Village Visits part 1

June 23-24.

Many parts of my Sundays resemble home very much so. Church. Lunch. Nap. Get a few things done. Church. Hangout. Bed. However, Zambian traditions still make these things different, as they should.

We went to church in Magrimon, a village that’s about 20 minutes away in a vehicle. One of the night guards, one of the aunties and another friend from Namwianga all worship there. In church the auditorium is split down the middle with men on one side and women on the other. At the end of service, the man making the announcements shared the attendance numbers in men and women. The numbers/data part of me enjoyed that fact. They also introduce every visitor by name- that includes all 8 of us and 33 college students from George Benson. When visitors come, the Zambians see it as they’ve come to share a message! So the men help participate in the worship service and the whole groups sings in front of the congregation. Well, we had two songs that we practiced on the way to church, but the college group was one of George Benson’s Choirs… Uh. Not fair. The church was sweet and clapped as we tried to sing in Tonga. When we sang in English though we almost fell apart from laughing at ourselves. It was just special and bad. Webster, the night guard and dear friend, made us lunch. It was a real treat. The rest of our Sunday was restful and wonderful. Mr. Merritt spoke at evening service about 1 Corinthians 12-14 and did a great job of speaking truth with love. He introduced his lesson by talking about chickens and hyenas! The point: don’t be a chicken and peck at God’s word, be a hyena and devour all of Scripture. Only in Africa.

On Monday, we road with Meagan and Conrad, a man who works around the Havens, to visit some of the children that have gone back home. The goal was 6 children, 5 different families. When you don’t have exact addresses and phones aren’t always reliable, finding 5 families spread out over a 200 km is a big task! Many praises because we were able to see all 6 children and their families. The day was filled with laughter and tears. Lots of tears of joy. Seeing these children thriving with their family, happy and loving life is such a blessing. Trying to talk to people we pass on the road to find the right family was hilarious! So many jokes that don’t make sense when you try and retell them. Other parts of the day were hard because we do not know what God knows. For this I am very thankful. However, it still means trusting Him and realizing I do not know what is best. Life is not fair or equal for all of us and there are no simple answers. So we trust our ever-faithful God.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and PEACE as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

full

June 17-21.

The first full week is complete. Wow. It was full… of love, smiles, throw-up, stretches, exhaustion and affirmation! The loving is what our job is. To be extra hands to lighten the Aunties load and love. Most of these kids smile all the time! When you start talking to them or hold them, their face lights up. I even saw a smile out of my little baby. We each have one of the small babies we’re supposed to spend extra time with each day, mine is Rodwell. He’s just over 2 months old and was growing well until he got sick a couple weeks before we got here. Then he began loosing weight and still isn’t gaining; now Rodwell only weighs about 7 lbs! But Tuesday when I was talking to him, he smiled. Naturally, I cried. I’m praying a day comes soon when he is much stronger and smiles much more often. Still, Roadie’s smile was definitely the highlight of the week. (p.s. all the kids have nick-names and his is Roadie)

Thursday was a day of throw-up :) It’s going to happen when you’re around infants all day! They decide their full after they’ve eaten too much or their getting used to new food or we’re learning they don’t tolerate that type of formula.

Stretches happen multiple times a day for a couple of our precious ones: Busiku and Joel. Busiku has cerebral palsy, spina bifida and microencephalopathy. She can’t walk or sit up by herself for long (a few seconds on a good day), but Bus laughs and smiles so much! She stays pretty stiff until she’s getting stretched. Singing, even my under par singing, helps calm her as we do the therapy. Joel also has cerebral palsy. With braces on his legs and extra help to balance, from someone walking in front of him or his walker, the boy moves fast! He is so determine to walk and stand and sit in a chair all by himself. Busi is normally really tiered and doesn’t want to finish, but Joel raises his hands asking to practice standing even more! He is just incredible. I really loved working with him each day.

The exhaustion part should be obvious. At the end of the day, about 6, we load up in Meagan’s truck and drive home to make dinner. We decided early in the week if you aren’t exhausted at the end of the day, you didn’t do your job. We invest in God’s children (both young and old) physically, emotionally and spiritually. However, I wouldn’t trade this time for anything. Serving these children is such a blessing!

For me the week was also full of affirmation. I know I’m right where I’m supposed to be, doing what God made me to do right now. Through feeding babies, stretching babies, changing nappies, talking with the girls and reading Scripture, I know that serving in some fashion like this is what I’m made to do! I have no idea what that will look like in 5 months or 5 years, but boy, am I excited to find out! Thank you for following me through this journey and for praying me through it! Love.

Equipped by God alone

June 20.

 Hebrews 13:20-21 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Did you catch that? May the God of peace equip you with everything good that you may do HIS will through Jesus Christ. That’s been my prayer and thanks this week. There are times that I felt very equipped and others when I haven’t. But we serve a faithful God who helped me through when I didn’t know.

