has the most beautiful smile in the world. A few weeks back she let me hold Thomas as he slept and it was one of the highlights of my trip by far. I know I always refer to my heart breaking but it truly does. Didn't know it was capable of breaking this frequently but little moments like those just put me in my place and refocus my perspective on life. Little ones from all over flock to the orphanage so they can have a few hours of affection- more affection than they'll probably experience throughout their entire childhood. With wounds, torn clothing, dirty faces and no shoes they don't ask for anything in return. Just a hand to hold the whole time and a hug to say goodbye. Those children hold a place in my heart that I won't be able to ignore for the rest of my life. I try to face the realities of situations so it would be right for me to say I'll probably never be back but I will still hope otherwise.
One of the cooks at our house, Mya, whose 21st birthday is actually today, came up to our room last night to sing us a song she just wrote. She explained how we inspired her to write it and it was titled "Somebody's Angel." Keep in mind that her voice is the one that we sit in awe of while she sings during the preparation of dinner. The second she finished this short song we were all speechless. As if that wasn't enough she even went on to explain exactly what she meant by it all. Mya said that she's so inspired by how we came from so far away to want to do the work of God. That even though we can't give these children everything, we can give them love which is worth more than everything, and that those children view us as angels sent to them. She said she's been challenged by us and wants to strive to be somebody's angel every day no matter if that's just someone that needs a hug, advice or a favor. Sometimes as a team we've felt worn down and like our work sometimes doesn't mean much but hearing words like that brings it all back. God is working through us and it's something we should never deny.
Didn't think I'd be writing deep stuff today but guess that's what I get for just going with it again. I'll be sure to write a final entry once I'm home and have processed more of what I've experienced here. I'm not sure if I'll be able to get on in Livingstone but we leave for that on Wednesday morning. That'll be a great way for our team to wrap things up with relaxation, debriefing and even a safari. Today's our last market day. This morning was our last day at church. We attended a church in the slums at Ngombe and that's a whole other entry in itself. And makes me get chills just thinking about it. Tomorrow is our last day at UNZA filled with lots of appointments. Please be praying that girls will be in their rooms to talk and that we can leave a legacy on that campus. Pray that leaders will rise up and take UNZA for Christ. We've made so many connections with students there and would love to see them grow after we leave rather than fizzling out.
Again, cannot believe it's already that time!! As of now, I'd be completely okay with my family just coming to move here and staying here forever. But it's great to know my purpose is to live in America so I will be praying to be at peace with that. Thank you for all of your support for making this trip possible and I can't wait to share with you one last time all that God's taught me over these past 5 weeks.
God Bless!
In Him,
Amy
One of the cooks at our house, Mya, whose 21st birthday is actually today, came up to our room last night to sing us a song she just wrote. She explained how we inspired her to write it and it was titled "Somebody's Angel." Keep in mind that her voice is the one that we sit in awe of while she sings during the preparation of dinner. The second she finished this short song we were all speechless. As if that wasn't enough she even went on to explain exactly what she meant by it all. Mya said that she's so inspired by how we came from so far away to want to do the work of God. That even though we can't give these children everything, we can give them love which is worth more than everything, and that those children view us as angels sent to them. She said she's been challenged by us and wants to strive to be somebody's angel every day no matter if that's just someone that needs a hug, advice or a favor. Sometimes as a team we've felt worn down and like our work sometimes doesn't mean much but hearing words like that brings it all back. God is working through us and it's something we should never deny.
Didn't think I'd be writing deep stuff today but guess that's what I get for just going with it again. I'll be sure to write a final entry once I'm home and have processed more of what I've experienced here. I'm not sure if I'll be able to get on in Livingstone but we leave for that on Wednesday morning. That'll be a great way for our team to wrap things up with relaxation, debriefing and even a safari. Today's our last market day. This morning was our last day at church. We attended a church in the slums at Ngombe and that's a whole other entry in itself. And makes me get chills just thinking about it. Tomorrow is our last day at UNZA filled with lots of appointments. Please be praying that girls will be in their rooms to talk and that we can leave a legacy on that campus. Pray that leaders will rise up and take UNZA for Christ. We've made so many connections with students there and would love to see them grow after we leave rather than fizzling out.
Again, cannot believe it's already that time!! As of now, I'd be completely okay with my family just coming to move here and staying here forever. But it's great to know my purpose is to live in America so I will be praying to be at peace with that. Thank you for all of your support for making this trip possible and I can't wait to share with you one last time all that God's taught me over these past 5 weeks.
God Bless!
In Him,
Amy
Friday, July 16, 2010
Winding Down
Mulibwanji!
