How was your day?

Not related to my post: but this is Victoria Falls in August!  (We just went again
to visit recently as my brother was around!)

This is how my day went today... 

At 8am I went for a walk, meeting up with my friend Dorothy, a Canadian missionary who is married to a Zambian.  We’ve been trying to walk together a couple times a week.  It’s a therapy session for both of us to as we talk and walk (we walk slow so we have lots of breathe to talk!)  Today she mentioned that it was the first time she heard me talk negatively about anything in Zambia.  So my “ten thousand gifts” (Ann Voskamp book) and being thankful in all circumstances is, I guess, mostly working.  We walked into town at the end of our walk and continued with a group therapy session.... meeting up with my friends, Julie and Sara, also missionaries.  We met at Wonderbake.  The Choma, Zambia version of Tim Hortons (Dunkin Donuts for you Americans). It turned into a 2 hour group session over coffee. Very needed today.  And it made for a great morning. Only one drunk guy came in and tried to get into Julie’s face.  A nice man escorted him quickly away.  Though while walking down the street he managed to get into all our faces again.  After he left Dorothy alone she shrugged and said “you know we’re all seasoned missionaries when...”  (we just shake his hand and jump in front of a bus to separate ourselves from him and don’t think twice about it later).  Dorothy got the worst attention of all of us - he was grabbing her arm at one point. 

Dorothy and I arrived back at my place at noon, we grabbed the car and went back into town.  I stopped at a school, Adastra, where I am hosting EdCamp tomorrow. (EdCamp is an “unworkshop” where you bring teachers together to talk about education issues so they can help each other.  There’s no set speaker or topic so it’s a new thing here in Zambia.  This is the second time I’ve done this now.  I had 21 people who RSVPed that they were attending, so I was feeling good about a low-key EdCamp at this point).  At Adastra (the venue for my EdCamp) I was not surprised, since this was my second time doing this, to find the classrooms we are planning to use filthy.  I arranged a time to come back at 3pm and bring someone (Memory, my house help, who had already agreed to do a bit of extra work) to come help clean it.  Then Dorothy and I drove close to the grocery store and parked. Into the store we went.  We both collected groceries for our families and it was great doing this routine thing with a friend this time around!  I also stocked up on a couple more things for my workshop: buns, powdered milk and sugar.  I already had leftover coffee and tea from the first time around.  We paid and pushed our carts to the car, followed by a couple of street kids.  After loading up the street kids took our carts (I’m finally figuring this out - do you give them money?  A polite thank you? What?  I’ve started buying small packets of chips to give them.  My solution - for now at least!)  Then I bartered with a “friend” (a man who often tries to sell me stuff).  He wanted K1 / banana.  I didn’t relent until I only paid K0.50.  Then off we went.  Dropped of Dorothy and her groceries and unloaded at my place.  Got lunch finally around 2pm.  I drew a couple posters for EdCamp tomorrow (an agenda for the day - start time, discussion group times, lunch, etc. and a blank one with times and places for the discussion groups.  The topics will get filled in tomorrow).  Made a phone call while Andrew took the kids out for a bike ride (quiet!) 

Then Memory was finished working at our house so we drove to Adastra, waited for them to let us into the rooms, and began to sweep.  Memory complained loudly that I should not be sweeping as I will get my hair all dusty (short grass brooms). So I caved, as I had told her I needed to go into town before I could take her home.  I went off to do my errands and left her at it.  On my way I saw the head teacher (principal) of Adastra so I picked him up.  He wasn’t going far, but he did inform me that 3 teachers would attend my workshop, and he might too.  So I was up to about 25 participants. I let him out and parked at the edge of town.  As I walked the 5 blocks to the bank I got a text message from a teacher friend who works at St. Patricks, a large government school in town, who I had invited to EdCamp but hadn’t heard anything from.  The text said this, “How are u Michelle? My phone was down in the morn. I think 40-46 teachers should attend tomorrow.  Good day!”  PANIC!  I continued (mostly outwardly calm) down the sidewalk and into the small shop where I bought more units (after waiting in line for a long time) for our pre-pay electrical  (ZESCO) - so the power wouldn’t go off in our house and stay off. Then I walked past the bank again and decided I needed more money to pay for workshop expenses as my attendance had just risen more than double!  (PANIC).  It was 4pm at this point.  I had already planned food (buy fast food at the grocery store), water bottles - check, buns - check, etc. etc.  My brain was working overtime.  It’s too much (and they probably won’t have enough for 70 people) to do my first plan of buying lunch at the grocery store. I did another errand and walked back to my car.  I met up with Memory - super lady - who had almost completely finished cleaning.  I helped her move some desks and dust them off.  

