Happy & Homeless

This day, New Years Eve, is marked by a time of reflection. A time to flip back through a year’s worth of photos and memories captured on social media. Smiles, beautiful scenery from travels, good food, great friends, new experiences. These are all great things, things to be celebrated.

But what my social media recaps don’t capture are the hard times. The photos I didn’t take in the times that I didn’t sense were noteworthy. The boring times, the difficult times, the confusing times, these photos are all left untaken. But these memories aren’t ones to be forgotten as I reminisce over this past year in preparation for the next.

Because the hard times are just as noteworthy as the great ones. If it’s a battle I’ve overcome, a fear that’s been conquered, a storm that has passed, it calls for a celebration. If it’s a struggle I’m still finding myself too deep in, that’s also a call for a celebration. Because no matter the memory, the circumstance, the challenge, the storm, God is faithful and worthy of celebration.

He has been faithful. He is faithful. He will be faithful.

I can celebrate because of who He is. This doesn’t call for a minimizing of problems or an ignorance of them. Rather it creates the space to find joy no matter what.

2014 was a doozie for me and for our little family of 2. Sure, the photos we’ve posted have been of travels throughout Zambia, to South Africa. Of time spent with dear friends and amazing family. Of new experiences making a foreign country our home. Of an incredible ministry that we get to be a part of. Of those “beneficiaries” turned best friends. Of new cooking wins and hilarious cooking fails. Of 2 smiling Bardis at the end of a day that wasn’t so bad. Of our first wedding anniversary. And we do celebrate all these things.

But the photos you haven’t seen are of the moments in between, the real life that all of us experience but fail to document because we don’t want to remember them, or because we are unaware at just how significant this single event is in the larger context of our lives.

These photos would be of the times we’re too sick to get out of bed. Or when we’re just well enough to wander into a Zambian hospital. Or the tears that are shed over burnt cabbage as we endure a financially tough season. Or the faces of frustration from two newlyweds who just can’t seem to figure each other out. Or the time money was stolen from us. Or the average days of answering emails and working hard. Or the disagreements between the folks we work with in a context so unfamiliar to our Western problem-solving ways. Or fake checkpoints in the road to try to stop us and hassle us. Or car trouble. Or the countless hours of travel between houses and home countries and fundraising trips.

But these are the moments best lived. The moments that test our endurance, our patience, our strength, our confidence. The moments that throw our greatest fears in our faces to see where we run and how we react. The moments of day-to-day routine that make up a year of life. These are the moments worth capturing.

These are the moments to not be ashamed of or feel isolated within, but to wear proudly and exclaim boldly as you have overcome them. Our hardships turned victories are testimonies of how God’s redemption, grace, mercy, and faithfulness through Jesus are always going shine brighter than the darkness. But without which, the testimony of His relentless love would not be fully understood.

So today as I prepare for 2015, a year full of unknown and sure adventure, I will choose to celebrate through the hard parts of 2014. I can celebrate because here, on the other side of 2014, things may not be much easier but my soul is more steadfast, rooted in the unwavering truth of Jesus. The Lord has been with me every step through every storm. He has never left me. He has never given up on me. He has never forgotten me. Though I can and do celebrate the joys and graces of 2014, I can and do celebrate in the midst of the tough stuff, the things that refined my faith, strengthened our marriage, and made my life into a testimony of a God who saves, redeems, restores, heals and loves far beyond anything I deserve.

My prayer for 2015 is simply that I would in turn be faithful to what God has called me to. That I would respond deeply and fully to what I have experienced this year, never forgetting the incredible faithfulness of Jesus in every ounce of my life, every bit of my struggle.

Even as I type this, Wyatt and I find ourselves in the middle of a season of homelessness due to some unforeseen problems with our (future/ex) house in Zambia (leaving out a bajillion details of course). Though we don’t have an address or house to our name, we are not without a home. We are not without a roof over our heads thanks to the generosity of family and friends. We are okay. Not just okay, we are happy. Because after a year of refining, we find that our joy and our peace don’t have to come from our “blessings” or successes. They come from Jesus alone. And that’s something to be happy about.

Happy & Homeless, Wishing you and your family a happy New Year,

Amy & Wyatt

Merry Christmas from the Bardis!

