So first off to Clarissa: even seeing that you posted cuz i asked started me crying then the last bit just killed me so thanks jerk. I miss sharing.. EVERYTHING with you EVERY SECOND of EVERY DAY but maybe this time apart will be good for us, hahaha :) it made me realize we have too many things that only we can laugh about, i laugh so much to myself im probably coming off as a loony to these new people in Joburg.
Either way, the whole ride home from the airport (which ended up being and hour more than needed since we missed the exit) after droppin Clarissa off Bershin and Joel wouldnt stop asking if i missed her and if i was sad. Thats basically what anyone asked who had met us both so i wasnt allowed to stop thinkin about her. I even kept introducing myself as 'we' and saying 'we did this and that in Zambia' and theyd all give me a weird look cuz i was standing alone so then i had to explain the whole Clarissa thing again. The rest of thursday I hung out with the woman/wife/mom we stayed with then picked up her daughter and son from school and got our 'American' dinner from the BP petrol station which was actually delish. Then I accompanied them to the church for 2 hours of worship practice.
Friday I accompanied Tony to his work at the jewlry store in the city. His secretary Mishka showed me around the market for a bit then had to leave so I walked up and down bardering for some things then saw an old cathedral and sat at LaVassa Italian coffee shop till Tony was off. He then showed me around the beaches in Capetown and the offices of Home of Hope where we had volunteere. We stopped by Jo Slovo which is one of the informal settlements left over from the apartide and saw the building of the new Creshe. For now they hold it in a small church and when i went in there were about 25 kids all sleeping side by side sharing blankets for nap time. We went to Campellos for lunch also.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
amped to have a kiff time
I was given strict instructions from Carlie to update the blog upon my return to the states. And so for her, here I go:
This past week in Cape Town, we volunteered 2 days at Home of Hope. Tuesday we spent all day at the home and played with the toddlers and babies in the morning. There are about 4 girls from Ireland currently serving at the home so we were able to help them and get to know them in our brief time at the home. When the older kids got home from school, Carlie again spent hours with them helping with their homework. The babies were sleeping again so I played with some of the other kids outside. We spent the day just mainly hanging out with the kids and getting to know them. The cracked us up and we had a great time just playing with them.
Wednesday was spent with Kelly and Vuyo (2 of our friends from the Table View church) as they took us around Cape Town. We started off by going to the Origins coffee shop, which has been rated as the best coffee in Africa. The barista brought us 3 different kinds of coffee so we sampled them all before deciding which coffee we liked the best. Carlie and I both purchased some of the coffee too, because it was really good (their house blend is voted number 6 in the world). Afterward they took us to Camps Bay which is the richer area of Cape Town along a really nice beach. The week before we arrived in Cape Town there was pretty bad flooding from the rains, so there were still some remnants from the flooding. It was still a gorgeous beach though. We also stopped at Sinful for some ice cream. Several people had mentioned the ice cream shop as a must-see while in Cape Town so we had to get some. After seeing Camps Bay we briefly stopped at the Fire and Ice hotel, which is a themed hotel. For instance, there's the stage fright bathroom where you're surrounded by mirrors and pictures of people gapping and pointing at you. The long drop bathroom appears like you're on scaffolding with the city below you. It's really hilarious and really well done. Afterwards we stopped at another coffee shop in town to get some coffee and scones. Kelly and Vuyo were shocked to hear we had never had a scone with jam and whipped cream before so we had to get some. The day was a day full of sight-seeing and eating and it was really fun to spend the time with them. Wednesday evening we went with the de Klerks to Jason and Nicole's school for a talent show. There were probably over 40 acts who did different dances and singing. The kids ranged in ages from elementary to the high schoolers and many of them were really talented. It was a really good time and we were surprised to see a lot of the church kids there, as well as some performing.
Thursday morning we were able to help with SALT's women's ministry. They open the church for 2 hours every Thursday and women are able to come and get help in getting jobs. The volunteers open a file on each woman and write down their basic information. Once a month the women are able to receive a food parcel and the following week they receive a bag of clothing. Each woman is followed for 3 months and the volunteers counsel them and help them to get employment and such. Kind-of like implementing the whole idea of rather than giving a person a fish and feeding them for a day, teach a person to fish and you feed them for a lifetime. Carlie and I mainly observed the interviews and it was heartbreaking to hear their stories. I was surprised to see that the majority of the women coming in were younger than me with several children of their own. One woman was 23 and broke down crying because she was unable to provide for her little sisters. It was really hard to see all this. In a place like Cape Town, where there is so much affluence, it's hard to see the poverty. And there really is a lot of it. I found a big difference in seeing the poverty in Zambia versus in Cape Town because in Zambia you expect it and most everyone is like that. However, in a place like Cape Town it doesn't seem like it should be that way when so many people are well-off. Table View AOG, however, is doing amazing things to help those who are struggling. I've been so encouraged at how committed the church is to help those in need. They're truly doing amazing things in Cape Town and God is definitely at work in might ways!
Following the women's ministry, Carlie and Joel took me to the airport and I caught my flight home. I spent the next day and half traveling back to the States. It got to be really boring traveling all by myself, but it is good to be home (I must say that I was excited to get back to warm weather after freezing in Cape Town for a week). It's wierd not spending every moment with Carlie, though. She will be remain in Cape Town until Sunday morning and then spend two days in Johannesburg with a friend before coming home on Tuesday.
I want to share part of an entry from my journal in closing:
This trip has been so much more than I ever dreamed. I told a lot of people that I had thought this trip would be the hardest thing for me. Being away from my home and comforts for so long seemed so difficult. However, it has been nothing of the sort. The first 2 days were a little rough, however, going to bed one night while lying on my cot I had prayed that I'd enjoy my trip to the fullest. God answered that prayer in a way I never could have imagined. The past 6 weeks I have not been homesick at all. I was genuinely happy and enjoying life every moment. That could only be attributed to God. He is doing amazing things in Zambia and South Africa. And it was exciting to be apart of it for a time. The people I've met, despite many of them in their youth, are so genuinely passionate about God. They are earnestly desiring to seek and serve Him in everything they do. They have inspired me more than they'll ever know. I hold them all in my heart. My life has forever been changed.
The trip never would been the same without Carlie. She balanced me and encouraged me. She inspired me with her faith. She was the best teammate I ever could have asked for and I am so thankful for her. Despite having only met her twice prior to the trip, we became instant friends and I know we will remain that way. I miss her already and will forever love her.
