Lasting Impressions

Team Zambia posts our final reflections on our Mission Trip to Zambia

This is hope.

It is hard to believe that our trip has come to an end.   We have experienced so much in the 18 days we have been here.  Heartbreak at all the need, frustration with the system, hopelessness in our inability to make a difference; and yet there is hope in the smiles and laughter of the children, love in their sweet embrace, happiness that we can provide some comfort to these children, even if it is just for a short period of time and finally inspiration for the people of Africa and their unquestionable faith in the Lord.  What a blessing it was to be here.  Thank you again to everyone who supported this mission.  Your generosity brought so much happiness to so many.  God bless.

Janet, Jannean, Linda, Sandra and Suzanne - The 5 Moms

The love of Jesus shown by the people here, no matter what their circumstances, is amazing. The people in the compounds can sing joyously about everything they have is from God and yet they have so little. Morning devotions and church are full of singing, prayer, and preaching straight from the heart and all for God‘s glory. The people in  Africa get into one‘s heart so once you have been here, you keep coming back.  There is just something about Africa!

Carol

Zambia is a nation of contrasts. The bustling cities with their modern buildings, malls, parks and Lusaka’s park-like national university campus contrast with the cinderblock  houses in the compounds built haphazardly beside unpaved roads - compounds that are not furnished with water, electricity or basic sanitation resources. Like many African nations, Zambians place their hope in the future solely in their devout Faith.

Ron

 The schools that I saw in Zambia in the compounds were very dark because of very few and very small windows.  The classes were large and the blackboards were in poor condition.  Some of the schools had only a few books that were shared and very few supplies.  The students were crowded on benches.  The students did not complain.  They were interested in learning and they shared the few supplies they had.

Ryan

On this trip there were many saddening and happy moments in the House of Moses. For one saddening time there was, of course, the death of newborn Joshua. He was distant but a sweetie pie - so rest in peace baby boy. One very, very joyful thing here was Alice in Wonderland, as I call her. Alice was my little baby and I loved her to death. For the past week I have fed her EVERY meal: breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner. We had heard some rumors of her adoption; but yesterday, a super special Wednesday, Sophie and adorable Maya came to finalize the adoption and take her home! In the end, my baby got bundled up in a beautiful blanket and taken home. I clung on tightly, and eventually and let her go. A happy ending for my very special Alice in Wonderland.

Sarah

Babes in Shoeland

We helped to pack the van for another Milk & Medicine run. We get better at assisting with each trip. Bubbles were a hit again. This time iPad photos added to the excitement as children could see their own photos. Unfortunately the cooking oil never got packed on the van. So, the distribution will include two bottles next month. 

On the way back to HOM Suzanne bought a bag of chips from a street vendor. It was hard to resist after seeing these guys day after day on our travels. Thanks to Matilda for the coaching during the purchase. Tasty chips!

When we got back to HOM we were surprised by the table full of supplies the shopping group purchased. Shoes, balls (including purple ones, the toddler's favorite), clothing, bumbo seats, nappies, and four ceiling fans). Jannean reported that they worked as a team. They did a little divide and conquer as well. Many stores were visited looking for exactly what they wanted. In addition, celebration desserts were purchased for tonight's dinner, including cake and ice cream. Thank you Janet and Jannean for financing this. Even with all the purchases today, there was 2150 kwacha left over! This was given to Kevin, the volunteer coordinator, to spend on HOM or Bill & Bette at his discretion.

We got to deliver some of the goodies to Bill & Bette and play with the toddlers. We were excited to see them in some of their new clothes and especially their new shoes. They were inspired to dance and stomp to our delight.

We are looking forward to our dinner with Reverend Tonga this evening complete with the special desserts.

Another day to appreciate the privileges and opportunities with which we are blessed and our power to share with others in need.

Suzanne

It Takes a Village

Another day of packing Van#1 and Van#2 for another Milk & Medicine run.  This time there was a group waiting for us.  They greeted us with a song of welcome and blessed us for coming all the way from the US to see them. Milk and medicine gives families the support they need to keep their children in the home.  Each child was weighed and measured.  A full report is made on the children who are sponsored by people in the US.  It is amazing that the women are carrying home enough food to allow their families to eat three meals a day with a snack.

                                   

The program empowers women by supporting their efforts to become independent. The women are put into groups according to neighborhood and are asked what they thought they could afford to contribute to the group.  They put their 2 kwacha apiece together and buy something in bulk, like charcoal, and sell them in their neighborhood.  So they have made an investment and share the returns.  This gives them ownership and starts them on their way to begin to support their families.  As with all programs, some take off with it and do become independent, some just cannot do it.  When it works, it keep families together and children where they belong, in a loving home.

      

While the parents received their food supplies, Team Zambia pulled out the backpack 'o fun!  We are getting smarter, though and brought yarn to tie on to the balloons.  Even though they were not helium, the wind took them fast and far - over walls and out of the church yard.  You could spot the bright color of the balloons in and around the compound as we drove away.  

