This past week I was feeling a bit sad, wishing for a few things from home.  One thing that was very much on my heart was a very good friend here in Zambia.  I know this is something I have asked for prayer for before I ever arrived, and continue to do so.  So without really putting much thought or prayer into it, this last week I was just reflecting how it would be nice to have just that one friend you can spend hours with and just laugh with, even to the point where you feel like you might pee your pants or start crying.

Now, I have to admit, while my prayer life has grown tremendously in the past three months, for some reason I didn’t take the time to bring this heartfelt request before the Lord.  Or should I say I didn’t so much express it in words to Him.  But I am confident He heard my heart cry.

How do I know this??  Because this week, He answered that desire.  I had the opportunity to spend time with a friend, one that I have gotten very close to and had some incredible conversations with.  It just happened this day we were attempting to make an American cake.  And I say attempting because, well, it was kind of a disaster.  As I think through the entire process, I’m not really sure what happened, but let’s just say it did not turn out like it should.  It was rather crumbly.  Making it quite difficult to assemble it into a two-layer nice looking cake.  I must remind you at this point, that presentation is VERY important when it comes to food here, so even though this friend and I were just making the cake to enjoy ourselves, presentation was still of the utmost importance.  Everything I thought of that might help, only made it worse when it came to the appearance.  It was bringing forth scores of laughter from the both of us.  I was laughing almost uncontrollably and just had the giggles over our disastrous looking so-called cake.  (I must put in at this point as well, that my house was also currently being repainted at this time, and they use oil-based paint here.  And my house is quite small.  Therefore, the fumes were quite strong, and I might say they were adding to our giggles.)

No matter the catastrophe that appeared before us, I had an incredible time.  As I think about the past few weeks, I can see how God is taking care of me over and over again.  I was too self-absorbed to even bring this request before Him, but yet He still answered and showed His love for me.  What an incredible God!!!  I feel so very blessed.  What an encouragement to know that God knows our hearts so deeply that He can feel our desires even if we can’t put them into words.  I am continually in awe of His power and just who He is!!

Oh, and by the way, the cake ended up looking not so bad.  The taste was a bit off, again, I have no idea why, but worth the adventure.  I was told by another friend that he was surprised I took on this adventure as he didn’t really see me as the type to do kitchen things.  Oh, what a laugh that got out of me.  How true it is!  I wish I liked cooking and was good at it, but alas, it’s not so.  At least I can use this to defer any Zambian marriage proposals, as cooking is VERY VERY important here!

You can check out the photos by clicking the “Photos” link to the right!

So I finally got around to putting some photos into my picasa account.  You should be able to check it out by clicking the above right link and it will take you to the photos!  Enjoy!  I’ll try and get captions on sometime!

Also, don’t forget you can subscribe to my blog by clicking to the right and then you’ll get an email each time I update!

15 Steps to living in Africa and my attempts to immerse myself into life here!

Step 1:  DRESS LIKE A ZAMBIAN.  A friend took me a couple weeks ago to pick out a chitenge and then take it to a tailor to have a traditional dress made.  This week I picked up the finished product!  Now I can dress like a Zambian woman!

Step 2:  GET YOUR HAIR DONE.  Plaiting of the hair.  Now I look like an African (minus the whole white skin thing).  It only took seven packets of extensions and 8 hours of sitting!  The biggest plus:  I found extensions that matched my hair color almost perfectly!  (In the packet they looked quite red, but I still don’t believe my hair is truly red…. Ha ha!)

Step 3:  EAT THE FOOD.  Eating of the nshima.  How I’m beginning to truly love this white food and no longer caring about the using of my hand and no utensils.  It was even served with fish on the day of my hair adventure and it was delish!  However, I’m quite challenged to figure out how to eat fish with just one hand when it comes complete as you would find it in the water.  Hmm….  But the fish was great and so was the veg!  (I’ve learned my favorite green veg is called rape.  Quite the name I think.)  (Sorry, no picture of the food as of yet.  I’ll try to remember next time.)  And who could forget the avocados?!?!?  Still trying to get into the whole mango thing though.  Both of which are in season right now and are in abundance!