Thank you to all for your prayers and support for both of us. Continue to pray for Carlie as she finishes her journey. Thank you! You all are amazing!!
The amazing Victoria Falls! To the locals it's known as Mosi O Tunya, or the Smoke that Thunders.
The beautiful Cape Town with views of Table Mountain and from the top!
This past week in Cape Town, we volunteered 2 days at Home of Hope. Tuesday we spent all day at the home and played with the toddlers and babies in the morning. There are about 4 girls from Ireland currently serving at the home so we were able to help them and get to know them in our brief time at the home. When the older kids got home from school, Carlie again spent hours with them helping with their homework. The babies were sleeping again so I played with some of the other kids outside. We spent the day just mainly hanging out with the kids and getting to know them. The cracked us up and we had a great time just playing with them.
Wednesday was spent with Kelly and Vuyo (2 of our friends from the Table View church) as they took us around Cape Town. We started off by going to the Origins coffee shop, which has been rated as the best coffee in Africa. The barista brought us 3 different kinds of coffee so we sampled them all before deciding which coffee we liked the best. Carlie and I both purchased some of the coffee too, because it was really good (their house blend is voted number 6 in the world). Afterward they took us to Camps Bay which is the richer area of Cape Town along a really nice beach. The week before we arrived in Cape Town there was pretty bad flooding from the rains, so there were still some remnants from the flooding. It was still a gorgeous beach though. We also stopped at Sinful for some ice cream. Several people had mentioned the ice cream shop as a must-see while in Cape Town so we had to get some. After seeing Camps Bay we briefly stopped at the Fire and Ice hotel, which is a themed hotel. For instance, there's the stage fright bathroom where you're surrounded by mirrors and pictures of people gapping and pointing at you. The long drop bathroom appears like you're on scaffolding with the city below you. It's really hilarious and really well done. Afterwards we stopped at another coffee shop in town to get some coffee and scones. Kelly and Vuyo were shocked to hear we had never had a scone with jam and whipped cream before so we had to get some. The day was a day full of sight-seeing and eating and it was really fun to spend the time with them. Wednesday evening we went with the de Klerks to Jason and Nicole's school for a talent show. There were probably over 40 acts who did different dances and singing. The kids ranged in ages from elementary to the high schoolers and many of them were really talented. It was a really good time and we were surprised to see a lot of the church kids there, as well as some performing.
Thursday morning we were able to help with SALT's women's ministry. They open the church for 2 hours every Thursday and women are able to come and get help in getting jobs. The volunteers open a file on each woman and write down their basic information. Once a month the women are able to receive a food parcel and the following week they receive a bag of clothing. Each woman is followed for 3 months and the volunteers counsel them and help them to get employment and such. Kind-of like implementing the whole idea of rather than giving a person a fish and feeding them for a day, teach a person to fish and you feed them for a lifetime. Carlie and I mainly observed the interviews and it was heartbreaking to hear their stories. I was surprised to see that the majority of the women coming in were younger than me with several children of their own. One woman was 23 and broke down crying because she was unable to provide for her little sisters. It was really hard to see all this. In a place like Cape Town, where there is so much affluence, it's hard to see the poverty. And there really is a lot of it. I found a big difference in seeing the poverty in Zambia versus in Cape Town because in Zambia you expect it and most everyone is like that. However, in a place like Cape Town it doesn't seem like it should be that way when so many people are well-off. Table View AOG, however, is doing amazing things to help those who are struggling. I've been so encouraged at how committed the church is to help those in need. They're truly doing amazing things in Cape Town and God is definitely at work in might ways!
Following the women's ministry, Carlie and Joel took me to the airport and I caught my flight home. I spent the next day and half traveling back to the States. It got to be really boring traveling all by myself, but it is good to be home (I must say that I was excited to get back to warm weather after freezing in Cape Town for a week). It's wierd not spending every moment with Carlie, though. She will be remain in Cape Town until Sunday morning and then spend two days in Johannesburg with a friend before coming home on Tuesday.
I want to share part of an entry from my journal in closing:
This trip has been so much more than I ever dreamed. I told a lot of people that I had thought this trip would be the hardest thing for me. Being away from my home and comforts for so long seemed so difficult. However, it has been nothing of the sort. The first 2 days were a little rough, however, going to bed one night while lying on my cot I had prayed that I'd enjoy my trip to the fullest. God answered that prayer in a way I never could have imagined. The past 6 weeks I have not been homesick at all. I was genuinely happy and enjoying life every moment. That could only be attributed to God. He is doing amazing things in Zambia and South Africa. And it was exciting to be apart of it for a time. The people I've met, despite many of them in their youth, are so genuinely passionate about God. They are earnestly desiring to seek and serve Him in everything they do. They have inspired me more than they'll ever know. I hold them all in my heart. My life has forever been changed.
The trip never would been the same without Carlie. She balanced me and encouraged me. She inspired me with her faith. She was the best teammate I ever could have asked for and I am so thankful for her. Despite having only met her twice prior to the trip, we became instant friends and I know we will remain that way. I miss her already and will forever love her.
Thank you to all for your prayers and support for both of us. Continue to pray for Carlie as she finishes her journey. Thank you! You all are amazing!!
The amazing Victoria Falls! To the locals it's known as Mosi O Tunya, or the Smoke that Thunders.
The beautiful Cape Town with views of Table Mountain and from the top!
Monday, July 20, 2009
from Mongu to Livingstone to Capetown
It's been awhile since our last post so there is quite a bit to catch up on.
Last Sunday was our last day in Mongu. We spent the morning at church. Carlie sang in the choir again and I helped a bit with Kids Church. Another team from Liberty University had arrived so they were leading Kids Church so we were thankfully able to attend some of both of the services for the last time (I hadn't sat in on a service since the first Sunday so it was nice to hear Paul preach again). On the way home from church we booked our bus tickets for Lusaka and then headed back to the base for a braai (barbeque) with the young adult group. The braai was the perfect way to spend our last day with everyone. We had become really close to several of the young adults so it was really fun to be able to spend time with them, eating, talking and playing volleyball. But it was also extremely hard to say good-bye. It probably took like a half an hour to say good-bye. The rest of the evening was then spent packing up, hanging out with the missionaries and saying good-bye. Our bus for Lusaka left at 11:00pm so we spent the night on the bus traveling. We arrived at sunrise and immediately got on a bus bound for Livingstone.
