Mungaila’s

Over the last two weeks, we’ve helped the community in Tara (about a 30 minute drive from Namwianga) build a house for the Mungaila Family. Meagan does a wonderful job of explaining this family’s story HERE. Please read it! But the quick summary is both parents are blind and they have 5 children: Lushomo- 8, Choolwe- 6, Kurt- 4, Jessie- 2, and Leahndrea- 6 months. Leahndrea lives in Haven 1, Jessie, Kurt and Choolwe have lived at the havens and gone back home, and Lushomo is the man who takes care of the family with such gentleness and strength. I first met this wonderful family when we went out on our first village visit. We saw that their house walls and their ceilings didn’t meet and that there was only one room. Being that it’s winter in Zambia, Meagan really wanted to see what could be done about building a proper house. Well, less than a week and another survey trip was made to see about space and needed materials and budget… Add in a lot of prayers, a wonderful community in Tara, dozens of servant hearts from Namwianga and less than a month later the Mungaila’s have a 3 room house with full walls, a tin roof and cement floors! God is SO good!! It was such a blessing to watch the process unfold and get to participate a little. I say a little because our main workdays happened during my vertigo days, so I went with Meagan and the interns, but I sat in a chair and played with the kids while the other girls worked. Pictures will be posted when I get back to the States, but pictures will not be able to explain the peace on Lushomo’s face when he saw the new hooks for his clothes. They will not be able to explain the joy on Kurt’s face when he jumped up on his bed in his bedroom. Pictures will not explain the pride that leaders of the Tara community had for supporting this family and doing everything they could to help. Pictures will not explain the sadness, joy and peace that filled my heart when we left their house for the last time. Saddened to not be hugging those kids in a few days. But so much joy that they are able to rest behind a door. And somehow, still so much peace knowing that God is in that house and in their lives. He is holding them through all the hardships that family will face in the coming years. He is the one who loves them more than I can fathom. 

Be Still

July 6-20
Saturday began early, since my built-in alarm clock does not allow me to sleep late. I spent the morning reading, journaling and listening for God’s truth. Thankfully he spoke! I was able to smile and have peace with the passing of Jay because of verses like 1 Corinthians 10:13, Colossians ___, Psalm 18:1-2, Exodus 14:14, Exodus 15:2. Once everyone was up, the cards came out. We spent the rest of the day laughing with friends. It was beautiful.

Sunday’s highlight was bringing Roadie home for the evening. We went to church in Tomango, the same village Kamri and I visited. It was so nice to see the same kids and get to worship with the Ba Edinan and Bina Mbombo. The Zambia Medical Mission team has arrived and is making final plans for the two major outreach clinics in the next two weeks. So we helped the Meritt’s prepare food for Monday’s big meal, like 250 people. After washing potatoes and chopping vegetables, we went to the havens to pick-up one of the kids to take home and to church. I got to bring Roadie home!! It was just a few hours, and he slept most of the time. But it didn’t matter to me! I loved being able to love on him and not be rushed by anything. He looks like he’s grown- even though he hasn’t gained much weight. Rodwell is perfect with his huge, expressive eyes and long fingers.

Monday was a whirlwind of haven tours for the ZMM, serving the meal, and cleaning up. We drove into town to get supplies for distribution. Each week the havens and houses get the supplies delivered that they need for the week, such as millie-mill, oil, meat and milk. We finished distribution and can you guess… played cards :) Our favorite game of hand and foot. It was my night to watch Nelson. I love spending the night with him. He actually slept from about 1 to 7 with the exception of a 4:30 bottle. YAY! Go Nelli!

Tuesday morning was Jay’s burial. While I’m grateful that precious boy doesn’t have to know the hardships of this world, I still walked away from the burial broken. The Haven 2 kids were outside, and Ruben walked right up to me with open arms and said, “CoCo?” I picked him up, and he wouldn’t let me out of his hug. Exactly what I didn’t know I needed. Rubi is such a blessing to me all the time. I held him, cried and prayed that we don’t have to bury anymore. However, at the same time it’s difficult to pray that these kids grow strong because I know life here is just hard. Harder to go to school. Harder to find work. Harder to find daily food. And if they can escape these earthly difficulties then I want them to be in Jesus’ arms… But I also see how much of an impact they can have on the kingdom as a 3 year old and know that God has a plan for each them that involves their own gifts being used for God’s glory. I left the havens and went back home to watch Nelson. After spending the day holding Nelson, I realized I had a fever and a sinus infection and really terrible ear pain. As soon as the girls and Meagan came back from the havens I went to bed praying that Nelli did not get sick!

