Making the most of the last few weeks!

It’s hard to believe that in exactly one week, I will sitting on a plane headed back to the States. This semester has been one of the most challenging, adventurous times in my life. The girls and I are starting to grow through and share pictures from throughout the trip, and I am overwhelmed with all the things we have experienced, and all the ways we’ve grown together. 

This pictures is from our last day in Choma, celebrating Independence Day. 

Happy 50 years, Zambia!

These past two weeks we’ve lived at the Malaria Research Institute in Macha, and gone to clinicals at Macha Mission Hospital. The Macha School of Nursing sits just done the road from our house. Our clinicals the past week have been some of the best yet, because we’ve worked alongside Zambian nursing students. On Friday some of the other girls and I went to chapel on the campus, and then spent time afterwards talking to some of the students. A few of girls invited my friend Sara and I over into their dorm rooms. Afterwards during the walk back to our house, Sara and I marveled at the reminder that people are people, regardless of where you go in the world. Of course there’s language and cultural differences, but with these Zambian nursing students, we found more similarities than not. One of the most beautiful things about working with these students is being able to teach each other. Last week when I worked in the outpatient department, my friend Joy and I taught the students how to use manual blood pressure cuffs. In return, the students taught us how to perform a malaria test. Last night Katie, Jenna and I worked night shift on a maternity ward. In all my years of nursing school, I had yet to see a baby born. I was really hoping to see some babies last night, so one of the girls prayed for 3 babies throughout the night – one for each of us working that night. And guess how many babies came during the shift? Two by caesarean section, and one naturally. It was by far the best clinical experience yet. The surgeon allowed us to help during the surgery, so we gowned ourselves in these sterile scrub dresses and prepped for surgery.

All prepped for surgery, and ready to deliver a healthy baby!

Our team takes turns planning fun events for Saturday nights. Last weekend Kristen and I surprised two of the girls on the team with a bachelorette party, complete with a photo booth, Zambian style. This past Saturday, two of the girls planned a costume party along with some games for the evening. 

The beautiful bride to be's :)

Our handmade photo booth. 

This girl is going to make a beautiful bride, and an incredible wife!

Costume party fun. 

One of the biggest joys of the semester has been getting to know the 16 other girls on my team. Daily they are teaching me how to be a better friend and follower of Jesus. Only a few days left together, and my heart is feeling so bittersweet. It been a beautiful journey with these girls! 

Bittersweet days

The past couple of weeks here in Zambia have been the busiest yet. A week ago today, I battled 24 stomach flu. Now looking back, it’s almost humorous because of how miserable I felt. It was probably 90 degrees in my room, and slept all day on the stone floor because it felt a lot cooler than my bed. Thankfully, that I felt back to normal the next day.

Last Wednesday (so over a week ago) our team planned an educational health fair at a local school. For my community nursing class, I presented on the topic of disabilities to a fifth grade class. Here in Zambia, there are many stereotypes about people who possess [especially] physical disabilities. Many times the people think the family is cursed or is punished for some type of sin. So in my teaching, I addressed these beliefs and challenged the students read the story of John 9:1-7. We then talked about how we should treat all, people even those with disabilities. On a side note, it’s interesting that although health in Zambia is universal (meaning that it’s pretty much free of charge to the people) there are many reasons that people don’t receive medical treatment. Transportation for people who live in rural villages is a major reason. The several times I’ve been in villages, I’ve seen different disabilities that could be treated with surgery and therapy. However, there’s so much more that plays into these situations. Anyways, I’ve been so learning so much!

Here is the poster I made to go along with my teaching at the school. 

Some of my students for the morning!

On Tuesday our team traveled to a village about two hours away from Choma. A branch of World Vision has been active in this community for about the past fifteen years. The leaders of this ministry were so welcoming to us; their staff took us on a tour all day of the different projects occurring in the community. Before this experience, my knowledge of World Vision was limited to child sponsorship. While this remains a large part of the organization’s mission, this NGO also works with the community on a larger scale. The World Vision staff members showed an irrigation system that helped the locals grow a garden, a large cooler for the fishermen to store and preserve the fish so that these men could make a profit off of their work. We visited a preschool also sponsored by World Vision. Besides seeing all the ways World Vision has empowered this community, I also saw my first wild African monkey! Unfortunately I didn’t get a great picture of him. Towards the end of this afternoon our team went to see the largest man-made lake in the world (I can’t think of the name right now!). The Zambians warned us against wading in the lake water because of crocodiles. Apparently, some of the animals here in Zambia are only cute from afar. An Indian doctor that we met a few weeks ago told some crazy stories of patients he had treated that were bitten by monkeys, hippos, crocodiles – you name it, he’s seen it.