Then we were off again. I took Memory home, since I had kept her late.  It was my first time visiting her house (and that area of Choma).  Driving through the market, past my mechanic, and then into unknown area.  Down some very very narrow “paths” (roads?!) and we arrived.  Her children ran out to greet us (her son, Isaac, hopping on his one good foot - he was in the hospital with a bad injury on his foot for awhile.  It’s healing but he can’t walk on it yet).  Her daughter, Mercy, who I had not yet met, ran up to me and gave me a big hug and then proceeded to hold my hand for the next 5 minutes and after I sat on a stool outside, was almost in my lap, just like my kids!  She’s 4 and very sweet and a comedian!  She was making us laugh.  I also met Memory’s mother who has been staying around to help with Isaac.  And her brother was also visiting.  He told me his name means “Most Wanted” (He is the eldest boy).  After visiting for awhile, and Mercy was called away to have a bath, Memory invited me inside her house. She had poured me “sweet beer” (a drink made with maize).  I groaned inwardly as I don’t particularly like it.  I added a LOT of sugar - very Zambian of me, and actually almost enjoyed it.  I did finish all but the maize at the bottom.  She served it in a mug that my parents had brought her.  All-Star telescope! Made me smile. Visiting Memory and the relationship I’ve built with her over the last year gives me joy. She sweetly offered to ride with me back to the main road so I wouldn’t get lost, though her and Mercy had to walk back after I let them out. 

Home again.  I had supper with my family but I was still stewing about what to do.  (Last time I had a friend cater for 50 people- but she is out of the country presently!)  I decided maybe I should buy 10 chickens (Spar, the grocery store, is open until 8pm usually) and cook them and Andrew could just heat them up.  And then buy chips (french fries) at a restaurant.  Then Andrew suggested I ask at the restaurant what their price would be to do it.  It was getting close to 6pm and dark, and that’s when the restaurant closes because it’s outside!  So I zipped off to ask.  And YES!  They could do it.  70 take away orders of chicken and chips.  SAVED!  (For a reasonable price even - about $3/plate).  If I wanted salads with them it would go up $2!  No thanks!  I headed home yet again.  Much relieved!

Todd, a fellow MCCer had arrived at our place (I waved at him while I drove to the restaurant!).  He’s spending the night so he can attend EdCamp tomorrow as he’s teaching at a village school.  I said “hi” but knew he’s quite comfortable staying here and could find his way around.  It looked like he had already started laundry and Andrew had offered him some supper.  I used the last bit of daylight to go into the garden and pick 8 cabbages.  The 2 puppies we have left pulled on my skirt, tried to get in my way as I cut, and were generally a nuisance.  But I got it done.  (almost FREE salad for the workshop!)  Memory is coming to help again tomorrow so I’ll have her make it up.

Tired but much relieved, I took a very hot and very long shower. Kissed the kids good-night (thanks to Andrew for taking care of them all day and even putting them to bed!) Sat down and talked with Todd (and Andrew shortly after).  The power went off.  Took a candle to the kids’.  Was very grateful I had just boiled the kettle.  Had a nice hot cup of tea (it’s cold tonight again!) Read a bit of my book on the iPad.  The power came on after less than an hour.  Put my toque on as I was so cold - double sweater even! Started writing this and had another cup of tea. Now it’s almost time for bed. Maybe read a bit more in bed.  And another good but tiring day will most likely be on my agenda for tomorrow.  I’ll let you know how tomorrow goes.  Prayers are always good! 

How’d your day go today?

*disclaimer: I was too tired to proofread this so I apologize if there’s mistakes!