Deuteronomy 31:8

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8







Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Turkey Day everyone!!

I just finished stuffing myself here in Kasama with so much turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, and dessert that I can barely breathe comfortably. That is why I love this day oh so much.

I was also able to upload some new pictures so I hope that you all enjoy them by clicking on the link below.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2246322&id=59511885&l=54f3c48dcf

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Mwansa

Well I've been at my site for almost 2 months now...it's hard to believe!! Time is going by so quickly and each week seems to go by faster than the previous one!!

Since I have last updated I have a new name...my name is now Emily Mwansa, Mwansa being the bemba name given to me my first day by some kids at the school. It was mostly given to me because many people have a hard time saying Emily so Mwansa is just easier for them. I love my new name and say it with pride :)

During my time at site I have been busy setting up my house. I have worked with a carpenter (Isaac) in the neighboring village of Chishitu and he has been busy making my bed, table, nightstand, chairs, shelves, and currently on a couch for me.I have also painted inside my house!! The sitting room is now white on the top and "vivid green" on the bottom. I love having the color in there!! I have also finished cementing my insaka (which is like a gazebo thing outside that is where people can sit to escape the sun and where I do my cooking) and bathing shelter. I'm also working on setting up my garden, where I will be growing [hopefully] onions, cabbage, carrots, and the staple Zambian veg of rape. And I'm also planning on planting some sunflowers because I love them very much!

I've found my routine here in my new home. Each day I wake up between 0600 and 0700 and begin my daily chores which include sweeping inside my house and in my yard, doing the dishes, fetching my water from the borhole which is about 500m away at the school, and then once a week I do the washing of my clothes. Then most days I head out around 0830 on my bike to make it to a meeting at 0900 in one of my villages in my catchment area. So far my longest ride has been to the village of Kandulma, which is about 20km away. Other villages I have been to include Jackson, Kumbi, Kaoma, Musa, Chishitu, and Samba. In these villages I have been meeting with Neighborhood Health Committees (NHCs), Women's groups, Safe Motherhood Action Groups (SMAGs)and then helping out at the under 5 clinics weighing children. In the first meetings I just introduced myself and why I was here and now I'm beginning to do some teaching. I have done some soyabean cooking demonstrations with the women's groups which has been fun. It's been a great way to get to know them as well as educate about the importance of good nutrition and eating proteins.

I've also been making friends here in the village which has been great and prevents me from getting too bored or lonely in my downtime. I also have become a mother of sorts to several of the children that stay nearby. The most regular ones that I have, and subsequently my favorites, are Mulenga who is about 5 years old, Mutukangi (aka Mutuka), who is about 6, Kasoko, who is about 8, Musonda, also about 8, and my little Frida who is about 4. Mulenga and Mutuka usually come each morning around 0700 and sit with my as I do my chores or play with my kitten, Lunga (which in Bemba means to hunt). Then we normally color or they accompany me around the village or sometimes we do have the occasional dance party to a Zambian song that I have on my phone along with some photoshoots. They are very adorable and their dance moves at such a young age astound me! Then sometimes they stay for dinner which for me means usually cooking spaghetti which is a totally new food for them so that's been fun to share with them!

So as you can see all is going great here in Misengo and I'm enjoying everything very much and I'm happy to report no snake sitings as of yet :)

Be praying for patience, flexability, and good health for me!