From One World to Another

Victoria Falls, Livingstone, Zambia

Yes, it is on the same planet, but on Monday morning we will begin our journey back to another world...to Choma, Zambia.  We are looking forward to getting back to Zambia and our friends there, even if only for a short time.

Today, I got to spend time with two close friends.  We took a short road trip to this big farm (that sells painted pottery and enamel-ware, among many other things) with one of the coolest shops around.  The shop is immaculately decorated.  One of them asked, "Erin, is this weird for you, being here, with all this around you?" (referring to all the beautiful dishes, pictures, ornaments).  "It's not weird," I replied, "just different.  Zambia and the US are 2 different worlds."

Reflecting back on that statement, I feel like, in some respect that is true.  Zambia and the US are different. The cultures are different, the way you greet people is different, the opportunities and resources available are different.  But, in some respects, they are the same.  

They are filled with people finding their way in life, people who need to be loved and feel valued.  People who struggle, who lose jobs. People who want the best for their children, who work hard so that the next generation can grow up healthy.

We love both worlds and will now take pieces of both with us wherever we go.

Bloomfield, NY

Adjustments

We have been in New York for two weeks.  It has been exciting, strange and exhausting.  For the first three or four days, I would wake up at 4am, slightly disoriented.  The first day, I looked around for the mosquito net wondering if we put it down or if we got attacked all night!  Then, I remembered where we were.  No net needed.

We have been doing lots of waiting, on tests, on doctors appointments, on more tests.  In the meantime, I have been helping Debbie decorate for fall, spending time with family and friends and trying out a zillion new recipes.  I am actually becoming quite knowledgable in all things cooking. I have even learned how to make cheesecake.

All the cooking and baking means lots of running around to pick up groceries.  My first trip to Wegmans (cue the heavenly music), was fun and overwhelming.  It was 5am, so there really was not anyone else there...what crazy person is at the grocery at 5am?  I walked around in awe at the meat section, at all the different fruits and vegetables, at the massive amounts of cereal, kleenex boxes galore and the HUGE selection of coffee.  I spent a good 10 minutes just picking out what kind of coffee I wanted to take home...pretty sure the man stocking the shelves thought I was crazy as I picked up and put down just about every box of k-cup coffee in the aisle.

Of course, we have also been through the drive thru...just a couple of times, to pick up coffee or ice cream.  We have been ingrained in Zambia to pass ONLY with your right hand.  You pass with your right out of respect. That is pretty much impossible going through a drive through. Passing with my left hand seems awkward unnatural now.  

It's strange the adjustments we have had to make the past couple of weeks.  The little things we have had to get used to all over again.  New habits are much easier to form than one might think.

Home

If you have heard rumblings, yes, we are currently in New York.  It was time to come home and get Jon well again!  We have been here for a little over a week and are hoping to get some answers about what is going on soon.  Then, we will be on our way to Choma, back to our home there.  We miss our friends in Choma and the beautiful children down the road...and are loving being around our family here at the same time.  It is a strange mixture of feelings as we adjust to life in NY again for a short time.

Grace

A few nights ago, Grace came to our door.  She attends the same church as us and lives near us.

Her daughter had given birth to twin boys that day at 2:30pm.  At 3:00pm, Grace's daughter died, leaving 2 little boys who will never know their mother, never know the warmth of her touch or feel the love in her voice.

Grace was visibly shaken.  She had run all the way from the hospital to find us.  She needed help.  Thanks to all of our amazing supporters, we were able to help her with the hospital bill and help her buy milk for the baby boys.  She left to return to the hospital, promising to repay us the small amount we had given her.

We are just thankful we were home that day, thankful that we were able to help, thankful for the blessings we have so we can share with others when they have need.

Election Time

Presidential elections are on Tuesday.  

Will that mean that we won't hear trucks driving by the compound at 4am with their loud speakers?  Our fingers are crossed!

We are hoping that all will remain peaceful during and after the elections.  So far, there have been just a few small outbursts in the capital city - Lusaka (about a 4 hour drive from Choma).  So, as you are at work, at home, at school...pray that the elections will bring peace and not chaos.

Kitchen Parties, Weddings, Facetime

Today I got to go to a "Kitchen Party." It's kind of like a Bridal Shower, only it happens the day of the wedding, there are about 200 women there and there is LOTS of dancing.  Every once in a while, the "Matron Host" (the female MC) will choose someone randomly to present a gift to the bride...and yes, I was chosen.  Being the only "makua" (white person) in a see of 200 Zambian women, I was an easy spot. I had to present gifts to the bride (a serving platter and fry pan), tell her what they were for...and do my best version of a Zambian dance.  Thankfully, my friend Angela was there to help me.  It was an event I will remember for a very long time...

Ironically, my "little" brother got married today.  I call him little, but he's a good foot taller than I.  Thanks to a wonderful thing called facetime and my sister Melissa's great willingness to hold up her phone for 20 minutes, Jon and I saw and heard every bit of the ceremony.  So thankful we got to see it all!

Also thankful that my camera battery died before I had to dance at the Kitchen Party...sorry, no photos of that one!

Love at First Sight

This is Jonathan.  A little guy up the road from us at the orphanage.  He is about 4 years old (sometimes it's hard to tell - they are all so little).  Jon was the first to meet him about 2 months ago.  He was with a group of university students at the orphanage and kept hearing someone call "Jonathan."


Then, he met this serious little guy.  No smiles at first.  Then, you tickle him and it's all giggles and smiles.  Then, no smile.  Completely serious.  There are times when you sit with him and he simply stares into your eyes intensely, like he's penetrating deep into your soul.  There is an incredible depth to this small child.

We were both in love with him as soon as we met him.  Every time we go, we make sure to seek him out, hold him, talk to him.  Now, when he sees us, he smiles.  And we love every minute of it.