Carlie, Lubasi, and I arrived in Livingstone Monday evening so we hung out at our campground that evening. We saw several hippo and a lot of babboons from the patio along the stream. Tuesday we spent several hours at Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls is called Mosi O Tunya in Zambia, meaning Smoke that Thunders. From miles away you can actually see a massive cloud coming from the falls. Running around the falls we got absolutely drenched. The falls are amazing! There are no words to describe how beautiful it is. It is definitely a wonder of the world! We spent some time at the Zimbabwe/Zambia border and watched some bungee jumpers. Unfortunately we did not bungee jumping because we didn't have time. We went on a dinner cruise that evening and saw some more hippo and a crocodile. We were really amped to see some elephants, but unfortunately we didn't see a single one. Wednesday morning we went for a breakfast buffet at a nice hotel near the falls and while driving in we saw 3 giraffe and a whole herd of zebra. We were super close to them too! It was really cool and made up for the lack of elephants the evening before. We then left Livingstone and headed back to Lusaka Wednesday afternoon. The bus rides were not enjoyable at all. They were extremely uncomfortable and hot and the buses stop a lot so it takes forever to travel. We spent Wednesday night at a close friends of Lubasi's house. They actually run a home for orphan children so the house was quite full. They were extremely hospitable and friendly though and for the first time in 5 1/2 weeks we slept on a real bed.
Thursday morning, after spending sometime at the mall in Lusaka, we headed to the airport. It was really hard to leave Zambia. I definitely bawled. Carlie had made plans to head directly to Capetown, South Africa; however, I was still unsure if I could change my plane ticket and extend my stay. Arriving in Johannsburg, I ran to Virgin Atlantic and asked to change my flight, ran to Mango airlines and asked to book a flight to Capetown, waited anxiously on stand-by to make Carlie's flight, made Carlie's flight and then ran to check my bags and make it to the terminal in time. I only had about an hour to do all that, but with Carlie's flight delayed, I was able to make it. During all of that Carlie was waiting at the gate anxiously pacing back and forth so it was quite a surprise to her when I tapped her from behind. We made quite a scene! It was the craziest and most nerve-wracking thing I've done, but it made for quite an adventuresome birthday. We celebrated my birthday then by sharing a chocolate cookie and Tab soda. I started the day crying because of leaving Zambia and then ended it by crying because I made it to Capetown.
Now in Capetown we have been greatly taken care of by our friends from Table View. Everyone has been so fabulous and incredibly hospitable. We have beds to sleep in and a shower without spiders and filter coffee to drink! We spent the weekend sight-seeing around Capetown. We went up Table Mountain (you'll have to look up Capetown and see the massive mountain in the middle of the city) and hung out at Waterfront and watched kite surfers at the beach. We also attended 3 different services at the Table View church. We finally were able to experience what all the Table View team members and missionaries have been talking about since we arrived in Zambia. It's been really cool. It's also been so incredible to visit with our friends once again.
This week we are helping out at Home of Hope, an orphanage for abused and neglected children. Many of the children in the home have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and/or HIV/AIDS. It's really heart-breaking to see. They are really well taken care of there and it's exciting to see what God is doing. Carlie spent hours helping some of the kids with their homework and I was able to talk with some of the leaders on behavioral interventions for the kids. We're also going to spend some time working with Pauline who runs SALT, Table View's community outreach program. This church is really doing amazing things for their community.
While here we spent 2 nights with Tarryn, 2 nights with Ashliegh and we are now spending time with de Klerks. They are all absolutely wonderful people. It's been such a blessing to be able to visit here in Capetown. Everyone insisted that you cannot go to Africa without going to Capetown so here we are.
I apologize that I am not nearly as detailed as Carlie, but I think you got a little picture on what we're doing here. We can't wait to see you all soon and tell you all of our stories in length and in detail!!
Always,.
Clarissa
Last Sunday was our last day in Mongu. We spent the morning at church. Carlie sang in the choir again and I helped a bit with Kids Church. Another team from Liberty University had arrived so they were leading Kids Church so we were thankfully able to attend some of both of the services for the last time (I hadn't sat in on a service since the first Sunday so it was nice to hear Paul preach again). On the way home from church we booked our bus tickets for Lusaka and then headed back to the base for a braai (barbeque) with the young adult group. The braai was the perfect way to spend our last day with everyone. We had become really close to several of the young adults so it was really fun to be able to spend time with them, eating, talking and playing volleyball. But it was also extremely hard to say good-bye. It probably took like a half an hour to say good-bye. The rest of the evening was then spent packing up, hanging out with the missionaries and saying good-bye. Our bus for Lusaka left at 11:00pm so we spent the night on the bus traveling. We arrived at sunrise and immediately got on a bus bound for Livingstone.
Carlie, Lubasi, and I arrived in Livingstone Monday evening so we hung out at our campground that evening. We saw several hippo and a lot of babboons from the patio along the stream. Tuesday we spent several hours at Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls is called Mosi O Tunya in Zambia, meaning Smoke that Thunders. From miles away you can actually see a massive cloud coming from the falls. Running around the falls we got absolutely drenched. The falls are amazing! There are no words to describe how beautiful it is. It is definitely a wonder of the world! We spent some time at the Zimbabwe/Zambia border and watched some bungee jumpers. Unfortunately we did not bungee jumping because we didn't have time. We went on a dinner cruise that evening and saw some more hippo and a crocodile. We were really amped to see some elephants, but unfortunately we didn't see a single one. Wednesday morning we went for a breakfast buffet at a nice hotel near the falls and while driving in we saw 3 giraffe and a whole herd of zebra. We were super close to them too! It was really cool and made up for the lack of elephants the evening before. We then left Livingstone and headed back to Lusaka Wednesday afternoon. The bus rides were not enjoyable at all. They were extremely uncomfortable and hot and the buses stop a lot so it takes forever to travel. We spent Wednesday night at a close friends of Lubasi's house. They actually run a home for orphan children so the house was quite full. They were extremely hospitable and friendly though and for the first time in 5 1/2 weeks we slept on a real bed.
