Mexican newbies

After a fun filled week of language, (slightly exaggerated) I slaved in the kitchen to serve Mexican to the girls of the bible study I attend. Early this week I worked with a lady on the compound to make tortillas and froze them so they would be ready for this weekend. I cut the tortillas into triangles and baked them with salt/chili/lime for chips, made guacamole, mango salsa, and a fresh pico, along with build your own taco. The girls were oooing and awing over watching me make my taco. Most of them had never had one before. Tortilla chips were also new to them but they loved them. I also baked, which these girls know I love to bake. I baked devils food cupcakes with a sour cream chocolate frosting. Mmmm.... I'm grateful they let me share a little bit of my life with them here in my home. These girls are very special to me.

Bloom where we are planted

Friday night I went up to the university to attend a ladies b*ble study, only this week I was leading. They had been going thru the women of the b*ble and had asked me to do the life of Mary, mother of Je$us after His birth. Well unfortunately the B*ble doesn't give us a whole lot about her. So I began digging and low and behold, she gives us some examples to live by. I talked about humility,faith and service. Over time I began sharing things from my own life where I had to practice being humble, one recent experience in particular from Zambia. Im not going to tell the story, but basically flesh and spirit were at war, and thankfully spirit won, this led to discussion on what is the definition of gossip.... hmmm.... touchy subject I found out... These girls are solid, great new friends of mine, and Im so blessed that they would let me in their group!

I've been reading in my spare time, " Loving God with all your mind," by Elizabeth George. "By determining to be the best we can be wherever we are, you and I can also bloom where we are planted. So where has God 'planted' you? Are you a missionary in Africa (why yes!) living in a mud hut or a widow roaming thru a partial empty home? Wherever God puts you He has a purpose. Whatever the situation it is an opportunity to " go on" and bear fruit for His kingdom. However difficult the circumstances, He will enable you to accomplish something for Him as you look to Him and focus on being useful to Him and others."

Hmmm..... more matter how difficult the circumstance, no matter how bad traffic gets, no matter how bad I am at swahili that day, no matter now homesick I get.... no matter what He is with me, pushing me, holding my hand.

Some may come and go

The life of a m*ssion@ry is very transient. This is my lesson as of late. I live on the compound where guest housing is available to those passing thru who works for some type of mi$$ion agency. I meet many of them, and even grow attached to some, as if they lived here all the time. Not to mention those who go on stateside or retire. This week marks 2 months in Africa and 5 months of my employment. I can hardly say that I’m not feeling so “wide eyed” but I am settling in. It’s funny how G*d has a way of doing things. I was really finding myself terrified to drive much less go anywhere. Hermit is not in my vocabulary but here I was being one. Luckily, G*d placed some guest here in the city I would become friends with and have to get out and drive around. I am defiantly a lot more comfortable, and learning my way around lately. Some of these friends will be back due to the nature of their work, but some will not.

"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers,
for by so doing some people have shown hospitality
to angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2

Driving really has been my greatest challenge. I never knew I could get so “queasy” over something I once loved to do in the states. I am getting over that “queasy” feeling, but it still comes back time and time again.

Language has been challenging. Some days I find myself bored out of my mind, some I just want to cry, and some I like it. I am pr@ying G*d gives me the strength to love the people enough to want to learn the language.

Another "Ah-ha!" moment happened this morning during my quiet time. Romans 12:17 " Repay no one evil with evil but give thought to what is honorable in the sight of all." This reminds me of the story in 1 Samuel of David and Saul. David spares Sauls life not once but twice when he had prime opportunity to kill him. But when G*d tests him with Nabal's nasty attitude, what does he do?! He wants revenge! I saw the new X men : first class last night with some of my transient friends and got to thinking about that along with David's story. Magneto wanted revenge so badly he was willing to hurt his friends to get it. In the end he becomes the bad guy for the rest of the Xmen series. Evil took him over, he let it. David wanted revenge, but thankfully Abigail stepped over social norms and barriers to intervene and it paid off for everyone in the end. G*d did justice in His eyes ( 1 Samuel 25:37)

Language Week 1

Mambo!

You would answer with Poa! or if you wanna sound really cool say shawari! Haha! Little did I know I was in for the ride of my life this week. I was drowning in a vocabulary of new words and sounds I didnt know my mouth needed to make. My language teacher is named Grace. She comes to my house 5 days a week for about 3 1/2 hours in the morning. Then I am left on my own to do my homework and study the rest of the day. I am so exhausted each night. I found myself barely leaving the house last week. My teacher is a single woman, 35 in Tanzania this is a horrible thing. She is very ridiculed by her family for not being married much less not having a child. We began talking about spiritual things this week and she wants to know more about how to grow deeper in her faith, especially reading the bible. So i gave her some homework to do and we are going to discuss it tomorrow. :)

I also got to move in this week! It was so fun finally getting out of living in a suitcase and hanging up my things and feeling finally settled. The apartment is very nice, still has a few kinks to be worked on but overall its done. I went to a church today that meets on the university campus. I was greeted by an english couple that works on campus and helps in leading the service. Since there has been some like me before they were pleased to know more of us were coming to work at the campus. They were so welcoming! I was even invited to attend a ladies bible study that meets on Friday nights. This is great, I am starving for friends, and I get to know some students while I am at it. Due to being in language we dont get involved with "ministry" just yet, but I feel like this is a good way to get my foot in the door.

