JOY to the WORLD!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Although I have been missing my family back home, I have been so blessed by many Christmas celebrations with my Zambian family.  I have been staying at Zimba mission during this school holiday.  On Christmas Eve I went to the Zimba Mission Hospital for a candlelight service for the patients.  The photo below is from the pediatric ward where several young children were facing HIV related problems as well as several severe burn injuries.  The light of the world has come and that light shines in the darkest of dark places bringing hope, joy and peace wherever it goes!! 

On Christmas day we woke up to a delightful steady rain.  This was almost as exciting as waking up to snow on Christmas since many areas of Zambia, and also nearby Zimbabwe, have not been getting enough rain. It was really a Christmas blessing!  However, it also meant that we would be walking the three miles to the village church in the rain, through streams and mud… but it made for a great memory and adventure as we sang songs like “Oh the weather outside is frightful…” and “Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain!” and “I’m dreaming of a wet Christmas”

 When we arrived at church we spent the day singing many praise songs, including Silent Night, Oh Come All Ye Faithful, and Hark the Herald in Tonga!  The day’s celebration ended with a delicious meal, including my first taste of cow intestine and liver- YUM!  And- “Nsima roasting on an open fire… houseflies nipping at our toes…” J

I was sad to not be with my family for Christmas this year.  It was my first Christmas away from home.  But as much as I missed them, I can’t think of a better way to spend Christmas than worshiping through song and dance to celebrate Christ’s birth.  The removal of all the consumerist-focused traditions replaced by Christ-focused worship was immensely refreshing.  To be in a part of the world where getting coal on Christmas would be a very generous gift makes me so grateful that Christmas is not about the toys and gadgets, but it is about the fact that GREAT JOY has come to the WHOLE world!  THAT is something worth celebrating J

We were blessed with this beautiful Christmas sunset :) 

The Tales of Titus the Tortoise

One rainy day at Pilgrim Wesleyan Bible college... 

Titus the Tortoise went for a walk.

Titus really likes to go for walks!!

Titus has to be careful of monsters who live nearby.

There are many dangerous monsters at Pilgrim Wesleyan Bible College!

Look out Titus!!!

Hide!!!

One sunny day at Pilgrim Wesleyan Bible College...

Titus the Tortoise went for a walk.  

While he was on his walk, Titus made a friend!!  

Her name was Tilly the Tortoise.  

Titus told Tilly that she was the most beautiful Tortoise he had ever seen.  

This made Tilly a very bashful Tortoise. 

Titus protected Tilly from the scary monster!

When they were safe, Titus gave Tilly a delicious ripe mango!

Titus and Tilly lived happily ever after :)

The End. 

(No animals were harmed in the making of this story) 

Ant Saga

                Upon arriving in Zambia any newcomer can’t help but notice the hundreds of giant termite and ant hills that scatter the fields.  You literally have to drive through 8 foot high termite mounds that have been plowed in half to create the road to Jembo mission.  Instead of “Welcome to Zambia” signs should say, “Welcome to ant-land!” 

                I am regularly reminded of National Geographic videos that show footage of lines of thousands of ants carrying corpses of other bugs or leaves that are “a hundred times their size.”  It is really quite fascinating to watch these little bugs at work… but I prefer to watch them OUTSIDE my house.   Here are some stories of the problems I have had with ants and their respective solutions… enjoy!

                Solution #1- Ants don’t like sunlight.

                During the cooler season my house was mostly ant free.  Then they discovered Dusty’s food dish.  Apparently cat-food is very appetizing for ants, and every morning I would wake up to find that her bowl was swarmed with little teeny sugar ants that had a highway running from her bowl out under my door.  I would get frustrated that I had to throw away food (she didn’t want anything to do with the bugs either), but I quickly learned a trick: ants don’t like sunlight.  Remember using magnifying glasses to burn up ants on the blacktop at recess? (or was I the only sadistic child?)  Well one day I placed Dusty’s ant-filled dish in the direct sunlight, just to get it out of the house, and when I came back a hot sunny hour later to find that they had all fled from her dish!  Food saved. Ants gone.  Problem solved. 

                Solution #2- Ants don’t like water.

                While I had discovered a solution for getting the ants out of Dusty’s dish, I still needed a way to stop them from getting into her dish.  Cindy, from past experience, taught me a trick.  Dusty’s food dish now sits inside of a bigger bowl.  The bigger bowl is full of water.  So now the little ants have to cross a mote (it needs little mini crocodiles… or mini swimming ant-eaters) to get to the food.  Most of them don’t make it across, and if they do the first time, they still have to cross back.  Every once in a while I have to empty the bowl of dead, drowned ants. 