We're so sorry for the lack of updates in the past month or so! We've been in a different city every week, sometimes every other day, doing fundraising and such, so things have been quite busy. We have enjoyed getting to see our friends and family, and even treat ourselves to a few American delicacies (like fast internet, free ice water, and drive-through biscuits).

Until we find a bit more time (and inspiration) for a real good post, here's our Christmas letter and photo which was mailed out to a few folks this year. If you didn't get it and would like to get one next year, just holler!

We pray that you and your family will have a joy-filled Christmas and a happy New Year!

America is Amazing Because it Has Free Water

As we walked off of the 14-hour flight into the JFK airport, glancing around the busy, clean, good-smelling terminal, every ounce of my being wanted to scream “TAKE ME BACK!” Since escapism isn’t really a healthy thing, and neither is a bitterness for your own home country (recognizing that it is indeed, my home country, regardless of where I call “home” now), I (Amy) realized I needed to nip that in the bud and change my attitude or else it was going to be a loooong 6 weeks.

Yes, I miss my Zamlife. Yes, it’s only been 36 hours in America. Yes, I have dear friends there who I miss terribly and will stalk on social media aggressively in hopes of still feeling connected to them as life goes on for all of us over the holidays. Yes, our hearts feel at home in Zam. And all of those are good and okay things.

But for this season, we are here. Willingly, excitedly, gratefully, as we get to spend time with the people who allow us to live this Zamlife, who support us with choppy FaceTime calls, emails (that I usually fail to reply to), and the rare surprise of a piece of mail that made it all the way into our ZamMailbox. I am excited to be here to rest, to relax, to take a step back to recharge my batteries, and admittedly, to soak up every American convenience that aren’t so present in Zam.

So with that tug of war from missing out/missing home to being excited to spend the (chilly) holidays with all of our favorite people, we decided we’ll have to tug a bit harder on the home for the holidays side to truly enjoy this season for all it has to offer. Instead of criticizing all of the “wrong,” we’ll choose to look at the right with a clear mind that neither places are “better,” they’re just different.

Thus introducing our “America is amazing because it has _______” first impressions list, compiled over the first 36 hours of being back in this place:

1. Free/clean water

2. Central air/heating units

3. Large washing machines

4. The ability to tackle 6+ errands in one day

5. Good food (and convenient food)

6. Quiet nights

7. Sweet tea

8. Chickfila & Target, per usual

9. Free wifi

10. Water pressure

11. Sales, promotions, discounts

12. Carpet

13. Customer service

14. Raspberries

15. Spotify, Netflix, Pandora, Hulu, YouTube

Looking forward to seeing many of y'all over the next few weeks! If you are in Columbia, Cary/Raleigh, Florence or anywhere nearby and still want to meet up, just email or text us (for free!) and we'd love to work something out. We're also hoping to add at least 10 new partners to our supporter base before Jan. 1, and would love for you to be one of them ;) Contact us for more info.

Love,

A&W

We Made It!

Today marks our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY, y'all! I am so incredibly grateful to be Wyatt's wife, and to have walked hand-in-hand with him over this past year. This past year, the first year of our marriage, may win the contest for hardest year of my life, but not only because we were newly married with a lot to adjust to. It was hard because we moved hundreds of miles away from our family & friends right after honeymooning, had to pack up our new life together in a pile of suitcases, then moved 6,000 miles and an ocean away from our entire community being just 2 months into marriage. It was hard because the longest we were in the same city before we got married was 10 days. It was hard because once we got to Zambia, tons of really crazy things happened at once, things that brought us home for the Spring to recover from the tough stuff. Things like working together to arrest a murderer who tried to kill someone we knew. Things like that, and other stories we can't really share with much of anyone. Yes, it was hard. But WE MADE IT! We made it through some of the toughest things that could've been thrown at us. And if you would've asked us what our goal was for our anniversary just 6 months ago, we would've told you that it was to survive. To just get there. But I am humbled, overjoyed, in awe of God's grace and mercy that we haven't just survived. We have grown together, learned really hard lessons, learned how to appreciate the best (and worst) in each other, and continue to learn how best to love each other. We made it having formed a firm foundation built on the only constant we've had over this past year- Jesus. We made it to a year with a greater love for each other- a deep, authentic, selfless love for each other. The kind that takes fire to create and the kind that will bring us through many more years and hardships to come.

