Alexa
Thursday, 24 July 2014
In Zambia and loving it!
Here I am in Zambia, Africa and I am having the time of my life. Everyday in this place is a God-given gift. I love this place so very much and it has been an amazing experience. Today we didn't spend a lot of time with the children because we went on longer Holy Home Visits. But while we were with the children we sang songs and a little girl named Frieda started to fall asleep in my arms. When we did go on the home visits, me and 5 others went to another community called Katetaula on the border of the Congo. I went to 3 houses with my mother and my uncle. The first house was a family with 8 children and 10 grandchildren. The next house we went to the woman was 31. She had 5 children the oldest being 18 and the youngest was 1. She had taken in 3 of her sisters children when her sister passed away. Her husband was in the Congo collecting coal to sell so he was not there. The next home we went had there was again a mother with her husband was away in the Congo for coal. She was 34 and had 8 children. The oldest was 20 and the youngest was 1. They were beautiful children. I think the saddest part of my day was that these mothers who were still very young had had children at the ages of 13 and 14. I can't even imagine that. Then we went back to the care point and soon after we went home. Over all, it was a very good and meaningful day. I really love Maranatha!
Alexa
Alexa
Wednesday, 23 July 2014
Speechless
As I sit here in the middle of the night, I realize i have only a vague idea of what date it is. Oh I know it's Thursday, but that's it. Time seems to pass differently here. It goes by slowly; without an agenda like we have at home. There are many things Hands does in a day, but in community, we are simply loving and playing, listening, putting a hand on a shoulder, smiling and walking alongside others. I do not miss my life back home, but I can easily say that knowing I am only here for a short 2 weeks. If I were committed to a year, my heart would feel otherwise I'm sure!
I have wanted to blog earlier, but time has not allowed me to. So when God woke me up over an hour ago, I first resisted, then figured I may as well do it while the house is quiet. Last night we watched a movie played on the outside white wall of the house, under the brilliant Africa sky filled with an amazing abundance of stars, while drinking hot chocolate (with the most flavourful delicious marshmallows I've ever had!). It was a surreal and lovely experience. Our community in which we serve is called Maranatha, and it is an hour and half drive to get there. So by the time we get home, have dinner and a time of debrief together, we are all exhausted and fall into bed. So, all that to say, here I am.
I feel often that I am literally in an advertisement we often see on tv for world vision where we see the bloated bodies and dire poverty. Our team has stepped into this world and it is shocking to see it firsthand. To touch those whose faces don't get wiped, whose clothes are tattered, and who seem oddly not anxious about racing to their only meal of the day. It is an honour.
I have not been aware of what others in my family have blogged yet, and I am definitely too non techie to even know how to check without someone guiding me, so if I repeat anything, please forgive me:).
As you likely know by now, Hands at Work, is a local nonprofit organization built around the values of Christ to walk alongside and care for the orphans and widows. It is located in 8 different African countries at this time. Zambia has the largest number of local communities hands helps sustain (I believe 23) compared to 6 in South Africa and even less in the 6 other remaining countries. The Zambian team here works with these communities, along with the communities in Malawi and the DRC, so their jobs are very full and busy. Never enough workers for the field, as is common everywhere. Hands, since 2012, has been working to partner groups/communities around the globe with the local communities here in Africa. To give us someone specific to pray for and love on from afar. And so that is how we have ended up serving in this particular community of Maranatha. When we and others from the abbotsford area return, this is our "home" community. For instance, it was neat for Cady to see and say hi to a few people her friend Sam had met in March and for us to do the same from our friend Zuke. The connections grow.
And so here we are, serving and walking alongside the children and careworkers in this very rural and poverty stricken community. The school here serves around 100 children, with at the very least 50 more on the high priority list waiting to be funded to attend. To receive care and love and a meal a day. The majority of these children who come are orphans, with either one parent (usually dad from abandonment or death) or both parents gone. Living perhaps with an auntie or a grandma. Neither of which has any means by which to feed another mouth. There are 19 beautiful careworkers, headed by Jack who is the leader. 3 teachers, Boaz, Jack, and Patricia (who walks daily a very long ways with a baby on her back; only 3 days younger than Oscar, and a sweet 5 year old in tow) daily teach the children lessons in Bemba (the local language) and English. The others work to prepare the meal (more on that another day!!!) and help manage children (you can imagine the busyness of that with 100 little bodies between the ages of 3-12). Most of them are under 10 and some of the older ones (by that I would mean 6 and up) carry their baby siblings on their backs as there is no one to care for them at home.