                Problem #745- Ants DO like water.

                Not only do the ants like Dusty’s food, they also found her water dish an excellent source of water during the dry season.  It really was quite interesting to watch them line up like elephants at the watering hole… my own little African safari right in my kitchen!! 

                Solution #3 Ants don’t like fire.

                One night I came home happy after a fun night at the Helvie Home Theater… Our Friday night movie nights are exciting!  It usually involves homemade pop-corn, a foot washing and pedicure, and a fun movie… I think American theaters need to step it up!  Anyway, I came home happy, sleepy and ready for bed.  Headed straight for the bathroom to… well do what you do in the bathroom… turned on the light to find THOUSANDS of ants.  All over the floor.  All over the toilet. All over the sink.  All over the shower curtain.  And hundreds more pouring in through the window screen. 

                I left the bathroom, took a deep breath.  Then, out of urgency, decided to try to make my way to the toilet.  But as soon as I entered the bathroom the ants started moving faster out of distress. It was as if the entire room went into Fast Forward motion and the walls, floor, everything was alive.  They started crawling on my feet, up my legs… biting the whole way. 

                I ran out to my kitchen, grabbed my single can of DOOM (insect poison… the name is appropriate) and sprayed a few small sprays. All it seemed to do was make them more aggravated and active.  At this point I started hyperventilating, crying, screaming, and my nose started gushing blood.  I have never had a panic attack happen so quickly. 

                Leaving the bathroom, again, I noticed that they were starting to come into my bedroom.  My bed was crawling with them, carpet and windows too.  There was a crack in the floor that they were coming out of as well as through the window screens.  This did NOT help the panic! 

                Grab phone, call Cindy with a plea for help.  Cindy rushes over, with a can of DOOM.  We empty two cans of DOOM in about 5 minutes… and we still found more alive.  However, the problem wasn’t what was happening INSIDE my house… it was what was OUTSIDE. Cindy rushed to find some Zambian men who quickly came with burning coals.  It turns out that the ants were carpeting the walls outside my house, so the men laid hot coals around the perimeter of my house to prevent more from coming near.  Some more cans of DOOM were emptied outside and inside the house… and after about an hour of a lot of excitement, my home had become an ant graveyard. 

                The rest of my night was spent sleeping on the couch, away from the DOOM fumes which were venting out my bedroom windows with fans, with many dreams of ants.  

                It turns out that when an ant colony is searching for a new home, they will let nothing get in their way. They thought my home would be a great place to make camp since there was so much water in my bathroom… they thought wrong!

                Problem # 891- The Return of the Ant colony.

                About three weeks after this first traumatic event, just after I had recovered mentally and emotionally and every last ant carcass was removed from my home… they came back.  I was lying down happily to sleep when I started to feel something crawl on me.  Not an unusual experience here in Africa, so I ignored it. Then I felt it again.  And again.  Switch on the light to find that in the 10 minutes that I had been lying in bed my mosquito net, bed, and floor have been covered in ants. 

                Brief moment of panic… but this time I knew what to do.  And I was prepared with 4 cans of DOOM.  First I called Cindy, who instructed me to call the students at the dorm.  The men were happy to come to my rescue and rushed over in their PJs eager to make sure I was ok.  After I sprayed a lot of DOOM inside, we all analyzed the situation outside. 

                Finebeck  “We need fire.”

                Me “Does anyone have a fire made?”

                Agruwell “no, there is no fire…”

                Kanseh “yes we need fire, lets light it right here. What do we have to make it?”

                Finebeck “Let’s bring some gas and pour a line around the house then light it on fire.”

                Me “I think I would rather my house be infested with ants than be set on fire!”

                Lots of laughing…

                The men’s silly antics kept me sane, and we eventually emptied another 3 cans of DOOM around the house and the ants stopped coming in.   I had the crack in my floor resealed with cement the next morning. Thankfully, the colony seems to have moved elsewhere! 

                Solution #4- Ants don’t like baby powder.

                My kitchen is precariously close to the front door, so despite my efforts to keep things clean, if there are any loose crumbs or dirty dishes left out overnight I will wake up to a stream of ants.  One day, Mrs Tilimboyi, one of the ladies who helps to clean my house, calmly said, “Oh you just need baby powder!”  Mrs Munsanje offered to go buy me some from the little market in Jembo.  Let me tell you, it works like a miracle.  Now the threshold to my doorway is always covered with a line of baby powder.  I haven’t had ants in my house for weeks J

                Benefit #1- Ants clean up.

