Still thinking about Zambia

It seems like an eternity since we got home from Zambia, and what I saw is still fresh in my mind. Sometimes I want to go back and re-live my experience over and over and over again. Everyday my mind goes back to Zambia, sometimes its about building the wall other times its remembering the teams little inside jokes that kept us from going insane in Heathrow airport. Every week at church the team has what we call a team huddle, nothing fancy or anything, its just our team in the foyer talking about well, just about anything. I love the feeling of having a special connection with people that without this trip, I wouldn't of had this connection. Now the team is just like my family.

I've been listening to a song lately its called There will be a day by Jeremy Camp. It's one of my favorite songs, it reasures me, that someday, one day, we will be with God in heaven. Here's the link to a YouTube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtud5pvF08A

That's all for now,
Kayla

Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Home sweet home

This morning I woke up in my own bed, in my own room, in my own house, in my own city, in my own country! I looked out my window and saw snow.  I'm not in Zambia anymore!

After a 10 hour car ride from Mongu to Lusaka, Zambia, we got on British Airways Flight 254. That plane would take us to London, and from London to Toronto!  We had a bit of time in London, so we did some sight-seeing.  We went to Windsor Castle and saw the Queen's digs.

Before this trip, I always wondered how God could use me, a 13 year old girl who hasn't even been out of North America. But now I see that God can use anyone to spread the good news. But you don't have to go on millions of missions to spread the good news, it can be as simple as telling your neighbor about Jesus, or inviting your friend from school to youth group on Friday night. You don't have to be the most spiritual person, or the guy who memorized the entire Bible. You just have to seek God and ask him to show you his purpose for your life. He will show you the way.

I feel like a new person. Something in me just wants to tell everyone about Jesus, and tell them about the work God has been doing all around the world.

I've been crucified with Christ, I no longer live but Christ lives in me. I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

That's all,

Kayla

If you think I should keep blogging, please comment. I'll start a new blog, you can follow if you want!

Our last night in Mongu

So, it is early on Tuesday morning and we are now preparing to pack and head back to Lusaka, as our time in Mongu is done.  This means all the packing and preparing for a long trip.   Its seems a bit like we just got here, but my dirty laundry tells another story!!!!  :)

Last night we had a beautiful sunset view over the Zambezi floodplain.  Everyone took a lot of pictures.  There were kids out playing on the sand hill, and people fishing in dugout canoes, and the harbour area was full of activity.  We even met some other people from the UK who have been in Zambia for 2 weeks, and they work at the Eye Clinic, doing eye examinations and giving out glasses prescriptions.

Zambezi River Floodplain at sunset

Rich and Laurie took us to a restaurant in the town for supper together.  We also went to a market and a Lozi tribe craft shop to get some souvenirs.  (I got one for you Abby!) 

This is a picture of my dad and I and a student from the Bible College, Enock Muyeba Ngubulu.  Yes, that's what I said.   He is on his last year of a 3 year diploma program to become a pastor.  He also likes photography, and calls it his "Tent-making".  He likes to fool around a bit, just like my dad, so they hit it off.  I will try to remember to pray for this man.

The team is tired.  You can just tell.  But I think we've all had fun and have been a blessing and have been blessed.  I most enjoyed meeting the kids.  Although I did like working with Greg on construction.  (He did more of it than me!)

We are packing up now, and loading the truck.  I won't have WiFi until later, so I won't be able to post any new blogs after this one.

Pray for us as we travel through London again, and then back to Toronto, CANADA!!!!

That's all for now!
See you all soon!

Kayla
 

Construction team picture

Canadian and Zambian construction team

 

(plus some kids who just wanted to be in the photo!)

 

Jan 28

Today was our last day on the construction site.  Gerrit and Les put the ladder on the water tower stand, while Greg and Harold cut wood for the rafters and trusses for a new building.  



Completely blown away

Today was Sunday. We went to Rich & Laurie's church. Trust me, the service is very long, around three hours! I didn't stay for the entire service, I went outside with the Sunday School kids with Laurie, Rebecca and my dad. It was very interesting to see how they teach the kids about Jesus in another country, knowing how it is in Canada because I am involved in children's ministry. In Canada, they separate the kids in age groups, but here they keep them all together in one big group.

After the service, I gave the kids toothbrushes. They looked very happy to receive the toothbrushes, they started to play with them as if they were toys.

What really amazes me is that the people are so happy with so little. They're just happy that they are alive and well, and that God has blessed them with what they have. I saw a little boy probably only one year old, wearing ripped clothes and probably living in a hut that was made out of plastic bags, and he was laughing and smiling. I think we can all learn something from them. God loves you enough to give you breath and life, and he let his one and only son die for your sins so that we can have eternal life with him in Heaven. Just thinking about that makes me smile. What a wonderful truth!

After church, we went to play volleyball with some youth at another church in Mongu. It was so fun! There were over 100 kids playing soccer and volleyball and some just digging in the dirt.  We played a warm-up match, and then we danced. Then we played another match, Canada vs. Zambia. Sadly, the Canadians lost. We'll win next time.  Then more dancing.  Then the Pastor spoke and wanted us to introduce ourselves to everyone.  They asked me to share something about Canada.  Then, you guessed it...  we danced!

The construction project has been going well, and its back to work at the site tomorrow. 

That's all for now,
Kayla

Me handing out toothbrushes to some of the kids

 

Jan 26, by Blair

Mongu, Zambia

Jan 26

 

Good day today.  Water tower stand near completion, and stood up today.  Les, Gerrit and Joseph (Zambian welder) have put in the hours for sure!

 

Good progress on the perimeter wall around the youth center property.  A mix of Canadians and Zambians working on mortar and block laying. 

 

Great food for the workers from Julie and Helen!  Thanks so much!

 

 

 

The morning routine is interesting.  It is culturally very important to greet one another every morning, with Good morning, How are you?  Are you well?  How did you sleep?  How is your family?  Are they well? along with a vigorous handshake.  It seems that high value is placed on getting to know you first, before we go and lay concrete blocks.  I wonder if western society could learn something about that.  Sure, we might say hello and ask if you watched the game last night? , but this is just surface. 

 

And then it all repeats after lunch, and then well wishes at the end of the day. 

 

Tomorrow is Sunday.  We are going to church with Rich and Laurie.  We are preparing for 3 hours + on a bench.  As before, this is the culture.  I might try to find out what's going on in Jr. Church with the kids! Ha!  After church, in the afternoon, we have been invited to play volleyball.  A community event should be fun and a diversion from the worksite.

 

Zambia as a nation, seems very patriotic.  They have a sense of humble pride in their country.  It is evident on the football pitch - The African Nations Cup is going on now, and everyone is following the team.  It is evident in how people speak about their country. 



Blair

Toothbrush Delivery!

Kayla with Pastor Manuella, director at Kids Alive orphanage,

presenting toothbrushes and Ontario Gleaners soup mix.