They come joyfully to school with their torn clothes and dirt covered bodies. I was asking Ma Elizabeth (a lovely Zambian woman who works tirelessly on behalf of all the 23 communities) yesterday who potty trains the littlest ones. This came from helplessly seeing a young girl just pee herself right near me. Heartbreaking as no one even bats an eye or cleans her up. She told me that the careworkers work to train them when they see it. But it is hard to "catch" them ( as we all know from past experience of parenting). Most of them do not own a pair of underwear so that is even more challenging. And there are no pull-ups here!!!:) I asked her how many pairs of clothes these children own and if they have pjs. They would own 2 at the most and no pjs. They wear their clothes day in and day out, until they are literally falling off them. I noticed a little boy wearing small rain boots. The left heel was completely gone but he could still wear it as the top half and toe part was kinda intact. He is lucky to have shoes. I assessed a young handicapped boy's foot yesterday. He had badly burned it (unsure of how long ago) and was wearing an old dirty kerchief around it. I was pleased to see that it will likely heal, but was appalled at the general condition of his feet. I don't know if dirt or just very thick layers of dead calloused skin were his soles. Logan commented on how he felt so bad for them as he noticed what rough condition their nails and toes were in. Cady then jumped in and suggested foot washing, which, while we can't do for 100 children, we can do for 19 careworkers (and are doing so this Friday, can hardly wait!).
The material poverty here is staggering. It is much more so than in South Africa (and we thought that was bad enough!). However, the love they have for one another and the stronger family structure that exists is a blessing. Compared to SA, where social poverty (very poor family structure with so many children fending for themselves, and sadly a greater abundance of crime and sexual violence) is so prevalent, these children at least have love. They generally are safe from predators. I asked Christa and Devon (an Ontario young man working here) which is worse. The material or social poverty. After some thought, they both said social. For at least with material poverty, children are usually loved by someone and most are kept safe. That being said, there are bars in Maranatha where the men drown out their sorrows in booze. A cultural problem around the globe! And then these men are unsafe. But doors are locked at night to keep them out. Sherry and Logan and I went to Anna's home. She is the auntie to sweet Alice. Alice can't always get to school. When Anna has to work her fields in the DRC, Alice has to go along, as there is no one safe she can leave her with. Alice's uncle stopped by while we were visiting, reeking of alcohol and being overly friendly. Not a relative you'd leave your child with. Again, a similarity across the globe. No loving mother would leave her child with someone she sensed was unsafe.
Well, I think I will sign off for now. I have so much in my heart and mind to say, but my words are getting rather long, and I don't want you using my blogs as your sleep aide:). Perhaps if I were ever to write a novel you could use me as that!
It has felt good to blog and I thank you for bearing with me. For listening to my thoughts and picturing with me the lives people live here. While it causes my heart to break, it also causes me to feel immense joy as their joy is contagious.
Talk again soon,
C
I have wanted to blog earlier, but time has not allowed me to. So when God woke me up over an hour ago, I first resisted, then figured I may as well do it while the house is quiet. Last night we watched a movie played on the outside white wall of the house, under the brilliant Africa sky filled with an amazing abundance of stars, while drinking hot chocolate (with the most flavourful delicious marshmallows I've ever had!). It was a surreal and lovely experience. Our community in which we serve is called Maranatha, and it is an hour and half drive to get there. So by the time we get home, have dinner and a time of debrief together, we are all exhausted and fall into bed. So, all that to say, here I am.
I feel often that I am literally in an advertisement we often see on tv for world vision where we see the bloated bodies and dire poverty. Our team has stepped into this world and it is shocking to see it firsthand. To touch those whose faces don't get wiped, whose clothes are tattered, and who seem oddly not anxious about racing to their only meal of the day. It is an honour.
I have not been aware of what others in my family have blogged yet, and I am definitely too non techie to even know how to check without someone guiding me, so if I repeat anything, please forgive me:).
As you likely know by now, Hands at Work, is a local nonprofit organization built around the values of Christ to walk alongside and care for the orphans and widows. It is located in 8 different African countries at this time. Zambia has the largest number of local communities hands helps sustain (I believe 23) compared to 6 in South Africa and even less in the 6 other remaining countries. The Zambian team here works with these communities, along with the communities in Malawi and the DRC, so their jobs are very full and busy. Never enough workers for the field, as is common everywhere. Hands, since 2012, has been working to partner groups/communities around the globe with the local communities here in Africa. To give us someone specific to pray for and love on from afar. And so that is how we have ended up serving in this particular community of Maranatha. When we and others from the abbotsford area return, this is our "home" community. For instance, it was neat for Cady to see and say hi to a few people her friend Sam had met in March and for us to do the same from our friend Zuke. The connections grow.
