Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!  

Things have been good.  Last Friday, December 20th, I went to a school in Choma (not one of the Brethren In Christ schools) to meet up with some teachers that I took to Nakeempa for a workshop earlier in the month.  I almost postponed it as I still wasn't feeling 100% but I'm so glad I went!  The original trip to Nakeempa was great and I connected with the two ladies that I chauffeured.  Annie and Amanda.  Both teachers, both moms.  Quickly turning into good friends. I managed to track down Annie's phone number and I asked them if there was a time they were free to help me turn some of my English literacy games (specifically: ABC Bingo and The Alphabet Jive song) into something that would work in ChiTonga.  They were happy to help and are excited to see the final copy (I'm still typing / doing the prep work) and use it at their school.  It was great seeing their enthusiasm and they worked so hard.  (I was no help at all when it came to alphabet sounds and words in ChiTonga!) I explained the two items in English and then they took over!  (Writing an English translation beside so I can find the right pictures for the Alphabet song book!)  It's turning out great.  I'm quite excited about it.  I'm hoping to finish it up before school starts on the 13th again.  

I met these two teachers through Nakeempa school (as I mentioned - the school ended up scheduling me to come out for my "What do you want me to help you with?" goals workshop on the same day these ladies were to present a workshop for the teachers as well.  I was being used for my wheels but it was a blessing!  I got to attend the workshop Annie and Amanda put on, first a general review about literacy and a reading lesson plan (which was very informative for me and I found out many of the teacher lingo for such things as sight words - "look and say" words).   Then I learned more about the THRASS program (Teaching Handwriting, Reading and Spelling Skills). These two ladies teach at St. Patrick's School in Choma (the other side of town.  It's a large and lovely government school).

On Friday we became even better friends.  (And hey - they were doing my work for me!) :)  On Saturday I ran into them in a shop in town.  It was like we hadn't seen each other for years!  I got a very warm welcome, even a kiss on each cheek!  I'm starting to run into people in town that I know now… and recognize! :)  (Before, I would hear my name and have NO idea who it was - I'd met too many people too fast!) 

Wonderbake coffee with Sugar packets: Tablespoons instead of Teaspoons
and fortified with Vitamin A!

On Saturday I got to meet my friend, Julie, at Wonderbake for coffee.  It was great.  I had to say good-bye to my new and good friend, Dorothy, on Weds. as her and her family were heading to Canada for home leave… for 6 months!  At least she'll be back here eventually!  So it was nice meeting Julie for coffee and hearing all about her travels (she had just been in the US for a month and a bit).  AND she brought goodies!  Stuff I asked her to bring, or had my brother or parents send to her to bring!  It was like Christmas!  (The candy canes she brought really helped with that too!)  I'm looking forward to having coffee with Julie once a week (After we're back from our Lusaka / retreat trip!)  

Christmas!  We weren't sure what Christmas Day would be like and thought it would be quite busy so we celebrated just our little family on Christmas Eve with some carols, the Bible story of Jesus' birth (read from the children's Bible), and presents.  I was surprised at how many presents we actually ended up having for the kids (Julie's package helped as I wrapped some of the fun stuff I found in it!)  

Kate when she saw a present with her name on it!

She wrapped a lollipop up for herself "incase
I don't get any presents"  Too funny!

These flashlights I found in town were a hit!

Snow White costume came in the package that Julie brought.  Found the wings and wand in town!

Swings for the swing set!  Malachi thought
they were skate boards for them.  :)

Christmas Day: We were told the service started at 9am, so we did the sensible thing and showed up around 10:30.  It ended up being perfect (there were only two others in the church at that time even… though a few more outside getting ready for the Braii that was to happen after church).  A Braii is a large BBQ pretty much.  Yum!  The service started around 10:45 so we guessed about perfect!  It was nice, a couple carols, a couple people speaking very briefly about what Christmas means to them (me included - they called my name - I guess I was doing too much eye contact?!)  My answer "Emmanuel.  God with us.  God comes to earth to show us what he's like in the person of Jesus."   Someone else, "food!" :)  A sermon on the Christmas passage in Isaiah.  More songs and prayer.  It was pretty short overall though.  Both kids fell asleep - it was very hot today (over 30C I would guess) and both of them were up late and up early!  (Why get up at 5am when you've already opened your gifts?! To play Uno with daddy?!)

Malachi all ready for church.  "He is very smart" they said.
Means the same as "looking smart"  :)

After the service they started the gift exchange (yes - we knew about it!) I'm pretty sure I overspent but I had fun!  And Christmas is about giving right?! :)  They had the kids first.  Started off with one child and then the child that received a gift called the person they had and gave their gift.  It was entertaining when our kids were called - they were both fast asleep!  I woke Kate up but she wasn't having any of it.  There were plenty of laughs and I accepted and gave her presents on her behalf.  Andrew did the same with Malachi.  

Andrew giving his gift.  Conrad got my name so I was up next!

Half of our church.  It's L shaped.  I was sitting on one of the nice plastic green chairs on this side, taking a picture of the other side.  This space is also my office on Fridays.