Breaking News!  

We just learned that one of the littlest babies here at the House of Moses is heading to a home full of love.  Sarah has given a lot of special attention to this baby, just 27 days old.  We have quietly watched the process over the last few days, as the mother has visited with our little Alice.  The woman adopted Alice's sister in 2011 from BBB.  With children in and out of the hospital while we have been here, it has been a true joy to see a child leave in the arms of a loving mom.  

      

We sent the mom off with one of the blankets that Janet's mom made.  What a great way to illustrate that it takes a village to raise a child-from the administrators, caretakers, staff and missionaries of the House of Moses to program directors, school teachers and staff in the schools and communities, to the volunteers and churches of the US and the people who supported them with their katumbas, knitting skills, cash and clothing donations, the combined effect is to make a difference in the life of a child.

Linda

M&Ms

M&Ms have been part of our daily discussion here.  However, the M&M that we were involved in today was Milk and Medicine.  This morning, we loaded up Van #1 with nutrient packs (enough for one a day for 30 days), 20 pound bags of Roller Meal (corn meal), bottles of oil, ground nuts (peanuts), and formula (Zambians are required to breast feed, so it is just provided for those that can't).  Van # 2 we loaded up with people and headed out to the Matera Compound.

We pulled into the Church of Christ parking lot where women and children were waiting.  I love that we start everything here with a song - everyone joins in - we are even singing in the vernacular!  Each family was interviewed and each child was weighed and measured.  

Each family was called to the van to receive their food provided by the program.  The mothers sat on the grass and waited their turn as their kids ran around.  We got the bubbles and balloons going and soon there was screaming and running and the general chaos of kids at play. 

Once the food was distributed, the moms (or grandmas) all lined up for clothing donations -  They were handed some clothes and got to the back of the line until all of the donations were distributed - there was shirts, curtains, blankets, sheets, even a Christmas decoration (which they could not figure out what they were supposed to do with it - I am sure it will be turned into some kind of jacket by the end of the day).   You could just imagine this bag of stuff coming straight from one of the parking lot bins in Andover.  I have to tell you that we often wonder if our donations make it all the way to Africa - let me tell you they are wearing your cast-offs -shoes, NFL shirts, jeans, Hello Kitty pants, etc. - and they are wearing them and wearing them and wearing them!

Some of the women had multiple children, two mothers had triplets.  As they collected their belongings, we wondered how they would get their children and their 30+ pounds of food to their homes.  No one had any kind of transportation.  We watched as they wrapped up their children in a sling on their backs and wrapped up their food and put it on their heads.  

Each van gave a ride to a mother, her triplets and her 90 pounds of food.  When we arrived at our mom's two room home, her five other children ran out to greet us.  She helped us get out of the maze of cement block houses (and people complain about Forest Lakes!).

When we got back to the House of Moses we could not wait to deliver the three walkers that we bought for the kids. The kids were thrilled with the toys in the tray and looked as if they were ready for the roller derby!  

We sometimes wonder if we can make a difference.  As one woman said, you have to think of yourselves as a drop of water falling upon a stone, each of us doing a small part, hoping that over time great changes will occur.

Sandra

Do You Know?

Do you know...

• Zambia has over 14.5 million people.
• Over 46% of Zambians are under the age of 15.
• Zambia has the highest birth rate in the world.
• Zambia is about the size of Texas in area.
• On October 24, Zambia is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its independence from Great Britain.
• Lusaka is the capital city.
• Lusaka has over 1.5 million people.
• In 2014, Lusaka is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding. 
• Traffic lights in Lusaka are almost non-existent.
• Driving in heavy traffic is a free-for-all!
• A baboon can enter an open van door, steal a bag of potato chips from under the seat, and be gone in less than a second!
• Most roads are not marked with center or side lines.
• A road that was being marked was done so by stretching a string down the center and then a man bent over painting the yellow line by hand with a brush.
• In a traffic jam, vendors walk between the cars selling air time for cell phones, fruit and vegetables, fresh fish and all kinds of merchandise.
• In the Constitution of Zambia, it is stated that Zambia is a Christian nation.
• About 80% of Zambians are Christian and less than 5% are Muslim.
• Over 2/3 of the Zambians live below the Zambian poverty level.
• Over 80% of the adult Zambian population is literate.
• Although education is free through grade 6, it is often not affordable because uniforms and supplies must be bought by the student.

Third Time's A Charm

Today was our third craft day at the faith based schools and a great day it was! We went to Free Baptist located in a compound (slum) and held in a church. Two classes were in the main church with two more in an annex. The annex looked like it was added on to the side of the church and then holes were knocked through the church wall to gain access. The rooms are quite dark as there is a small window in each for light but that is all. The children sat on benches at tables, crowded together in a space suitable for far fewer children. However, as we found in all the schools, they are well-behaved, eager to learn, polite, and know what it means to be patient, wait your turn and share the few supplies they have.