Wednesday the fever was gone, but I slept until 11! One of the truest signs of me being sick. Obviously I stayed away from the havens and spent the day resting and journaling. That evening, I was feeling SO much better. The other interns had come home from the havens, we were sitting around the den together when the room started spinning. After I realized it wasn’t going away by me being still, Kelly (my trusty nurse!) told me to lie down. Still didn’t help. Then I felt the nausea. And without too much detail ended up getting phernergan shots when the nausea would not let me move an inch- literately. Well while I was getting well aquatinted with the bathroom floor, Meagan and the girls were busy taking care of Nelson and the house. Nelson and Hanna went to the havens. Nelli was doing well enough and his aunties were missing him greatly! Hanna spent the night in the havnes to help with the transition and to stay away from my germs. Kamri was staying clear, as any smart person would. Meagan and Kelly were commandeering major disinfectants! They helped me to a bed, although it felt more like a boat, then cleaned everything.

I woke up Thursday with the world still spinning a little extra but praise the Lord, no nausea! We tried Dramamine to help with the rocking/spinning but no such luck. So I slept a lot and walked with assistance when necessary.

When the world was still rocking and tilting on Friday we knew a few things… 1: it was probably some sort of vertigo. 2: Thankfully, that’s not contagious. 3: I was pure entertainment walking down the hall! I spent part of the afternoon sitting on the porch and it was wonderful. Outside the world is bigger and the spinning slows a lot which helps me not feel like I’m about to fall over. I definitely was not being super active, but I did get to venture out of the house for dinner.  

Over the last week, the vertigo has majorly improved! By Monday I could walk without assistance. There was less spinning each day, by Wednesday basically none. By Saturday, today, the wicked headaches have gone. I still have moments when I move my head quickly or bend down and come up too quickly where I can’t really tell which way is up. However, other than that, feeling all-better. Thank you for the prayers, they worked. We have a God who heals and comforts!

This week has had other adventures (building a house and another overnight village visit that I will share more about later), I just wanted to give you a full update on the vertigo life. My song last week, mainly Friday through Monday, was Be Still and Know. Don’t worry, we sang it twice at church on Sunday night. The lyrics have so much truth to them, and the added irony of vertigo made me stop and listen very closely.

Be still and know that I am God.
I am the Lord, who strengthens thee.

I am the Way, the Truth, the Life.

So be still and know that I am God.

Haven 2 and Baby Nelson and Jay

July 1-5

I spent most of this week in Haven 2 with the toddlers. They are full of energy and definitely keep me on my toes! On Monday, the first day I was in there, I shadowed one of the Aunties to get a good feel for the rhythm and routine of the day. Ba Beauty was very busy as all of the Aunties are. We folded lots of clothes, changed nappies, prepared meals and tea time, and spent lots of time with the kids. The changing is a funny process because everyone gets changed at once (when they wake up and before they go to sleep). They line up the toilet seats along the wall and all the kids have to sit until they go. Then we put a clean nappy back on, dress them and send them to play or to bed. They’re proud when they go, and it’s cute. After redressing them, I would stand them up and say, “Huggie.” They would smile and throw their arms around my neck!! Oh my. Best part of the day!!

While they are adorable they also wear me out. They are toddlers so they are learning how to share and make friends. Or sometimes do the opposite… steal and hit. So trying to separate them and stop the tears when someone looses a toy gets frustrating. Colossians 3 was my chapter for the week. “Set your minds on things that are above, not things that are below!” When I didn’t want to count the number of diapers or think about the pee in my skirt, I would just think, “Above.”

