Bridge Building Part 3

The time was just too short, and the country too big, to get to see all of the people I would have loved to reconnect with.  But I'm so thankful for the time spent with those we did see! 

Reconnecting with this family was wonderful! Mr and Mrs Munsanje are doing well in their ministry, and welcomed baby Abraham jr a little over a year ago.  

Sweet Melody has grown so much.  She remembered her auntie right away and wouldnt stop hugging me!  She is not only walking, but running freely and getting into all the trouble that 4 year olds should :)

We enjoyed many meals like this with friends, sharing food and fellowship.  

Sweet Mercy wasnt feeling well, so she had a little nap on mom's lap.  

These graduates all work near each other in Siachetema and encourage each other as neighbors.  

We were able to spend one night at the Zimba guest house.  Just long enough for a brief visit with Dr Joan and the mission house staff in the midst of their regular responsibilities.  Jock was beside himself to have mommy back!

Mr and Mrs Tilimboyi are in the midst of plans and applications to begin further theological studies in Kenya! 

We were so thankful to Amy Thompson for hosting us!  She is working so hard for Children's Nest orphanage, it was a blessing to get to see her and hear more about her work.  

Bridge Building Part 2

The timing of this return was important in that the students graduating would be the last class which I had taught previously.  Since it was so close to their graduation, they were very busy coming and going with preparations for the big day.  It was so wonderful to see how much they have learned and grown in the last two years!  Thank you for your continued prayers as they have since begun their ministry.  

Mr Munsanje has been serving as the student Chairman this year, and his leadership abilities and constant laughter have kept things running smoothly.  On her own initiative and in the midst of her responsibilities as a student, wife and mom, Mrs Munsanje built her own brick oven in which she daily baked rolls as a source of income.  They were delicious!

Mr and Mrs Muchindu have grown so much in their English abilities in the last three years.  I am so proud to see them crossing the finish line! 

Mrs Makandauko was pregnant with little Ebeneezer when I left so it was really fun to get to meet him!  These two are going to thrive in ministry together.  

Mr and Mrs Handemu are full of dreams and visions for ministry, and even missions abroad outside of Zambia. And yes, that is "my baby" baby David :) 

We are so proud of Mrs Munsaka for switching from the student wive's program, to beginning the pastor's program for herself!  She is a strong, diligent woman.  Mr Munsaka will begin his ministry while she continues in her studies the next two years.   

Seeing this family without their father breaks my heart.  But, as you can see, they are soldiering on with courage.  Mrs Mwaanga returned to campus to finish her studies and receive her certificate.  She has a challenging road ahead of her, but she remains strong in her faith.


Somehow the single students escaped photos- but Brian, George, Thomas, and Luka are finishing strong!


Unfortunately, we did not know the date of graduation when we purchased our plane tickets, so we left the country just 4 days before.  We were grateful, however, that they were able to change the schedule a bit so we could share the graduation dinner and celebrate together! 

Bridge Building Part 1

Perhaps the most important part of our trip back to Zambia was for the purpose of maintaining relationships with so many loved ones.  Two years with very limited contact makes it difficult to feel connected.  Although I know my heart still beats for Zambia and her people, I also knew that the lack of communication made it hard for my Zambian friends to believe that.  Three weeks was too short to do any real effective ministry, but the bridge building and maintenance simply from this brief time of reconnecting was reassuring to many that I hadn't forgotten them.  

A few of the reactions to my return were "It is like a dream!" and "we thought you would never come back!"  and "I am so thankful that Zambia is still a part of you."

It was so bittersweet to reunite with Finebeck. Baby Karen looks so much like her mom, and all of our hearts were aching and missing her deeply.  

She is well cared for by her grandmother and other relatives! We were so thankful to meet her and to see her growing healthy and strong.  Thank you to everyone for your support, love and prayers which have carried her and her family through this last year. 

Since the last time I saw him, Pastor Agriwell has been highly successful in ministry.  His church is growing in faith and numbers.  He married shortly after graduation, and is now expecting his first child!

