Where did the time go? It's now July 1st and I'm sitting in the Heathrow, London airport waiting to fly to Toronto on my way home from Zambia. I am terribly sorry that I haven't kept my blog up to date, the internet in Choma was extremely slow and I was very busy. So I'll write a few things, because keeping you updated with everything would be like a novel for you to read.

First, the teachers came back for the last 2 weeks of my stay. It was good to see them again and to have a more managable work load. However, I learned a positive from the whole deal, the 5 teachers that taught through out became my close friends. They would show me around town and take me to some sketchy parts. There was one time we saw this traditional dancer who would chase after the children and the children would chase after him. The teachers were a bit scared of this dancer, they feared that he would beat them for being with a makua (white person). So we hid behind a house so the dancer wouldn't see us. What an adventure.

The last Friday of school for me, was games. All the children were excited that they didn't have to wear their uniforms to school. The teachers had a luncheon for me of chicken, nshima, soup. One of the men, even made me a cake in the shape of a Canadian flag saying Farewell Kristen on it. The school gave me 2 chitanges (fabric that the women use to make outfits, as aprons, to carry babies...) and we did a bit of a traditional dance together as a farewll tradition.

I have much more to write, but right now, I should make sure I'm in the right spot to catch my plane in 1 hour. So I will see some of you very soon.

Leza amuleleke,
God Bless,

Chileleko

A brief update

Hello All,

I'm so sorry I haven't updated my blog for a while. I don't have much time now, but I should say a few things.

This last weekend I went to a village called Nakumpa to visit a Salter there. It was a great experience, even with the latrine and kitchen being outside under thatched roofs. One minor thing to note is that I slaughtered a chicken, and the saying, "running like a chicken with its head cut off" is so true, they keep moving for quite some time. I, too, have pictures to proof this :)

Also, the teachers are now on complete strike and aren't aloud to even show up to school. There are 6 teachers left- 3 student teachers, 2 undeclared teachers and myself (who has had no training). This all means that I have 2 additional classes that I'm in charge of, grade 9 English. I am also supposed to do as the head commands, even if that means taking on 2 extra classes when he asks. I can't believe I have all of this responsibility, even so, I still am enjoying my time. Anyway, I am definately learning lots and getting a great experience.

Blessings,
Chileleko (my Tonga name some of the teachers gave me meaning "blessing")

My heart was touched

On the way home from the orphanage last Friday, a young boy, who goes to Nahumba and lives at the orphanage, escorted me to the school. On our way there he asked me if I miss my family. A boy who has no family, asked me if I missed mine. That was one of the most sensible things anyone has asked me here. Of course I miss my family, but do I tell him that? I was so caught off guard that I said nothing. He also told me that he notices that during break at school, he often sees me by myself in the field. I try to go and visit with some of the girls, but I do just stand there and think who I should visit and what I should say. The fact that a grade 9 Zambian boy notices that I may be lonely, when the teachers don't, meant a lot to me. He touched my heart. I'm hoping to thank him the next time he escorts me to his home.

Blessings,
Kristen

Jumping off a bridge, teaching, strike...experience!

Sorry I haven't updated my blog in a while. This past weekend my friends from US and I went to Livingstone and to Victoria Falls for a little get away. Livingstone was great! We stayed in this really sweet lodge called Jollyboys. On Saturday we went to the bridge between Zambia and Zimbabwe by the falls and... you probably won't believe me until I show all of you pictures and my dvd, but I jumped off the bridge (I was attached to a harness) and did what is called the gorge swing. So I jumped 100 meters and swung in between Zambia and Zimbabwe down in the gorge. It was so beautiful. Then we went to the falls. That too was incredible. There was so much mist that we were drenched. It was nice to be tourists and wear capris and jeans here. It was good to get away, but it was also nice to return to the Bishop's.