Step 4.  LEARN THE LANGUAGE.  Well, this one isn’t progressing that well, but I’m attempting it!  I can now greet in Bemba, but my language teacher has become employed, so my lessons have ended.  It was a start though and maybe will pick up sometime again in January!  I’m really not a great student though.  Shoulda remembered that one from my college days….

Words to be aware of:

Cishimu:  Caterpillars (a common food here, so you must understand the Bemba, so you can very politely refuse the offer of this food)

Bowa:  Mushrooms (another word to understand if you are like me and really do not care for mushrooms, which are growing like crazy here with all the rain)

Step 5.  TRAVEL BY FOOTING.  Or walking.  The best way to get around!  Ha!  I’m starting to really appreciate walking and understanding what it means to “give you a push.”  When a visitor is leaving, you “give them a push,” or rather, walk them back towards the direction they are headed.  Oftentimes, this “push” requires that you walk them all the way home.  Which if you are prepared for, really isn’t that big of a deal.  Just more time to spend with them, find out where they live, meet their family, and then be welcomed into their home as well!

Step 6:  ATTEND A YOUTH OVERNIGHT.

The Goal: Eat the most Chocolate with fork and knife after putting on sunglasses, chitenge, and scarf

The Goal: blow up five balloons until they pop.

Oh the joy of spending Christmas Eve/Christmas morning with a group of other youth focused on giving praise to Jesus!  We spent the n

ight in prayer, praise, eating, playing games, and many other activities typical in Africa.  I even had the chance to introduce a few new games, including the consumption of chocolate!

Step 7:  ATTEND A WOMEN’S CONFERENCE.  What is being a part of any church without experiencing an all women’s meeting?!?  While this meeting was held entirely in Bemba, I had a great time experiencing African culture and had moments of pure joy and awe listening to these women sing their hearts out to Jesus.  It is such a treasure to be in room full of just women’s voices singing praise in a language I don’t know, but yet to the same God!  The theme was “Unity is Power” and the study through the scriptures of the commandment of being unified was a sweet picture and great goal for this denomination and all churches in general.  I was able to follow and learn, even though it was all in Bemba!  In addition to the great learning, imagine a mouse running across the floor in a room of women in America.  This is what happened when a lizard proceeded to enter the church and run across the floor, minus the screaming you would hear in the States!!  (See picture for a slight glimpse of this awesome worship experience!  Note the uniform:  white dress shirt with the blue ECZ chitenge.  They look so smart!)

Women from ECZ Churchs in Ndola and Luanshya.

Step 8: VISIT AN ORPHANAGE.  Like I mentioned in my last newsletter, I have found an orphanage to make weekly visits to while I am in Zambia.  Orphanages are quite common here, due to the sad devastation that HIV/AIDS is creating.  Going to a place where babies will grow up with no parents and showing them love is one of the biggest blessings in my life.  I cannot spend a day with them without being thankful for my own life and two incredible parents God has allowed me to have.  I also leave every time full of joy and laughter as I think about the lessons I learn from the workers there and the babies themselves.  The workers shower love on the babies, holding them and caring for them like their own children.  The babies have such joy and their laughter is contagious.  And who wouldn’t love to receive millions of hugs from little people!?!?

Step 9:  GET SOAKED.  As it is now rainy season, you never know when it might rain.  I have learned the weather here is more temperamental than anything I’ve ever experienced.  It can be blistering hot and humid and unbearable one minute, and within thirty seconds you can literally feel the weather change and the heavens open and the temperature drop ten or twenty degrees.  Once you have experienced this and gotten soaked, then you start to be a bit more prepared and always carry an umbrella with you.  Lesson learned!