We were so thankful to be able to share a meal with the Jani's and Habbabas.  Rev. Jani retired from his post as principal this last year, so Rev. Habbaba has been serving as "acting principal" while the national church appoints new lecturers. This transition has created a lot of growing pains, but we are confident that these leaders will do a great job.  Rev. and Mrs Habbaba were extremely busy during our visit, so this meal shared together was a cherished time to reconnect!



Sharing tea, biscuits, and stories with the local church leadership was a blessing.  These men are working so hard, making daily sacrifices in serving the Lord and the Jembo community.  Rev Moono is the district superintendent, Rev. Ntambo is the local church pastor, and Born oversees the local development projects.  

Even our furry friends were glad to know we hadn't forgotten them :) 

Bittersweet.

“How was your trip?!”

Returning to Zambia was so good.  I am so glad I went. These three weeks truly fostered a lot of healing and growth which wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t chosen to embrace the paradox again.

Returning to Zambia was so hard.  Good, but hard.  Unpalatably bitter and addictively sweet; mingling together deep in the emotive gut, satisfying a long ignored heart-ache yet pricking at only freshly healed wounds. 

Bittersweet. 

Sights, smells, and sounds have a powerful way of triggering memories.  I spent three weeks re-living memories. Some of these are really ugly memories, unjustly punching me again with hurt. Some are joy-filled memories lingering in the air, whispering of good times past.  Both were hard to replay, yet each were redeemed by new memories and new scenes. 

It was amazing how quickly and comfortably I immersed back into the culture.  Accent turned on, forgotten Tonga words from somewhere in the recesses of my memory responded quickly to familiar phrases.  The Zambian part of me eagerly pushed aside the American, proving that she still exists and that she still thrives in, and loves this home.  

Yet the American part of me continued to surface, quickly irritable with the daily-life stresses which she has never enjoyed.  Dirty air, dirty hands, dirty body, dirty children who pee-on-your-lap-moments before you get up to preach.  The American part of me doesn’t like being dirty.  She also doesn’t like the stress of boiling water, precious drinking water which just might run out.  Survival mode switched on, anticipating dwindling food stores.  Electricity out for hours, fridge gets warm, food goes bad, jobs left unfinished.  Warm bucket baths which never really get you clean in a less-than-clean bathroom. The ever changing schedule which leaves the day an unpredictable waiting game; waiting for promised visits, waiting for promised electricity, and waiting for more waiting. 

The broken part of me, still burnt out from “Zambia past,” lies in that same bed in that same room under that same mosquito net. Sick.  This is an all too familiar feeling. Angry, hot tears that my body is slowing me down again from doing what I came here for.  Fear. Trapped in the bush, out of reach from “real” doctors, sick with multiple symptoms, exhausted in body and mind, prickling skin, achy all over and the thermometer reads 100.1F  Malaria?  Probably not.  But there is no risk taking.  No waiting for it to get worse. A finger prick and 5 minutes later the negative rapid-test rapidly calms my nerves. An hour of sleep, fever broken soaked in sweat, and I am once again ready to embrace “Zambia present.” 

The Zambian part of me loves laughing; laughter in the midst of poverty, joy in the mist of pain.  My heart beats to Zambian rhythms in a way it never has to jazz, rap, or rock, and it skips a beat to be reawakened in rejoining the song.  Dancing with friends, new and old, laughing together to groove without shame and move together in spirit. Sharing meals, sharing pain, sharing hope.  Sweet laughter overwhelms bitter reality and cements my heart once again in love for Zambia and her courageous, vibrant people. 

And in the midst of the bittersweet, both the American and the Zambian in me, are renewed and restored to once again thrive in a place which my heart, gifts, and abilities were built for.  Teaching students who enjoy learning, challenging minds which have not been stretched, and being a small part of a rapidly growing Kingdom and Church that is built upon a sincere faith in the One True King.  This is where my heart sings and spirit soars, loving being home, and regaining confidence in the possibility of “Zambia future.” 