Thursday morning, after spending sometime at the mall in Lusaka, we headed to the airport. It was really hard to leave Zambia. I definitely bawled. Carlie had made plans to head directly to Capetown, South Africa; however, I was still unsure if I could change my plane ticket and extend my stay. Arriving in Johannsburg, I ran to Virgin Atlantic and asked to change my flight, ran to Mango airlines and asked to book a flight to Capetown, waited anxiously on stand-by to make Carlie's flight, made Carlie's flight and then ran to check my bags and make it to the terminal in time. I only had about an hour to do all that, but with Carlie's flight delayed, I was able to make it. During all of that Carlie was waiting at the gate anxiously pacing back and forth so it was quite a surprise to her when I tapped her from behind. We made quite a scene! It was the craziest and most nerve-wracking thing I've done, but it made for quite an adventuresome birthday. We celebrated my birthday then by sharing a chocolate cookie and Tab soda. I started the day crying because of leaving Zambia and then ended it by crying because I made it to Capetown.
Now in Capetown we have been greatly taken care of by our friends from Table View. Everyone has been so fabulous and incredibly hospitable. We have beds to sleep in and a shower without spiders and filter coffee to drink! We spent the weekend sight-seeing around Capetown. We went up Table Mountain (you'll have to look up Capetown and see the massive mountain in the middle of the city) and hung out at Waterfront and watched kite surfers at the beach. We also attended 3 different services at the Table View church. We finally were able to experience what all the Table View team members and missionaries have been talking about since we arrived in Zambia. It's been really cool. It's also been so incredible to visit with our friends once again.
This week we are helping out at Home of Hope, an orphanage for abused and neglected children. Many of the children in the home have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and/or HIV/AIDS. It's really heart-breaking to see. They are really well taken care of there and it's exciting to see what God is doing. Carlie spent hours helping some of the kids with their homework and I was able to talk with some of the leaders on behavioral interventions for the kids. We're also going to spend some time working with Pauline who runs SALT, Table View's community outreach program. This church is really doing amazing things for their community.
While here we spent 2 nights with Tarryn, 2 nights with Ashliegh and we are now spending time with de Klerks. They are all absolutely wonderful people. It's been such a blessing to be able to visit here in Capetown. Everyone insisted that you cannot go to Africa without going to Capetown so here we are.
I apologize that I am not nearly as detailed as Carlie, but I think you got a little picture on what we're doing here. We can't wait to see you all soon and tell you all of our stories in length and in detail!!
Always,.
Clarissa
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Mwamonanomba! {check it out! ~Bemba}
Completely forgot to mention previously how freakin sweet sick nasty awesome the South African team is/was. They work so well together and were super friendly and welcoming to us. They fed us soem nights when we hadnt even thought about what we were going to prepare cuz we were so busy and they continued to give us love and support and friendship and fires and smores the whole 2 weeks they were here. They left early Friday for livingston and I miss them so stinkin much. By the end of our trip here we have seen 10 teams/groups of people come in and work and leave. It gets so crazy around here sometimes, but I just love all of the excitement and getting to know so many people from different places.
Monday we woke up bright and early at 6 and headed out. It was Clarissa and I, the Tableview South African team, then our interpreters Vasco, Webi, Moses, Elija, Isiah, Antone, Alice, Josephine (who told me every other minute that she wanted me to be her in law:)). To get to our campsite you must drive towards Lusaka on a fairly paved road then past some huts then a bunch of nothing then turn off onto a gravel roal then turn off onto a pothole filled dirt road then pass some more huts then turn left directly into the bushes. Some villagers immediately came to the clearing to greet us and dug us a long-drop. The kids had made stunning bracelets andheadbands out of folding chip-bag paper together. They also had a game similar to jacks but made with these beans you find falling off of trees everywhere, and I was so bad I lost every time and the kids kept laughing at me cuz I coulndt catch on at all. After unpacking tents we had scrumptious peanut butter sandwhiches then formed into small teams of 4 or 5 and headed out into the village. We basically walked around looking for houses that were occupied so we could chat with them invite them to the gathering that night. We met several teachers for the small basic school that Muwawa provided and then a grandmother who didnt know how old she was but only that she was born the year of some not-so-famous king. We sat on mats with her in the dirt amidst her 18 grandchildren and Peter (the Korean sent from his American home to start a church in South Africa) told them stories about Jesus. It was so incredible being apart of spreading the gospel to such a not-reached group.
The church here had only been planted a few weeks before we arrived and our project was to actually start the building process and invite more people. We did manage to get several poles up with the help of the locals by Wednesday afternoon. Came back together for dinner and then the bonfire started at 730ish and we danced and sung in Lozi for so long. They were so excited to be around eachother and everyone was joyfully singing and dancing with everyone else. We had about 120 people which included several mobs of crazy children. Bradley shared the story about Joshua and the walls coming down but had all of the children and some adults running around the fire in circles blowing fake trumpets and had all the villagers screaming on the last day... it was such a sight to see! After we had several, maybe 20 or so, people come up for prayer and healing of ailments. We ended up singing a little afterwards but its very dark and people live very far away so mostly people left.
7am Tuesday morning we had delicious oatmeal and then headed out in our same groups, mine including Lubasi, Jose, Clarissa, and Peter. This time we went straight for the fields and offered to work along side or for the people. Peter picked potatoes, and Jose, Lubasi and I ended up using some hoes to break up dirt which ended up being super hard and sweatfilled work. But it was a really great witness to be able to just tell the people to rest for a while and enjoy the day. One of the girls I took the place of was 14 and she had joined her friend who had 3 children and was about 20 or so. They said you had to start working at age 5 if you didnt go to school. Crazy, hey? Then we moved on and helped a lady get water from the river to her garden which was about 10 rows long. Then we did that for 3 more families. It seemed so old fashioned and what you see in movies but we really just took some crappy broken buckets, dunked them into the river, and carried them to the plants and poured it out. Because we had so many people it didnt take too long but I cant imagine doing this everyday with just 1 or 2 helpers. Africa Works is an organization that came in a few years ago to teach them these things and how to plant, before that most of the people sat around either making beer or doing nothing.
After this we headed back in for leftover speggetti for lunch and then right back out past the fields we worked in to the other side of a small river which we had to cross. The only part of the river that had a bridge was the very middle because it was too deep to walk on. So Dani and Clarissa go helped to the bridge carried by Peter and Jose and the carried off to the other side as well. We found one of Josephine's friends (one of our interpreters from Hope church) and visited her in her home. There were 4 small houses around hers which were all filled with her children and grandchildren. Then we walked a while down the river and talked to some more people farming and met this one guy who had a water pump that looked like a stair-stepper connected to a hose which is how he watered the far away parts of his garden. But it cost 2.5 million kwacha so he is quite in debt now but hopefully this will help in the the future. By now we have a small following of village children who had obviously never seen Makua before because i tried to greet them and they all ran away. Most kids here would back up or run away or scream or even cry the first time you tried to get near them which was quite hilarious for us. We met another grandfather who had 4 houses surrounding his house and they were all filled with his children and grandchildren. HIs houses bricks had been dug up only hundred feet away where we had come into Muwawa (which is the same stuff the dig up to use for orads in Mongu) but were made in 1962 and his house was built in 1980 or something crazy like that. Peter bought some eggs from one of them and then we walked about 30 minutes back to our campsite.