Step 10:  RIDE THE MINIBUS.  Ok, this really isn’t that challenging, but it is quite the experience!  Once you have ridden the bus once and figured out their routes (which in Ndola, are very simple), you get used to the concept and all nervousness leaves you.  It’s quite a cheap way to travel if I’m not feeling up to walking.  So far all trips I’ve made within Ndola are under 2000 kwacha, which is just under 50 cents.  Just be prepared to crawl over seats and people getting in and out and sharing your personal space with others.  In comparison with the mutatus in Kenya, the minibus in Zambia is a piece of cake!  And riding the minibus beats playing a live version of Frogger by crossing the streets!!

Step 11:  GO WITHOUT POWER.  While I normally always have power, there are the few days where it will be out for awhile.  Either from being turned off while they cut down trees, or from the prepaid meter running out of kwacha.  So you learn to not open the fridge, and always have a towel ready for the defrosting that will occur!  You also learn how to move about your house in the dark and to always have candles ready!!

Step 12:  BECOME BEST FRIENDS WITH YOUR FRENCH PRESS.  Ha ha!  Only if you really love coffee or tea will this affect you!  Thankfully, I now have a water kettle, so I don’t have to boil water on the stove anymore.  And truly, my French press has really been an amazing gift, allowing me to not spend my kwacha on a coffee maker here, and still enjoy a cup of coffee each day!  (Tip:  try adding just a dollop of sweet and condensed milk to your coffee…..however, this is probably only really tasty if you live in Africa)

Step 13:  WEAR SOCKS WITH FLIPFLOPS.  While I don’t think I’ll be trying this one out, it is quite common to see men with socks on in addition to the flip flop.  While it can be warm here, floors are often chilly, so wearing socks is often desirable (just beware of the super shiny, and therefore slick floors…you might break your neck!)  Then when leaving the house, the choice comes down to what am I ok getting wet or muddy today?

Step 14:  READ.  A LOT.  Since I live alone, I have had quite the numerous evenings to spend reading.  Needless to say, I’ve read through a lot of books, both good and not so good since I’ve been here.  I’ve also met a couple Zambian friends who share my passion for reading so we exchange books often, increasing my options for reading!

Step 15:  LINE DRY YOUR CLOTHES.  Yes, this is the most important thing about doing laundry here.  You must line dry your clothes.  The challenges you face with this task:  1.  The tsetse fly from the mango trees.  2.  The rain.  Hang indoors or outdoors?  How fast am I going to be able to move today if it starts to rain and my laundry is outside?  Hmm….decisions, decisions!

My Christmas season in Zambia has been very much an incredible one! While things are very much different here, I have been blessed to experience a very simple Christmas and to really be celebrating the reason for the season.

On Christmas Eve, the youth at my church had a youth overnight, which I had the pleasure of helping plan and be a part of. We started our party around 10 pm and went until about 6 in the morning. While I was cautious because I wasn’t sure if I would be able to stay awake all night, it turned out to be fabulous!  I had the joy of celebrating Christmas Eve with about 20-30 other youth!

I have been so very blessed to have so many friends offer for me to come over and spend time with them during the week of Christmas. In Africa, the biggest punishment you could receive is to be alone or in solitary confinement. Therefore, knowing I live alone, I had more invitations than I could possible say yes to for the Christmas festivities.

I also had the opportunity to attend a Carols by Candlelight service at an Indian church, where Indians, Zambians, Americans, and possibly others celebrated Christ’s birth through music. What an experience and blessing that was! The nations were gathered together, worshiping together!

American friends also invited me to many events and I was once again blessed by the company of other missionaries, some of whom have been here many years and truly call Zambia home. God is unending in His love and this Christmas I have felt God’s love just penetrating my soul and I am so amazed and in awe of Him.  This Christmas season is for sure a memorable one!

