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