Also last week our team said many goodbyes to our friends in Choma. Since a large part of our time in Zambia (almost 6 weeks) was spent in Choma, it was starting to feel like home. The goodbyes were rough; especially with our little friends at the orphanage. But I am reminded that Jesus loves those little children more than I ever could. And I trust that He holds each one of them so close to His heart. I took so many pictures the last few days we were together, so those smiles can stay with me forever.

Saying goodbye to my friends that lived in the village behind our compound. 

Our last Saturday with the girls from the No More Whispering group.

These girls. Make me want to move to Zambia. 

Our last day at the orphanage. I couldn't stop taking pictures, I want to remember these sweet face forever. 

These boys thought they were so silly ;)

On Friday morning, Zambia celebrated their 50^th year of independence. The Zambians refer to 2014 as the Year of Jubilee. Our team dressed up in our Chipolopolo (the name of Zambian’s soccer team) jerseys and our flag chitenges. I’m pretty sure – no, I know that we stuck out in the crowd. A bunch of white girls decked out in everything Zambian. We went to the center of town and watched so many people from the local community walk in a parade. One of my favorite parts of this was when the “Freedom Fighters” came in at the tail end of the parade. These were all men and women probably in their 70’s and 80’s that were alive when Zambia gained their independence. It was so fun celebrating this big day with the Zambian people.

The students marched in the parade with their schools. 

On Friday afternoon our team left for Macha. This is our second to last stop before we head home. Actually, two weeks from tomorrow we board the plane for home. It’s crazy to think that our time here in Zambia is almost up. Our nursing classes wrap up this week, so our team is pretty pumped about that. I’m feeling pretty bittersweet about everything – about leaving Choma, about leaving Zambia, and about going home. All I know is that I am reminded every day that I am so blessed to be here this semester!

Sunny with the high of... 103?!

The temperature this past week hit 103 degrees. It blows my mind that it’s the middle of October. Aside from the weather, sometimes I still can’t wrap my mind around the fact that I’m in Africa. This past week in Choma has been so full, all of good things. One afternoon some of the team went to visit our friends at the orphanage. (Probably my favorite place to spend my time).  

Almost every evening last week some of the other girls and I went to visit our friends at the village in the hour before dinner time.

I’m finding that if I make it to the end of the day without holding a child, my arms ache. I think I’m going to have a hard time going back to a college campus where there’s no babies to hold!

Since we’ve been in Choma for several weeks, our team has set into a routine. Our leadership & management nursing class is in the mornings on Monday, Wednesday & Friday, while clinicals are Tuesday & Thursdays. Usually the afternoons are free to go to the market, visit the orphanage or walk to the village. Fridays & Saturdays I attend the support group for individuals with HIV/AIDS. No wonder the days pass by quickly.

Last Tuesday, my friend Danielle and I decided to make some cookies to share with the team. At the beginning of the trip in Lusaka I bought a cookie cutter shaped like Africa. We were so excited with how they turned out! (In the process though, we used Danielle’s water bottle as a rolling pin).

Every Saturday we take turns planning an activity for the team. The two girls who hosted this weekend created a dance off. Each team was given a genre of music, and created a dance to a song from that genre. This was such a fun night together, full of a lot of laughter. 

On Sunday evenings, we take turns sharing our testimonies with the team. Last night the girls shared their testimonies by a campfire. And we made s’mores – African style of course. With pink marshmallows, Cadbury chocolate & coconut tea biscuits.

Every night, this is our beautiful view from the front porch. It’s hard to believe our team only has 1 month left of this beautiful, challenging, growing experience in Zambia!

Birthdays, banana cookies & bracelets!

This past week I received the best gift. Two faculty from IWU flew into Zambia to visit with us for the week. These ladies brought packages and letters from our families. When the gifts were distributed, it felt like Christmas – Zambia-style! Scraps of paper and tape quickly cluttered the floor, as we all ripped open our packages to find candy & notes from home! My mom knows me so well – she sent a whole pack of instant coffee from Starbucks. My lovely friends from school sent a homemade CD of video messages from all my friends in Marion. Literally the best gift ever. I miss everyone back home so much. But I know your love, support and encouragement makes it possible for me to be here in Zambia. I hope reading this blog bridges the distance between home and my experiences here. Since the last post, our team finished our stay at Zimba. I included some pictures of the Zimba Mission hospital we spent many of our mornings in clinical. Here are some highlights of the past week. 