There ended up being a lot of kids hanging around our site so Bradley and Louis found some sticks and string and made us a volleyball netish thing and they kids went crazy for it. Which was a load off because before this we were playing a game where they throw it to you and you have to hit it as hard as you can with your head, and I kept missing. But it was fun just playing with them even though all we could say to eachother was 'good' and 'sorry' when we hit eachother. What I really like about the culture is that even if you didnt hurt the person and they just fell on their own, everyone still says sorry. How cute! We had some nice Afrikaans borovorse and Lozi nshima for dinner then started the fire again at 8. We had about 100 people show up again. After the stories some villagers gave testimonies on healings the night before but still more came, about 30, for healings. Some came with stomach problems and walked out saying they were instantly healed. Still some were tested blind or only seeing a few feet in front of them and then walked away being able to see far away! Then others hobbled over and we saw earlier that day couldnt lift their feel then actually danced away towards the fire! Oh the power of prayer and healings. What a great and miraculous God we serve!
The headmaster of the school allowed us to visit so Wednesday morning Tarryn wrote us a great skit for Clarissa, Jason, Dani, Lubasi, myself, Jose and Tarryn to be in telling a story about pharoah and Moses. Vasco, Alice, Peter, Josephine, Elija and joined as well. Isaiah helped interpret and Lubasi started us off in worship. The kids at first were grade 5-9. After, we sang them a song and they loved it and kept asking for one more. They only go until about 12 then everyone comes to eat and thegrade 1-4 comes in at 230 when we came back and did everything again. The younger ones were so much more enthusiatic about the songs and the skit and then at us teaching them new ones. It is like you are a movie star going into this placebecuase they all come up afterwards to say encha and shake your hand. When traveling back to the campsite, Tarryn and Ashleigh had most of the entire class following them singing 'Ke mulana mulana wamalana' which is 'he is king, king of kings' all the way through the village. Some of the 7-9th grade girls showed up at the campsite a little later and I after going through as much introductory thigns as we could do in English, I got Isiah to come intepret for me. I never realized the culture gap until after I tried to tell them a finny story and halfway through I realized it wasnt funny so I had them tell me stories. They told of a man whose family was hungry so he went to the forest and sang to a tree but ate all the food it gave him until the son follwed him out then the next day the son and wife ate all of the trees fruit. But while they were telling it they were all bursting out into laughter. The next story was about a fork and a kaluloo but a bit inappropirate expecially for such young girls, but it just shows the differences in our cultures. We had bioled condensed milk with chocolate for desert which was some of the best sweet stuff ive ever tasted. The bonfire started at 8 again and we had a massive group of kids but since the holiday was over many people had to start working again so they were tired and our numbers were less ' than 80. But after Marc and Moses' story we had an alter call and about 30 adults and children were saved! Praise God so many were added to the family!
Thursday morning, our clothes and faces are now black from the sand and we have run out of coffee and chocolate so luckily we start packing up to head back to civilization. Many children and adults came to sit around for hours since 7am watching us pack and load up our stuff. Some of the kids tried to sing the pharoah songwe taught them which was super presh and others traded axes and hoes for SiLozi Bibles. When we arrived back at Mutoya after taking a few wrong roads (its okay Louis, everyone does it even with their gps right in front of them:)) and the orphan school was still running so we went down there and got a big welcome back hugs from teacher Margret and most of our students. The new American team from Liberty had also arrived and was helping to distract the children. We finally got to take showers, some of us for almost an hour *cough Tavo cough*. Hung out, made more beads, went to the last prayer meeting (still need to be able to meet with the enduna over muwawa without paying him 1.6 million kwacha before he kicks us out of the village.)
Friday we woke up for our last day of orpahn school. Everyone was in fight and whine mode but it was so relaxing and fun playing with them, teaching them new songs, acting out our Bible story time which we should have done from the beginning cuz it was so much fun even just for me. I cut shapes out of potatoes and we painted with them. Since they were already painted I also had them handprint my shirt which was even fun for the older lady Joyce who usually cooks proaige for us. We mostly played on the jungle gym which is still a big hit since it was finished and we opened it last week. Then little Mike got in trouble for hitting Nyumbe because Nyumbe was almost choking me to climb up my back and so Mike was protecting me. If I end up with him in my carry on back to American, dont be too surprised cuz it was hard to say bye and see him go out the gate that last time. Did the final lamenations, then taught the American girls how to do the beads, then went to Jess and James for a delicious dinner of steak and of course borovorse with potato/butternut/carrot side and some strange green goop pudding for dessert.
This morning we slept into a late aweome 815 and then prepared for leading the youth later on. It was a very relaxing morning because most everyone went out on the boat trip at the harbor. We played the trainwreck game during youth after Anthea taught an art lesson using charcoal. Then Clarissa and I taught about how awesome it is to be apart of a youth group and loving one another, accountability, encouragement and bearing eachothers burdens. The Liberty team shared some testimonies then performed a sweet skit something like the 'Everything' skit which the kids liked. We had some fellowship after and then LU team was all giving Lozi names by one of the youths Faith. Worship practice was fun and exciting as always and 2 Americans stayed to also sing with us. Please keep praying for the worship team because they are still very new to music and working together with intruemnts and voice keys and may get a bit frustrated with eeachother at times. Back to Mutoya to get our last load of laundry off the line and have a great spegetti and pudding and rusk and coffee dinner with Jess and James. Clarissa watched a movie with Monica and Lihanna and Shontell and I watched some other movie. I will defintiely miss all of the youth, they were very upset that we were leaving and a I have a feeling it may get emotional sometime tomorrow. Even during dinner I started tearing up because everything was just so good here.
