May 28, 2010
May 27, 2010
A Busy Week
Just a quick post to update you on our week-
Our housekeeper's* house was broken into over the weekend, and most of her belongings were stolen. She is a widow, HIV positive, and working incredibly hard to survive on her own. She lives in a nearby compound with her children, and was so devastated by this great loss. We are so sad for her, as she is such a sweet and gentle woman, and so helpful to us around our house. Please pray that the Lord would continue to allow us to help her in tangible ways, and show us how to best minister to her broken heart.
*A bit of explanation so that you understand we are not necessarily living a life of luxury over here...since we are Americans living in Lusaka, it would be culturally unacceptable for us not to hire a household staff. We would be seen as selfish if we were not willing to provide jobs in this way, and since we could certainly use some help- we are more than happy to have them work for us.
We have had several meetings this week, establishing connections, and doing the "networking" part of Special Hope. We have met with the director of a local teaching hospital, a lawyer from International Justice Mission, and a couple of realtors (we need a more permanent place to live as of August). So far, people have been welcoming and helpful- though most of them have directed us elsewhere to learn more specifically about children with intellectual disabilities in Zambia.
We have visited some great churches- one in particular this past Sunday. We had met with the pastor earlier that week, and he was very encouraged by the prospect of the work we hope to do here. During the service, he introduced us to the congregation, and had Eric speak about our mission. Not only that, but he, himself endorsed our ministry and and explained to his church how important it was that they partner with us in our caring for children with disabilities. It was really cool...
More to come soon...thanks for reading.
Our housekeeper's* house was broken into over the weekend, and most of her belongings were stolen. She is a widow, HIV positive, and working incredibly hard to survive on her own. She lives in a nearby compound with her children, and was so devastated by this great loss. We are so sad for her, as she is such a sweet and gentle woman, and so helpful to us around our house. Please pray that the Lord would continue to allow us to help her in tangible ways, and show us how to best minister to her broken heart.
*A bit of explanation so that you understand we are not necessarily living a life of luxury over here...since we are Americans living in Lusaka, it would be culturally unacceptable for us not to hire a household staff. We would be seen as selfish if we were not willing to provide jobs in this way, and since we could certainly use some help- we are more than happy to have them work for us.
We have had several meetings this week, establishing connections, and doing the "networking" part of Special Hope. We have met with the director of a local teaching hospital, a lawyer from International Justice Mission, and a couple of realtors (we need a more permanent place to live as of August). So far, people have been welcoming and helpful- though most of them have directed us elsewhere to learn more specifically about children with intellectual disabilities in Zambia.
We have visited some great churches- one in particular this past Sunday. We had met with the pastor earlier that week, and he was very encouraged by the prospect of the work we hope to do here. During the service, he introduced us to the congregation, and had Eric speak about our mission. Not only that, but he, himself endorsed our ministry and and explained to his church how important it was that they partner with us in our caring for children with disabilities. It was really cool...
More to come soon...thanks for reading.
May 25, 2010
Ignited by the Infinite, Con't
Heading back to the image of the throne room, and to a question I posed in the preceding post- when you eventually stand before Him, what will God say to you?
Sort of a terrifying thought, huh? The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 seems to actually bring this moment to life, and since it is quite long, I will give a synopsis before I reference some specific verses…
A master, departing from his three servants, leaves with them each a portion of “talents” (Greek talanton- a monetary unit worth about 20 years wages for a laborer). He entrusts the talents to the servants according to their own ability- to one servant, he gives five; to another, he gives 2; and to another, he gives 1. The first servant takes his five talents and uses them to trade, and so doubles his portion. The second servant takes his two talents, does the same, and so also doubles his portion. The third servant takes his one talent and buries it, leaving it to remain as is.
The master eventually returns to settle his accounts with each servant. To the first, the master says, “Well done good and faithful servant.” To the second, the master says, “Well done good and faithful servant.” To the third, the master says, “You wicked and slothful servant…you ought to have invested my money with bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest" (verses 21, 23, 26).
Considering this parable is found amongst several other parables and images concerning final judgment, it is easy to see that Jesus tells this story in order to explain what it will be like when we finally stand before the Master. We, as His servants, have each been entrusted with a certain amount of capital. According to this parable, it seems that we will be judged according to the way we have used that capital here on earth. If we use it well, we will hear God say to us, 'well done!' If we do not however, we should expect the same response received by the third servant- an accusation of evil and laziness.
So, the next question must be, what does it mean to use the capital well? According to the parable, in order for the Master to consider us well-users, there must be produced a demonstrable increase in the capital given. On that final day, we must be able to give back to the Master more than what was originally given us.
From this particular teaching of Jesus (and others like it), it seems we are expected to produce. Like Paul says,
If we mesh together Jesus’ and Paul’s words, we can gather that we have been given certain capital (time, energy, money, and opportunities) in order to complete the good works prepared for us to do. Different people, because they were created for different works, were given different capital. Therefore, the next question we must ask is about the very capital we have been given- what are we to do with our time, our energy, our money, and our opportunities?
