I love field trips to the village.

One of our themes here is flexibility. This is something that is pretty close to foreign for a group of 18 nurses. Not that we are unwilling to adapt, but schedules are important to many of us and we are used to having things start on time. Well, here they are completely event oriented. Things start when they start and happen when they happen.  So keeping that in mind, I don’t think there has been one day so far that has gone according to what we had planned. Monday and Tuesday, for instance, we were supposed to deliver food to the villages. But they ran out of food and so we had classes on those days instead. Today, were going to go interview different vendors in the market, and those plans changed for a few reasons. Sometimes it is lack of transportation, but it can be for any number of reasons. And even more so, things sometimes happen but we may sit around and wait for hours before it actually does happen. So today was a little disappointing to begin with but we ended up planning a “field trip” after all. YES. I love field trips.

 

We have had a few of these this week that our history professor has planned. Library, museum, school for orphaned children, supposed-to-be market today. Not your typical field trips, but this is not really a typical semester in college either. So this afternoon we went to the village right down the road from our compound. A few of them had come over last weekend for a bonfire and they sang this beautiful song about the hardships of growing up in poverty. We went to the village to find out a little more “history” on this song and what it means.

 

However, when we got there, I forgot all about our assignment and fell in love with the kids. There were about 20 of us walking down the path toward their village and we could just see them running from their huts to come to play with us! There were probably about 150 or so...it was so precious! Many kids were playing futbol, but Rachel and I taught a small group of kids how to play Duck Duck Goose. A few minutes later, we had a group of probably 30 or so kids playing with us. They taught us a few of their favorite games, too. Unfortunately we could only stay about an hour. But it one of the best hours of my time here so far! I loved being around this many kids, getting hugs like crazy. They so badly wanted and needed that attention and they didn’t want us to leave. So needless to say, I will be going back there very soon. I hope.

 

This little boy followed us when we were leaving and grabbed my hand and asked me for a kiss. A piggyback ride is the next best thing, I guess. J

 Also, we did a little shopping this week. This is Haley, Lauren and I with the spears we bought at the museum. We speared limes with them and they are very sharp!

Little blessings

Its really no fun being sick in a foreign country with little personal space. I was sick starting Saturday evening after dinner until this morning. I’m still not feeling great but a lot better than I was yesterday. Thankfully, the wonderful Lisa allowed me to occupy her room yesterday so I could get sleep and recooperate. There has been a stomach flu nastiness that has now gotten probably 5 or 6 of us. Pray that we are restored to health quickly and that it won’t spread to more of the team!

 

Before I got sick on Saturday, a group of us took a walk down our street. We have been turning left out of our compound and walking towards town but this time we went right, which is basically just the start of a long dirt road. We were talking an evening walk because during the day it is so hot (some say 95-100 degrees) and we don’t want to bear the heat much more than necessary. So we take some walks in the evenings. Well, we also make sure to be in by dusk because it is just not safe after that. While we were on our way back, we heard about 10 little voices yelling, “How are YOU? How are YOU?” We turn around and see many little kids at the end of the dirt road behind us, waving for us to come back. As this being our first chance to be around many kids, some of us couldn’t resist. We started walking towards them, and they walked to us. They were not quite as bold once we met them in the middle, but quickly warmed up to us and were showing us their Karate moves. J

They even let us try with them.

 

 

This was such a blessing to me. It was hard, too, because the entire time they were walking with us, they were asking us for money, for shirts, for pants, for sweet tea…you name it. It’s heartbreaking to see that – but that’s the reality for many of them. For me it was also very heartwarming though – to see their joy and laughter in the midst of their lifestyle and sufferings. God definitely used them to teach me a lesson about His love. I love children but he loves them so much more than I would ever be able to!

Joshua 3:4 “Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.”

Story for today: We found/killed a black mama yesterday morning. Not me personally, but a few of the girls. They were going for an early morning walk and one of the girls nearly stepped on it. We came to find out later that its one of the deadliest snakes in the world. After finding out what kind of snake it was, the situation became a little more real for everyone. And because of the expense, we also have no anti-venom here. A slightly scary thought. However, I firmly believe God’s protection is around us here. He has us here for a purpose, and that will be fulfilled no matter what. I don’t tell you this to worry you because we are not worried ourselves. I just ask for continued prayer.

