Day 11 - Special Edition

Special Edition – Inside Jokes and such.

Every trip has those inside jokes and sayings that are often repeated.  Here are a few (please forgive misspellings since some of these words are not from my native tongue and some are).

“I LOVE Chucky Cheese”.  On our first flight from Dulles to Ethiopia Jesse encountered a little girl about 3 during the flight.  She randomly stuck her face between the seats into Jesse’s row and declared exuberantly “I LOVE Chucky Cheese!” 

“Oh, Tatwaba!” One of the songs we have learned from the kids here starts with the words “Tatwaba”.  (Takwaba uwaba nga Yesu (There's no one like Jesus in Bemba))  Jackie, at random times with sing out very loudly “Oh, Tatwaba” and everyone will join in on singing the first line of the song.

“I have a verse for you!” Bible verses vaguely or directly naming a person on the team have been shared with that person.  But the verse might be slightly altered to fit a conversation or situation that that person might be involved in.  Joel has had many verses shared with him due to the volume of verses available. But others might be something from 1 Samuel for Sam.

“Jackie loves Shima”.  Shima (pronounced Sheema) is a corn meal based staple in Zambia.  It looks like and is the consistency of really really thick mashed potatoes.  It’s eaten with your fingers and is kind of mixed with other food.  By itself it doesn’t have a lot of flavor.  Jackie made the mistake of saying she didn’t like it so that obviously evolved into saying she loves it.

“Endesheni”!  Basically, hurry up. Used ad infinitum. And often when not even needed.

Jackie has learned quite a few words in Bemba.  More than the rest of us for sure.  Even to the point of telling Jay to shut up in Bemba.  She has developed the habit of interpreting what Zambian’s are saying with no real clue to what they are really saying, but she makes it sound so real.  “He said his mother called and told him to pick up some milk on the way home.”

We have played endless rounds of Phase 10, Uno, Kingdom, and many others.

Another round of Phase 10 in the garden

Day 11

Today was our last full day here in Zambia.  It was scheduled as a day of rest.  We got an early start since we would be taking a long bus ride to our destination.  We traveled to a park that was also a small animal reserve.  The park is situated on a smallish lake and it was a very peaceful place to spend the day.

Wilbroad and some of the staff of Lighthouse treated us to a very nice BBQ.  The first course was BBQ wings.  Once those were scarfed down we began cooking the second course.  For some reason Wilbroad wanted me to help do the cooking.  While we did that most of the rest of the team went to visit the reptile house.  They had quite a selection of them including a number of very poisonous ones. They also let you handle some of them.  I had to wait until after lunch to go, but got to make the acquaintance of this python.

The rest of lunch included BBQ chicken, sausage and hot dogs. It was all delicious.  We then took a bus ride through the animal reserve.  We saw a number of different antelope, water bucks, and 2 giraffes.   We had hoped to see the zebras, but didn’t find them.  It was a very dusty ride.

On the drive back to Spree we stopped at a street market to purchase soccer jerseys. Then a quick stop at the Pizza Hut to order our pizza for the evening meal.  Once the pizza was delivered we had dinner and then our last team meeting.  Joel spent a good portion of the time encouraging each member of the team which was very meaningful.  Then off to our usual games.

Emilianne taking a stroll with one of the Lighthouse staff members.

Day 10

Today started with the usual breakfast then preparing bracelets as gifts for the kids at Lighthouse Christian School.   I think we eventually gave away at least 100 bracelets along with materials to make many, many more. Here are Emilianne, Resa and Victoria hard at work.

We then headed over to Lighthouse.  The kids now know who we are so they were very excited to see us arrive.  We proceeded to play some games, but mainly give away stickers. Lots of stickers. Lots and lots of stickers.  And the kids loved them.  Some of them were putting them on their stomachs under their shirts to hide them so that they could get more.  One packet of stickers (with multiple duplicate sets) was emoji’s.  It was funny to see a poop emoji on a kid’s foreheads.

