How are you really doing?

The title of the post is a question a lot of you have asked me. This is an attempt to answer. In short, better.

All in all it hasn’t been a terrible transition. We have gone through some rough patches and we still have moments. The behavioral outbursts are becoming less (for all of us;) We still have moments when the differences between our old life in the States and our new life in Zambia become stark and startling. We call these moments “twangs” (a term we picked up in one of our trainings). In those moments we feel pain and discomfort. We each work through the emotions in different speeds. We are working on being patient with each other and encouraging each other when we know others are having a harder time than we ourselves are.

Erik absolutely loves being on the farm. Seeing him use his talents there helps me to know the Lord leading us here is sure. The resettling issue for the kids and I is a bit more complex. One of our biggest frustrations is also our biggest blessing. Let me explain. Where we are currently living is awesome. We love the house, the place, the yard, etc. But, we are kind of a long ways away from the farm. We are completely walled in so we are safe. Yet no one really lives nearby for us to form relationships with. Established school and daily routines have added comfort and security for our children but we often feel trapped here with no vehicle and no one to meet with. How do you meet people who live completely differently than you do? How do you learn to empathize and share with people whose norm is not having food to feed their hungry children? There are no storytimes at the library, no public pools, and most don’t attend church. I want to help people, but still don’t even know enough to help. (not knowing where the doctor is, not knowing what symptoms belong to which disease, not knowing the language well, etc.) The learning curve is straight up and seems a little too steep to attain to. It’s hard to determine exactly what God has for us for right now. It has been a constant refocusing for me to place my eyes on Jesus and trust that He will give me creative ideas and wisdom about where and how to become involved.

Even as I type this, the kids are out playing in the mango grove. I hear them yell hello to people who walk past the outer gate. In the past week, while they have been at play, people have stopped by asking for piece work, others yell for kwacha. Some want to know if we need a house manager. School children on their way home from school stand at the gate trying to entice them to come out and play.  When my kids say “I will go ask my mom,” the kids at the gate run away and hide.

Some of our kids are having a rougher time than others. There have been many tears of frustration shed while being held tight by either Erik or I. Yet, there are aspects of this new life they enjoy. Their newest game is to keep their ears tuned in to the distant blasting of the copper mines. Upon hearing it whoever yells “Copper Mine, Boom, Boom!” first wins. Their bunk beds are right by the windows so they can lay on their beds and watch for lizards outside. And hey, who doesn’t love catching lizards and mice in their own living room and kitchen? Or like tonight, catching bats in their dining room?

My dad always tells me that people read this blog and then know how to pray. Please join us as we pray for patience as we wait to move in to our more permanent dwelling. Pray we make the most of our time here growing closer together as a family. Pray we can willingly be the hands and feet of Jesus.