Last post for a while. We will head to the services in the morning and then buy our bus tickets then hopefully hang with Mutinita and Onella and Lulu again to get icecream then head to Mutoya for a bry with the young adults, share our testimonies, fellowship, then at 10ish we should be heading out for Lusaka. Then we will bus to Livingstone and we should arrive there sometime in the early afternoon able to see some sights before nightfall. Tuesday we will have all day to visit then sleep and head back out to Lusaka Wednesday morning. We will stay close to the airport Wednesday night and head out on our plane Thursday afternoon for Joburg.
So much has happened and I still cant comprehend that it has already been 5 weeks in Zambia. It has become so much like home and comfortable. So many things have been started and will be continued and I am so excited to hear about how everyone and everything has grown after we leave. Praise God forever!
Our Redeemer Lives!!
Colossians 1:13-14!!
Monday we woke up bright and early at 6 and headed out. It was Clarissa and I, the Tableview South African team, then our interpreters Vasco, Webi, Moses, Elija, Isiah, Antone, Alice, Josephine (who told me every other minute that she wanted me to be her in law:)). To get to our campsite you must drive towards Lusaka on a fairly paved road then past some huts then a bunch of nothing then turn off onto a gravel roal then turn off onto a pothole filled dirt road then pass some more huts then turn left directly into the bushes. Some villagers immediately came to the clearing to greet us and dug us a long-drop. The kids had made stunning bracelets andheadbands out of folding chip-bag paper together. They also had a game similar to jacks but made with these beans you find falling off of trees everywhere, and I was so bad I lost every time and the kids kept laughing at me cuz I coulndt catch on at all. After unpacking tents we had scrumptious peanut butter sandwhiches then formed into small teams of 4 or 5 and headed out into the village. We basically walked around looking for houses that were occupied so we could chat with them invite them to the gathering that night. We met several teachers for the small basic school that Muwawa provided and then a grandmother who didnt know how old she was but only that she was born the year of some not-so-famous king. We sat on mats with her in the dirt amidst her 18 grandchildren and Peter (the Korean sent from his American home to start a church in South Africa) told them stories about Jesus. It was so incredible being apart of spreading the gospel to such a not-reached group.
The church here had only been planted a few weeks before we arrived and our project was to actually start the building process and invite more people. We did manage to get several poles up with the help of the locals by Wednesday afternoon. Came back together for dinner and then the bonfire started at 730ish and we danced and sung in Lozi for so long. They were so excited to be around eachother and everyone was joyfully singing and dancing with everyone else. We had about 120 people which included several mobs of crazy children. Bradley shared the story about Joshua and the walls coming down but had all of the children and some adults running around the fire in circles blowing fake trumpets and had all the villagers screaming on the last day... it was such a sight to see! After we had several, maybe 20 or so, people come up for prayer and healing of ailments. We ended up singing a little afterwards but its very dark and people live very far away so mostly people left.
7am Tuesday morning we had delicious oatmeal and then headed out in our same groups, mine including Lubasi, Jose, Clarissa, and Peter. This time we went straight for the fields and offered to work along side or for the people. Peter picked potatoes, and Jose, Lubasi and I ended up using some hoes to break up dirt which ended up being super hard and sweatfilled work. But it was a really great witness to be able to just tell the people to rest for a while and enjoy the day. One of the girls I took the place of was 14 and she had joined her friend who had 3 children and was about 20 or so. They said you had to start working at age 5 if you didnt go to school. Crazy, hey? Then we moved on and helped a lady get water from the river to her garden which was about 10 rows long. Then we did that for 3 more families. It seemed so old fashioned and what you see in movies but we really just took some crappy broken buckets, dunked them into the river, and carried them to the plants and poured it out. Because we had so many people it didnt take too long but I cant imagine doing this everyday with just 1 or 2 helpers. Africa Works is an organization that came in a few years ago to teach them these things and how to plant, before that most of the people sat around either making beer or doing nothing.
After this we headed back in for leftover speggetti for lunch and then right back out past the fields we worked in to the other side of a small river which we had to cross. The only part of the river that had a bridge was the very middle because it was too deep to walk on. So Dani and Clarissa go helped to the bridge carried by Peter and Jose and the carried off to the other side as well. We found one of Josephine's friends (one of our interpreters from Hope church) and visited her in her home. There were 4 small houses around hers which were all filled with her children and grandchildren. Then we walked a while down the river and talked to some more people farming and met this one guy who had a water pump that looked like a stair-stepper connected to a hose which is how he watered the far away parts of his garden. But it cost 2.5 million kwacha so he is quite in debt now but hopefully this will help in the the future. By now we have a small following of village children who had obviously never seen Makua before because i tried to greet them and they all ran away. Most kids here would back up or run away or scream or even cry the first time you tried to get near them which was quite hilarious for us. We met another grandfather who had 4 houses surrounding his house and they were all filled with his children and grandchildren. HIs houses bricks had been dug up only hundred feet away where we had come into Muwawa (which is the same stuff the dig up to use for orads in Mongu) but were made in 1962 and his house was built in 1980 or something crazy like that. Peter bought some eggs from one of them and then we walked about 30 minutes back to our campsite.
There ended up being a lot of kids hanging around our site so Bradley and Louis found some sticks and string and made us a volleyball netish thing and they kids went crazy for it. Which was a load off because before this we were playing a game where they throw it to you and you have to hit it as hard as you can with your head, and I kept missing. But it was fun just playing with them even though all we could say to eachother was 'good' and 'sorry' when we hit eachother. What I really like about the culture is that even if you didnt hurt the person and they just fell on their own, everyone still says sorry. How cute! We had some nice Afrikaans borovorse and Lozi nshima for dinner then started the fire again at 8. We had about 100 people show up again. After the stories some villagers gave testimonies on healings the night before but still more came, about 30, for healings. Some came with stomach problems and walked out saying they were instantly healed. Still some were tested blind or only seeing a few feet in front of them and then walked away being able to see far away! Then others hobbled over and we saw earlier that day couldnt lift their feel then actually danced away towards the fire! Oh the power of prayer and healings. What a great and miraculous God we serve!
