Well.. the past two days have been long, but productive! The house is beginning to look like a house and feel like home. Yesterday we all hopped in a van and drove to a place called Kalingalinga to buy furniture. It was the coolest thing. We would pull over, Clay and one of our Zambians, Aphet, jumped out and asked for prices. We were looking for wood for our rooms. I ended up getting a three drawer night stand and I'm having a small bookcase made too. I love that my room is feeling more like a home. :)
While riding around, we saw chairs, couches, and coffee tables made out of wicker. We stopped at one and a man was weaving the pieces together... just like everything else, they hand do it all while sitting there selling it. At the wood places, the men were working with a saw by hand cutting the wood and making it straight. I'm not sure why this impacted me so much, but it did. It's just different watching someone create something because they absolutely have to or they can't eat the next day. Here in Africa, the labor behind each authentic piece is beyond understanding, to the point where it blows me away that it doesn't cost so much more.
On our way back to Mulungushi village, where I live, we passed this car wash place, and guess what? Painted on the wall was a man with a bucket next to a shiny silver Honda Fit. I laughed out loud and said to Erin, "That's my car!!" (not that they actually sell a Honda Fit here, but they definitely use it for advertisement at the car wash place) Oh Bella... following me all the way to Africa. :)
One big thing is happening tomorrow. My boss, Greer, is coming to Zambia. big stuff huh? I'm actually very excited for several reasons.
1. It reminds me of home
2. He's bringing some of my stuff with him
3. I get to start working
4. My routine will finally begin
I'm a big fan of routines. I like having somewhat of a daily schedule to follow. Maybe that's because when I was a teacher I had to be at lunch at 10:58 or one of my classes would end at 2:37. But partly because I'm almost completely settled, and let's be honest, there isn't much to do in Zambia. I like knowing that I will wake up at 6, spend time with my Lord until 7:30 and head out at 8 or whatever the time schedule looks like. Most days I get to see the children and be in the field with the Zambians. If I get to hang out with these babes for the year, then I'm ok working 80 hour weeks.
The coolest thing about it all is that God plans my days. I mean, I'm His hands and feet, just stepping and making decisions as He follows, but it's His BIG wheel. I'm the little hamster running the race :)
In my bible this morning I read Psalm 105 where the author looks back and remembers what the Lord did for the Israelites. Two verses stood out to me: He "makes known among the nations what he has done" and "He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy; He gave...that they might keep His precepts."
Two things that bring the Lord delight are spreading His name to the nations, and glorifying Him with our obedience. I desperately pray that I'm doing both of those daily.
Please pray that as work begins this week I will have the strength to move mountains in the name of Jesus. And that our precious Zambian children will be back from holiday safely and ready to start a new year with school. The Lord's hand is in it all, I pray for humility, wisdom and understanding. Please partner with me in prayer.
I can't wait to get in the field and see those beautiful babes!!
While riding around, we saw chairs, couches, and coffee tables made out of wicker. We stopped at one and a man was weaving the pieces together... just like everything else, they hand do it all while sitting there selling it. At the wood places, the men were working with a saw by hand cutting the wood and making it straight. I'm not sure why this impacted me so much, but it did. It's just different watching someone create something because they absolutely have to or they can't eat the next day. Here in Africa, the labor behind each authentic piece is beyond understanding, to the point where it blows me away that it doesn't cost so much more.
On our way back to Mulungushi village, where I live, we passed this car wash place, and guess what? Painted on the wall was a man with a bucket next to a shiny silver Honda Fit. I laughed out loud and said to Erin, "That's my car!!" (not that they actually sell a Honda Fit here, but they definitely use it for advertisement at the car wash place) Oh Bella... following me all the way to Africa. :)
One big thing is happening tomorrow. My boss, Greer, is coming to Zambia. big stuff huh? I'm actually very excited for several reasons.
1. It reminds me of home
2. He's bringing some of my stuff with him
3. I get to start working
4. My routine will finally begin
I'm a big fan of routines. I like having somewhat of a daily schedule to follow. Maybe that's because when I was a teacher I had to be at lunch at 10:58 or one of my classes would end at 2:37. But partly because I'm almost completely settled, and let's be honest, there isn't much to do in Zambia. I like knowing that I will wake up at 6, spend time with my Lord until 7:30 and head out at 8 or whatever the time schedule looks like. Most days I get to see the children and be in the field with the Zambians. If I get to hang out with these babes for the year, then I'm ok working 80 hour weeks.
The coolest thing about it all is that God plans my days. I mean, I'm His hands and feet, just stepping and making decisions as He follows, but it's His BIG wheel. I'm the little hamster running the race :)
In my bible this morning I read Psalm 105 where the author looks back and remembers what the Lord did for the Israelites. Two verses stood out to me: He "makes known among the nations what he has done" and "He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy; He gave...that they might keep His precepts."
Two things that bring the Lord delight are spreading His name to the nations, and glorifying Him with our obedience. I desperately pray that I'm doing both of those daily.
Please pray that as work begins this week I will have the strength to move mountains in the name of Jesus. And that our precious Zambian children will be back from holiday safely and ready to start a new year with school. The Lord's hand is in it all, I pray for humility, wisdom and understanding. Please partner with me in prayer.
I can't wait to get in the field and see those beautiful babes!!
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