So I’ve been in Zambia for a week and and a half now and already so much has happened. We started teaching in our new school, which was created so that the local kids who couldn’t afford to go to school now had the opportunity to get an education for free. This has been quite the challenge for me since my classroom is the only one which doesn’t have a certified teacher yet, so me and my teammate Ellen are now planning lessons everyday and teaching these high school students the best we can. They speak little English so this also makes our job a little harder. Despite all of these obsticales, our students still come in everyday ready to learn and they even ask to have extra homework for practice everyday, so that was eye opening to see how greatful they are to have the things we complain about at home. I already love my class so much and I’m greatful that God chose me to be their teacher and that I have the opportunity to learn and grow through this challenge. We have also started our afternoon ministry and street evangelism, so on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday we have sports ministry, which I thought I wouldn’t like as much because one I’m out of shape and two it is soooo so hot here, but God blesses us with a rain shower right before sports ministry every time. This has actually been some of the most enjoyable times here in Zambia. We have the opportunity to play soccer or “futbol” with the kids and it is so much fun and we laugh pretty much the whole time because we all suck at soccer and the little 10 year old kids things it’s so funny. I also get the chance to just sit and enjoy time with all of the kids and I have so much love for them already I can’t handle it. They love to be held and loved on literally all the time and it melts my heart. They love to sing and laugh and braid my mazungu cici (white people hair) lol. On Tuesday and Thursday we have street evangelism and we get the chance to talk to the locals about our faith and how much we love Jesus. On top of school and ministry we have faced some challenges in day to day life just getting used to not having some of the basic luxuries we have at home, such as air conditioning, endless running water, and access to WiFi, and those are just a few things we lack here in Africa. But that’s okay because it is so humbling to have to work for things that technology makes so easy for us in America. Most mornings I have to take a shower out of a bucket and whenever my clothes get dirty, I have to hand wash them in a bucket which is a lot harder than you realize but almost therapeutic in a way as well. I love everything about my new home and how much it’s taught me in only a week. The fact that we only have two weeks left here blows my mind. I’m starting to realize how hard its going to be to say goodbye to each country, but I’m so excited to be able to learn and grow more in the next two months.
Update: Our teammate Bailey is coming back in about two weeks, right before we head to Zimbabwe so we are all so thankful and excited for her to be here. Thank you for all of the prayers. I’ll update my blog next Saturday or Sunday!