                Now that the rains have come a giant colony of big black army ants has emerged from the ground right outside my house.  Thankfully my line of baby powder keeps them out.  However, at night, they have been preventing me from leaving my house.  The security light outside my apartment attracts all kinds of bugs, who of course die from hitting the light and fall to the ground right outside my home.  This colony of army ants thinks it’s a great place to find food and thousands of them come out at night to clean up the bug remains. I can’t go out because there is no ant-less place to walk, and they bite. And for some reason I don’t like getting bitten.  I really don’t mind that they are there, as long as they stay outside… and hey, that means that in the morning there isn’t a single dead bug outside my home J

                I could go on and write about the flying ants, the flying termites, termite mounds in general… but I think this has been enough of an ant saga for today.  I am proud to say that my relationship with ants has become far less stressful.  They are a very present fact of life here and we’re learning to cohabitate… separately… just fine J 

Tune in next time for Tales of Frankenbug.... 

Thankful Thoughts

November is the month to be grateful, at least to be more aware of the things we are thankful for.  Today I thought I would share with you some things that have put a smile on my face and joy in my heart and made me grateful.

My list of gratefulness could include (and does!) all the material things I am blessed with… electricity, running water, healthy food, clothes, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste… being surrounded by so much poverty makes me acutely aware of how blessed I am.  But lately I have been aware of how much the Lord has blessed me with the people in my life!

This is finals week at the Bible College, and between tying up loose ends in class, writing exams, grading exams and papers etc. my life is a bit chaotic.  Between the extra busy schedule and the oppressive heat, my apartment has kind of become a disaster (yeah mom, I know you can’t imagine what that might look like ;-) ).  Clothes everywhere, dirty dishes piled up, books, papers, notebooks, pens, have created a heap of a mess.  Today Mrs. Tilimboyi and Mrs. Munsanje came for their bi-weekly cleaning job, and Mrs. Mudenda even came to do my ironing.  Although I pay them for the work they do, today felt like a huge team of supportive friends showed up to pull my life back together.  They were all paying extra careful attention to detail, pulling out beds and dressers to get all the dust bunnies out from the hidden places, helping me organize the clutter, and Mrs. Munsanje even served me some chibuantu (Zambian traditional drink) that she had made.  I was busy grading the entire time they were cleaning, and their energetic presence and singing motivated me to work harder. Towards the end of their cleaning Mrs Tilimboyi beckoned me into my bedroom saying she wanted to show me something.  She said, “Look it’s your baby!”  She had wrapped my stuffed bunny-rabbit in a little blanket like a baby and laid her sweetly on my pillow.  J 

This morning I felt a little bit scrambled before my tests and admittedly a little bit sleep deprived.  So I walked into the class in an obvious hurry to accomplish what the morning required of me.  Apparently I looked really grumpy because my students said, “madam you need to smile!”  And then they all started making jokes and saying “We won’t take our test unless you are smiling!” It was so touching to think that they cared more about my emotional state than about their test… here I was panicking about getting the details all in order so they could take their exam, when all they wanted was to make sure their lecturer was happy J

Last night I was having a heart-to-heart chat with Cindy. It got pretty late, at least late for us… 10:30.  All of a sudden Cindy throws her hands over her mouth and screams in her throat… her breath was taken away and her knees pulled up to her chest… I followed her eyes and saw a rodent sized spider (no exaggeration, this thing could have been a mouse.) crawling under the front door.  It was massive.  We went over to where we saw it escape and in between screams, shrieks, and lots of giggling we watched it carry another dead spider and devour it.  Then the disgusting creature decided to turn towards us and it chased us into the house!  We starting jumping up and down on the couch, screaming at the top of our lungs, and poor Mike comes out from his peaceful slumber to rescue us.  Despite the panic that this ugly creature caused, we are still laughing about it today… and I’m sure for many days to come.  J

Yesterday during my discipleship group Paul, one of the students, said extremely meaningful and genuine words of thanks to me for the ways that I have helped them in the classroom, encouraged them as friends, cooked chili for them, played games, prayed  laughed and cried with them, and “especially for the squishy-squashy” (aka brownies).  He said, “We don’t have anything to give you to say thank you for all you’ve done for us, but I can give you these words.”  Those words are all the thanks I could ever ask for.  J

I am surrounded by people who love me.  I am surrounded by meaningful, genuine friends.  I am embraced by the Lord’s grace, mercy, love, and JOY.  For all of these things, and so so much more, I am endlessly grateful J

One Year Later...