I’ll back up a little. Saturdays are our day off from the Havens. As much as we love these children, it’s good to refuel and rest. We (the girls and 4 other interns from ACU- Ashley, Brittany, Chris and Weston) walked into town, had lunch and went to the market. The walk was about 4.5 miles each way which provided a great opportunity to talk and know everyone a little better! The market was not very busy so 8 Americans walking together definitely stood out. We bought Zambia soccer (football) jerseys and chitangies. Zambia women wear this long piece of fabric as a skirt, to carry their babies, to cover their head/hair. Very useful. Once we made it back to Namwianga, we spent the rest of the day watching Zambia play Sudan in soccer, reading, showering and journaling.

Going to church on Sunday was so special. As previously mentioned, Zambians sing without holding back. So a whole auditorium with mostly secondary and college students was just magnificent. We had lunch at the Meritt’s house- what a treat! Mrs. Kathy is such a wonderful cook and even made biscuits. We were able to get a Sunday afternoon nap before evening service.

Monday began our full days at the Havens. We shadowed Meagan to learn part of her routine- it includes physical therapy and language class- before we split into our specific jobs on Tuesday. We will take a week at each haven and the fourth person is the floater. For the first week, I’ve been the floater. My job is to spend time with our youngest and littlest babies, take Busiku and Joel to therapy (or just stretch them if it’s not a therapy day) and help at group feeding times. Rotating between the houses still proved a challenge trying to figure out the different routines of each Haven. While many of the Aunties speak English, they speak to each other and the babies mostly in Tonga. I can barely greet them in Tonga. It’s been so long since I’ve gone to another country and had no idea what people were saying. This challenge is one of the many places the verse from Hebrews has been my prayer. I know how to hold and feed a baby. But I do not know how to speak Tonga. I didn’t know how to fold a nappy, until this week. I didn’t know all the Aunties, until I made a picture directory. Still, God gave people patience to sit and teach me this week when I didn’t know. We laughed many times, but every time I was thankful to be humbled and be learning. I’m also thankful that the writer of Hebrews had that prayer tucked inside his letter.

I’ll share more stories from physical therapy and language class over the next couple days. These children are perfect. Thank you for being patient with me as I figure out how to put these packed days into words! Love you Friends!

Intro to the Havens

June 13 and 14.

These couple days were spent getting used to the Havens. Most of Thursday was with the toddlers in 2. Lots of outside time to run and play. Except these babies were still sleepy so Prince (aka Pri) just stayed in my lap and did not want to walk or go anywhere. It was comforting to know I had plenty of time to just sit and play with sand with Pri. Some days at home life is so rushed I do not take time to be until I’m falling asleep. I’m hoping that is a habit I break while I’m here.

Each night we do dinner rounds… 5:00 Porrige in Haven 1; 5:30 Shima in Haven 2; then 6:00 Porrige in Haven 3. The best part of dinner is singing with the Aunties while we feed! They are so full of spirit that it pours out through songs. Tongan songs are just full of life that it’s contagious.

Friday was Haven 1 in the morning while the Aunties had training. They were learning about infant massage and they practiced with some of the babies while we watched the others. It was a little chaotic but a lot of fun. I’ll go ahead and admit changing nappies (cloth dippers) is not as easy or enjoyable as changing disposable dippers! I got to spend time with the Aunties playing with one room (8 of the babies) and folding laundry. Shima, a cornmill/grit type mix that is cooked until it is very thik with some side of greens, is the staple meal in Zambia. Most days we will eat this for lunch with the Aunties. It really is pretty good- even if it is fairly bland- as long as you don’t get too much!! I made a mistake of not keeping an even ratio of greens to shima and got an extra HEAPING helping of greens. I was getting so full, but it was our first time eating with the Aunties, and I didn’t want to be rude. I asked Kelly, “What do you do when you can’t eat anymore?”  Kelly replied with a smile, “You keep eating.” We all finished our plates even though all of our stomachs hurt because it was too much. At least now I know. Even Ratio!

While it was nap time at Haven 1 we went to Haven 3. We played there until dinner rounds. We come home and had a quick family dinner before dashing to the Meritts for singing night. Singing here is just full of volume… Stellar! Also, hearing the young boys sing and seeing their smiles is just perfection! We talked, played nerts and laughed until it was really late. Again: perfection.

All I can think is beyond blessed! To be here. For new friendships. For the Spirit being in our conversations. For our perfect babies. And for a wonderful support system.

Getting to home

[sorry the internet has been out since Thursday night...]

June 12.

As much as I love numbers, I am not even about to add up the number of hours in planes, trains, and automobiles it took to arrive at the Namwianga Mission. However, I can tell you, after being here for all of 4 hours, it was worth every second!