And before I ramble on and on about how much I love Wyatt Bardi and love being his wife and doing life together in Zambia, let's not forget the other stuff. The reality of marriage and the craziness that has been "Our First Year," as told by some unseen wedding photos.

Over this past year of newlywed life,

We have slow danced in the kitchen together. 

And held on to each other for dear life when things seemed too crazy to deal with.

We've been able to walk forward with the great support (via text, email, FaceTime) with lots of these folks (& others). 

But some days we've felt like we've had to do this dance called life all alone.

And on those days we get frustrated with each other easily and want to karate chop each other (but don't follow through thankfully). 

We started off wiping away little tears when the other isn't looking. 

And we've had to learn to let the big, ugly, gushy ones flow in front of each other to really share life together.

We now realize that life/marriage/struggles are basically impossible without prayer and friends.

But it hasn't all been bad. It's been surprisingly hilarious at the most random times. 

And life has provided much-needed moments of unplanned dance-offs.

The more fire we walk through together, the more equipped we feel to do so with joy and confidence.

And on the days that we're fed up with each other or life or both, we know we just have to hold onto each other. Because it.will.get.better. It just will. Because God gives grace upon grace. 

Above all, we've realized that we both will change. We aren't the same people we were one year ago, but one thing hasn't changed- I am his bride and he is my groom. We've been given the gift of loving each other and serving the world through our marriage, and we will make the choice to appreciate that every single day. 

Happy First Anniversary, Wyatt! I love you. I respect you. I appreciate you. And I am thankful for you.

Love,
Amy

Independence & Our Roles

On October 24th, Zambia celebrated it’s 50 year anniversary of independence from Great Britain.  To say that people were excitedly freaking out doesn’t really explain the overall atmosphere of this nation.  Even to say that they were excitedly freaking out beyond control still doesn’t do it justice.  50 years is a big thing to celebrate.  It was named Zambia’s “Golden Jubilee”.  The entire city was decorated with the national colors:  green, red, black, and orangey gold.  Desk-sized flags were sold at virtually every major intersection of the city of Lusaka.  Zambian soccer jerseys were worn (even though they’re worn every day).  It was really cool to experience and it reminded us a lot about American Independence Day, but it had an unfamiliar charm to it.  In short, we were both very excited to be in the country during the Independence weekend (even if traffic was 10 times more chaotic than usual).  

(Image borrowed from Google)

So, having celebrated the first 50 years of Zambia’s independence, I (Wyatt) have been thinking a lot about how Amy and I can play our part in the 50 years ahead.  Relax, I’m not necessarily saying we’ll live here for 50 more years (though I can’t say we won’t, either).  I’m simply saying that we have a unique opportunity to love, influence, empower, and disciple the beautiful people of this nation, whether they're adults of various ages, children, or anyone in between.  As I consider practical ways we can be good stewards of our remaining time in Zambia, I get really excited for how God can use us to help shape the nation of Zambia and the next 50 years.  I’ll explain two major ways we can shape this country.

For one, Clothed in Hope’s programs are helping us to empower vulnerable women, who will in turn empower their families.  The most foundational aspect of our work here is what we will continue to use as a means of empowering this nation.  If we have 3 new classes of 10-15 women each per year, and we remain here for the next 10 years, then that’s 300-450 women who could be radically transformed and empowered.  That could potentially be 1,200-2,250 family members (assuming each family has 4 or 5 members, at the very least).  If the families are larger, or we are able to expand our programs to more compounds, then that number could easily double, triple or more by the next 10 years.  To think about the impact in the next 10 years, as far as life-skills training, is very humbling and very exciting.

Secondly and lastly, through said programs, we have an opportunity to get to know these women (and their families) on a deep level.  Through weeks, months, and years of walking through life alongside these families, we’re able to get to know these women deeply and to develop relationships that allow us to personally share the gospel of Jesus through our lives to those who do not know him, and to help encourage those who do follow Christ to grow towards the next step in their personal relationships with our Savior, also encouraging them to share that hope with their neighbors and friends.  This is eternally more important than the first point.  With this great responsibility we also know that we need to prepare ourselves in order to disciple others, constantly allowing the Holy Spirit and others to pour into us so that we can then pour into others.