One year and one month ago I arrived in Zambia.  One month later, at the beginning of October, I began fighting my mystery illness.  As I look back over the past year I see 6 months of a deeply discouraging trial.  When I tell people the story they usually express how hard it must have been for me to be sick so far away from home.  Yes, that was very hard.  But the days I spent at home endlessly ill without a cure in sight, lying in bed thinking about Zambia, were the worst.

Although I look back and see a lot of darkness, I also see the amazing hand of God in every moment.  Hundreds of people both in the States and in Zambia were praying fiercely for my recovery and return.  I had some of the best medical care available, which I am very grateful for, but it ultimately had no role in my recovery.  There is absolutely no other explanation to how I eventually recovered from an ongoing sickness that had no diagnosis and no treatment other than the Lord’s healing. 

Many people are shocked that I dared to return to Zambia, and they tell me how brave I am especially without a clear diagnosis.  But I can’t imagine having done anything different.  What if I hadn’t returned to Zambia?  Where would I be? What would I be doing?  I know one thing for sure: I would be missing out on a lot.  I’d be missing out on building friendships which I expect will last a lifetime.  I wouldn't be experiencing the challenges and joys of teaching in the classroom.  There are 28 future pastors and their wives who would be missing what God has to teach them through me. And most of all, I’d be missing out on all the ways the Lord is breathing life and joy into my heart as I answer his call to serve him here. 

How often do we turn away from God’s will because it doesn't seem safe or logical?  If you know me well you know I am by no means a big risk taker. I like to play it safe in just about every situation: follow the rules, keep both feet on the ground, always (ok, almost always) eat my vegetables. But one thing I've come to learn is that following God’s direction and trusting in his provision is never a risk.  There is absolutely no better place to be than in the center of God’s will.

Since my return to Zambia I have been enjoying strong health for the majority of the time.  Besides some short lived stomach flu's, allergies, and colds my body has been very strong.  This strength has allowed me to invest in my ministry and relationships here with renewed energy and motivation.  I am so grateful for every day, especially every healthy day, that the Lord has allowed me to be here.   

When I was sick people kept telling me that God had a purpose for it and that one day I would fully understand.  I generally don’t believe that God plans for bad things to happen to us, especially if it interrupts his work in the world.  However I do know that “God works all things together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” This scripture has truly come to fruition in my life over the past year. 

The Lord deserves all the praise, glory, and honor for his faithfulness in healing me.  And more praise is due for the ways he has been sustaining and strengthening me throughout my last 6 months back in Zambia.  So please, join me in praising the Lord.  For the Lord we serve is indeed a wonderful Lord! J

A Victorious Life

Many hearts have been heavy here in Zambia this week, including mine.  Richman Syabbamba, a Zambian mentor, leader, visionary, father, and friend to many, passed away due to injuries sustained in a car accident.  Richman has many close ties within the Pilgrim Wesleyan church, and therefore people I work and interact with were deeply affected by his death.

My first encounter with Richman was in 2006.  It was my freshman year of college and the Zambian Orphan Choir, under his leadership, performed in a chapel service.  I didn't know it then, but I know now that the Lord used this concert to grab my heart with a passion for Africa.

In 2009 I took my first trip to Zambia with Reach 4 Life, an HIV/AIDS awareness program.  Richman was our Zambian leader and planner for the week. His passion for the youth of Zambia; for their purity, faith, and life was, and still is, contagious.

Since coming to Zambia long term I haven't worked directly with Richman by any means, however we have interacted on a number of occasions.  It has always been encouraging to meet up with him and he graciously lent me a guitar from the music academy for use at the Bible College.

This is my short story of interactions with Richman.  As you can see it has been minimal, yet his life and death  have impacted me greatly.  I can only begin to imagine the grief that the many other people whose lives he ministered to have been affected.

There are many people around the world grieving and praying during this time.  Yesterday I attended his funeral service and burial in Choma and was glad to be a very small representation of the many people in America who were closer to him than I was.

It was an emotional service that began with the orchestra from the Choma Music Academy playing hymns as people entered the sanctuary.  This was my first time hearing their beautiful music and I was impressed by their talent.  Despite some bad tuning and poor balance of sound, this was some of the most beautiful orchestral music I have ever heard.  The meaning behind these orphans new lives found in this orchestra, all under Richman's vision and leadership, is powerful.