Then we went outside for the Braii.  I asked a couple young ladies to come with me to the house to get the two cakes I made the day before. People were offering to bring food for the Braii and I didn't know what to bring so Andrew said they were looking for cake so I asked and yes!  Hardly anyone has an oven so cake is difficult.  And to buy at the grocery store is expensive ($20-$25 for a small round one).  I was scared they'd melt in the sun or flies would get stuck to the icing - so I left them at home!  It worked out really well.  They held them while I drove the 5 minutes back (on really potholed roads by our house!  Hello rainy season!) And they whisked them off somewhere and started serving them!  It was pretty tasty if I do say so myself.  And yeah for dessert first!

We were all hiding in the shade!  Brought the chairs outside for the Braii!

The Braii pit and the rest of the church sitting outside.  Our church is small.  These two pictures are it.  About 25 people?

The young men were cooking the meat on the Braii pit.  T-Bone (beef) steak first.  Yum and then Chicken.  Yum.  They served the men first. Then the ladies and children.  It was pretty tasty.  I was one of the last to get served - but they were starting at one end it seemed.  Turns out they thought I didn't eat meat!  Ha!  Wonder where that came from?  So we joked about that a bit!  During the Braii I talked to a couple of the ladies nearby me. Overall it was a good time even though it was hot!  We ended up departing quickly though as Kate had been having some issues with diarrhoea all day and finally missed.  :(  

We had a somewhat relaxing (and hot) afternoon.  Then started preparations for supper as we were having 3 people over.  

New friends.  Lisa, Jenny, Micke 

Chatted with my parents on FaceTime for a bit, and my brother for a bit too.  Had a nice supper time.  I ate way too many peppermint meringues and burnt sugar fudge!  

Tried to Skype with Andrew's parents before the kids headed to bed, after our company left and alas - the internet iSpot was not working!  Andrew and the kids chatted briefly on the phone with them instead.

Kate's a walker when she talks!

Malachi's such a big boy!

Overall a very nice day.

Tomorrow - off to Lusaka…. 

Merry Christmas!

Real Tired

My friend, Sarah, from my Abbotsford Bible Study group nailed it this week when she said something along the lines of, "How are you doing?  You're staying fairly positive, but the reality of it is… you're far away in Africa.  So how are you really?"

So - here's some authenticity for you… the real part.  Not that the other posts haven't been real.  But blogging is convenient in that I can post on my up beat days and ignore the blog when I'm feeling down.   Well, maybe it's because Christmas is coming up and I'm missing everything that much more.  Part of it is the weather has been changing…. the rains have come to stay (I think) and when they came so did a sinus headache.  Well, I always get emotional and discouraged when I'm sick.  So I'm sure that's part of it.  And I'm tired.  Oh so tired.  School is out at least and I'm working on my literacy workshop for next school year, so I've been able to sleep in.  Yesterday I slept in AND took a nap.  (And then was up until almost 1am!)

We've been here 3 months now.  3/36 months. But who is counting?  

Every time someone tells me they put something in the mail for us, or donated money to MCC, or any other thoughtful gesture that reminds me that my friends and family haven't completely forgotten about me - it warms my heart… but it also makes me miss "home" like crazy.

My Bible Study group - who I FaceTime with every Weds. morning (for them), evening (for me) is now on break for Christmas. So I've been using a book I brought from Canada with me,  "Rivers from Eden" by Eden and Brad Jersak.  I've had this book for a long time.  It's a book of listening prayer / conversation with God.  I've used it a few times before - but even though it's been great, I always stopped after the first couple chapters.  Good thing… now I have it! :)

So I did "Day 3" Today.  Asking God to show me what he's like.  A symbol or metaphor of an object.  It took me awhile to still myself today.  I heard an answer.  "An Ocean Wave."

Huh?  I was expecting something like a rock.  A firm foundation. A lion. A lamb.

So I asked (as the book prompts) why? And how does that relate to me?

The answer, "Consistent.  It looks like it's floundering but it's in God's control.  He has a perfect plan.  A pattern.  The moon and the sun tug them, he blows the wind that changes the size and direction.  God is in control."

Okay - so that makes sense.  Sounds like what I needed to hear. I continued on reading the rest of the chapter (Eden's conversation with God) and it confirmed what I heard.  Her conversation with God ended up being an anchor.  (I read this part after I wrote down what I heard!) 

One of her quotes spoke to me because I am feeling "off" today:  "When I'm feeling "off," it's because I don't feel secure in a situation or because of the waters in which I find myself.  If I feel directionless, like there's no sign of land on the horizon, it may be that I've been in the waves too long without a place to rest." (p.24).  

I found it interesting that God spoke to me as Him being the wave.  Not the anchor He is to Eden. But it makes sense to me.  I feel like I am in that choppy water and it feels like I'll be in it for the next 33 months without "land."  I will get a rest, a vacation.  Right after Christmas - so soon!  But it still doesn't feel like a true rest.  I'll still be in Zambia, in yet another new location (a game park), with friends who are still new.  

