A lot has happened over the past 2-3 months that we’ve been
in Zambia. And I don’t say that in some sort of busy-glorifying way, but rather
just a fact. Blogging has taken back seat to other important life issues in
this season, and I kinda think that’s okay. But right now we’d love to update
y’all on what’s been going on just so you know we’re still alive and kickin.
First off, we are moving back to America on April 13. Now
that there’s a date and a booked plane ticket, things are getting pretty real.
That’s probably the #1 reason that I haven’t blogged lately. My mind has
struggled to keep up with my own life changes I’m experiencing that I struggle
to find words to express them and share with you all. So the huge life lessons
and testimonials will have to wait for another blog post ;)
How do we feel about it? Probably every emotion possible.
Let me just say, it’s not easy y’all. Not even close. So pray for us, and we would be really grateful.
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| Sometimes I feel like Harvest, sometimes Martha. And sometimes I go from Harvest to Martha within seconds. Just keepin' it real, folks. |
Now for the updates:
What’s new with CiH?
1. We officially launched the partner class with House of
Moses Orphanage/Christian Alliance for Children in Zambia (CACZ) rooted in
orphan prevention. See CiH’s blog for more deets on that, but just know how
much it has encouraged my soul that Jesus has created this beautiful
partnership, one that features the first MAN of CiH classes!
2. The first loan cycle ended with 100% re-payment rate!! So
we just began our second cycle of loans, issued to 12 ladies who are running
their own sustainable businesses apart from any dependency on CiH. Teaching
30-50 year old women about profit and cost was never something I saw coming
when I was at USC, but I'm so glad I listened in my classes then.
3. Illnesses come and go, but the latest is that Margret is
100% back to normal. Her babies have been sick off and on, but are currently
healthy which we are grateful for. The harsh reality of sickness/death is a
shocking one here that affects our program and our ladies. One woman cannot
come to class on Friday because she has to clean the scene in a neighboring
home where a woman died. She said it matter-of-factly, but I remind myself
often that it.is.not.okay.
4. The CiH staff ladies have officially taken over running
CiH full-time from a programming standpoint! They even launched a new outreach
group in a neighboring compound for women who were begging for an education,
for a chance to learn. The sacrificial hearts of our staff will always amaze
and inspire me. They stretch their own time and resources to make these
outreach programs happen.
5. We’re busy cranking out the new fall line using a
top-secret new material to combine with chitenge and some gorgeous new designs
AND THE LINE IS AMAZING. Just couldn’t contain that last part, not sorry about
it.
What’s new with us?
1. Well, we’re moving back to America, so lots. We
officially decided on RDU area for our new “home” city after reminding
ourselves of why we’re coming back. Though we’d love to start a new adventure
and be all adventurous, we feel led to lay low, to be faithful in a more
“average” life and soak up the conveniences of a familiar place for us and for CiH. It’ll be a
strange transition for sure, but we’re excited-scared-ready-sad-happy. When we
get back we’ll be looking for a place to move into, cars to drive, a bed to sleep
in, and everything else needed for life in America, so if any of y’all have
leads on those or would like to help out in any way, we would love to chat!
2. Wyatt is still busy applying for jobs in the RDU area. No
leads yet, but plenty of lines out there. Just waiting for that bite, and
you’ll surely see an Instagram post of chocolate cake & Coke Zero when that
day comes.
3. We’re still in
the middle of the legal battle/process, and unfortunately that’s about all we
can say about that. Just pray for it.
4. We’re trying to be present here and soak up these last
special memories with the friends we’ve made here. The majority of the expat
friends will not be here when we plan to move back, so we’re all trying to make
the most of the time we have left together.
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| Martha's not an expat, but there's a good chance she won't remember me when I'm back. So I'm soaking up all the one-year-old snuggles and staring contests that I can for now. |
This also means that we’ve gotten
to witness and volunteer with some ministries/nonprofits run by some great
friends. Here are more deets about them:
- Water282:
Well, we haven’t seen this one in action because we haven't ventured out into the bush recently, but we did live with the founder and
his wife, Jacob and Libby Eubanks, and know this organization is legit, and are
doing things in a sustainable and beneficial way in Zambia, drilling wells
rural villages and providing sanitation education.