During the service several people shared words about Richman, including his wife Regina and eldest daughter Vanessa.  A singing group wrote and recorded a meaningful song in his honor, celebrating his life and reflecting upon the ways he impacted them personally.  Prayers were offered and a reading of Richman's life history was read.

The pastor shared an encouraging message of hope titled "A Victorious Life."  Richman's life was one spent in full devotion to his ministry and to his Savior.  Many people have been touched by him and inspired by him. Richman wouldn't take credit for any of it- this victorious life is only a result of Christ's saving work within him and the Holy Spirit's guidance and power throughout his life.

The funeral service was standing room only.  I would guess around 600-700 people came to the church.  About half that many managed to find a seat inside, either on a bench or on the floor.  The rest huddled around the windows and doors.  Many more people arrived for the burial at the cemetery.  And this number only represents the people who were in Choma remembering his life.  I know that there have been many other memorial and prayer services held throughout the world in his honor.

Micah Kephart, close ministry partner and friend of Richman's,
holding Richman's youngest son at the burial

Please pray for the following:

-For Richman's family- his wife Regina and five children (four biological children ages 2-11, and 23 year old adopted niece)
-For the many orphans to whom he was a father-figure and mentor
-For the Poetice/Fortress Vision organizations as they make decisions about the future of the ministry
-For Micah Kephart and his family who worked very closely with Richman
-For the many other people whose lives have been affected

Although we grieve Richman's death, we do not grieve without hope.  Richman's vision and passion lives on, and the Lord who gave him the gifts, abilities, passion and vision which affected so many, cannot be shaken.  The Lord's work will be "carried on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Phil 1:6)

Read an article about Richman here:  http://wesleyan.org/doc/news/article/2129#.UFzNDuIF6Kg.facebook

Watch a video here: http://vimeo.com/43476030

August 3rd 2012

Well I have officially become old!! hehe 25 sounds much older than 24 to me and makes me feel as though I really have to be an adult now :)  I had such a fun time celebrating my birthday in Zambia.  Although I missed my friends and family back home, it was so wonderful to make memories with my Zambian family.

I woke up to a surprise giant poster full of love and birthday wishes from my home church :)
This was such a great way to start my day, and this poster will hang in my apartment for a long time!

I decided to have a party with all the Bible College people who were around, so I made 60 purple scones!

We blew bubbles with the kids at my 'party' :) 

                                               

Bubbles are so much fun!

Everyone enjoyed the scones, and I really enjoyed giving them to everyone!

Everyone who was at my 'party' :)

Mike and Cindy made me a delicious birthday dinner and a wonderful chocolate cake!

They also surprised me by making a fire outside and inviting some friends
who blessed me with birthday wishes, cards and a gift :)

PWBC Graduation 2012

This past Saturday our term ended with a wonderful graduation ceremony and celebration.  More than 400 people traveled from around the country to celebrate the accomplishment of 9 students and 5 wives.  My heart was full of joy to watch these friends receive their diplomas and certificates, a symbol of 3 years of hard work and sacrifice.  As soon as the celebrations were over, these new pastors and their families were taken away in buses and on the back of trucks to be shipped off to their new churches.  Most of them have never been to these churches where they are now assigned to pastor, and all of them will face many struggles as they begin their new ministry.  I feel truly blessed to know these people who will be furthering God’s kingdom, and even more humbled to have played a very small part in preparing them for their ministry.  I am certain that someday in heaven we will all rejoice together at the abundance of fruit which comes from their labor, sacrifice and faithfulness.  

Finebeck and I did a silly skit together for the graduation dinner...
we have 15 children and twins on the way! Surprise!

Enjoying our time together :)
Mirran, Pezo, Myself, Steven, and Agruel

The Diploma level graduates are in black, the Certificate level in green. 

All the graduates and lecturers :)

So proud to receive their certificates after 3 years work!

SO many people came to celebrate!

Friends and family rushed forward cheering on their graduate

Some new pastors getting loaded onto a truck to head into the unknown 

Picture Post!

A beautiful day at Victoria falls :) 

The 'singles' enjoyed an American dinner together with Chili and corn bread...
They decided they wanted to be American :) 

Winter time in Zambia means 43F mornings...
class was much more comfortable outside in the sunshine

Cindy and I made a little friend at a church we visited in the bush.  :) 

My first Zambian wedding!  Pretty, the Dean's daughter, was married :)