After that we had lunch at Lighthouse as a team. Right after lunch we had a program with the kids where we started by singing “It is Well” – much better this time through, but don’t look for us to go on tour any time soon. Then Jackie shared on the importance of education and then Joel shared the Gospel.  Many raised their hands to give their lives to Christ.  We then did “The Funky Chicken” (a request by the 7^th grade for a reprise from Youth Camp) and then “Boom Chicka Boom”. Even Zikky got up there and did a round.  I was reminded of learning that song from the Leach's at Youth Camp years ago and it made me so grateful for Jamie's investment in the youth for so many years. 

Final Song

Lighthouse Christian School

Then back to Spree for our typical evening.

Day 10

Today started with the usual breakfast then preparing bracelets as gifts for the kids at Lighthouse Christian School.   I think we eventually gave away at least 100 bracelets along with materials to make many, many more. Here are Emilianne, Resa and Victoria hard at work.

We then headed over to Lighthouse.  The kids now know who we are so they were very excited to see us arrive.  We proceeded to play some games, but mainly give away stickers. Lots of stickers. Lots and lots of stickers.  And the kids loved them.  Some of them were putting them on their stomachs under their shirts to hide them so that they could get more.  One packet of stickers (with multiple duplicate sets) was emoji’s.  It was funny to see a poop emoji on a kid’s foreheads.

After that we had lunch at Lighthouse as a team. Right after lunch we had a program with the kids where we started by singing “It is Well” – much better this time through, but don’t look for us to go on tour any time soon. Then Jackie shared on the importance of education and then Joel shared the Gospel.  Many raised their hands to give their lives to Christ.  We then did “The Funky Chicken” (a request by the 7^th grade for a reprise from Youth Camp) and then “Boom Chicka Boom”. Even Zikky got up there and did a round.  I was reminded of learning that song from the Leach's at Youth Camp years ago and it made me so grateful for Jamie's investment in the youth for so many years. 

Final Song

Lighthouse Christian School

Then back to Spree for our typical evening.

Day 9

The time here is both rushing by at breakneck speed and also slogging along.  I can’t believe we’ve been on the ground for a week already and the time is flying by.  I also miss my family and can’t wait to see them again. 

We had an early start today as we headed to the church office for Christ Community Church (Wilbroad’s church).  The tasks were to paint the exterior of the building and also build some shelves.  We brought over 12 bins full of books for their Pastor’s College.  So it makes complete sense to build some book shelves in the new office to hold those books.

The projects started with dropping off most of the team at the building to start the painting.  Jay was left in charge of the painting while Wilbroad, Joel and I went to collect the supplies for building the bookshelves.  That entailed going to the hardware store (lumber), metal cast store (screws and driver bit), Shoprite (power drill,  tape measure and hammer), another hardware store (nails and square) and a street vendor (Philips screwdriver). Then we arranged for the wood to be delivered to the office (there are typically drivers waiting at the shops to make deliveries for folks like us).

We then headed back to the office to build the shelves.  The wood comes in sheets (240cm by 120cm) and you have to rip your own boards to width.  It took us about an hour to do that step.  Then we began assembling them.  We had one completed by lunch time at 1:00 pm.

Lunch was pizza which was pretty good. Then we continued with painting and shelf building.  The entire exterior of the office got painted (minus the trim) and we build 4 sets of shelves.  It was a long day.

Then back to Spree for showers, dinner (I had the fish again – it was delicious), team meeting and hangout time. Oh, and did I mention that it eventually degraded to a paint war?

Day 8

Today we went back to Lighthouse Christian School to visit the kids again.  We arrived just before recess of the older grades.  That gave us time to help prepare a “snack” for the younger classes of juice and rice.  Then recess started for the older grades.  We all just started interacting with the kids – playing ball, giving out stickers, making friendship bracelets, juggling, etc.  Emilianne attracted quite a crowd of kids as she handed out materials and showed a bunch of them how to make bracelets.

Once recess was done for those grade levels the younger kids came out for theirs.  There were games like Red Rover, but somehow involving a lion.  There was football and Ring Around the Rosie, but again with a different name.  We were all greatly enjoying it.  After recess we gave out our traditional Tootsie Pops to everyone.