And so here we are, serving and walking alongside the children and careworkers in this very rural and poverty stricken community. The school here serves around 100 children, with at the very least 50 more on the high priority list waiting to be funded to attend. To receive care and love and a meal a day. The majority of these children who come are orphans, with either one parent (usually dad from abandonment or death) or both parents gone. Living perhaps with an auntie or a grandma. Neither of which has any means by which to feed another mouth. There are 19 beautiful careworkers, headed by Jack who is the leader. 3 teachers, Boaz, Jack, and Patricia (who walks daily a very long ways with a baby on her back; only 3 days younger than Oscar, and a sweet 5 year old in tow) daily teach the children lessons in Bemba (the local language) and English. The others work to prepare the meal (more on that another day!!!) and help manage children (you can imagine the busyness of that with 100 little bodies between the ages of 3-12). Most of them are under 10 and some of the older ones (by that I would mean 6 and up) carry their baby siblings on their backs as there is no one to care for them at home.
They come joyfully to school with their torn clothes and dirt covered bodies. I was asking Ma Elizabeth (a lovely Zambian woman who works tirelessly on behalf of all the 23 communities) yesterday who potty trains the littlest ones. This came from helplessly seeing a young girl just pee herself right near me. Heartbreaking as no one even bats an eye or cleans her up. She told me that the careworkers work to train them when they see it. But it is hard to "catch" them ( as we all know from past experience of parenting). Most of them do not own a pair of underwear so that is even more challenging. And there are no pull-ups here!!!:) I asked her how many pairs of clothes these children own and if they have pjs. They would own 2 at the most and no pjs. They wear their clothes day in and day out, until they are literally falling off them. I noticed a little boy wearing small rain boots. The left heel was completely gone but he could still wear it as the top half and toe part was kinda intact. He is lucky to have shoes. I assessed a young handicapped boy's foot yesterday. He had badly burned it (unsure of how long ago) and was wearing an old dirty kerchief around it. I was pleased to see that it will likely heal, but was appalled at the general condition of his feet. I don't know if dirt or just very thick layers of dead calloused skin were his soles. Logan commented on how he felt so bad for them as he noticed what rough condition their nails and toes were in. Cady then jumped in and suggested foot washing, which, while we can't do for 100 children, we can do for 19 careworkers (and are doing so this Friday, can hardly wait!).
The material poverty here is staggering. It is much more so than in South Africa (and we thought that was bad enough!). However, the love they have for one another and the stronger family structure that exists is a blessing. Compared to SA, where social poverty (very poor family structure with so many children fending for themselves, and sadly a greater abundance of crime and sexual violence) is so prevalent, these children at least have love. They generally are safe from predators. I asked Christa and Devon (an Ontario young man working here) which is worse. The material or social poverty. After some thought, they both said social. For at least with material poverty, children are usually loved by someone and most are kept safe. That being said, there are bars in Maranatha where the men drown out their sorrows in booze. A cultural problem around the globe! And then these men are unsafe. But doors are locked at night to keep them out. Sherry and Logan and I went to Anna's home. She is the auntie to sweet Alice. Alice can't always get to school. When Anna has to work her fields in the DRC, Alice has to go along, as there is no one safe she can leave her with. Alice's uncle stopped by while we were visiting, reeking of alcohol and being overly friendly. Not a relative you'd leave your child with. Again, a similarity across the globe. No loving mother would leave her child with someone she sensed was unsafe.
Well, I think I will sign off for now. I have so much in my heart and mind to say, but my words are getting rather long, and I don't want you using my blogs as your sleep aide:). Perhaps if I were ever to write a novel you could use me as that!
It has felt good to blog and I thank you for bearing with me. For listening to my thoughts and picturing with me the lives people live here. While it causes my heart to break, it also causes me to feel immense joy as their joy is contagious.
Talk again soon,
C
Monday, 21 July 2014
Maranatha
Today was a great day. We started with our orientation to the farm/building where we are staying, then had our orientation to Hands at Work, and then we were off to Maranatha to visit the community we will be serving in for the first time.