So crazy to think that in a little over a week I'll be back in America! Time has flown by faster than I ever expected and honestly I wouldn't mind staying here another month or two. Life here has settled into a good routine of ministry at UNZA, time at the orphanage, group devotions, and also plenty of down time to relax, process what we've been learning and just hang out with the rest of the team. We've all grown a lot closer over the past couple weeks especially and it's scary to think that I won't be around them all 24/7 ever again. Reunions are already in the planning process so I'm looking forward to those already. We're still enjoying life at our guest house. The weather was incredibly cold, probably equivalent to a South Carolina winter, for at least two weeks there, with little sunshine as well. Luckily over this past week and a half things have warmed up, the sun is shining and it's lifted our spirits tremendously. The weeks have been flying by in the moment but looking back even over this past week it's hard for me to remember everything that has happened since it feels like forever ago.
I've been going out at UNZA with a couple different girls over the week and we've been scheduling appointments all over campus with all the girls we've been meeting. The schedules are tricky to work out since we're only actually on campus from 1330 till 1700. It's been difficult making great connections with girls since they're all pretty guarded here but we have met a few sweet girls who we've really enjoyed getting to know more and bonding with over the past few weeks. Amanda from the previous post actually got kicked out of her dorm due to a monetary issue so we haven't been able to see her which has been unfortunate. Me and Michelle have gotten to hang out with Thandy quite a bit which has been so great to see that hearts are the same no matter where we live or what the culture is like. Zambians aren't as concerned with being punctual and also aren't used to saying "no" so actually meeting for appointments has been a trying time. Pretty much every day we've gone to meet girls, at least 2 of those appointments have been no-shows or the girls just aren't home. So that's been a bit discouraging but it's so great to see how God's been working through those situations.
I went out with Emily one day and we experienced no-shows, forced conversations, and lots of "I'm busy" responses which are rare here. Feeling incredibly down and just wanting to throw in the towel for the day, I had to take it to God. I knew my job here was to step out in faith and that things wouldn't always feel the best so I continued on. We just knocked door to door to find something to fill up our time and I really wasn't feeling it at all. We came to one door and two sweet girls let us in, Deborah and Beauty. They started off with the typical responses but then started asking questions of their own. Questions that they had been taught about but didn't line up with the truths of the Bible. It was such a great opportunity to introduce them to God's truths and open their eyes to the freedom found in a relationship with Him. The lightbulb went on when they discovered it wasn't about rules and religion but instead about a relationship with God, one that He desires to have with each of these precious women. In that moment of sharing the KGP, they wanted it! They desired to ask God into their hearts and it was such a beautiful thing to witness again. I walked away just in awe. In awe of God's choice of timing yet again. When I'm most discouraged, most down and selfish, God uses ME to bring God's hope into their lives. Seriously blows my mind but I am so incredibly thankful for it.
Later that day we were all just sitting waiting for the rest of the group to show up. A woman with tattered clothes and a baby walks up and calls UNZA students over to translate. Through them, we find out that this woman has been bit by a dog and has rabies. She presents all of her medical documents to us and also shows that her baby is sick with the "cough." My heart breaks. This woman is afraid that she'll die before she can get her baby well enough again. We decide to support her for her prescription and her eyes light up in gratitude. As a group we've been talking a lot about what it looks like to care for the poor like the Bible instructs. Sometimes it's through kindness, sometimes through sitting to listen to someone's story but sometimes it is monetarily. That small amount of money I gave up of mine could have been the amount to save a woman's life. Save a baby from growing up without a mother. And this type of need is so apparent everywhere we've been going. I feel like I've always had a heart of compassion toward people in need but seeing this level of need breaks my heart like never before. God's shifting my heart from being mindful of my self primarily to really seeing the hearts of others and being mindful of their lives. I praise God that I was able to give that 50,000 kwacha and am continuing to pray that He'll reveal to me what it's like to live a life completely removed from selfish ambitions or desires.
Time is winding down but it's obvious that God's work isn't. Rather than focusing on how hard it will be to be back in America, I'm thinking about all the amazing opportunity to carry back what I've been experiencing here. Hearts are the same so why shouldn't my motives be? I praise God for these last 5 weeks and am looking forward to a lifetime of service to Him.
Please be continuing to pray for the health of our team. One guy, Chris, was just released from the hospital from what the African doctors believe to have been malaria. Pray that he'll be completely healed from his illness and that our entire group can stay healthy for our upcoming travels. We leave for Livingstone Wednesday and then will fly out of Lusaka next Saturday morning. Please also pray that we'll continue to run hard after God even as this project comes to a close. Thank you for praying and making a difference in the lives of so many Zambians, and in mine. I thank God for each one of you!