Zimba Mission Hospital, where we spent many mornings in clinical. 

Last Saturday our team visited the home of this wonderful lady, Naomi. Her granddaughter cooked all of our wonderful meals at the Zimba Mission house. 

Naomi and her beautiful great-granddaughter Ruth. 

Group picture at Naomi's house with some of her family members. 

Our cook's name was Gertrude, and she and her family also lived at the Zimba Mission. Gertrude was so good to us - she used American recipes for our entire stay in Zimba. She kept a constant supply of cookies to snack on at all hours of the day (and night!). I collected a recipe from her because these cookies were my absolute favorite. It's definitely sharing worthy.

Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

3 ripe bananas (mashed)

1 cup oats

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1 heaping spoonful of natural peanut butter

Mix all the ingredients well. Plop spoonfuls onto baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. (Makes about 15 cookies)

Our final team picture outside our home in Zimba.  

 So I kind of made a reputation with the team - I love going to the market. In Zimba the market was literally right across the street, so why not go every day? One of the reasons I consistently went in Zimba was because of some of the friends we made there. Here's a picture with Atheia, she is such a talented seamstress! I'm pretty sure while we were in Zimba we were her biggest customers :)

This past week we celebrated both Kristen & Katie's birthday - Zambian style! What a joy to share in this special day with these girls.

As of Saturday afternoon, our team is back in Choma. All of the children across Zambia had off school today because of Teacher's Appreciation Day. I was so excited to watch the teachers congregate and march in a parade! 

After lunch some of the girls and I walked to the village close by to where we're staying in Choma. We met some of these friends at the Wesleyan Church just down the road. I took my portable speaker and held a dance party the middle of the soccer field.

 Today was such a full, but wonderful day. After all of the excitement this morning, we went to the orphanage we went to visit our friends we missed so much while we were in Zimba. One of the girls on the team taught me how to make these bracelets, and its my newest favorite thing to do with my free time. It makes the perfect little gift for our friends.

Until next time, I can't say thank you enough for all your prayers!!

Kwasiya buti (Good evening!)

Zimba, our most recent home here in Zambia. Our team arrived on Sunday afternoon to the mission home. This place feels so homey. And the best part? Fresh brewed coffee every morning. I find it’s easier to wake up early in the morning when I know there’s a hot pot of coffee in the kitchen. Last Saturday before our team left for Zimba, we visited the orphanage for the last time until October. I let the kids run around with my camera, and I just wanted to share some of the faces that melt my heart. 

On my last post I included a picture with Masiye; the orphanage has a sponsorship program so the children can go to school. I'm praying it works out for me to sponsor this young man who wants to be a pastor one day. 

Group picture with these precious children. 

Our group also took this picture back in Choma on our first day in the hospital. Now that we're in Zimba, we're spending a lot of time in clinical since the hospital is so close by. 

 These pictures were taken one morning when we went to visit a local school.

I made a little friend during the school visit :)

I miss my little friend. I am thankful that we are spending almost the first 3 weeks of October back in Choma.

 It's hard to live out of a suitcase sometimes!

Melissa & Ired on the day we left for Zimba.

In Zimba this past week we have been so busy. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were spent working at the Zimba Mission Hospital. The hospital is right down the road, and it’s nice to be able to walk back and forth. The market also happens to be close by, and we visit there enough that I’m starting to learn some of the names of the venders. I love to walk around the market and practice my Tonga with the Zambians. Also it’s fun to buy snacks and candy that are equivalent to cents in USD.

Our first full day in Zimba we went to watch the sunset before dinner. The photographs hardly capture the beauty and the colors of the sky, but I think these pictures show how much we’ve all grown to love each other :)

At the hospital on Tuesday I was assigned to travel on a village outreach with some of the hospital staff. The travel time to the village lasted just over an hour. When we arrived, hundreds of mothers and babies were waiting for us. The nurses provided some brief education, and then we set up a “clinic” on the dirt floor of a one room schoolhouse. The purpose of the outreach was to vaccinate these babies, because of these mothers do not have transportation to the hospital. Unfortunately many of the babies came in happy and smiling, but left screaming because we administered several injections. I think this remains one of my favorite experiences so far. The nurse that I worked with taught me so much and I learned more about the importance of vaccinations. This ended up being almost a 12 hour day; by the time I got back to the house I felt exhausted.

Next week our team finishes up our community nursing class, and we start into the second half of the semester with leadership and management.

To all of you at home (both in PA & back at school) I miss you so much! I can’t believe we’re heading into the second half of our trip soon. I’ll be seeing you before long :)