To back up just a little, we all found each other in London. Praise! Then traveled through Johannesburg, South Africa (where we took a group picture with Nelson Mandela, the beaded statue) to land in Livingstone, Zambia and buy visas. Another big praise: all of our luggage made it! Once we picked it up, we were greeted by Meagan and Neiko, one of the girls from the havens that has been living with her for the last 3 months. Meagan took us to the grocery store in Livingstone to buy some groceries. Most days we will be eating lunch with the Aunties, but we will be responsible for cooking our own dinners. A challenge that we are all excited for.

Meagan gave us a lot of orientation on the drive to Namwianga then took us to the havens. First was haven 2, the 2-3 year olds/walkers. Then haven 3, the ones with medical needs. And then haven 1, the entry/newborns/non-mobile ones.

Yes, you can probably guess that I cried as these precious children came to greet us. So much relief to finally be here and see what I’ve been trying to picture. So much joy as I see these smiling faces. So much excitement knowing I don’t have to leave in a week, but I get the blessing of learning about these precious ones for seven weeks. So much overwhelming if I think about how much I don’t know. Instead, I pray and breath most of the time.

We got back to Meagan’s and started unpacking just getting very excited over all the cloths and wipes and things we brought for Meagan and the babies. Before we could make dinner, the eighth grade girls came over for devo. Meagan has them over on Wednesday nights when school is in session for singing and Bible reading and prayer. We talked about goal setting from the perspective of becoming more like our Savior. Hearing them sing was beautiful. But we learned heart-breaking news that one of the leaders of the group (who is in 11^th grade) just lost her dad to pneumonia in the last 3 weeks. We did a lot of crying and praying.

Meagan is already showing to be a wonderful woman of God. She’s sharing more of herself and her story with us each day. This openness is such a blessing as we are learning from her. Even though some of the things she shares are the challenges or hard days, her spirit is still an encouragement and a reminder of why we are here.

The next few days will be spent getting more familiar with the havens and Aunties and figuring out their schedules. Thank you for praying us here! We are all so excited for this work to be our focus for the next 7 weeks. Please pray God gives us a memory for names and a new language so we can serve best!

officially happening

[written in ATL. posted in LON-Heathrow]

Oh my. It. Is. Here. June 10^th. The day we fly to Zambia!! Well technically London, then Johannesburg, then Livingstone, Zambia :) Then a short car ride and we will be in Namwianga! It finally feels real as I’m sitting in the terminal now about to board the first plane. The day was filled with last minute errands and repacking and blessed phone calls from so many of my favorite people. Thank you to everyone who as called, texted and encouraged me in any way over the last few days, I love you for it!! I know I would not have come to this place without your love. God truly provides for all our needs. I have heard Him through you. Thank you for that.

In about 11 hours we (Kelly, Hanna, Kamri and I) will all get to meet in person in a London airport! I could not be more excited to see them! Please pray for smooth transitions through all our airports, especially as we try to find one another, without phones. Ha.

I also wanted to share the verses that have provided me stillness and peace over the last 24 hours. I pray they bring you the same peace.

Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually! Psalm 105:3-4

Talk to you soon! From the other side of the Atlantic!

~Colette

Thrilled. Amazed. Hopefully. Excited. Humbled. Anxious. SO Joyful. and a little Sad. The last few days have been a jumble of all these emotions and more! In just 4 days, I'm headed to Kalomo, Zambia to work in the Havens of Namwianga! Mostly I'm filled with excitement and good anticipation as it's finally time to go. But as my time with my family is ending, I am a little sad knowing how much I'll miss them. This idea that is now a plan has been in the works since September, and it barely feels real. We serve and incredible God who loves to bless us to praise His name. He has been molding my heart for this for quite a while and then let the people and the plans fall into place! 

The idea of spending the next 7 weeks serving and loving the people of Zambia (especially the babies in the Havens) is overwhelming! I still find myself talking to God and saying, "How have you blessed me so richly?" Going to Namwianga has been a dream of mine for quite a few years, and I'm praying that I can give as much of my heart and mind to love without reservation while I'm there. 

Part of the planning included 3 other girls Kelly, Hanna, and Kami, who are already an encouragement and support! The three of us will be working with Meagan Hawley who lives in Zambia and serves as the medical advocate for all the children in the Havens. I am looking forward to working alongside these ladies while learning more about caring for children and the God who creates them. 

To all my family and friends that have encouraged me through support and prayer please do not stop now! I'll be keeping this blog updated as often as I can. Please pray not only for me but the whole team Meagan, the Aunties, Kelly, Hanna and Kami and the other workers in Zambia. 

Pray for strength and love.

Pray for open eyes and hearts. 

Pray for God to be glorified above all.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7