How Great...

Three weeks of a whirlwind, and mom and I are home… in my New York home that is.  A million thoughts to process, and a thousand photos to edit, many blogs to come with stories of joy and heartache… yet this morning in church I was struck and moved to write this first blog post as one of praise.

About 6 times while at PWBC we sang “How Great Thou Art” in morning devotions, or chapel, or church, or some other service… it has always been a regular.  The first time we sang it my heart and soul broke open… Oh How Great He is indeed.  To have brought me back home, to my Zambian home… so much joy in reunions, reminders, and re-living.  How Great…

For the last two years my heart has often resonated with the Psalmist… “why are you downcast, oh my soul… why so disturbed within me?”  Yet for these three weeks, “…then sings my soul…!”  And oh how quickly my heart burst to be reunited with the Tonga verses, “Ndakwiimbila, Leza Mufutuli, Uli Mulemu, Uli Mulemu!”

This morning in Canandaigua New York, in the comfortable cushioned pews of our 120(+/-) year old sanctuary with 100+ft peaked, artistically painted ceilings above, surrounded by intricate stained glass, and clean carpet below our feet… we started our worship service with How Great Thou Art.  Dressed in our summer casual, each person holding hymnals that are clean and complete, our harmonies are drowned out by the sparkling brand new world-class million dollar pipe organ and our hearts agree together… How Great…

Somewhere in a rural village in Zambia, believers gathered today squished together on wooden benches in a building about 80 years old surrounded by 4 cement walls covered in peeling paint, below crumbling wooden ceiling boards which create a thin barrier between the congregated people and the congregated bats, standing on cement floor carefully swept of dirt and bat droppings by the church ladies the night before.  Dressed in Sunday best, the children roam the aisle proud of their oversized princess dresses, braided hair, shiny shoes and clip-on ties.  A few elders hold precious, treasured hymnals, red-brown as the dirt and pages as frail as the hands that hold them.  Most sing by memory, accompanied by nothing but the harmonies which only Africans can muster, echoing loudly off of an acoustically unsound metal ceiling and cement walls, these believers agree together… Uli Mulemu…

And somewhere in between it all my heart catches a glimpse, a very tiny one, of just How Great He is… to love a world so big, so diverse, so broken… to stretch so far and wide with the same love, compassion, grace and mercy for each and every person… that we can all agree together, though separated by many miles… Moyo wangu… then sings my soul… How Great Thou Art! 

Mutual Encouragement

Well there are about 10 hours left until Mom and I leave Canandaigua to begin our journey… our suitcases are still empty, and piles of things lay scattered around the house.  By a hope and a prayer we’ll be organized to go on time!

I’m writing you this update because I hope that you can be as encouraged as I am today…  two months ago I announced that we would be making this return trip and I made a feeble, doubt-filled request for financial support fully intending to be pouring money from my own pocket to fund this trip.  Well, with 10 hours to go, I have received $3,760.  I only asked for $3,500… you guys gave me too much! J 

I need to take a moment to boast about my home church, The United Church of Canandaigua.  Approximately 90% of this money has come from my home church family in one way or another… without skipping a beat, you quickly sent money and supported me with love, encouragement, and generosity.  Thank you for always being there for me, for supporting this ministry no matter what, and for praying for me without ceasing. 

As we do our last minute scrambling, I’m breathing with peace, anticipation, and JOY sustained by the Holy Spirit’s gentle reassurance.   He is already providing for every penny needed, plus some extra, so we can flexibly give as needs arise and comfortably function to meet our daily needs.  With every moment I spend lesson planning (2,000 years of Church History crammed into 2 weeks?!) I am finding a refreshing, life-giving motivation which comes only from doing what you love… and can’t wait to get back in the classroom with my students.

This trip is about mutual encouragement.  It is about people who love the same Lord coming together to learn more about him by serving him together, encouraging one another in our faith journeys through our various gifts and abilities, all for His glory.  I pray that today, and as you continue to share this journey, the Lord will give you your full share of this mutual encouragement!