We arrived at Maranatha to the cheers and laughter of a hundred children approaching our bus and then getting on the bus when we opened the door. As we exited the bus each one of our team was greeted with handshake after handshake from these beautiful children and the kids wouldn't let go of our hands. By the time all 12 of us had exited the bus we each had 4-5 children trying to hold our hands all at once. Wow!
The purpose of today was to meet the careworkers, get to know their names, and learn about the Maranatha community. Maranatha started in 2005 under the leadership of Jackson and Angela. Jackson is 64 years young and Angela is 45, having been married for 30 years with 10 children and 4 grandchildren. Their passion and energy is contagious. The community cares for 100 children with food, medical care and education.
We spent time singing and playing a game with the careworkers and then went on to wash the children's hands, feed the children their lunch, and then wash them again. After this we broke into groups with some of our team and a few careworkers, in order to get to know them even a bit more. Celine, Alexa and I met with Angela (Jackson's wife), Patricia, and Mary. These women have given of themselves to the Maranatha community from 5-9 years and work tirelessly with the children.
The whole day was amazing, but 2 things stood out above the rest. First, meeting a young 6 year old girl named Exildah (careworker Patricia's daughter). She sat down beside me when we were having our small group chats with the careworkers. She didn't smile at all but stayed close to me. She had a bad burn on her right hand and her mother told me she had that for the last 5 days and there was nothing to put on it. I asked if I could pray for her and so I put my hand on hers and prayed for her. Within minutes she had sat a bit closer to me, followed by her left hand on my arm and then her right hand on my arm. Lo and behold Exildah was my friend the rest of the afternoon, holding my hand and smiling the rest of the time I saw her. When I was on the bus and we were leaving, we blew kisses to one another...words can't adequately express!
Second was the children when we were leaving. They ran after our bus for quite some time and wouldn't stop. Every time we thought we had turned a corner and were on our way some of the children would have caught up and were waving and cheering for us.
As we drove away every one of our team were moved by what we had seen and experienced. I am so excited to see what God has in store the rest of our time here.
Frank
We arrived at Maranatha to the cheers and laughter of a hundred children approaching our bus and then getting on the bus when we opened the door. As we exited the bus each one of our team was greeted with handshake after handshake from these beautiful children and the kids wouldn't let go of our hands. By the time all 12 of us had exited the bus we each had 4-5 children trying to hold our hands all at once. Wow!
The purpose of today was to meet the careworkers, get to know their names, and learn about the Maranatha community. Maranatha started in 2005 under the leadership of Jackson and Angela. Jackson is 64 years young and Angela is 45, having been married for 30 years with 10 children and 4 grandchildren. Their passion and energy is contagious. The community cares for 100 children with food, medical care and education.
We spent time singing and playing a game with the careworkers and then went on to wash the children's hands, feed the children their lunch, and then wash them again. After this we broke into groups with some of our team and a few careworkers, in order to get to know them even a bit more. Celine, Alexa and I met with Angela (Jackson's wife), Patricia, and Mary. These women have given of themselves to the Maranatha community from 5-9 years and work tirelessly with the children.
The whole day was amazing, but 2 things stood out above the rest. First, meeting a young 6 year old girl named Exildah (careworker Patricia's daughter). She sat down beside me when we were having our small group chats with the careworkers. She didn't smile at all but stayed close to me. She had a bad burn on her right hand and her mother told me she had that for the last 5 days and there was nothing to put on it. I asked if I could pray for her and so I put my hand on hers and prayed for her. Within minutes she had sat a bit closer to me, followed by her left hand on my arm and then her right hand on my arm. Lo and behold Exildah was my friend the rest of the afternoon, holding my hand and smiling the rest of the time I saw her. When I was on the bus and we were leaving, we blew kisses to one another...words can't adequately express!
Second was the children when we were leaving. They ran after our bus for quite some time and wouldn't stop. Every time we thought we had turned a corner and were on our way some of the children would have caught up and were waving and cheering for us.
As we drove away every one of our team were moved by what we had seen and experienced. I am so excited to see what God has in store the rest of our time here.
Frank
Sunday, 20 July 2014
Arrived!
Well! we have finally arrived here in Zambia; exhausted from travel and very glad to sleep in a bed. My writing won't be long or too contemplative tonight. I want to sleep. Although, thanks to a special "loan" from mom, I did sleep all the way from London to Joberg last night - thanks mom!