Joel and Ruben were the two I bonded with the most. Joel was just jabbering and laughing so much. His smile would take over his whole face. A beautiful sight. Whenever I would walk up to the haven in the morning, Ruben was the first to say, “CoCo!!” I reply, “Rubi!!” “CoCo.” “Rubi.” “CoCo.” “Rubi.” “CoCo.” “Rubi.” Hilarious. Yes, after about ½ a day of trying to say, “Colette,” I gave in to CoCo. As the Aunties say, “Simple. We like simple.”

Half way through the week, we brought one of the babies home to live with us for a while. Nelson, a preemie who is 10 weeks old, just needed some extra attention and a strict feeding schedule to help him thrive and gain weight. We each take a night and the following day staying home with him holding him as much as we can and feeding every 3 hours. I had Wednesday night and Thursday, which was a nice break from 17 toddlers. Thursday was also, July 4^th! The other interns came home for lunch and we spent the afternoon napping and watching a movie.  We all wore red, white and blue to dinner, including Nelson! He is part of the family. He’s so little! Just 2.2 kg when he came home!

The end of the week was very hard. Wednesday, Jay, one of the babies in Haven 1 was taken to a hospital about 45 minutes away from Namwianga. Late Thursday night, Jay passed away. Meagan found out during the night (she had been in very close contact with the auntie that was staying with him). We found out Friday morning. I rode with Michele Broadway, a new friend who is staying with us while preparing for the medical mission, and Meagan to pick up Bina Mbombo and Jay’s body. The ride there was mixed with tears and prayers and lots of comforting. In Zambia when you’re leaving the hospital, with a well loved one or not, other visitors in the wing help you carry your belongings out. It was a blessing to see that side of community. We drove back to Kalomo and went to the mortuary. While we were waiting for the man to come unlock the gate, Bina Mbombo said, “It’s a good morning.” I looked to my left at this woman I love, who has spent the last two sleepless nights at the bedside of a baby who did not make it, and asked, “Today is a good morning?” “Yes, CoCo.” I smiled through my tears and thought, It is a good morning. Today is the Lord’s day, and I will praise Him. God made Bina Mbombo a strong woman. Wow.

The rest of the day had to continue at the Havens. Kamri and I went to therapy with Joel and Busiku. They both had great days! Some needed encouragement for us. The kids all hugged me before nap. Nsima had a side of eggs. Kelly and I walked home during nap time to get advil. Since I process through tears, there was a strong headache coming. We walked home for dinner praying and laughing and crying. Nelson was the biggest blessing that night. I got to watch him while everyone else went to singing at the Meritts. (It was outside by a fire, and Nelson didn’t need either.) We rocked, journaled and sang lots of Acapella songs. Just what the Great Physician ordered for me.

This is the song that became my prayer… Thank you David Crowder...

Here's my heart Lord, here's my heart Lord, Here's my heart Lord, speak what is true. I am found. I am Yours. I am loved. I'm made pure. I have life, I can breathe. I am healed, I am free. You are strong, You are sure. You are life, You endure. You are good, always true. You are light breaking through. You are more than enough. You are here, You are love. You are hope, You are grace. You're all I have, You're everything

[Nelson Update: After 9 days at Meagan’s house, he weighed 2.8 kg and got to move back to into the havens. We do miss him, but his Aunties were very excited to have him back :) )

Livingstone Weekend

June 28-30

Just so we could experience some culture shock, we went from two days in the bush to two nights in the city being tourists. The four inters, Meagan, and 3 other awesome ladies left Namwianga Friday morning to head to Livingstone. Friday was filled with good food, friends and games. We had pizza at Olga’s, an Italian restaurant in Livingstone. Then visited the Royal Livingstone to play cards and enjoy high tea or water since I don’t drink tea. But the little quiches and desserts were very nice. Sitting on the deck, watching the sun set over the river was breathtaking.  We’ve fallen in love with Hand and Foot, a card game similar to Kanasta. While we were playing, zebras just wondered through the lawn! Crazy!

Saturday began very early because we had to cross the border into Botswana to go on Safari! WHOO! We saw all kinds of birds, elephants, hippos, giraffes, warthogs, crocodiles, lizards, baboons, antelope, impala… it was like a scene from Lion King! Our guide, Laki (pronounced Lucki), knew all about the animals and tried to find us some cats, but we were unsuccessful. However, a hippo fight and lots of crocodiles made up for it!

