Graham: “Miss Rachel, you are perfect.”
Me: “Nathan… why did you kiss my arm?” Nathan: “Because I love reading so much!”
Graham: “Thank you God for sending Miss Rachel to teach us.”
Hope: “She needs to be like Abraham.” (In response to my friend’s frustration)
Hannah: “I was late because I was pulling worms out of the bumps in my stomach.”
Halayna: “I love the tests you give us! Can you give us more tests?”
Hope: "All of Wil's snakes aren't actually loose in the house. I just didn't see them in their cages."
Saturday, February 5, 2011
A Typical Week
Sunday
I ride with about 15 of the NBR Boys to Church on the Rock in Kitwe. It is affiliated with Sarah Rose, the organization that Heart of the Bride works with. Edward Mwansa is our pastor, and his wife Barbara leads worship. I love holding the orphans and sitting by the street and NBR boys during church. I am also taking turns teaching youth Sunday School with Austin and Cami Loveys. Last week was my first time, and also my first experience having a translator. It is really hard to keep the momentum going! I have also taught Sunday school for the younger kids twice, because there was no one watching them, or I was asked since I was standing by the kids.
Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday
These are full school days with the kids, from 8:00 to 3:30. Since I there are so many different needs, I only take a half hour break for lunch, so I have been pretty tired by the end of the day. Most days I go for a walk, and a couple of times I have gone to the Boys Ranch. It is about a 30-40 minute walk there, so I haven't done it as often as I'd like. I have wondered sometimes where my evenings have gone, but it is partially because it takes a lot longer to make dinner (no Lean Cuisines here) and heat up my water to bathe.
Wednesday
We have a half and then I drive the kids to the orphanage in the afternoon, which is about 30 minutes away. I have been so amazed at the Walker girls' maturity and love for the kids as they work with them! Pray that we would be a blessing during this time. We haven't been able to do very many organized activities or teaching, because there are so many kids and different ages. We did help with homework last week, which went really well. On Wednesday night Cami and Austin teach a Bible study with the NBR boys, and I have gone to that sometimes.
Friday
This is another half day, because of PE. The kids love this, and I think the workers on the property get a kick out of seeing us do aerobics and other games in the back yard. On Friday nights we eat and have Bible study together; Candace is leading us through Jeremiah.
Saturday
I love sleeping in on Saturday mornings and having a long quiet time. Sometimes I catch a ride to get groceries, but more recently I have gone to NBR just to hang out. Cami does crafts with them, and then they usually play soccer. On Friday or Saturday nights I can usually I can convince the Walker kids to watch a movie with me. Sometimes I spend time with my friends Luke and David, who are working at a school for orphans near NBR. It has been hard in some ways to adjust to a simpler schedule, but I am appreciating it more and more. I'm excited to break out of the routine next week to go to Livingstone with Stephanie Barron and the Loveys.
I ride with about 15 of the NBR Boys to Church on the Rock in Kitwe. It is affiliated with Sarah Rose, the organization that Heart of the Bride works with. Edward Mwansa is our pastor, and his wife Barbara leads worship. I love holding the orphans and sitting by the street and NBR boys during church. I am also taking turns teaching youth Sunday School with Austin and Cami Loveys. Last week was my first time, and also my first experience having a translator. It is really hard to keep the momentum going! I have also taught Sunday school for the younger kids twice, because there was no one watching them, or I was asked since I was standing by the kids.
Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday
These are full school days with the kids, from 8:00 to 3:30. Since I there are so many different needs, I only take a half hour break for lunch, so I have been pretty tired by the end of the day. Most days I go for a walk, and a couple of times I have gone to the Boys Ranch. It is about a 30-40 minute walk there, so I haven't done it as often as I'd like. I have wondered sometimes where my evenings have gone, but it is partially because it takes a lot longer to make dinner (no Lean Cuisines here) and heat up my water to bathe.
Wednesday
We have a half and then I drive the kids to the orphanage in the afternoon, which is about 30 minutes away. I have been so amazed at the Walker girls' maturity and love for the kids as they work with them! Pray that we would be a blessing during this time. We haven't been able to do very many organized activities or teaching, because there are so many kids and different ages. We did help with homework last week, which went really well. On Wednesday night Cami and Austin teach a Bible study with the NBR boys, and I have gone to that sometimes.
Friday
This is another half day, because of PE. The kids love this, and I think the workers on the property get a kick out of seeing us do aerobics and other games in the back yard. On Friday nights we eat and have Bible study together; Candace is leading us through Jeremiah.
Saturday
I love sleeping in on Saturday mornings and having a long quiet time. Sometimes I catch a ride to get groceries, but more recently I have gone to NBR just to hang out. Cami does crafts with them, and then they usually play soccer. On Friday or Saturday nights I can usually I can convince the Walker kids to watch a movie with me. Sometimes I spend time with my friends Luke and David, who are working at a school for orphans near NBR. It has been hard in some ways to adjust to a simpler schedule, but I am appreciating it more and more. I'm excited to break out of the routine next week to go to Livingstone with Stephanie Barron and the Loveys.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Things I Love About Zambia
-Lots of mangos... for free (I have eaten as many as 7 in one day)
-Avocado season
-Fresh fruits and vegetables for a good price (and buying them is a good way to support the locals)
-Good curry
-Cheap filet mignon at a nearby restaurant
-Slower pace of life
-Beautiful foliage during the rainy season
-Cheap DVD's (My friend bought almost all of the seasons of 24 for about 10 USD, I believe.)