As you see, we have quite a lot of work to do with Jesus going before us.  We’re excited for the 50 years ahead for Zambia and we’re praying for the strength and guidance to get to play some role in them.  Would you all consider joining us in prayer and support for our influence in the lives of these people?  As always, we’ll keep everyone posted on life and ministry here for the remainder of our time here, whether that’s another 5, 10, 25, or 50 years.

Love,

W&A

Fashion: Does It Even Matter?

Having graduated USC as a Fashion Merchandising major, I often get asked if I now find “fashion” to be superfluous, unnecessary, meaningless even. And I don’t think I ever really had the words for this, until now.

So here’s my answer: No. Not even close. Quite the opposite rather. As I sit 6,000 miles away from one of the fashion capitals of the world, and where I always thought I’d be at this chapter of my life, NYC, I realize that it just isn’t possible for fashion to be unnecessary.

Fashion is art. Fashion inspires people. Fashion influences culture. Fashion helps communicate a sense of identity for individuals around the world. Whether in NYC, with access to the greatest luxury designer labels, or in the bush in Zambia with limited access to secondhand clothing, people use fashion as a means to express themselves and their personal identities. People are creative beings. And if you don’t think everyone possesses a sense of fashion, realize that people still have to choose to put on jeans and a t-shirt if that’s the style they choose to portray themselves (and many days it is for me, so no judging here).

So when I got the opportunity to attend Zambia Fashion Week, it reignited my respect and enthusiasm for the industry I studied and followed for many years of my life, and still try to from afar. When I graduated in 2012, I had played a part in almost a dozen fashion shows in NC and SC, and I don’t think it’s only because I had issues with materialism. I think it’s because I’m greatly inspired and encouraged by the boldness and creativity of designers worldwide, showcasing their hearts on a runway for all to witness and take part in. Just like walking through an art gallery, I find the event rather brilliant, magical even.

Yes, the fashion industry looks much different in Zambia. But I would never dare to say that fashion is irrelevant here. At the Chikondi Community Center, I see that fashion inspires people, fashion creates the space for women to express themselves in ways words or society do not otherwise allow.

My wardrobe may have shifted from some trendy finds to now having a couple of ripped and hole-y tops sprinkled among Target and Old Navy steals. But nothing about my interest in the fashion world or its influence on culture, or my ability to express myself through clothing has changed. You just gotta get a little creative sometimes ;)

But that’s the beauty of it. Piecing together ordinary items, secondhand items, to portray our inward God-given identity and personality- it’s creative, it’s unique, it’s inspiring.

So ZedFW may not quite live up to the Mercedez Benz Fashion Week I still dream of attending once in my life (and follow like a madlady on Instagram), but I rejoice and thank God for the opportunity to give life to the passion He’s placed inside me for fashion.

Nothing is wasted. God knew exactly what He was doing when He planted this desire within me, and when He gave me so many opportunities to refine and use my skills and talents in the fashion world in the States. Little did I know it would take me to Zambia to share with women here, but I am so, so grateful that it did.

[And if you wanna see a bajillion- or 30ish- photos from the 3 day long Fashion Week here in Zambia, check out my Facebook album >> https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152311388820916.1073741844.601170915&type=1&l=3c4e3c2be7 and if we're not friends yet, let's be friends!]

Mid-October Update

Because there’s no better time for an update, right?!

Here’s a bit of what’s been going on in the last few weeks/months:

With CiH…

- We’re currently running 3 classes of women (over 30 ladies!) at one time. One group graduates in February, and they’re all becoming great friends. The other two classes just began in September, so they’ve got another year to go. We love seeing new faces, learning new names, and connecting with new folks. It literally feels like we’re just setting our dinner table for more people as we welcome them into the CiH family. And that’s a great feeling.

- The loan program is going 100x better than expected with a 100% repayment rate for these first 2 payment schedules. Women are experiencing great success in their businesses, even women who haven’t completed primary school, but who attended our loan workshop to learn about basic math, profit, cost, all the ins-and-outs of a good business. Sustainability and confidence boosting and smiles and empowerment and food on the table and kids in school and it’s just too much goodness to handle. Praise Jesus.

- We’ve started doing really well at some local markets here in Lusaka with our CiH products. We test out some new goodies here on the expat market to predict how they’ll do in the States. Never would I have ever thought I would be developing & selling a fashion line in Zambia. Kinda ridiculous, kinda great. We may even show you some of the gorgeous necklaces currently hanging up in our living room as we prepare for a market this Saturday J We also love market days because it gives us a chance to meet new people, welcome them to Lusaka, connect with them, invite them to our church and into our lives. Can’t beat those market days, y’all.