- Impact
One Initiative: We participated in a Saturday Reading Clinic (this AM
actually!), where we spent time reading to children at a community school in
Ng’ombe Compound who don’t otherwise have access to such one-on-one attention.
The school has 200 students with 2 teachers, and all children are living in
poverty. But the Reading Clinics get them excited about reading, learning,
their education and their future. This organization is doing incredible things way
beyond this, growing the capacity of community schools in the Ng’ombe Compound,
led by the passion and wisdom of a very dear friend of mine, Whitney.
-
Streetwise Co: Wyatt volunteered at an outreach with the rest of our church
small group. Streetwise ministers to street children, homeless kids who hustle
the streets and sleep in sewer pipes, abandoned cars, storefront stoops, etc.
Wyatt helped in serving the kids a hot meal, not for trendy meal serving, but
as a gateway to bring in these tough kids/guys to build relationships with
them, to let them know that Streetwise is a safe place to learn, to be loved,
and to experience Jesus. This people group is incredible under-served and one
that wrecks our hearts daily. Streetwise Co. ultimately wants to disciple
street kids (guys) by engaging in skills-training in carpentry for them to learn
to make a living, to get off the street, and to walk away from addiction and
destructive living. Wyatt invited a guy who he met there, J, to come to our church the following Sunday, and he came! He wasn't on drugs, he was eager to know more about Jesus, and said his favorite part of service was worshipping God. How incredible. Pray for J and the redemption and healing happening in his soul.
- The
Esther School: Based outside Lusaka, about an hour’s drive, these folks are
providing high-quality education to village children. The great friends we know
there are Americans, but each American teacher has a Zambian co-teacher to
encourage community sustainability and to raise up local leadership. Their
school buildings, playgrounds, and on-site housing are all built by local
craftsmen, providing even more opportunities for the community and building
beneficial relationships with them. This ministry is incredible, and the people
are amazing. We visited on Valentine’s Day, when we got the grand tour and got
to see what we’ve been hearing so much about. The way they run their
organization with a local focus is right on point, and really refreshing to see
done so well.
These are just a few of the organizations who are
doing incredible, sustainable, beneficial work here, but check these out first.
We know the founders (aka some of our best friends), we’ve seen their work in action, and we truly respect and
believe in how they manage their finances, how they work within communities,
how they run their organizations with transparency and integrity, and how bold
their hearts are for serving where they’ve been called, no matter how big or
small the organization is.
What’s new with Zambia?
1. Rainy season has almost ended, which we thought would
bring in cold season just a bit, but it’s staying pretty hot here! I know some
of y’all have had your fair share of cold weather, but if you wouldn’t mind
sending just an arctic blast this way, we wouldn’t hate it.
2. Lusaka (our hometown) is currently facing fuel shortages,
or something of the sort. We hear 50 different stories about the cause or the
reality of the “shortage” but here’s what we know to be true: We have to drive
around and ask all of our friends if they’ve seen gas at any filling stations,
because most are out 99% of the day. And when the petrol truck does come, we
race over only to wait in a line for an hour. Some friends have waited 2-3
hours. We don’t know why, really, or when it’ll be over, but it’s pretty
bonkers. As if Lusaka city life wasn’t exciting enough ;)
3. Even with the fuel shortages and hot weather and daily
challenges, Zambia and its people continue to amaze and inspire us. I think I
fall more in love with this country every day (well, most days), and it seems
especially so the closer we come to leaving. But it’s not goodbye, it’s see you
later!
p.s. I’m obsessed with this photo/lady. Come on… how
incredibly stunning and lovely is she?! Her name is Rosemary, and you may just
find this photo hanging in my next home.
p.s. again: We’re actually loving eating nshima, probably
because we know it won’t be widely accessible in the States, and because it
won’t be made by some of our favorite ladies on the face of the earth. And it
may cause some digestion issues now, but it’s worth the memories to last us for
later.
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| Wyatt with Joshua & George, Tresa's sons |
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| Amy with Yvonne, a recent graduate of CiH & one fun lady |
Love,
A&W
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