We were then free to sit in on any of the classes if we wanted to.  Jackie visited a classroom and was immediately handed the lesson plan and she started to teach the class (they knew she was a teacher).  After a while someone came looking for “the girl who was making bracelets (Emilianne).  The teacher of the 3^rd grade (29 students) wanted her to teach the class how to do it.  With me as her very ill trained assistant she was able to teach the entire class how to make the bracelets.  I was even able to do it once we were done.  I was so very proud of her for doing it even with the number of kids involved and the language barrier.

By then it was time for lunch which we had at a local restaurant.  Then we went to visit one of the “villages” where the kids come from.  It wasn’t an easy walk for any of us. While everyone there was happy to see us and we ended up having a whole crowd of kids following us around, it was hard to see how impoverished they were.  And then you feel guilty and selfish for all the self-protective thoughts that were going through our minds.  Joel had a profound insight about this that literally brought us all to our knees during our evening meeting.  Essentially, how would we view giving up all we currently enjoy in our very rich US lives to go and live in that village to serve them?  Our walk through the village showed us a little of our hearts in this regard.  Then imagine how very small that sacrifice is compared to the King of Heaven giving up His throne to come down to earth to give up His life as a ransom for us – and with joy in doing so.  Lord we can but worship you!

Day 7

Word of the day – laughter.  Sorry Joel, it’s not Psalms 103.

Here is the team having breakfast out on the patio where we have been having our morning and evening meals.  Zambia is in it’s dry, cool season which means mid 70’s and sunny during the day and very cool in the evenings/mornings – about 50-55.  So it's beautiful to sit outside for our meals.

As today was Sunday we attended church at Christ Community Church where Wilbroad is the Pastor.  The church is fairly close to Spree so we walked to church with Zikki.  Experiencing worship in an African church is wonderful and something you don’t forget.   Below is a photo of the drummer. Really!  During worship I didn’t pay much attention to the fact that there was a drummer playing since it was “working”, but then I realized I couldn’t see him behind the singers.  Turns out he’s about 8-10 years old and plays standing up since he wasn’t tall enough to sit and play.

Joel preached out of Psalms 103, we had communion and then we “performed”, as a team, “It Is Well”. Perform might be a strong word.  To quote Joel “Practice, Practice, Practice, FAIL!”.  This is where our laughter for the day really started.  I was supposed to start us on the right key, but there was also a piano player who I thought was also going to give us the key.  Joel was looking at me and saying “start us off” and I was saying “I’m not starting us”!  We started, and then, for some unexplained reason, someone whom we all love and follow, jumped from verse 1 to verse 3.  We were all looking at each other like “what’s going on and what are we to do?”. It was hard to keep a straight face in light of the gigantic train wreck.

We had lunch a local restaurant and then went back to Spree to change.  Then we walked to the stadium for a football game of a couple of local teams.  The stadium holds about 40, 000 folks and the photo below shows about half the crowd.  We had decided that half of us would cheer for one team (yellow) and half for the other (white).  But we discovered that we were sitting in the section for the “yellow” team so it was a little awkward to cheer for the opposing team. They are very enthusiastic fans including drums which were played non-stop! The game ended up being a tie.  Towards the end one of the “opposing” team members received a red card. As he was leaving the field our “section” boo’d him.  He responded with a hand gesture.  Some things don’t require an interpreter.

We then walked back to Spree, had dinner and our usual team meeting.  But it wasn’t usual.  We spent a significant amount of time encouraging each other.  It was very meaningful and also included hysterical laughing.  The younger crowd, meaning not Joel and I, ended the evening with a dance party.

Day 6

Here we are at the last day of our Zambia Youth Camp.  It’s always such a sweet and sad experience to see so much take place, but then have it be over.

Our day started early, but not completely by our choice.

You see, there was a wedding reception planned for this evening at Spree so the preparations started yesterday.  They went late into last night and kept some of us up.  I eventually gave in to using my ear plugs which I usually carry with me for our re-enacting overnights (you never know how loud the folks in the next tent are going to be snoring). Then the preparations seemed to recommence about 6:00 am this morning.  But those aren’t the only sounds we hear at that time of day.  Roosters, barking dogs, the front gate swinging open (Spree is situated within a walled compound with an iron front gate), and road traffic are among the usual morning sounds. So it seemed like a very short night.