It's kinda surreal to be here; after over a year and a half of planning. We have set foot on African soil once again. The fire burnt smell in the air is familiar as is the dust which swirls around our vehicle as we headed to our first stop. I told Kathy and Rob and Sherry that they are our test cases for leading, as we haven't led a team like this before. And we will learn from things we do in these two and a half weeks. Like forgetting to tell them NOT to let a young man help them with baggage outside the airport, cause they are just wanting money from barely even touching your bags! Sorry Kathy and Sherry!
We decided to do our safari first off this time. We are currently settling to sleep in real beds horizontally (the little things we take for granted!). We go on a drive safari tomorrow early am, followed by a cheetah experience (will find out what exactly that is) and then Christa is arriving to take us to our new home near the community of Maranatha, where we will be serving. We still have a 6 hour bus ride ahead of us, but that's okay. Cause in a third world one realizes many things, one of them being the privilege to fly to another country and the luxury of that in and of itself.
So, with that said, I'm going to say goodnight to Logan and then drift off to a much needed sleep. (Frank fell asleep within about a minute of lying down!)
Fortunate to be here,
C
It's kinda surreal to be here; after over a year and a half of planning. We have set foot on African soil once again. The fire burnt smell in the air is familiar as is the dust which swirls around our vehicle as we headed to our first stop. I told Kathy and Rob and Sherry that they are our test cases for leading, as we haven't led a team like this before. And we will learn from things we do in these two and a half weeks. Like forgetting to tell them NOT to let a young man help them with baggage outside the airport, cause they are just wanting money from barely even touching your bags! Sorry Kathy and Sherry!
We decided to do our safari first off this time. We are currently settling to sleep in real beds horizontally (the little things we take for granted!). We go on a drive safari tomorrow early am, followed by a cheetah experience (will find out what exactly that is) and then Christa is arriving to take us to our new home near the community of Maranatha, where we will be serving. We still have a 6 hour bus ride ahead of us, but that's okay. Cause in a third world one realizes many things, one of them being the privilege to fly to another country and the luxury of that in and of itself.
So, with that said, I'm going to say goodnight to Logan and then drift off to a much needed sleep. (Frank fell asleep within about a minute of lying down!)
Fortunate to be here,
C
Tuesday, 15 July 2014
Friday, 11 July 2014
Here we go - 6 sleeps before take off!
Well all of the planning is done, all of our team meetings completed, all of our vaccinations received, and in 6 days we leave for Zambia. To say we are excited would be an understatement. We are excited for how we will be able to touch the lives of those we meet but also excited for how we ourselves will be touched by the people we meet.
1. For travelling safety, both in transit as well as on the ground in Zambia.
2. For physical safety for the team.
3. For "God moments" throughout the trip; moments where God touches the lives of those we are in contact with but at the same time touches us.
4. For Hands at Work as an organization as they seek to be God's hands, feet, and eyes to the most vulnerable orphans and widows in Africa.
5. For Celine as she will be staying in Zambia in August and then travelling down to South Africa in early September for her long term missions intake (staying for 1 year) - for strength (physical, emotional, spiritual).
That's it for now, but stay tuned...
We leave with the Hands at Work mission clearly before us, to, through relationship with Hands at Work in Africa and the Church inside of Africa, challenge, encourage, develop and support the ministry of servant hood among those in need in their community. We believe the biblical mandate to care for the dying, widows and orphans is not only for the Church in Africa, but also elsewhere, and Hands at Work in Africa (Canada) Society will be a prophetic voice to the Churches inside Canada, challenging them to fulfill their mandate.
So with that said, thank you to those that have supported us along the way (financially and in prayer) and we would so appreciate your ongoing prayer support. Specifically:1. For travelling safety, both in transit as well as on the ground in Zambia.
2. For physical safety for the team.
3. For "God moments" throughout the trip; moments where God touches the lives of those we are in contact with but at the same time touches us.
4. For Hands at Work as an organization as they seek to be God's hands, feet, and eyes to the most vulnerable orphans and widows in Africa.
5. For Celine as she will be staying in Zambia in August and then travelling down to South Africa in early September for her long term missions intake (staying for 1 year) - for strength (physical, emotional, spiritual).
That's it for now, but stay tuned...
Friday, 18 April 2014
Thank you!
Thank you to all those that supported our Online Auction. While the method we used to conduct the online auction was not the most conventional, we were very happy with the results and very thankful for the support of those who bid, those who passed on the information, and those who just stopped by for a look!
Please stop by this blog site this summer for more information about the trip and about our experiences in Zambia.
On behalf of Zambia122014,
Frank
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