- A little (huge) announcement is in the works with a brand new partnership for us. Hint: it has to do with orphan prevention in a very direct way aka exactly the vision the Lord gave me for CiH just 4 years ago, one that I wouldn’t have dreamt of coming close to even in the next 10 years. Can’t wait to share that with y’all!

With Zambia…

- It’s hot. Our hottest of the hot season is right now. Y’all may be enjoying your sweaters and pumpkin spice lattes and cute/handsome boots, but we’re boiling over here. Days get upwards at 100 degrees, no A/C anywhere we can find. So sometimes we stand in the freezer aisles of the grocery store. Sometimes we stand in the air-conditioned butchery for as long as we can stand it until the meat smell gets to us. And most times we just stay super still all day and drink gallons of water. Rainy season cannot come soon enough! Or if y’all wanted to ship over some fall, that’d be great too.

With the Bardi Party…

- We’re moving! We found a little bit of a fixer-upper that will hopefully be ready for us when we’re moving in on November 11 before we head back to the States for a little holiday funsies and fundraising. We love the house, the property, our own space with space to host friends and YOU folks from America who can come visit us and witness firsthand the incredible things that are happening here. We’re even getting a cat. Watch out world, the Bardis really are settling into life in Zamland.

- We got our Driver’s Licenses!! After a couple months of waiting on carbon paper to arrive from the UK for our cards to be printed, we finally have them! We’re well on our way to becoming real Zambians, according to all the ladies at the center.

- We have friends. Some real good ones. We really lucked out aka Jesus really provided for us in a really gracious way with a community of folks who encourage us and who also provide laughs for us and understand the kinda crazy days we have from time to time. And most every conversation includes a reference to Chick-fil-a at some point, so I think we really get each other.

- We are about to celebrate our first anniversary in just a few weeks (on November 9)! We have been through one heck of a year and could write novels upon novels about a lot of the ick we’ve walked through, but we’ve walked through it together and have come out of the thick of it. Daily we’re humbled at the amount of grace and mercy Jesus shows to us in our marriage and in each other, and how He truly cares about this bond He created for us to share with the world. Maybe you’ll see another blog post about what it’s been like to go from NC to Jamaica (no ick there) to TX to NC/SC to Zambia to NC/SC to Zambia and back again in the first 12 months of us living in the same state and under the same roof for the first time.

It sounds like we’ve been busy, and we kinda have been! And it’s just looking like it’ll get busier from here on out through the end of the year as we are working to coordinate events for us to get to share CiH and our lives with folks back in the States (and eat lots of Christmas cookies). We don’t love the busyness, but we trust that it’s just for a season, so we would really appreciate your prayers for us to find rest and balance and peace in the midst of it all. And for us to enjoy the ride that can be quite bumpy sometimes :)

We love y’all. A lot. Seriously. Sorry if you’re creeped out by the PDA, but it’s true. We know we can’t keep in touch as much as we’d like, and that relationships seem to change when you’re 6,000 miles away on a different continent. But know that we think of y’all more than you think and we miss you guys a lot. When we don’t say it, it’s because sometimes it’s a hard cost to count, but we cannot wait to see y’all soon. (And if y’all haven’t hollered at us to hang out from Dec-Jan, please do! We want to see you. It’s better than FaceTime.)

Love,

A&W

The dreamy yard at our new house!

And when I said Fixer Upper, I meant that in the most extreme sense. Like the front of our house not being on yet. So prayers appreciated!!

Now I hate selfies and this photo was just taken for sampling, but I'll sacrifice my pride for a hot second and share one of our new jewelry pieces with y'all! 

Ladies from the new class doing some group work

Just as evidence of how hot it really is... we chopped all of our hair off. At a salon at a Chinese restaurant. :)

Elina's youngest, and our best friend, Jona, turned 8 this month! Auntie Amy and Uncle Wyatt took this dude out for some gelato and gave him some American glow sticks. We love this kid. 

The puppy we got a couple months back isn't such a puppy anymore! Only 4-5 months old and already over 50 pounds. Grow, Penny, Grow!