After breakfast we headed to the fields where we were holding Youth Camp.  We did a quick set up and were underway again.  The day consisted of worship, a teaching from Joel then games and the usual formation activities (what’s Youth Camp without a tug of war between teams). We attempted teaching the game “Trash Can”, but neither the tire we used instead of a trash can or the concept really worked.  We also had to improvise for Volleyball as our reserved court wasn’t available.  The campers used a fence as a net to make due.  Then the buses arrived to take us over to Lighthouse Christian School for our lunch and the remaining activities.  While some of us waited for the second shift of buses to arrive we had an impromptu worship session with Zikki (I hope that’s how she spells her name) teaching us a Zambian worship song as well as other singing hymns and African worship songs.  It was a lot of fun.

Once we arrived at Lighthouse we had lunch as a team in one of the school rooms.  During lunch we tallied the points for the teams. More to come on that later. Then we had another worship session and then Joel taught again. Joel did a fantastic job on James 3 and the tongue.  His passion for Christ and his love for the Savior really came through and I think it greatly influenced the kids.

 Then we closed Youth Camp with announcing the winning team.  I was so proud of all the team leaders for their excellent leadership, engagement with the kids, love for them and their investment of time in being here.  I’ve really enjoyed getting to know them all better. But I was most proud of my girl Emilianne for her part in her team winning.

The highlight of the day for me was the impromptu (we do a lot of impromptu stuff here) “Dance Competition” we had with the campers.  Emilianne brought her dance moves for sure and raised some serious cheers of support.  She cracks me up.

We returned to Spree and had another delicious meal and then our usual team meeting.  THEN the wedding reception started.  There is an open sided pavilion of sorts in the center of Spree.  That’s where the reception is being held (still going on as I type).  If was fun to watch the wedding party arrive (we were able to watch from the shadows outside the pavilion) as they danced their way into the reception.  The Bridal Party did a choreographed dance as they entered.  We had seen them practicing here yesterday.  All of us, some more than others, were dancing to the music.  I suspect I’ll need my ear plugs again if I intend to sleep tonight.  

Day 5

Let me start by saying - the rumors you may hear of Jay and I being incarcerated by the local police are greatly exaggerated. Just saying.

Today started with the very normal occurrence of the power being out.  Fortunately I was still able to get a shower.  For Laurie and Gen, this is reminiscent of your YC video of about 10 years ago. "The water trickles just a little."  

Jay and I got an early breakfast because we needed to head over to a local "shop" where we could assemble the Stand poles needed for our Youth Camp. We had to do this because we could not compile the tools needed to build them at Spree.  We got dropped off and were told that one of the shop drivers would drop us back off at Spree once we were done along with our Stand Poles.  Once we finished we loaded up the lorry, piled into the cab with the driver and headed back to Spree.  Along the way we got a little lost.  As we were getting our bearings again we got pulled over by the local police.  Apparently there was a very bad tire on the back of the lorry and they needed to give him a ticket.  That meant driving to the local police station.  

Once there at the station the driver had to go into the station leaving Jay and I in the cab wondering exactly what was going on. The drive had his keys taken away from him.  Jay was frantically texting Doug to let him know and Doug contacted Wilbroad to come over to the station to get things straightened out. Wilbroad arrived and began talking with the police.  He seemed a little put out.  He then walked back by the cab and said "I don't understand this!", jumped in his car and drove away leaving Jay and I with no explanation of what that meant.  Jay and I looked at one another with an unspoken "Um, ok?!" look on both our faces.  Then we just burst into hysterical laughter as we sat there in the cab wondering what the heck was going on.  Wilbroad came back a minute later and worked everything out, but we still didn't know what was going on.  Apparently Wilbroad was not able to understand why they were making such a big deal over the tire (and it's associated "fee") and wanted to talk to his friend in the police to "interpret" what was going on.  That's why he left to go do that.  Once that happened the ticket, with the corrected "fee" was written and we were on our way.