My driving skills are improving. Each time I go out, I get better. I still have a lot to learn about my way around though. This city is crazy! Thanks for all your prayers, if your interested in seeing my new home copy the link below!

http://vimeo.com/24683963

Homestay 101

Life with the Tembo's was more than wonderful. William is a farmer and also works with the local Clini. He and his wife Olipha live in the village of Old Kalingawallow. The have five children, in a 2 bedroom brick house. Next door lives Mary and her mother, Donearia along with little Patricia." A" and I were fortunate enough to spend 3 whole days with them. Its hard to put into words all that we learned just from those 3 short days. The video really gives you a good picture of what it was like, and what we did everyday, so be sure and watch it. Our hardest day was probably the second day, We woke up very early to go to the fields to pic cotton, without breakfast. We had been eating a wholesome breakfast for a month, and then to not have it for a day and expend energy , it was hard to concentrate on the cotton. When we got back, all they fed us was tea and bread with lunch not til almost 130. the bathroom also presented its challenges. We dont mind swatty potty, but filled with flies is another story. Day 2 I also go sick on the dinner that night, we had kapenta ( dried sardines cooked with tomatoes and onions). I really think it was my malaria meds that triggered the upchuck. "A" was nice enough to old the "choo" bucket ( you see in the video) for me, and rub my back. Not fun. "A" always had to go in the middle of the night, oh the "choo" bucket was both of our friends ( we washed out before she used it again of course). We learned a lot about the role of men and women as well. Now warning: this is just what I observed, all chores and such are done by the children. They had a sixteen year old daughter who did everything. I felt sorry for her, how much she had to do. Mom does a little, but Dad does nothing. He always gets the chair while women sit on the mat. He always gets fed first as well, even down to getting his dandruff picked out of this hair, its done for him. He is the bread winner, so therefore thats his role. Now dont get me wrong, William is a very nice man, and would do anything for his family, and provides for many people other than the 6 that live in his house. We also got a dose of culture when the last night at their home we were asked to come inside with just William and his wife, very sad to see us go, but said if there was anything we had done to offend us, or wrong then to let them apologize for it. This is pure culture, even if they know they haven't done anything wrong they say this anyways ( I had this happen more than once in another setting). "A" and I were very grateful for all the hospitality and love we were shown. It was an experience we will never forget!

http://vimeo.com/24319696

Back in Dar

Well Im back... and oh what a month its been! I made a video to kinda give you a preview of the pics to come. My card reader died so we will have to wait on that!

The rest of the time in Zambia was spent living in a tent, going to the well for bath water ( if u wanted it hot, boiling it over fire ) walking/ riding a flat bed to a small Boma (village) and living for 3 days with an African family. I learned much and my heart left full. Friendships that were made, and stories I'll be telling my children! I'll save my home stay experience for another post but for now, know that I am well in Dar.

This month will be settling in my new apartment, learning to drive and tackle this crazy traffic, and start language school. This will all need much prayer! Culture shock of this city is overwhelming! But luckily there are a lot of yummy places to eat and fun things to do! Hope to be making friends fast so I can do them! Stay tuned!

Copy this link to view video:
http://vimeo.com/24085176

Zambia : City Life

This week was cultural overload! I was placed with a national partner and another girl here learning as well. We travel everyday taing 2 mini buses (at one point crammed with 19 ppl) to a compund. A compound is like a community of people wo live in shanty houses some with no electricity. Each day we are given assignment to research and observe the cultural in this setting. My national partner grew up and lives at this compound. We talk mostly with women. They are tending to children and house work. The hardest day was sitting with a mother and her son in their home. The 8 year old boy at sicle cell anemia. He is unable to go to school and the mom can barely pay her hospital bills. So ok yes my heart breaks for the diease... but my heart breaks more due to the "lack of faith" this mother thinks she has due to her sons illness. Yes, you read right, she feels like her sin has casued this and if she had more faith, her son will be healed. We shared with her the story of Paul and how he asked 3 times for the Lord to remove the thorn in his flesh but God chose not to. He didnt lack faith, just the God saw greater glory in his pain. She didnt ever quite grasp this concept. Im learning there is a catergory for everything in an Africans mind. There's gotta be a reason. But I mean, Job's friends thought this and even the disciples thought this with the blind man.... so this is nothing new.