So I want you to know that I am absolutely falling in love with this place and these people.  I am meeting friends and other Americans, and establishing a life here.  And it is only through God that I have made it thus far.  As I have read in Psalms this week, and continued to ponder….”Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory because of your love and faithfulness.”  How true that verse is.  Nothing has happened, or will happen because of me; rather it is all because of God.  So to Him be the glory!  He has proved His unending and deep love for me and proved His faithfulness once again.  How in awe of Him I am and more in love with Him everyday!

With that said, here are a few more facebook status thoughts.  It truly is the best way to give you a glimpse into my life here without a novel in an email.  I have edited this down some to just include most the new things I am learning.  So hopefully it doesn’t seem negative, but rather that I am truly a student to this new place!

…was told today that she needs help learning to clean the floors.

…these silly Africans.  You think I’m gonna polish my floors everyday?  You are crazy!

…is gonna go visiting.  Unannounced.  How un-American.

…learned to shake hands in Zambia.

…thinks it’s interesting that Zambians “sweep” the grass and the dirt driveway.  But it works!

…doesn’t understand why her ipod uses the time in America when the time in Africa is listed first.

…is trying to learn Bemba.  But it’s tough using your brain like that!

…had a skype date with her mom!  Yay.  But skype, you are failing me.  So many dropped calls!

…just made hot chocolate.  Who cares if she has to have the fan on to enjoy it?

…sat outside all morning and just read and prayed.  Wonderful.

…is hoping to meet more people.  And if all she does this year is hang out with them, she’s ok with that.

…does shower daily!  For all of you who were worried she wouldn’t…..

…and also cleans her chacos daily.  It’s so dusty here!

…hasn’t had meat in um…..a long time.  Too long to remember.  She just keeps forgetting to thaw the chicken ahead of time.  Cooking takes planning!  Wait, she does have ham for lunch some days, if lunchmeat counts as protein….

…is loving all this time with the Lord.  What a blessing!

…is supposed to be wrinkle free to follow the dress “code” in Zambia.  Ha.  Good thing she doesn’t have an iron so that can be her excuse!

…started a list of all her blessings.  What an encouragement!

…is really terrible about remembering the anti-malarial meds….Hope she doesn’t get it.

…has a mailing address!

…learned to polish and shine floors today.  Now the floor feels great….but for real, that was a lot of work.  I think I’ll hire a worker.

…fresh bread.  Yum!  I’ve got to get out more to get nice things like that.

…wow, how refreshing it is to have a made bed with lots of pillows!

…clean laundry.  Mmmm…

…is feeling comfy at home right now.

…likes this whole, two hour lunch/rest time.  Seriously America, you are missing out.

…now likes pears.

…’s closet is just a wooden rack next to her bed.  And there’s not a lot on it.  Wonder if she’ll get tired of the same clothes for a year….

…does feel better with a clean house….especially with guests arriving.

…is learning she can eat the same in Zambia as home.

…is thankful she doesn’t have a car to worry about putting petrol in during this fuel crisis.

…now uses the phrase “I think, maybe yes/no…” etc a lot.

…thinks those fireworks are directly over her house.  She can hear the whistle as they fly upwards, and yet still jumps when they explode.

…had lots of fun today with her new friends.  They used the word “crib” when talking about their home.  And said that the reason I have no lizards at home is because we ate them all and they no longer exist there….hm….They also used the phrase “TIA.”  I love it!  And they informed me of African time, and that I should not conform, but that I probably would, “they all do…”

…is getting into a routine.  Is that really possible?

…’s grammar is going downhill for sure.  Please bear with me and try and translate it correctly.

…is fascinated that when she goes for a walk she can observe young ladies wearing the latest fashion in America, or the traditional dress with chitenges.

…likes to think of her mosquito net as a canopy.

…had some pretty decent coffee tonight!

…has learned the meaning of culture fatigue.

…feels very out of date with world happenings, even though she never kept up while in America.