We then proceeded to the game fields where we held Youth Camp.  It took about an hour to set everything out and be ready for the kids to arrive.  They began arriving by bus - I think we had close to 100 registered for the day - and we divided them up into 6 teams.  While we waited for the last bus to arrive all the team leaders spent time interacting with the kids - dancing, singing, getting to know each other.  It was a special time of interaction. Then Joel called the first formation and we're off!

First Formation!

The afternoon consisted of worship (wow that was fun), a teaching from Joel on Mary and Martha, then games.  Everyone was having a blast.  Then we took a snack break and had some discussions.  Then more games and then finished up for the day.  It was so much fun watching our leaders with the kids.  I don't know who was having more fun - the kids playing Stand for the first time or the leaders being able to play it with them.  I was really impressed with our leaders.  A paragraph isn't sufficient to describe all that happened and the affect doing something like this has on us.  Needless to say, we are looking forward to another great day tomorrow.

Joel teaching

After that we picked up, headed back Spree for showers, dinner (again outstanding), team meeting and games for us.

Day 4

Today was a preparation day for our Youth Camp starting tomorrow.  We began with breakfast.  Then we headed to Lighthouse Christian School for an orientation to the school and a tour.  We got to meet a bunch of the kids. Everyone was very excited to finally interact with them.  I was able to find Lewis Kombe whom Sam and Karen Joseph sponsor and had asked me to get some photos.  Sam and Karen – I’ll be sending those along as soon as the internet cooperates.

From there we stopped by the church office where we’ll be doing some work next week.  Then we split up to shop for game supplies and personal gifts.  At one point Joel, Wilbroad and I ended up in the back of a small taxi hunting for “Stand” supplies.  I always thought of myself as close to Joel, but we achieved new closeness during this trip.  Part of what we are trying to also track down are some tools to build the Stand goals. It made me appreciate the garage full of tools I have at home.

This trip has really brought Joel and closer.

Then off to lunch.  Wilbroad took us on an impromptu tour of the new soccer stadium about 5 minutes from our compound.  It made Emilianne’s day.  A few of us even took a run around the track.  Turns out there is a game on Sunday afternoon which we may end up going to since it was scheduled to be a rest day.  We spent what was left of the afternoon resting and praying for Youth Camp. Then day ended with our usual meal that was absolutely delicious, prayer, worship, teaching, and more preparations for tomorrow.

By the way, I apologize for not posting regularly.  I've been writing every day, but the internet connection is less than consistent so I've had to resort to using my phone as a hotspot just to post.

Day 2 – Retrospective

It’s not actually Day 2 as I write this, but the morning of Day 3. Getting settled in yesterday took precedence over writing.  Oh, and by the way – we were 7 hours difference in Ethiopia not 6.  Now that we are in Zambia it’s 6 hours. Not enough sleep to keep it straight.

We all had varying degrees of success with sleep in Addis Ababa.  The time change is having it’s affect.  We had a nice breakfast at the hotel including some excellent coffee (do we need anything else really?).   The hotel shuttled us to the airport which was about 20 minutes away (Emilianne riding in the back row this time). No issues or stories getting through security. Then onto the plane for our flight.  Because of the way our tickets were purchased all our flights have 1 ticket that usually is all by itself.  Joel took it upon himself to be the person to sit off alone.  Well, for this flight that meant the last row right next to the bathroom.  Need I say more?  Otherwise the flights (short stop in the Congo) were fine and we finally arrived in Ndola, Zambia about 2:15 pm local time.  I loved that the baggage haulers were farm tractors (forgive us during harvest season – your bags will be a little slower in arriving).   A short shuttle ride, after exchanging some currency, got us to the Spree Guest House where we are staying for the duration.

Guest houses are common here from what Doug said.  Basically someone who starts hosting folks in an extra room that gets added to over time to have multiple small guests houses on the property.  The guys are all in one house with multiple bedrooms and a couple of bathrooms to share. Not exactly sure how the ladies are arranged except that one group is in a similar house to the guys.