-Friendly people
-The camaraderie of missions. I have good friends here with the same purpose.
-Lots of prayer support! Teachers in the US have the same job, but don't have the missionary title to make it normal to send prayer requests to large numbers of friends.
-A wonderful family to serve alongside with. And the three year old quotes Nacho Libre.
-Endless opportunities for ministry and growth
-Avocado season
-Fresh fruits and vegetables for a good price (and buying them is a good way to support the locals)
-Good curry
-Cheap filet mignon at a nearby restaurant
-Slower pace of life
-Beautiful foliage during the rainy season
-Cheap DVD's (My friend bought almost all of the seasons of 24 for about 10 USD, I believe.)
-Friendly people
-The camaraderie of missions. I have good friends here with the same purpose.
-Lots of prayer support! Teachers in the US have the same job, but don't have the missionary title to make it normal to send prayer requests to large numbers of friends.
-A wonderful family to serve alongside with. And the three year old quotes Nacho Libre.
-Endless opportunities for ministry and growth
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
My Afternoon Run
Today when I was running on the road in Garneton I passed two men walking together in the other direction. One turned around and started running with me! I finally got tired and started walking and he kept in stride right next to me, without speaking a word. I didn't know what to say, so I kept quiet hoping he would get the idea that I wasn't really going to pay attention to him. Finally I said, "Ok, you can go back now!" He replied, "Ok" and just turned around and walked the other way!
One day I was running to the boys ranch, not really focusing on the what was around me because I was listening to my Ipod. It was about the time that the kids get off from school, and I had just passed a group of them in their cute blue uniforms. After a minute or two I looked behind me and they were all running after me! They stayed with me for almost a mile, and more kids joined us as we kept going. I thought it was funny, but I wondered if the Zambians thought, “There goes that crazy white girl again!”
I have been able to meet a lot of people on my afternoon run/walks. On Monday three people gave me their phone numbers so that they could run with me, learn English, or get some work. Sometimes people will try to match my pace and I will talk to them for a while. Many of the kids will try to practice their English, and after I greet them I hear a burst of laughter behind me.
One day I was running to the boys ranch, not really focusing on the what was around me because I was listening to my Ipod. It was about the time that the kids get off from school, and I had just passed a group of them in their cute blue uniforms. After a minute or two I looked behind me and they were all running after me! They stayed with me for almost a mile, and more kids joined us as we kept going. I thought it was funny, but I wondered if the Zambians thought, “There goes that crazy white girl again!”
I have been able to meet a lot of people on my afternoon run/walks. On Monday three people gave me their phone numbers so that they could run with me, learn English, or get some work. Sometimes people will try to match my pace and I will talk to them for a while. Many of the kids will try to practice their English, and after I greet them I hear a burst of laughter behind me.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Driving to Town
Bob graciously let me drive yesterday. He may never want to again.
These are some of the things he said:
"Left side of the road Rachel"
"Stop all the way... the policemen wait there." (they know white people live in our neighborhood so they can give us a big ticket)
"Stop here, and those guys will want to give you money for pretending to fill in holes in the road."
"If you splash someone, stop, get out, say sorry three times, and offer to pay for their laundry."
"Watch that pothole."
"No shoulder here, so be careful."
"The speed bumps aren't painted."
"The light doesn't work here... just follow the car in front of you."
"Pothole!"
"If there's no color, low means go."
"No one's really sure if you can turn left on a red light."
These are some of the things he said:
"Left side of the road Rachel"
"Stop all the way... the policemen wait there." (they know white people live in our neighborhood so they can give us a big ticket)
"Stop here, and those guys will want to give you money for pretending to fill in holes in the road."
"If you splash someone, stop, get out, say sorry three times, and offer to pay for their laundry."
"Watch that pothole."
"No shoulder here, so be careful."
"The speed bumps aren't painted."
"The light doesn't work here... just follow the car in front of you."
"Pothole!"
"If there's no color, low means go."
"No one's really sure if you can turn left on a red light."
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Need a Self-Esteem Boost?
Before I came, I didn't really think about how the attention that I get just for being a white woman would be an every day part of life. When I am walking or in town, I get lots of hellos, comments about how beautiful I am (even when I'm sweating), requests for my number,etc. Although it is uncomfortable and sometimes annoying, it is entertaining. A couple of weeks ago was my first marriage proposal. He went ahead and asked even though I wouldn't tell him my name. Next time, I think I'll say yes just to see what happens.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Sunday Afternoon
I have really enjoyed my walks around the neighborhood here, especially on the days when I don't have any specific reason to leave the house. Yesterday, I decided to stop by the soccer game in the compound by the boys ranch. It was a good opportunity to hang out with the boys and get to to know them better, and it was the first time I've been the only white person in a crowd of that size. Richard, one of the staff at NBR, asked where my friend Austin was, and finding out I was alone said, "You are a true Zambian now."
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