I hope to send an update or two while we’re gone, but who knows what the internet will allow J

As we go, please pray for:

-Peace, rest, and energy

-Safety and health in body and spirit

-For divinely coordinated appointments… there are many people we would love to see who are scattered throughout the country, please pray these meetings happen!

-For mutual encouragement J

Greeting Cards for Sale!

Gift Giving!

A significant part of my budget for this trip will be going towards donations or gifts to my Zambian friends.  Some of this includes:

1-Financial support to my graduated friends who we will be visiting  (approx $150)

2- Financial support for the students who are about the graduate (A minimum of $200)

3- Gifts for Bible College leadership (Approx $50)

4- If I am able to exceed this amount, more money will be put towards women's projects, Bible College sustainability projects, a medical emergency fund, the PWBC pre-school, or other areas of need. 

I thought a fun way to raise this portion of my budget would be through selling Greeting Cards!

If you've ever given a donation to my ministry, you have likely received a hand-made thank you note made by these ladies :)  

The card project has unfortunately lost its stamina, however the ladies have agreed to resurrect it at least for the 2 weeks we are there!! 

This is a wonderful project which helps these women make money for their families, allowing them to gain financial independence and learn banking skills. 

The cards are simple, yet elegant and full of meaning. 

Maybe your church or ministry would like to purchase a bulk order and sell them to congregation members?

In the past we have made personalized cards!  These Thank You cards were made for my friend Emily and Chris's wedding, sent to all gift-givers and wedding-goers :)  

Do you have large amounts of thank you notes to write after graduation? or birthday? or wedding?

Are you a missionary who sends tons of thank you notes!?

  We can create a simple, personalized design just for you! 

There are a variety of our basic designs which include:

  A few Christmas designs

 Thank You notes with a variety of African animals  

Outline of Africa with "JOY" or "HOPE" in the middle

Each card is personally signed on the back by the woman who made it :) 

Price:  Each card costs $1.50

Envelope included

(From what I've seen on the shelves these days... this is a steal for a greeting card!) 

Where the money goes: 

 50 cents goes directly to the woman who made your card 

(This is the regular minimum wage for 1 hour of labor in Zambia) 

$1.00 will go towards my gift giving budget, primarily for graduation gifts.

Bulk Orders

50 cards = $65

100 cards = $120

(You may notice that the price has increased since before, from $1.00 to $1.50  This is because some of the money raised will buffer costs of paper products/envelopes, as well as shipping/handling.  The more you buy, the less production/shipping costs for me.  While still paying the ladies for their time and raising funds for other donations :) ) 

How to Order

1. Email me at Laureninzambia@gmail.com

2. In your email please specify the number of cards you would like and of which designs 

3. Your order could simply say "surprise me" and we'll send you a variety 

4. Please order ASAP! We depart in just 2.5 weeks!

5. Include the best address to ship the cards to, unless you live close by in NY or CA and I can hand deliver :) 

Don't want cards?

I am still looking for donations to help cover costs of this trip!  I have raised $2,100 so far!  In less than a month!!! Thank you all so much, and praise the Lord!!

  My budget is for about $2,800, so a significant portion of what is left to raise will determine how much I am able to give in the form of gifts or donations... so at this point, you can consider the money I am raising to be a direct donation to helping a Bible College student or pastor and their family :) 

Who gets these donations?

Some of the people who will be getting donations will include familiar names/faces such as:

Mrs. Mwaanga and her children, in light of the recent death of Mr. Mwaanga

Finebeck and baby Karen.  I hope to stock them up with a good supply of formula :)  Also, we will be in country when baby Karen turns 1 year old! Which is bittersweet, because it also marks 1 year since her mothers death.  

Soon to be graduates!!

And graduating wives! 

And their precious kiddos! 

And wonderful families like this one... baby David, the baby I helped deliver, is now 2.5 years old.  Auntie can't wait to see him and spoil him with a new outfit!! <3