I'm sure many of you are wondering how teaching grade 8 math is doing. Well, it's okay. The students understand my English and have told me to slow down a bit, but they are struggling a lot with math. In one of my classes, I have 61 pupils and my second class I have 55. Not all of the students even have seats and have to fit 4 pupils on a bench for 2. And then to make matter worse, this week at school, the teachers are on strike and that there are only 3 teachers for at least the next 2 weeks, 2 student teachers and myself. The head and debuty (Mrs. Bishop) is still there. The teachers are to come to school, take attendence, go to the staff room and disappear. This really frustrates me because the students have to pay quite a large tuition to attend school, even in grade 1. Although the teachers right now are only (or 'onry' according to Zambians) making 1.2million kwatcha in 1 month which equals about $240US. It's such a tough situation. The schools in Choma could use a lot of prayer, especially Nahumba Basic School.

On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons after school, I go to the Reading room, where I help pupils read and with simple math. One of the pupils that comes is 20 years old and can barely pronounce words. Starting this Friday, I'm also going to be going to help at the orphanage teaching the kids and playing with them for 5 hours.

I feel I am adapting well here and am learning lots. I still feel I have a lot more I can learn. I pray that I can reach the girls at school, because they are so quiet and that I can encourage them to ask questions and participate in class.

Anyway, love and prayers to all of you.
Kristen

From Nahamba Mission to the Farm

Today, I learned about the extremes living conditions. Bishop and his family live in a very nice house with a TV and running water. This is very different than the family who lives on the farm that Bishop oversees. The live in huts. They have 3 sleeping huts and a kitchen hut. They have 3 young children and 2 babies, 3 men and 2 women. For the young children I was the first white girl they saw and so they were a litte shy at first. Then after I played with them, they began to really like me. I took pictures and they really liked to see them on the screen. It was really touching when the oldest young girl took my hand and just stopped and looked at our clasped hands, what a contrast.

Also, today I met the headmaster at the Nahamba Mission Basic school who told me I will be teaching grade 8 math. Starting on Monday he will introduce me to the teachers and to the students and I will watch the teacher for the first week. The following week, when he is on leave, I will take over the class. I can't stop but laughing and smiling at myself. I'm actually going to teach!

Tomorrow is my first church service. Looking forward to what Ashley (another salter) told me will be 4 hours.

Blessings,
Kristen

Choma

After being in the capital city for 1 and a half days, Choma is very small in comparison. After Bishop picked me up 3 hours later than he told me (still in African time ) we made a 5.5 hour journey to Choma. Along the way we saw many street sellers selling things like bananas, sugar, sweet potatoes, ect. Let me say, too, that by 6:30 it was pitch black. So I often didn't even see that there were people on the side of the streets until pulling over.

Today I met a passed salter who extended her stay and will have been here for 3 years at the end of August. It was really great to ask her questions and meet some people. She even invited me to Sunday evenings Bible study. I'm glad she's here and lives close so if I need some help, she can do that.

Mrs. Bishop told me today that there is opportunity for me to teach at the Basic school (grade 1-9). I was terrified when she first told me, so I asked what she meant. She clarified and said that I will be watching a teacher and then when I'm ready I will teach. I start Monday she said, so if any of you have children's songs I could teach the students here, please send me a list.

I will have the opportunity to check the email each evening, but it's so slow, so I think I will just do it occasionally. Anyway, there is so much to take in and very little time to tell you all everything. Looking forward to my return to show you pictures and tell you stories.

Please continue to pray for me as I adjust.

Peace,
Kristen

I'm here!!

I'm here!! Right now, I'm in Lusaka! Landing in Lusaka at 6am was great. I wasn't able to see any animals from the plane, because it was still very dark, but I did see the red sun rise like people who've been to Africa sometimes talk about. The Bishop, whom I'm staying with, had a funeral to do today and therefore was unable to pick me up, but arranged MCC workers to get me. So I'm staying in the MCC guesthouse for the day. I'm actually very thankful for this; it is nice to talk about some things like what is appropriate, what is not appropriate, etc. Driving from the airport to the guesthouse there was so much newness and I haven't had the time to process it. One thing I saw was a lot of bikes on the sides of the road carrying vegetation or coal. The MCC workers here said that they've seen people carrying furniture on their bikes. Another thing I noticed is that the soil here is such a bright red and very few of the streets have any names. Anyway, I'm beat, so I'm going to go have a shower and rest.