…had the same lady who told her walking would burn fat make sure she was eating today so she wouldn’t “slim down.”

…had her first Zambian meal…..hopefully she won’t be served that a lot or she’s gonna have some problems.  Not only was the food “different” eating with only one hand and no cutlery really got to her.

…is learning to guard her words with people she does not know.

…is confused how Obama was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

…homemade popcorn.  Yum!  Perfect for a movie night!

…is learning about the indirect communication way of Zambians.

…is learning that when you leave a conversation in Zambia, you might realize you didn’t really come to a conclusion or a plan of action.

…no longer screens phone calls.

…found an orphanage to volunteer with!

…is loving time spent with friends!  And they even bought her ice cream and gave her bananas!

…is a continual student when it comes to Zambia culture.

…is slightly perplexed by the fact that it is ok to pick your nose in public or do the farmer’s blow, but sneezing and blowing into a Kleenex are taboo.

Check out the new tab, “Zambia, Specifically to Me” to find out more about logistical things such as housing, etc!

So if you know me you know that I’m really obsessed with facebook.  Mainly because I had the many hours to spend on there.  So as I’ve transitioned, I’ve had many thoughts come across that are perfect facebook status thoughts (or so I think).  So I’ve listed some below, starting with my flights from the States.   I think it might give you a better idea of what is going on with me!

But before that, I have to say that God is teaching me so much right now.  There has been so much transition, but the people of Zambia are so friendly and welcoming and helpful.  I am starting to make a few friends, and for that I’m thankful!  And I’ve also met another missionary family and they have been incredible in helping me get more settled here.  God is providing everything that I need – from the physical to the emotional to the spiritual.  I love seeing him prove His faithfulness!

Ashley Smith…..

…is stuck by the window with two guys who are conked out and she can’t get up to pee.

…is about to throw up.  Continuously.

…’s emotions are an unbelievable rollercoaster.

…is pretty in love with London’s old buildings, fun places to see and walk around, and cool accents….not in love with the gross smokers or slightly different fashion trends.

…come on London!  It’s only October and you are already dressed in gray and black.  How dreadful and depressing.

…is sooooo over security and flying in general.

…hopes Ndola feels like a small town.  She’s kinda over cities.

…thinks traveling alone is really dreadful.  (and bc she’s in London likes to use that word.)

…didn’t even make it through her flights without spilling stuff on her shirt.  Fabulous.

…sees people in the airport and wonders if they are missionaries because of the way they are dressed…..

….is anti anti-malarial medicine.

…shoulda learned military time.

…thinks Heathrow’s airport is set up kinda weird.  And it’s so busy.  Soooo unlike KC or Tulsa.

…chose to keep the spider alive because he would eat the mosquitoes.

…just went swimming in Africa.  Good thing she brought her suit.  There seem to be plenty of opportunities for a nice chilly swim.

…now sleeps under a mosquito net.

…now goes to bed at 10 pm.  Or tries to.

…is deeply afraid of roaches.  Especially ones that are two to three inches long (yes, I know they can be bigger, but this is big enough for now.)

…is starting to look right before crossing the street.

…smells minty fresh b/c yes, she got burnt the second day in Ndola.  Even though she was only out a coupla hours…..yikes.  but only her shoulders, not her face.  She’s fascinated.

…hopes the minty fresh doesn’t attract mosquitos.

…has a night club across the street.  And now is looking forward to Friday and Saturday nights.  Not.

…is officially living in Ndola on her own.

…is learning about culture.  Even if ya know it, you can still forget it when it comes to living it out.

…is getting brave and walks around the house without shoes on.  Until another cockroach appears.

…was told to never go out at night.  So her first night alone in Ndola, she got home way after dark so braved the dirt paths with no light.  But at least she wasn’t alone.

…just called Ndola home!

…will not have clean feet for longer than five seconds for the next year.

…is reading.  A lot.  Send her books.

…now journals every night.