So it's good to hear that God's not just the anchor.  He's the wave.  He's got a plan.  He has a purpose.  I'm just going to surf along on Him.  Surfing isn't always restful but it is joyful and it will be quite the ride of a life time!  I know there will be some dunks into cold water and there will be some moments of flying high. And then the times in between of coasting along.

So - continue keeping us in your prayers.  As I began this post - right at the beginning Kate interrupted me and asked, "how did you know God called us to Africa?"  Good timing eh?  Reminds me that there is a plan.  I felt it.  The plan is still there even if I'm not feeling it so much.  I'm tired.

Prayer Requests:

-Health (sinus issues and tummy issues)

-A restful vacation after Christmas, despite more "newness" (and travel mercies to get there!)

-our condo to sell.  (We need it to sell by April 23rd.  Bonus points if it could close on April 23rd!!) Our mortgage comes up for renewal that day - and well, we have no income so most places don't want to take us on for a mortgage.  If we can sell by this date we won't have to worry about renewing!  Bonus if we sell on this date - so we won't have to pay any fees for getting out of our mortgage early!  Though I will stress about leaving it to the last minute!

And some photos:

It's not Ocean Waves - but I love palm trees too!  This one is in our yard

Fanta is sleeping on Cookie now.  :)

Malachi's 3rd birthday cake. Well done Andrew!

The back part of our yard before it was slashed.  There's still a bit left to do.  The snakes are still in there I think.... 

Happy 3rd Birthday Malachi!

One Thousand Gifts

(I've been reading this book called, one thousand gifts, by Ann Voskamp, thanks to my friend, Emily, who gave me the book before we left for Africa.  Now - I'm finding that it's not an easy read.  I don't understand half of it and I'm very slowly wading through it.  I'm maybe halfway through?  But I've grabbed some tidbits out of it and it's the inspiration behind this blog post).  

We were able to go to Macha (about an hour north of Choma) for Saturday and overnight until Sunday.  We celebrated American Thanksgiving with new friends.  I had a great time.  We had a lot of good food… guinea fowl, impala stew, raspberry jello with craisins and apples, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and a whole lot more!  (Pumpkin roll with cream cheese in the middle - yum!) and saw a couple MCC ladies that live in Macha and some new friends too.  It being Thanksgiving (again) made me think about Christmas coming.  Now - I know Christmas is going to be different this year.  A whole LOT different.  (Though we do have a tree!) I want my attitude to be one of Thanksgiving and not one of sadness for what I'm missing.  I know I'm going to have to put a concentrated effort into this but if I start now I think maybe I'll have an attitude of gratitude by Christmas?  

The kids after decorating the tree.  They barely stood still so this is one of
the only not blurry photos!

And I know many of you in North America would agree that you need to focus more on being thankful and less on the consumerism and commercialism and stress that Christmas can bring.  (If you're on Facebook - the Advent Conspiracy is a neat group to check out!)

So - who wants to count 100 or 1000 blessings with me before Christmas?  I'm starting a bit late - but it still averages out to be about 4 blessings a day (for the 100).  Very possible.  1000 by next Christmas should be easy enough....

Let's do it together!  Here's a sneak peak at the first few of mine…  please leave a comment below, or e-mail me, if you want to do this challenge with me and I'd love to hear some of the first blessings on your list!  (They are 1000 gifts from God!) :)

1) I'm not cold!  (It was 99F on an actual fancy thermometer when we left Macha yesterday.  Probably got hotter after that).

2) That we have a gardener to slash the long grass and he's "taking care" of the snakes he finds while he's slashing.  (So far - a small one, and a large "poisonous" one… which was not a cobra… so not sure what!)

3) For a Christmas tree and it's fake so we can have it for the next 3 years!

4) For decorations for the tree and watching the kids have a great time putting them on.

5) For family and friends who are working to bring rubber type swings to us so we can give the kids a swing set for Christmas.

6) That work has been going well and the head teachers are very accepting of me.

7) That school "closes" for the year on December 6th.  I'm starting to feel like I need a break already! (Or at least a slow down!)

8) For a friend to do coffee with once a week to catch up

9) For Wonderbake that makes really great coffee

10) For half price coffee before 10am at Wonderbake

11) For the (different) friend that told me about the half price coffee before 10!

12) For iced coffee at home

13) For Memory, our house help

14) For internet so I can stay connected to old friends.

15) For discovering new stores in Choma all the time! (A new photocopying place that sells lots of office supplies too! And a "beauty parlour" that my friend showed me so I can buy shampoo!)

16) For long newsy e-mails from friends

17) For the impala and the bush buck and the monitor lizard I've seen while driving around.  (Okay - the two deer were behind fences in places I know keep some animals… but I hadn't seen them before!)

and so much more - but I should save some for another day!

Put on your Thanksgiving Glasses (perspectacles - glasses that change your perspective!) and start counting your blessings and see how those glasses change your perspective as you journey down this road with me!

Give Thanks!