The title pretty much sums up the week; we celebrated holidays from Monday through Thursday! Monday was Africa's Heroes Day, Tuesday was Zambia's Unity Day, and Wednesday (of course) was America's Independence Day; and while nobody here seems to know what either of the African holidays are all about, they are well celebrated. After a crazy week last week with the team Jessica, Brandi, and I enjoyed some time off, as did all the teachers at Mercy Ministries! Monday night we went outside of the city for a campfire under the stars, Tuesday night we attended a 4th of July cookout at a Baptist missionary couple's house (bush pig, apple pie and watermelon ha!), and again on Thursday we were invited for cookout at a friend's house to celebrate America's Independence day with some fellow Americans!
Thursday, Friday, and this morning we went up to Mercy for a bit. We delivered chitenges we bought at Kamwala, showed friends around, sewed, and played "net ball" with the grade 6 and 7 girls for the first time (it's a cross between basketball and ultimate frisbee - very fun!). Being around those girls is one of my favorite times here! They have an energy about them that I love - they are always joking and laughing and singing, and even though it's mostly in Nyanja and I can't understand what they are saying, I can tell they are having a good time.
Aside from all the festivities, we stayed at home, catching up on sleep and enjoying some down time before out last week.
...our LAST WEEK? What? Time is so weird here. I feel like I just got here, and like I've been here forever at the same time. This last week will be a full one! We are selling at a market tomorrow, and will be up at the school as much as possible doing whatever we can to help Jessica as she transitions out. I have mixed feelings about leaving, as I feel like I'm just now figuring out what I'm doing here and learning the culture and the people. But I also will be very excited to get back to Texas to all the people I love there! Until that time comes, I will enjoy each day to the fullest! Last week, here we come,
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Andi ngamula, Andi kwezaka!
Again, sorry for the infrequency :) This past week was super busy and fun - a team of 18 from my home church was here doing a Vacation Bible School for all the kids at Mercy. Last Saturday when they came in we took the team and the Mercy teachers out to Kalimba, a reptile farm, where we looked at snakes and crocs and played volleyball and football. A great time was had by all, and several members of the team (myself included) even got to hold a python!
For the VBS I was basically a floater, and filled in wherever needed; mostly in crafts and music. Music was probably my favorite because not only did we get to teach the kids some new songs, but they would also sing some of their favorite songs in Nyanja (one of the native languages in the area) for us! One of my favorites goes like this...
Andi doba, Andi suka, Andi ngamula, Andi kwezaka!
Toteleni, toteleni, toteleni wamu ya ya ya!
Shanineni, shanineni, shanineni wamu ya ya ya!
Jumpeleni, jumpeleni, jumpeleni wamu ya ya ya!
Yawileni, yawileni, yawileni wamu ya ya ya!
He picked me up, He washed me, He lifts me up, He takes me higher!
Clap, clap, clap forever and ever!
Dance, dance, dance forever and ever!
Jump, jump, jump forever and ever!
Shout, shout, shout forever and ever!
Over all, the week went very well. The team was great, and it was neat to watch them experience Africa and Mercy Ministries (for most it was their first time). The connections and relationships they established during the week were evident when it came time for goodbye's on Friday. It was a sad sight to see, but I was just glad that I don't have to say goodbye to these adorable kids and this great country just yet!
4 weeks in and I still would say what I said in my first entry; no mountains have moved in my life just yet. And they might not, but as I was reminded by my sister this week, that's not always what experiences like this are about. I must treasure every little experience and lesson as a baby step. Honestly, I have spent the last month a little frustrated with my lack of growth. But this is an incredible opportunity, and I need not spend it moping over my life not radically changing. I just need to take it in. As long as I am pursuing the Lord and loving those around me, that's all that matters. For 2 weeks still I get to do these things in Africa, and I intend to make the most of it!
For the VBS I was basically a floater, and filled in wherever needed; mostly in crafts and music. Music was probably my favorite because not only did we get to teach the kids some new songs, but they would also sing some of their favorite songs in Nyanja (one of the native languages in the area) for us! One of my favorites goes like this...
Andi doba, Andi suka, Andi ngamula, Andi kwezaka!
Toteleni, toteleni, toteleni wamu ya ya ya!
Shanineni, shanineni, shanineni wamu ya ya ya!
Jumpeleni, jumpeleni, jumpeleni wamu ya ya ya!
Yawileni, yawileni, yawileni wamu ya ya ya!
He picked me up, He washed me, He lifts me up, He takes me higher!
Clap, clap, clap forever and ever!
Dance, dance, dance forever and ever!
Jump, jump, jump forever and ever!
Shout, shout, shout forever and ever!
Over all, the week went very well. The team was great, and it was neat to watch them experience Africa and Mercy Ministries (for most it was their first time). The connections and relationships they established during the week were evident when it came time for goodbye's on Friday. It was a sad sight to see, but I was just glad that I don't have to say goodbye to these adorable kids and this great country just yet!
4 weeks in and I still would say what I said in my first entry; no mountains have moved in my life just yet. And they might not, but as I was reminded by my sister this week, that's not always what experiences like this are about. I must treasure every little experience and lesson as a baby step. Honestly, I have spent the last month a little frustrated with my lack of growth. But this is an incredible opportunity, and I need not spend it moping over my life not radically changing. I just need to take it in. As long as I am pursuing the Lord and loving those around me, that's all that matters. For 2 weeks still I get to do these things in Africa, and I intend to make the most of it!
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