The headmaster of the school allowed us to visit so Wednesday morning Tarryn wrote us a great skit for Clarissa, Jason, Dani, Lubasi, myself, Jose and Tarryn to be in telling a story about pharoah and Moses. Vasco, Alice, Peter, Josephine, Elija and joined as well. Isaiah helped interpret and Lubasi started us off in worship. The kids at first were grade 5-9. After, we sang them a song and they loved it and kept asking for one more. They only go until about 12 then everyone comes to eat and thegrade 1-4 comes in at 230 when we came back and did everything again. The younger ones were so much more enthusiatic about the songs and the skit and then at us teaching them new ones. It is like you are a movie star going into this placebecuase they all come up afterwards to say encha and shake your hand. When traveling back to the campsite, Tarryn and Ashleigh had most of the entire class following them singing 'Ke mulana mulana wamalana' which is 'he is king, king of kings' all the way through the village. Some of the 7-9th grade girls showed up at the campsite a little later and I after going through as much introductory thigns as we could do in English, I got Isiah to come intepret for me. I never realized the culture gap until after I tried to tell them a finny story and halfway through I realized it wasnt funny so I had them tell me stories. They told of a man whose family was hungry so he went to the forest and sang to a tree but ate all the food it gave him until the son follwed him out then the next day the son and wife ate all of the trees fruit. But while they were telling it they were all bursting out into laughter. The next story was about a fork and a kaluloo but a bit inappropirate expecially for such young girls, but it just shows the differences in our cultures. We had bioled condensed milk with chocolate for desert which was some of the best sweet stuff ive ever tasted. The bonfire started at 8 again and we had a massive group of kids but since the holiday was over many people had to start working again so they were tired and our numbers were less ' than 80. But after Marc and Moses' story we had an alter call and about 30 adults and children were saved! Praise God so many were added to the family!
Thursday morning, our clothes and faces are now black from the sand and we have run out of coffee and chocolate so luckily we start packing up to head back to civilization. Many children and adults came to sit around for hours since 7am watching us pack and load up our stuff. Some of the kids tried to sing the pharoah songwe taught them which was super presh and others traded axes and hoes for SiLozi Bibles. When we arrived back at Mutoya after taking a few wrong roads (its okay Louis, everyone does it even with their gps right in front of them:)) and the orphan school was still running so we went down there and got a big welcome back hugs from teacher Margret and most of our students. The new American team from Liberty had also arrived and was helping to distract the children. We finally got to take showers, some of us for almost an hour *cough Tavo cough*. Hung out, made more beads, went to the last prayer meeting (still need to be able to meet with the enduna over muwawa without paying him 1.6 million kwacha before he kicks us out of the village.)
Friday we woke up for our last day of orpahn school. Everyone was in fight and whine mode but it was so relaxing and fun playing with them, teaching them new songs, acting out our Bible story time which we should have done from the beginning cuz it was so much fun even just for me. I cut shapes out of potatoes and we painted with them. Since they were already painted I also had them handprint my shirt which was even fun for the older lady Joyce who usually cooks proaige for us. We mostly played on the jungle gym which is still a big hit since it was finished and we opened it last week. Then little Mike got in trouble for hitting Nyumbe because Nyumbe was almost choking me to climb up my back and so Mike was protecting me. If I end up with him in my carry on back to American, dont be too surprised cuz it was hard to say bye and see him go out the gate that last time. Did the final lamenations, then taught the American girls how to do the beads, then went to Jess and James for a delicious dinner of steak and of course borovorse with potato/butternut/carrot side and some strange green goop pudding for dessert.
This morning we slept into a late aweome 815 and then prepared for leading the youth later on. It was a very relaxing morning because most everyone went out on the boat trip at the harbor. We played the trainwreck game during youth after Anthea taught an art lesson using charcoal. Then Clarissa and I taught about how awesome it is to be apart of a youth group and loving one another, accountability, encouragement and bearing eachothers burdens. The Liberty team shared some testimonies then performed a sweet skit something like the 'Everything' skit which the kids liked. We had some fellowship after and then LU team was all giving Lozi names by one of the youths Faith. Worship practice was fun and exciting as always and 2 Americans stayed to also sing with us. Please keep praying for the worship team because they are still very new to music and working together with intruemnts and voice keys and may get a bit frustrated with eeachother at times. Back to Mutoya to get our last load of laundry off the line and have a great spegetti and pudding and rusk and coffee dinner with Jess and James. Clarissa watched a movie with Monica and Lihanna and Shontell and I watched some other movie. I will defintiely miss all of the youth, they were very upset that we were leaving and a I have a feeling it may get emotional sometime tomorrow. Even during dinner I started tearing up because everything was just so good here.
Last post for a while. We will head to the services in the morning and then buy our bus tickets then hopefully hang with Mutinita and Onella and Lulu again to get icecream then head to Mutoya for a bry with the young adults, share our testimonies, fellowship, then at 10ish we should be heading out for Lusaka. Then we will bus to Livingstone and we should arrive there sometime in the early afternoon able to see some sights before nightfall. Tuesday we will have all day to visit then sleep and head back out to Lusaka Wednesday morning. We will stay close to the airport Wednesday night and head out on our plane Thursday afternoon for Joburg.
So much has happened and I still cant comprehend that it has already been 5 weeks in Zambia. It has become so much like home and comfortable. So many things have been started and will be continued and I am so excited to hear about how everyone and everything has grown after we leave. Praise God forever!
Our Redeemer Lives!!
Colossians 1:13-14!!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Nuzwelay-hundi! {I am just fine!}
{Dit Like Lecka! 'it looks good' in Africaans}
okay so quick recap before we head out..
it has been A-FIPPIN-MAZING seeing the children at the orphan school grow an develop even over the past few weeks. Moonga could not even trace the number 1 nor would she speak or smile or come to us for hugs or finish her small plate of poriage but now she has completed Clarissas art projects (including cutting!) all on her own, she speaks in full sentances, mimics our words, and even came back for seconds of poriage! Tarryn even heard her count all the way to 26 without pressure or help. I think it was the highlight of all of our weeks. I nearly cried when Kalumbu (who is a new student who hasnt been able to even look at anyone) drew 1's on her own for a bit! We were all chatting about how its crazy that these are the things that are making our days.. even when Moonga or caren backtalk us or say no is envigarating because they are knowing what they want, understandin things and asserting their opinion.