Once all the rooms were divvied out we had some time to rest, organize our rooms, and settle in. Then we had dinner…..   I tried to be adventurous and had, among other things, a fish head, caterpillars, and the small smoky minnows (I forget the name of the dish).  Not sure if this is the “standard” fare or just an intro to Zambia menu.  We’ll see.

After our usual evening gathering to worship, pray, hear God’s word and discuss our day we headed to our rooms for the night.  Now we await breakfast.   

On a personal note – I’m so blessed to, not only be participating on this trip with friends, but also with my daughter Emilianne.  Sharing the experience together and how it, hopefully, affects our lives will be something I will always remember. And she’s a blast to be with.

A rare siting of Joel with his exit buddy.

Day 1 - Sort of

It's been a long day.

Our flight ended up being about 6 hours late leaving Dulles for Ethiopia.  I'm already losing track of times because of the timezone changes (we're currently 6 hours different here in Ethiopia).  Boy was that a long flight. Approximately 13 hours and 3 meals. Because of the direction we were going and the northern flight path we had a very short "night".  Many were able to catch at least some sleep on the flight.  I personally did ok in that department. We arrived in Ethiopia about 3:30 pm local time which meant we missed our original flight out by about 4.5 hours.

We got a shuttle ride to the hotel. All 15 of us in one small van plus a driver and another passenger.  Here is a picture of us all in the van.  By Emilianne's face you can see how the drive was.  She made 2 comments on the drive. First, she doesn't want to ride near the front of the vans in future because she saw so much of the driving conditions which really stressed her our (though she didn't show it at all).  Second, she said she won't complain about family member's driving habits ever again.

We all got checked into our rooms (wow - everyone got their own) compliments of the airlines. Got cleaned up, had dinner, our usual time of worship and recapping from the day and now off to get some sleep.  

Please pray for Wilbroad's (our host in Zambia) son who had to have emergency surgery today.  He is doing well, but he and his family could use your prayers. Our delay in arriving is actually a blessing in disguise because it give them some rest time before we get there.

To end the post here is a rare sighting of Joel with his exit buddy. 

I won't say it.

There is a strong temptation to reference a certain person's travel reputation as I write this post.  But I will refrain.

Our flight is delayed 4 hours.  That means we miss our once a day flight connection in Ethiopia.  So we'll likely be staying overnight in Ethiopia and arriving exactly a day late.

Here's the team burning time at Dulles airport.

We're Off!

Well it begins.  We're off to meet our group at church to start the adventure.  Updates to begin - now!

Africa!

Africa!

So here I am again "reviving" my blog.  And for the same reason as last time - I'm heading to Africa!  Actually, it's Emilianne and I and 13 others from church (6 adults and 9 students).  This time I'm headed to Zambia with a similar agenda - Youth Camp for the students at Lighthouse Christian School in Ndola and then some work projects. Seems like Joel (for my family - Joel is not my son Joel, but one of our pastors) can't do a Youth Camp without me :-). But in reality I just love being there in the middle of it all.  And traveling with Joel is always exciting.

Emilianne and I have been packing for days.  All the trip shopping is done, the suitcases are weighed and we await our travel next week (BTW - last trip I learned that having duct tape and zip ties in my carry-on are a bad combination from the TSA's perspective :-) - put them in your checked bags!).  We'll be gone for roughly 2 weeks.  And as usual I've been "getting in shape" for Youth Camp.  It happens every summer that I have to get my body ready for Youth Camp.  Otherwise I would probably die in the first hours of the program.  Emilianne doesn't have to be encouraged to get in shape as she loves to exercise - just ask her punching bag.

By utilizing this blog I hope to keep you informed and entertained with our trip antics. 

I would be remiss if I didn't ask for your prayers.  We go with a mission - share the Gospel and Love of Christ.  Here are some highlights you can focus on, but we'll take anything.

• Safe and trouble-free travels
• Team health and stamina
• Team unity/cohesiveness
• That the Gospel would be shared effectively
• That we would be able to communicate well
• The preaching/teaching would be Spirit filled

Stay tuned!