The days continue to feel scorching and zap us of energy. We eagerly await the rains.
We had the opportunity to attend a celebration for the Grade 7 and Grade 9 at Lifesong School. Here in Zambia, a national test is issued at the close of these two grades. If a student does not past the test, they do not move on to the next level. All of these students had taken their test and were awaiting the results to be received as to whether or not they had passed. It was really special to be able to watch them in their joy. I had to laugh to myself as I imagined my own nieces and nephews celebrating in the same way. Not going to happen!
The kids all danced into the cafeteria in lines. They clapped and swung to the rhythm as they jumped, twirled and kicked their way toward the front of the group. Mothers, fathers, grandparents, friends and caretakers waved chitenges as they gave out excited, triumphant sounding calls by quickly placing their tongue on the back of their top teeth and saying "ah-la-la-la-la-la" (go ahead and try it...move your tongue as quickly as possible for a more authentic sounding cry). Even though I don't know many of the kids well, I still felt a lump rise in my throat as we had the opportunity to reflect how far some of them have come. They have worked hard. Some have lost a parent during their schooling, some of them have lost a grandparent. Things have been difficult. Life isn't always easy. I am so proud of them. There are times when the fog of uncertainty about what in the world I am doing half a world away from what used to seem familiar to me clears away. This was one of those times. We are humbled to be a small part of what He is doing by managing the farm and being present in the community. I wished that all of you could have been there to share that moment with these kids. Their lives have been blessed because people like you have invested in them. And early this week we received the good news that all of the grade 7s had passed their exams! The wait for the grade 9s continues as they receive their results in February.
In regards to blogging, I waffle between sharing life in sweeping generalities and sharing every tiny intimate detail. To name a few:
It is not unusual for us while driving at night to have to dodge people lying on the roads who have passed out drunk.
The rains bring out my riotous humid hair that embarrasses me.
The struggle we have as we try to understand the grip witchcraft has on the surrounding community. Our western mindset has to stretch when we hear these things. The way Satan works here is completely different but his ultimate goal of death and destruction is the same.
Our family loves to escape to the farm reservoir. An amazing water slide has been created using old water tanks.
The crowds as we go in to town overwhelm our kids and they all avoid going grocery shopping or marketing with me like the plague. They still remember America's predictability and long for it but they get a true sense of what it is to be a minority.
The frustration as we try to source things for the farm. Running a business in a third world country is challenging. Stopping 5 different places for one item seems ridiculous. And our success rate on locating some items is 50/50. But it's our reality.
When something in the house stinks, we began searching for dead rats we may have missed during our cleaning.
Our personalities have grown new dimensions. Moving to a new culture stretches us in ways we never anticipated. For example, whenever I hear African drums, my new self feels the overwhelming urge to dance. Which is really bizarre if you know me well.
The excitement we feel as new crops are planted. As they begin to establish we pray God will increase their bounty so we can provide more jobs in the community and more profit to give to the school.
The curiosity and wonder mixed with repulsion as we encounter new and frightening LARGE insects.
The surge of satisfaction we feel when we reflect on the fact that in Lifesong Farm's peak season we employed 70 workers. We often wonder if we will be able to turn a profit at the end of the year, but knowing that for a short time an individual was able to provide for their family, have a sense of belonging and self-worth makes our time here well-spent. Thank you Jesus.
The humility and awe we feel that God has allowed us to be a part of what He is doing in Zambia. And it's because people like you have partnered with us. We thank you. Which sounds inadequate and can never really help you realize what your giving means to the people here. Or how your giving is furthering His Kingdom in Garneton, Zambia. God bless you.
We had the opportunity to attend a celebration for the Grade 7 and Grade 9 at Lifesong School. Here in Zambia, a national test is issued at the close of these two grades. If a student does not past the test, they do not move on to the next level. All of these students had taken their test and were awaiting the results to be received as to whether or not they had passed. It was really special to be able to watch them in their joy. I had to laugh to myself as I imagined my own nieces and nephews celebrating in the same way. Not going to happen!
The kids all danced into the cafeteria in lines. They clapped and swung to the rhythm as they jumped, twirled and kicked their way toward the front of the group. Mothers, fathers, grandparents, friends and caretakers waved chitenges as they gave out excited, triumphant sounding calls by quickly placing their tongue on the back of their top teeth and saying "ah-la-la-la-la-la" (go ahead and try it...move your tongue as quickly as possible for a more authentic sounding cry). Even though I don't know many of the kids well, I still felt a lump rise in my throat as we had the opportunity to reflect how far some of them have come. They have worked hard. Some have lost a parent during their schooling, some of them have lost a grandparent. Things have been difficult. Life isn't always easy. I am so proud of them. There are times when the fog of uncertainty about what in the world I am doing half a world away from what used to seem familiar to me clears away. This was one of those times. We are humbled to be a small part of what He is doing by managing the farm and being present in the community. I wished that all of you could have been there to share that moment with these kids. Their lives have been blessed because people like you have invested in them. And early this week we received the good news that all of the grade 7s had passed their exams! The wait for the grade 9s continues as they receive their results in February.
In regards to blogging, I waffle between sharing life in sweeping generalities and sharing every tiny intimate detail. To name a few:
It is not unusual for us while driving at night to have to dodge people lying on the roads who have passed out drunk.
The rains bring out my riotous humid hair that embarrasses me.
The struggle we have as we try to understand the grip witchcraft has on the surrounding community. Our western mindset has to stretch when we hear these things. The way Satan works here is completely different but his ultimate goal of death and destruction is the same.
Our family loves to escape to the farm reservoir. An amazing water slide has been created using old water tanks.
The crowds as we go in to town overwhelm our kids and they all avoid going grocery shopping or marketing with me like the plague. They still remember America's predictability and long for it but they get a true sense of what it is to be a minority.
The frustration as we try to source things for the farm. Running a business in a third world country is challenging. Stopping 5 different places for one item seems ridiculous. And our success rate on locating some items is 50/50. But it's our reality.
When something in the house stinks, we began searching for dead rats we may have missed during our cleaning.
Our personalities have grown new dimensions. Moving to a new culture stretches us in ways we never anticipated. For example, whenever I hear African drums, my new self feels the overwhelming urge to dance. Which is really bizarre if you know me well.
The excitement we feel as new crops are planted. As they begin to establish we pray God will increase their bounty so we can provide more jobs in the community and more profit to give to the school.
The curiosity and wonder mixed with repulsion as we encounter new and frightening LARGE insects.
The challenge we face as we attempt to balance being a profit seeking business and a ministry.
The surge of satisfaction we feel when we reflect on the fact that in Lifesong Farm's peak season we employed 70 workers. We often wonder if we will be able to turn a profit at the end of the year, but knowing that for a short time an individual was able to provide for their family, have a sense of belonging and self-worth makes our time here well-spent. Thank you Jesus.
The humility and awe we feel that God has allowed us to be a part of what He is doing in Zambia. And it's because people like you have partnered with us. We thank you. Which sounds inadequate and can never really help you realize what your giving means to the people here. Or how your giving is furthering His Kingdom in Garneton, Zambia. God bless you.
3 comments:
You are a great writer & i appreciate how you've given us some poignant examples of your daily life. miss you...and by the way, i've always thought you've had some "dance" in you. ; ) are we going to see a video sometime soon?! love-mandy & dam
I appreciate both your sweeping generalities and your tiny details. We may be on two sides of the continent, but your stories make me feel not quite so alone. Carry on, you're doing great!
Love reading your updates and miss you!!
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