Sunday Hanna, Kelly and I went to ride elephants! It was very similar to riding a horse just much taller and a whole lot wider. I would not want to go long distance on Timbre. Feeding her was an adventure. You literately put the food in their mouth! Slightly terrifying if you think about it too much before you do it :)

We had worship time on the bank of the Zambezi River just before the falls. Isaiah 35. “He will come and save!” That promise is huge! Sometimes I forget that we were not made for this world. It has hardships and evils that God will rescue us from. After praying and reflecting we went inside the Falls. Oh my letter. It was incredible! So much water. So many rainbows. Such a beautiful sight.

Indescribable, uncontainable,

You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name

You are amazing God

All powerful, untameable,

Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim

You are amazing God 

I road back home to Namwianga in awe of all that we saw and experienced. Our God just has designed the entire universe and made it so unique. I love seeing new parts of his creation. 

**sorry, pictures aren't loading today... maybe another day or when I'm back in the US

Village Visits part 2

June 26-27

The last two days were spent in a village about 30 minutes (on foot) from Namwianga called Tomongo. Kamri and I spent two days and one night with Ba Edinan, one of the night aunties. We met her at 7:00 in the morning when she was getting off work to go to her home. We walked with a couple of the other aunties and passed many people who Ba Edinan said were her friend. It didn’t take long to realize that she is a friend to everyone! They love her, and she dearly loves them. Over the next two days we saw how she helped teach and care for her friends, including us. Once we arrived, her nieces and nephews and their friends were there to welcome us. They were definitely shy at first. Looking away, pointing, hiding behind one another saying, “Makua” (white person in Tonga)- but it didn’t take long before they were sitting with us playing and singing. We first shelled and roasted ground nuts- they were good! Then learned to cut rape. It’s a green stalky leaf that’s very commonly grown and eaten with out favorite nsima. You hold the stalks in a fist in one hand and cut across your thumb down to your pointer finger shaving off thin slivers of rape. Don’t worry I only nicked myself about six times but thankfully never drew blood! We sorted good and bad beans then put the good ones on the open fire to cook. Kamri brought some coloring books and, boy, were those the hit of the visit. Everyone, including Edinan, wanted to color, or paint as they call it, and it was precious. 

The school that these children went to was boys in the morning and girls in the afternoon. So right before lunch the girls left, and the boys came home as we were finishing lunch. Nsima with beans and rape. Portion size makes all the difference for me! I really do like nsima, as long as I don’t have to eat a wicked huge hunk of nsima! Especially the beans because we cut tomatoes and let them simmer in. SO good. Kamri and I were getting ready to wash pots and plates, Edinan had taught us how to wash with their water buckets and scrubbers of rope which worked very well, when she said, “Too much nsima. Rest now.” So we laid down on the tarp made of feed bags in the shade of the tree and rested. Perfect. Then washed dishes.

Our next big task was getting water. There’s a pump about a 3 minute walk from the house so that was super convenient. We had a 25, 10 and two 2 liter buckets that we filled. Edinan hoisted the 25 L one on her head like a pro. Over the two days, we went to get water 3 times. Kamri and I switched off with the 10L and small buckets. We both tried carrying the big one on our heads. Kamri took it like champ. I was drenched by the time I got back to the house… and did I mention there was a lid on the bucket?! HA! It’s definitely a developed skill that I do not have!

The rest of the visit was similar in schedule. Prep food. Play. Cook food. Sing. Eat. Wash dishes. Sing and play. We ate dinner by lamp light, since it gets dark before 7:00pm. Then waited for the kids to come back after their supper to sing some more. These kids can sing! And they love it. They also love when we teach them new songs, so we sang the new Awesome God that starts with, “He is faithful.”

My time in the village was so special. While we were normally preparing something, we still had more time to just rest and reflect. It was so easy too look around and see God. To see his beauty in the creation. To see his love in the people. To see his faithfulness through the providing of food and shelter. I want to see Him clearer every day whether I’m in the African bush or American suburbia. Praying that you can too.