On Monday, we went to the market for the first time. This was an incredible and slightly overwhelming experience. It was incredible because I got a picture of another part of Zambia, other than the airport and the beautiful guest house where we are 

living. It was my first time engulfed in the culture since I have been here. We are the only white people. Well, we aren’t but we are. There are a handful of others, including the missionaries David and Beth from the states, but there are very few and far between. I had heard that we would be stared at when going to the market. I guess I just had no idea what it would feel like to have everyone watching every move I make. To know what cultural ideas people have of Americans, and to be treated according to those stereotypes. People have many ideas of how Americans act, what we have, and what we are willing to do. So they watch us. So its not so much that its uncomfortable as it is something that you have to get used to. The rest of the week has been spent in classes and presentations. It has been a long and exhausting week, but also a time of bonding and building relationships. And I know it will continue to be. I am SO excited about my classes and what community work we will be doing (which I will explain more later). But something my professor said in class this week says exactly how I feel…

This semester is not about knowing and doing, its about being.

This made my heart jump. This is nursing to me. BEING. Being the hands and feet of Jesus to their needs, whatever those may be. Community health nursing is not so much about technical skills and textbook details as it is about the immediate needs of those you are caring for. Giving them food because they haven’t anything to eat. Talking to them because they need someone who cares. Holding a child who has been neglected or abused or has HIV. Being whatever they need. This excites me so much!

Ok - As promised, here are some photos:

This one is of our dorm - my bed is the second from the last on the left.

Rachel, Haley and I outside the guest house

I'M IN ZAMBIA!!

Where to start? Well, we’re here. And all alive. That’s what you all want to know, right? So let me rewind.

            We left Thursday from school and flew from Indy to Atlanta. Let me just side note for a sec to tell you that I made my first cultural mistake…before I even left our country. Indy airport bathrooms can be tricky and confusing, some might say. No need to make this a long story but I wound up in the men’s restrooms just about running into 3 guys standing at the urinals. In my defense, the signs were marked really poorly. Ah well…I think before the 3 months is over, I will make bigger mistakes.

            Then our plane took off from Atlanta around 8pm….and 15 hours later…we made it to Johannesburg, South Africa. We got to stay at a really nice hotel for our overnight layover and had a killer continental breakfast before our 11am flight to Livingston. After we arrived at about 12:30pm, we were very warmly welcomed by one of the staff members from World Hope out of D.C. as well as a staff of WHIZ (that’s World Hope International’s compound here in Zambia). We stopped for a bit in Livingston to buy bottled water. [Tap water causes bacterial stomach problems = very bad idea.]

            From there crammed 22 people and about 40 suitcases into a big (but hardly big enough) bus and had a 3 hour ride to our compound. About half of the time we were on dirt roads so had we been going on I-69, we probably would have made it in 2 hours. But it wasn’t bad and I managed to survive without carsickness…yes!! Once we arrived, we were served our first traditional Zambian meal, which was chicken, vegetables, salad and Nshima, their food staple. And we ate with our hands. Yep, scrubbed ‘em down and used them as utensils. It was fun. :) Then we got to move into our rooms. I stay in what they call the SUPER DORM! It really is super, and like a dorm. It is 10 of us staying in a room with 10 bunk beds. We each have an entire bunk set and all sleep on the top bunks because of our mosquito nets. I’ll attach pictures at some point.

            This morning we split into 3 groups and went to different churches. The church I went to was Choma Central. It was about 3 ½ hours long and unlike any other service I have experienced. They start with bible study from 9-10, then have the most amazing worship service at 10am. They also do offering and other short devotions during this time and then the pastor starts the message at 11am. For us, it lasted until about 12:45. Then after church, everyone greets everyone. This is a really great idea but was a bit overwhelming for us today just because we were all trying to get the hang of the way they greet and shake hands and make eye contact. All of that is different here and we were trying to be friendly while making sure we showed respect to everyone.

            So that about catches you up to my current state of being. We are all having a great time so far and the people have all been so wonderful! I will give you more details on them later as I learn more about them. We are getting a tour of the town tomorrow and then probably starting classes on Tuesday, which has been something that has been so far from my mind until...today, pretty much. But school work or not, I would rather be here than anywhere else right now and will gladly be share more of my experiences with you all...whether you like it or not. ;)

One week to go

Friends and family...

HI. I set up this blog so that you will all be able to keep up with me and a little bit about what I will be doing in Zambia this fall (and maybe after). So please visit me here if you are interested in knowing things about me. If not, don't visit. I won't be offended - I promise.

WOW. I am finally starting to realize that I am actually going to Africa. It is no longer an in-the-future plan for me but the very next step in my life. And I have nothing but complete excitement for this opportunity to love, serve, and learn. This is one of my "dreams coming true" moments, it really is. Africa has been a dream of mine for a long time and I would be very happy to share it with all of you.

Check back for more updates soon...emails to heathermdawes@gmail.com while I am gone are very much appreciated...please keep me updated on your lives. I can't promise individual updates all the time, but I will do my best!