Blessings,
Kristen

I'm off

My adventure has begun. I still can't believe I am doing this. But through God's love and grace, all things are possible. I keep reminding myself that I'm not alone and that my best friend, God, is traveling before me, with me and will follow me throughout my adventure. Your prayers will be much appreciated.

So I will be traveling for about 30 hours and will not be able to update this during this time. As soon as possible I will add to my blog and perhaps even post some of my pictures. Wouldn't it be awesome if I could see wild animals running through the savanna from the plane? Probably won't happen, but I can dream.

Blessings,
Kristen

My Goals

While I'm in Zambia I plan to:
1) learn about a new culture
2) help where I'm needed
3) hear people's stories
4) experience God's love
5) learn to fully rely on God
6) see some mighty animals (I would love to see elephants, hippos, lions...)
7) see Victoria Falls

I can't believe it... In 4 days and 3 and a half hours I'll be in the plane on the way to my great adventure.

Peace,
Kristen

5 days to Zambia

I'm so excited to embark on my 2 month adventure to Choma, Zambia, where I will hopefully be teaching. I won't find out what I will be doing until I get there, but nonetheless, I know God has great plans for me. As I was preparing this trip, a friend gave me an extensive list of things to bring to Africa. Hope this helps any of you who may be planning a trip.

Clothes:

Warm Weather/Daily:

- tshirts

- pairs of underwear

- pairs of socks

- tank tops

- long shorts/ capris (tan ones, green ones )

- hat

- bandana

- head scarves

- belt

Cool Weather:

- long sleeve shirts

- hoodie (grey)

- fleece zip up (purple one)

- pair of jeans

- thermals

Footwear:

- chaco sandals

- running shoes

Nicer Clothes just in case:

- button up shirts (yellow, white)

- long skirts

- medium skirts

- pair capris (tan)

Medicine:

Standard Essentials:

- vitamins

- Polysporin or similar

- Bandaids

- Advil or similar

- sunscreen (30 spf)

- bug spray (30% DEET)

- gauze

- scissors

African Essentials:

- rehydrating crystals (Gastrolyte)

- malaria pills

- ciprofloxacin

- photocopies of all prescriptions and immunization forms

Just in case:

- Pepto Bismal

- aloe vera

- clothes pins

- safty pins

Hygiene:

Liquid:

- 2 in 1 shampoo/conditioner bar

- deodorant (2)

- soap bar

- toothpaste

Dry:

- 2 soap dishes

- towel

- Burt's bees lip balm

- toothbrush (+ fresh one)

- tweezers

- nail clippers

- q-tips

Logistics:

Papers:

- passport

- money

- proof of needles

- medical insurance card

- copies of passport, ticket, etc

Tools:

- rope

- pocket knife

- duct tape

- emergency matches

Electronics:

- camera

- extra batteries

- flashlight

- extra memory card

- camera cord

Other:

- notebook/ journal

- Bible

- sunglasses

- energy bars

- money belt

- logic puzzle books

- deck of cards

- ipod

- Ear buds

- a small photo album to start

Bon Voyage,

Kristen

Greetings from Kristen

Welcome to my blog. I'm so glad you have decided to join me on my journey.

So let's begin...

Why "Kristen's Footprints"? Well, you see the poem "Footprints" has been an encouraging poem for me as it reminds me that I'm not on my own, that through sorrows and joys God is with me. If you've never read the poem, here it is.

One night I dreamed a dream.
I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord.

When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand. There was only one set of footprints. I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life. This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.

"Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I'm aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don't understand why, when I need You most, You leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

* Why walking talking lighthouses? My father was a lighthouse for many people until his death and so the image of a lighthouse has been a very meaningful image for me and my family and so has this Bible verse.

"Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Please, sit back and embark on some of my adventures with me.

Blessings to you,
Kristen