…is being humbled.  But God is doing great things in her because of it.

…is weak.  But glad He is strong.

…is overwhelmed by the Internet.

…lives hour by hour.  More than that freaks her out.

…always takes cold showers now.

…has a Chaco tan after a day.  And it’s not dirt.

…doesn’t like the fish smell that comes with her water and cooker.  Makes it hard to eat.

…would not make a good Zambian wife.  She really is lazy when it comes to cleaning and cooking.  Bring on the PB&J!!

…is truly humbled by the youth in Zambia.

…is so full of weaknesses.

…loves the encouragement God sends through what may seem random because He knows we need it.

…is learning.  So much.  About life.  Love.  Zambia.  God.  It’s so good.

…is adapting.  And learning what juice to not buy in Zambia!

…is not liking hot season number two.  One a year is enough.

…is glad she likes reading.

…lives in a home.  By herself.  Wow!  It only took me moving to Africa!  (Tammy does that mean I’m allowed to adopt now?!?!)

…is still jumpy because of lizards.  But not freaked out like with the roaches.

…wants a latte from the café very badly.

…had forgotten the intensity of the sun in Africa.  Fry skin fry.

…now has hot water!

…is not feeling ready to cook quite yet.

…is translating.  Even if it is from English to English.

…is gonna watch a movie.  Yay!

…thank you chacos for hurting my feet.

…the youth were allowed two questions upon my introduction.  #1.  How old are you?  #2.  Are you married?….Of course I’m married.  He was perfectly okay with me leaving him in America for a year….

…a mixture of Indian fireworks and African night club.  She can feel the booms and the bass.

…can hear the fireworks but not really see them.

…is pondering the reason why when she hears the fireworks she thinks she MUST watch them even if she doesn’t really want to go outside.  It’s like passing up an once in a lifetime opportunity feeling.  Weird.

…thinks maybe church in Africa isn’t so bad – she actually followed the sermon today and it had some solid meat to it.

…is gonna be a preacher.  Whether she likes it or not.

…will try not to preach and rather integrate discussion.  We’ll see how Africans respond to that.

…thinks the Wegener’s are just heavenly.  A place to wash AND dry my clothes?!??

…’s third encounter with the roach went better.  She didn’t jump or freak out at all.

…noticed how the lights get dimmer at night – especially if every light is on in the house.

…has decided that regardless of who you really are – if you are an American in Zambia, you will be my new best friend.

…has experienced cry number two.

…thinks she might be ready to take on this week.  The week that has absolutely nothing planned in her schedule, yet she still feels overwhelmed.  Or bored.  Not sure.

…the nightclub still going on Sunday evening?  Really??

…made a fool of herself at church today.  Oh well.  The missionary motto:  Learn to laugh at yourself.

…still has a sunburn.  Colgate you fail me.

…now sees internet as “Work” and must have a list.

…thank you Harry Potter for making me feel at home.

…shoulda brought more flip flops.  One pair isn’t doing the job.

…leaves the lights on until the last possible moment to keep the roaches away.

…is deathly afraid of roaches it seems by the large amounts of thoughts they create.

…doesn’t like dogs in the States.  And definitely does not like them in Africa.

…is officially over jetlag and ready to sleep at 9 pm.  Wow.

…cooks on the floor.

…is tired of juice.  Not a good sign.

…scrubbed her bathroom today.  Now it doesn’t feel so grimy.  But she still will always wear shoes in it.

…is not so overwhelmed with cooking anymore.  Maybe she’ll try something more than noodles tonight.

…is feeling more at home.  And sees potential friends.

…had wisdom shared with her today – “Friends are the people God puts around you.”

…found boneless chicken breasts today!  Wow!  That will be for sure in my budget!

…just heard the “alarm.”  Sounds like a power tool.  What will I do if I hear it and it’s for real?  Good question.  Huddle on my bed and pray.

…is trying to convince herself to do the workout video.