We had a lot of activities going on. Ryan, Sarah, and Jannean worked on the Rainbow looms with two different groups of childen. These same groups also did the trading cards with Sandra and Suzanne. These were cards done by children in the states with their drawn self-portrait on the front and information about themselves on the back such as name, age, and interests. The Zambian children did their cards to be taken back to the states and then received a card from their American friend. Another group did yarn pictures with Carol and the youngest ones made snails with googly eyes with Linda and Janet. Ron circulated and helped where needed. We left supplies, soccer balls and dresses made for the girls when we left the school. 

 After lunch, we visited Helen DeVos School which is a wonderful school where children from the faith based schools can go if they qualify on the entrance examination. It gives the students hope for the future through a solid education. A special time in the visit was talking with Abraham, a talented young man who lived at House of Martha before it closed. He is doing well, enjoys school and is planning for his future. 

 We returned to HOM to discover our wonderful kitchen staff prepared an awesome traditional Zambian dinner for us: two kinds of chicken, two kinds of okra, eggplant, cabbage, n'shima, rice with carrots and green beans, pumpkin leaves, and fried caterpillars! Everything was delicious! Six of us were adventurous and ate the caterpillars while three abstained. It was certainly a meal we will remember and added to our Zambian experience. 

Carol

Window Shopping: Fun but EXPENSIVE!

e At around 2:30am we awoke to our old friend Mr. Rooster or as I prefer to call him, Annoying Dinner. We gladly drifted back to sleep, and I think A.D. did too, because at least I didn't hear another peep from him after his 2:30 wake-up call. We arose at about 6:30am and got dressed up for church. We ate breakfast (As we are fed daily), which was a very kind guesture by The House of Moses, because I'm sure if they wanted to they could starve Team Zambia. But I highly doubt they would do that. We seem to have a stable kitchen staff. Although, I could be wrong (Insert laugh here). After breakfast we hopped in the white van that is now brown (Thanks to our last trip) and drove off with Kevin and Tyler, Kevin's adorable two year old son. This Zambian church was the same triumphant, fun, laid back church as last week, Chelstone Presbyterian. We got there and sang two joyous songs, and let me just say, the choir is AMAZING! Then the children were invited up. Sadly Tyler didn't want to join the fun. I prefer church over Sunday School as well. The pastor said a prayer with the kids and they army marched out, along with Linda and Sandra.

Cheltone Sunday School in Sandra's View 

 Sunday School meets outside in the yard. After scrambling for chairs, the teacher Mary said "bow your heads" and the children responded with "close your eyes" and they said the Lord's Prayer. Teacher Mary started us with a song "Hello, How Are You Today?" where we each got to sing our own names. The lesson was Proverbs 13: 1-7. Teacher Mimi said "be attentive, I will ask you questions." Little did Sandra and Linda know that this also applied to them. They got caught a couple of times like "deer in the headlights" but recovered with good responses. "Everyone clap for those who have contributed!" We finished up with great songs, all of which required some mandatory booty-shaking. I think the kids got a kick out of our dancing prowess! Once class was over the teachers ran back in the building to sing in the choir (sound familiar APC?) The children were allowed to just play in the yard. We got some children to volunteer to sing as we recorded them so that we could bring the songs back to our prospective Sunday Schools. 

  The Afternoon Shopping Adventures of Team Zambia! 

 Church had to come to an end at some point, so we ditched the bibles and took out our kwacha! I might have ditched Grandma. Might have (GUILTY!). So I joined the non-Stickney/McQuillan part of Team Zambia (Janet, Linda, Sandra, Sue, and Jannean) and luckily they welcomed me with open arms! I just tagged along where ever they went, so first we went to the bookstore. You haven't known expensive until you've come here! K60 for one novel! These store owners are C-R-A-Z-Y CRAZY! Do they really expect someone to pay that? I wouldn't! But I may have splurged on a pillow, or two, SHHHHH! I got a giraffe statue too, She is a neony pinkish orange color. I named her Ruthie, after my favourite kitchen staff. No questions asked she is crystal clearly the best! We went to lunch and most of my five moms got fish. Yes, they call themselves my moms, especially Janet. She has ALL boys! Grandma doesn't get to be one of my by heart moms or legal mom, because she is legally stuck being my grandma (HAHA)! I got a nutella crepe and someone got a grilled cheese. Who can remember. So long ago (not)! But in the end of our expensive but fun shopping adventure we were overly happy with what we got. Very happy. 

  Isaiah 11:6-9 

 Later me and my by-heart moms sat out in the yard admiring the beautiful artwork painted on the wall. I acknowledged how imposible it is for a baby to sit inches away from a lion, and a wolf inches from the lion. And how across the field there are cows and sheep and snakes and a bear, and they are just minding their own business. No mauling, no eating each other. Just being peaceful. Janet noticed the bible address on the wall it was, "Isaiah 11:6-9". Janet whipped out her iPhone, and went on her bible app. She read, "The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra's den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper's nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." Amen. 

Sarah