In Him,
Amy
So crazy to think that in a little over a week I'll be back in America! Time has flown by faster than I ever expected and honestly I wouldn't mind staying here another month or two. Life here has settled into a good routine of ministry at UNZA, time at the orphanage, group devotions, and also plenty of down time to relax, process what we've been learning and just hang out with the rest of the team. We've all grown a lot closer over the past couple weeks especially and it's scary to think that I won't be around them all 24/7 ever again. Reunions are already in the planning process so I'm looking forward to those already. We're still enjoying life at our guest house. The weather was incredibly cold, probably equivalent to a South Carolina winter, for at least two weeks there, with little sunshine as well. Luckily over this past week and a half things have warmed up, the sun is shining and it's lifted our spirits tremendously. The weeks have been flying by in the moment but looking back even over this past week it's hard for me to remember everything that has happened since it feels like forever ago.
I've been going out at UNZA with a couple different girls over the week and we've been scheduling appointments all over campus with all the girls we've been meeting. The schedules are tricky to work out since we're only actually on campus from 1330 till 1700. It's been difficult making great connections with girls since they're all pretty guarded here but we have met a few sweet girls who we've really enjoyed getting to know more and bonding with over the past few weeks. Amanda from the previous post actually got kicked out of her dorm due to a monetary issue so we haven't been able to see her which has been unfortunate. Me and Michelle have gotten to hang out with Thandy quite a bit which has been so great to see that hearts are the same no matter where we live or what the culture is like. Zambians aren't as concerned with being punctual and also aren't used to saying "no" so actually meeting for appointments has been a trying time. Pretty much every day we've gone to meet girls, at least 2 of those appointments have been no-shows or the girls just aren't home. So that's been a bit discouraging but it's so great to see how God's been working through those situations.
I went out with Emily one day and we experienced no-shows, forced conversations, and lots of "I'm busy" responses which are rare here. Feeling incredibly down and just wanting to throw in the towel for the day, I had to take it to God. I knew my job here was to step out in faith and that things wouldn't always feel the best so I continued on. We just knocked door to door to find something to fill up our time and I really wasn't feeling it at all. We came to one door and two sweet girls let us in, Deborah and Beauty. They started off with the typical responses but then started asking questions of their own. Questions that they had been taught about but didn't line up with the truths of the Bible. It was such a great opportunity to introduce them to God's truths and open their eyes to the freedom found in a relationship with Him. The lightbulb went on when they discovered it wasn't about rules and religion but instead about a relationship with God, one that He desires to have with each of these precious women. In that moment of sharing the KGP, they wanted it! They desired to ask God into their hearts and it was such a beautiful thing to witness again. I walked away just in awe. In awe of God's choice of timing yet again. When I'm most discouraged, most down and selfish, God uses ME to bring God's hope into their lives. Seriously blows my mind but I am so incredibly thankful for it.
Later that day we were all just sitting waiting for the rest of the group to show up. A woman with tattered clothes and a baby walks up and calls UNZA students over to translate. Through them, we find out that this woman has been bit by a dog and has rabies. She presents all of her medical documents to us and also shows that her baby is sick with the "cough." My heart breaks. This woman is afraid that she'll die before she can get her baby well enough again. We decide to support her for her prescription and her eyes light up in gratitude. As a group we've been talking a lot about what it looks like to care for the poor like the Bible instructs. Sometimes it's through kindness, sometimes through sitting to listen to someone's story but sometimes it is monetarily. That small amount of money I gave up of mine could have been the amount to save a woman's life. Save a baby from growing up without a mother. And this type of need is so apparent everywhere we've been going. I feel like I've always had a heart of compassion toward people in need but seeing this level of need breaks my heart like never before. God's shifting my heart from being mindful of my self primarily to really seeing the hearts of others and being mindful of their lives. I praise God that I was able to give that 50,000 kwacha and am continuing to pray that He'll reveal to me what it's like to live a life completely removed from selfish ambitions or desires.
Time is winding down but it's obvious that God's work isn't. Rather than focusing on how hard it will be to be back in America, I'm thinking about all the amazing opportunity to carry back what I've been experiencing here. Hearts are the same so why shouldn't my motives be? I praise God for these last 5 weeks and am looking forward to a lifetime of service to Him.
Please be continuing to pray for the health of our team. One guy, Chris, was just released from the hospital from what the African doctors believe to have been malaria. Pray that he'll be completely healed from his illness and that our entire group can stay healthy for our upcoming travels. We leave for Livingstone Wednesday and then will fly out of Lusaka next Saturday morning. Please also pray that we'll continue to run hard after God even as this project comes to a close. Thank you for praying and making a difference in the lives of so many Zambians, and in mine. I thank God for each one of you!
In Him,
Amy
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