The Almost 4-Week Update

We realize an almost-4-week update is a pretty lame excuse to blog, but we wanted to take advantage of a free evening to catch y'all up to pace with all that we've been doing here in this nation across the ocean.

First off, we cannot believe that time is flying so quickly! Days seem long yet we're almost a month into our Zambian life. It's been a challenging, joyful, stressful, emotional, sanctifying, and blessed time so far.

We wish we could show you photos of our little ZamNest, but we're actually still in a temporary housing situation trying to work it all out. The whole housing issue has been perhaps the most challenging thing for us so far, as our desire from the start has been to settle into a place of our own and call Zambia home. We've found it difficult to feel planted here when 5 of our suitcases are still packed where we left them after arriving home from the airport, but we are trusting God's timing and provision in it all. We know that He is preparing a home for us. We know that His timing is never late. And we know that His power is greater than any scheme to discourage us. Now I have to admit that we don't always feel all of those things, but we're sure learning a lot about patience and contentment wherever we are. If y'all wanted to keep praying, that would be so great.

As far as daily life goes, we're enjoying figuring out what the Bardis do for fun, how we can unwind from a crazy day, how to cook every meal from scratch, you know, the typical newlywed things. We just don't get the luxury of freezer meals should we want a night off from cooking like Emeril. We've come to realize that movies provide us a nice, healthy escape from the things outside this house that seem to weigh so heavily on us most days.

The not-so-typical newlywed things are there too. Like trying to learn how to drive on the opposite side of the road during rainy season for Wyatt. Or acclimating him to local foods like nshima (a maize-based mix between grits and mashed potatoes, but with no flavor whatsoever) and goat meat stew. And Amy taking on some compound roads learning 4 different routes to the Chikondi Community Center as each route keeps getting washed out and flooded, and her little Rav can only manage so much. (She keeps rain boots in the trunk should she need to push one of these times) And trying to develop our ZamAmerican accents so we can actually communicate with folks in the compound areas. Oh, and trying to figure out how to keep our dates original when there are only about 8 options of restaurants and our budget is a bit tight. Lastly, how to grocery shop when olive oil costs $30 and no amount of meal planning can prepare you for the day that chicken or milk are just "finished" (gone/out of stock/off the meal plan).

Despite all these little quirks and lessons, we're really enjoying it. We love connecting with the friends we've made over past trips. We're trying to be patient with ourselves to find our ZamBesties, reminding ourselves that the process of finding life-long, going-deep friends takes months, even years no matter where you live. We have settled into a church, South City Church, and love everything about it, especially the fact that evening services just began and it meets at a coffee shop. And that it's one consistent place where we can be refreshed and refilled in the presence of God.

Wyatt began his time with Family Legacy by paying school fees for the sponsored children in compounds across Lusaka. Each school fee is paid in person with a hand-written receipt, so Wyatt's assistance with this was surely appreciated. He enjoyed getting to see so many different parts of Lusaka and connecting with FLMI's Zambian staff. He's now working under another American staff guy here, scheduling food deliveries for all of the houses and schools in their program, as well as overseeing some other operations here. His favorite part so far has been connecting with the Zambians he's worked with so far, learning their stories and about Zambian culture.

Amy dove back into her role with Clothed in Hope with the ladies so excited to have her back. She goes to the Chikondi Community Center 3-4 times a week to be present during the training classes and take care of lots of projects, like launching the new Baking/Cooking program, dog training, ordering new shelves and cabinets to get organized, and so much more. The ladies are in the middle of sampling various products to edit and choose which ones to send to the US for our Spring/Summer collection. Lots of brainpower and creativity goes into each product development, and it's a fun process to be a part of. Though all of the babies at CCC cry when they see Amy, she still holds onto the hope that someday they won't find her presence frightening. Clothed in Hope is just about to celebrate their 3 year anniversary on the 21st, so it's a special season of reflecting back to God's faithfulness, guidance and provision, looking ahead to all that's to come- abundantly more than anyone could ask for or imagine.

We're currently searching for hobbies. We feel it'll be a great way to meet some potential BFFs and just help us maintain a healthy lifestyle that isn't always marked by us being some oddball outsiders who make Zambian babies cry. We've considered joining a gym (but can't afford that one quite yet), exercising outside once the rainy season passes, picking up some random musical instrument, seeking out some local Trivia or Poetry nights, sewing/drawing/all things artsy, and we've even considered (in moments of hobby-desperation) to start filming our own mini series. You can be glad that last idea didn't quite come to reality.

If y'all have any ideas for ZamHobbies, scratch-made meals, housing options 6,000 miles away, or know of any potential ZamBesties, we are totally open to your contributions and so very grateful for them.

In a season of lots of transition, stressors, feeling awkward, and unknown, it sure is a good thing we like each other. :) God really blessed us in giving us each other. And we sure are grateful for y'alls prayers and for checking in on us on the fun days and the especially difficult days. And for listening to our crazy when you have no context for understanding such crazy. Y'all are the best. We'll be sure to eat some nshima and goat for you this week (and by we, I mean Wyatt).

Love y'all,
A&W