…did the workout video.  Thanks Billy Blanks.

…actually cooked a meal!  That was more than a sandwich or noodles!

…is thankful for God’s presence.  And knowing exactly what I need.  At the exact moment.

…is feeling more confident in her home.

…is wondering….if I can’t remember what day I left the States does that mean I’ve lost track of time already and have integrated into Africa?

…doesn’t have to use an alarm.

…wishes the States celebrated something for a whole month that had fireworks every night.

…is so thankful for garlic.  How did I ever live without you?

So I’ll just share with you a story from my first night in Ndola.  I had been in Africa about four days, thankfully having been here before so some things came much easier and quicker to adjust to.  But we arrived into Ndola, after taking the bus, which is quite the experience, and hauled all my luggage to the ECZ Guesthouse.  We walked into the house which was to be mine, and there was absolutely nothing in it but a bed.  The kitchen is pushing it to call it a kitchen (but there is a sink with running water) and the bathroom is pretty skuzzy compared to what Westerners are used to.  We spent the afternoon pulling furniture out of the container they use for storage and kinda setting up house.  We also made a trip to ShopRite to get some groceries and a few things for the house.  But by that night, I was feeling pretty overwhelmed.  None of the locks worked, the hot water didn’t work, and there were problems with most of the plugs in the house.  So needless to say I was feeling pretty overwhelmed.

And then it was time for bed.  We had gone out to dinner and so I came back to a dark, and pretty empty, house.  My mattress was on the floor which didn’t bother me too terribly much.  Until I walked into the house that night turned on the light and watched a giant cockroach skitter across the floor, along the wall where my mattress was lying.  I freaked out.  Normally I can handle bugs of sorts and will kill them quickly.  But this time it just was the last straw for me.  I tried to step on it to kill it but just kept freaking myself out.  So I found the bugspray we had bought and attacked it with that.  After following into all the rooms in the house.  Where all my luggage was lying on the floor, open and very easily accessible.  I finally got it sprayed and watched it curl up and suffer.  And then I just sat for about twenty minutes, trying to calm myself down.  I never knew the depth to which I was afraid of roaches.  Thankfully last night was much better and I’m feeling a little bit more confident about my next encounter!  As for the lizards, I’ll take them any day over roaches.

But the best part of Ndola so far…..The avocado tree right outside my house.  Literally.  It’s limbs almost touch my roof.  And not those puny things they call avocados in the states.  But real, massive ones.  Oh, I’m excited!!  And the mango and papaya tree.  Maybe I’ll grow a liking for those fruits.

So here it is…..the answer to the most commonly asked question in my life the last month………..

October 8!!!!!  (That’s nine days away by the way)  That is my scheduled departure date!  I’ll be flying out of Kansas City, eventually landing in Lusaka, Zambia.  Wahoo!!

Also, housing arrangements have been made, all my support is in, I work my last shift at the cafe tomorrow, I have plans for this weekend to say goodbyes…..(I will be in Kansas Saturday, but I will also be at The Burgh this Sunday.  Stay tuned for a possible “Farewell” party.)

So it’s crunch time.  Finalizing everything.  Tying up all lose ends.  Answering all those emails I keep meaning to get around to.  And allowing my heart to finally express it’s excitement about moving!!!  But now it’s off to that thing that is required when moving….packing…..yuck.  Good thing I’ve got my coffee made right next to me.

Praise and Prayer

PRAISE!

• All my support is in!  Praise God for generous donors!
• I have housing arrangements made so I have a place to live upon arrival!
• Praise God for connecting my two passions—college students and Africa!September 2009 Newsletter

Please join with me in prayer for the following:

• Safe travel and all logistical elements to fall into place regarding international travel.
• A quick adjustment into my new home, culture, and with fellow teammates.
• A Zambian friend with whom I can develop a deep and solid friendship.
• The raising up of strong Zambian believers.

September 2009 Newsletter