Speaking of Tarryn... Another south African team arrived with 15 people including the senior pastor and wife of Tableview church. Tarryn and Ashliegh and me an clarissa were immediately best of friends and the both heped us out in the orphan school last week, Ashigh with Clarissa mostly documenting every moment with her super awesome camera, and Tarryn with me and the tiny kiddies reading them stories, playing games and giving them losts of loooove. Dave is loving the help of some of the boys Dino, Jason, Mark, Vuyo, Joel and then some adults Tony, Louis, Jaques to keep building on to the new house. With the help of Jenny, Kathy, Kelly and the other girls we made over 130 beaded bookmarks for the ladies meeting this Saturday. Jill and Allister left us on Friday day which was sad and also left us the beading class but which we have grown to love and anticipate their hours laughter. Lubasi loved having Vuyo and Kelly having worship team practice everyday at Mutoya and at community hall. They brought new instruments for Hope church here and Jason and Joel taught many of the guys how to play guitar and drums which they miraculously picked up in just a weeks time and one even played on the new keyboard in service this morning. Speaking of service.. I didnt have a ride last Saturday after youth so I had to stay and watch worship practice which ended up being a super blessing because it was so amazing listening to them and then I stayed this week and they let me practice with the other girls so this morning I helped lead worship this morning! It was so crazy amazing fun to be in the midst of the Lozis all worshipping the same God, and they even told me to stay for the second service to sing in Lozi (which fortunately we had sung Lozi songs at the ladies meeting so I wasnt completely lost)!
The beading for the ladies is becoming a big hit. We have gotten to know many of the women in the church through this ministry and have seen them at meetings, church, and even around in Mongu. They laugh alot, but are serious and work hard making paper beads and varishing them to make into homemade bracelts and necklaces. The vision for this came from Marinette to use art to raise money for the upcoming Village of Hope (google it!) but that the funding for thi project wouldnt come in all through handouts but to get the women of the church who have no jobs to make them included in helping orphans, feel accomplished, get a skill, and get a percentage of the funds. Its so exciting! The ladies meeting on Saturday was a little nervewrecking for all of us planning it but so well worth it. There were so many new faces beccause the ladies invite their friends. Many of them that I met ended up even at church the next day! PLease keep praying for these ladies. Because the church meets at a community hall which also provies housing, many people who are just milling aroun or visiting workers are also invited to church and have found new meaning and hope and purpose and laughter in their lives in Mongu!
So many more things have happened and there are so many details of peoples lives that have bee tuched and changed and bettered from the effects of God through Hope Church and all the missionaries here! Its still unbelievable how comfortable we are both here and how much we have fallen in love with the adults and the youth and the children! Bright and early we will head off to Muwawa which is a very rural village about an hour away. We will sleep like 5 to a tent an cook over a fire and have babywipeshowers until thursday... finally the Africa experience we expeted. We will be building relationships, telling stories, and building the actual church building!
God is good, all the time and all the time GOD IS GOOD
and nothing is impossible for those who believe!
keep praying for these wonderful people, for their families, for healing, and for a spirit-filling of all the Mongu people!
love!
Carlie
okay so quick recap before we head out..
it has been A-FIPPIN-MAZING seeing the children at the orphan school grow an develop even over the past few weeks. Moonga could not even trace the number 1 nor would she speak or smile or come to us for hugs or finish her small plate of poriage but now she has completed Clarissas art projects (including cutting!) all on her own, she speaks in full sentances, mimics our words, and even came back for seconds of poriage! Tarryn even heard her count all the way to 26 without pressure or help. I think it was the highlight of all of our weeks. I nearly cried when Kalumbu (who is a new student who hasnt been able to even look at anyone) drew 1's on her own for a bit! We were all chatting about how its crazy that these are the things that are making our days.. even when Moonga or caren backtalk us or say no is envigarating because they are knowing what they want, understandin things and asserting their opinion.
Speaking of Tarryn... Another south African team arrived with 15 people including the senior pastor and wife of Tableview church. Tarryn and Ashliegh and me an clarissa were immediately best of friends and the both heped us out in the orphan school last week, Ashigh with Clarissa mostly documenting every moment with her super awesome camera, and Tarryn with me and the tiny kiddies reading them stories, playing games and giving them losts of loooove. Dave is loving the help of some of the boys Dino, Jason, Mark, Vuyo, Joel and then some adults Tony, Louis, Jaques to keep building on to the new house. With the help of Jenny, Kathy, Kelly and the other girls we made over 130 beaded bookmarks for the ladies meeting this Saturday. Jill and Allister left us on Friday day which was sad and also left us the beading class but which we have grown to love and anticipate their hours laughter. Lubasi loved having Vuyo and Kelly having worship team practice everyday at Mutoya and at community hall. They brought new instruments for Hope church here and Jason and Joel taught many of the guys how to play guitar and drums which they miraculously picked up in just a weeks time and one even played on the new keyboard in service this morning. Speaking of service.. I didnt have a ride last Saturday after youth so I had to stay and watch worship practice which ended up being a super blessing because it was so amazing listening to them and then I stayed this week and they let me practice with the other girls so this morning I helped lead worship this morning! It was so crazy amazing fun to be in the midst of the Lozis all worshipping the same God, and they even told me to stay for the second service to sing in Lozi (which fortunately we had sung Lozi songs at the ladies meeting so I wasnt completely lost)!
The beading for the ladies is becoming a big hit. We have gotten to know many of the women in the church through this ministry and have seen them at meetings, church, and even around in Mongu. They laugh alot, but are serious and work hard making paper beads and varishing them to make into homemade bracelts and necklaces. The vision for this came from Marinette to use art to raise money for the upcoming Village of Hope (google it!) but that the funding for thi project wouldnt come in all through handouts but to get the women of the church who have no jobs to make them included in helping orphans, feel accomplished, get a skill, and get a percentage of the funds. Its so exciting! The ladies meeting on Saturday was a little nervewrecking for all of us planning it but so well worth it. There were so many new faces beccause the ladies invite their friends. Many of them that I met ended up even at church the next day! PLease keep praying for these ladies. Because the church meets at a community hall which also provies housing, many people who are just milling aroun or visiting workers are also invited to church and have found new meaning and hope and purpose and laughter in their lives in Mongu!
So many more things have happened and there are so many details of peoples lives that have bee tuched and changed and bettered from the effects of God through Hope Church and all the missionaries here! Its still unbelievable how comfortable we are both here and how much we have fallen in love with the adults and the youth and the children! Bright and early we will head off to Muwawa which is a very rural village about an hour away. We will sleep like 5 to a tent an cook over a fire and have babywipeshowers until thursday... finally the Africa experience we expeted. We will be building relationships, telling stories, and building the actual church building!
God is good, all the time and all the time GOD IS GOOD
and nothing is impossible for those who believe!
keep praying for these wonderful people, for their families, for healing, and for a spirit-filling of all the Mongu people!
love!
Carlie
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