As we seek to answer this question, and act according to it and the grace given us, let us remember the Parable of the Talents- there are only two options, either we use the capital well by increasing it, or we are deemed worthless and cast into the outer darkness (Matthew 25:30). In order that we avoid the latter, may we be ignited by the Infinite; set ablaze for good works by the very goodness of God.
Sort of a terrifying thought, huh? The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 seems to actually bring this moment to life, and since it is quite long, I will give a synopsis before I reference some specific verses…
A master, departing from his three servants, leaves with them each a portion of “talents” (Greek talanton- a monetary unit worth about 20 years wages for a laborer). He entrusts the talents to the servants according to their own ability- to one servant, he gives five; to another, he gives 2; and to another, he gives 1. The first servant takes his five talents and uses them to trade, and so doubles his portion. The second servant takes his two talents, does the same, and so also doubles his portion. The third servant takes his one talent and buries it, leaving it to remain as is.
The master eventually returns to settle his accounts with each servant. To the first, the master says, “Well done good and faithful servant.” To the second, the master says, “Well done good and faithful servant.” To the third, the master says, “You wicked and slothful servant…you ought to have invested my money with bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest" (verses 21, 23, 26).
Considering this parable is found amongst several other parables and images concerning final judgment, it is easy to see that Jesus tells this story in order to explain what it will be like when we finally stand before the Master. We, as His servants, have each been entrusted with a certain amount of capital. According to this parable, it seems that we will be judged according to the way we have used that capital here on earth. If we use it well, we will hear God say to us, 'well done!' If we do not however, we should expect the same response received by the third servant- an accusation of evil and laziness.
So, the next question must be, what does it mean to use the capital well? According to the parable, in order for the Master to consider us well-users, there must be produced a demonstrable increase in the capital given. On that final day, we must be able to give back to the Master more than what was originally given us.
From this particular teaching of Jesus (and others like it), it seems we are expected to produce. Like Paul says,
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”To reiterate what I previously wrote in part one, referencing the words of another New Testament writer- we have not worked in order to merit salvation, and are certainly saved by grace. Once we are saved, however, we are expected to work. For Paul, genuine faith cannot be separated from tangible works- they are intrinsically and ontologically linked together. Quite simply, real faith produces good works.
Ephesians 2:8-10
If we mesh together Jesus’ and Paul’s words, we can gather that we have been given certain capital (time, energy, money, and opportunities) in order to complete the good works prepared for us to do. Different people, because they were created for different works, were given different capital. Therefore, the next question we must ask is about the very capital we have been given- what are we to do with our time, our energy, our money, and our opportunities?
As we seek to answer this question, and act according to it and the grace given us, let us remember the Parable of the Talents- there are only two options, either we use the capital well by increasing it, or we are deemed worthless and cast into the outer darkness (Matthew 25:30). In order that we avoid the latter, may we be ignited by the Infinite; set ablaze for good works by the very goodness of God.
May 19, 2010
Ignited by the Infinite
While I do plan to use this blog to share stories and experiences of my time in Zambia, I must confess that I have an ulterior motive in my writing here. I plan to (shamelessly) use this blog to share with its readers that which I have come to know as truth- the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And so you should be forewarned that amidst the pictures of the most adorable kids you have ever seen and in between the updates of daily life here in Zambia, you can be sure to find theological ramblings of all sorts. The only way I can legitimize the keeping of this blog (and especially the time spent on its upkeep) is if it points to the truth of God found in Scripture, and so I pray this particular post, and others like it, be useful to that end.
I wrote earlier this week out of a frustration with my own limits. You see, although I really wish I could be, I will never be enough to meet the needs of the people around me. Their need is just too great, and I am simply not great at all. I am just a girl, and from the Zambian perspective, just a silly white girl at that.
The good news is that I am actually not the point- never have been, never am, and never will be. In His grace and mercy, God chose to reveal to me through His word my own insignificance and ineptitude long ago; long before I ever came to Africa. My coming here was not based on all the things I could do, nor all the talents I could use, nor all wisdom I had to offer. My coming here was solely based on the revelation of the infinitely holy God.
Though I have gotten to talk with many of you about your own faith and spirituality, I don't know the opinions most of you hold on who God is or what He is like. And though I would love to hear what you think, the reality of the matter is that only God, Himself gets to say who He is. His is the only opinion that actually matters. And all throughout His word, He is named by Himself and His people with a simply profound word- holy. A specifically powerful instance-
Can you imagine if you actually stood amongst those angels and creatures before the throne? What would it feel like? What would you say? What will you do when you actually stand before the eternal, infinite, holy God?
Even trickier question- what will He say to you? What will He say about the life you lived on earth? Will He be pleased? Or will He be dis-pleased?
Here's the thing- it's not actually a hypothetical situation. Each of us will actually have to stand before this Holy God one day-
I italicize the word because it seems to have become quite taboo in our contemporary Christian culture. Maybe it's because we like "grace" so much- it seems we like the idea of being saved and upheld by "grace" alone- it means we don't have to change very much about our sinful habits. We seem to have these it-doesn't-matter-what-I-do-because-I-have-"grace"-to-clean-up-after-me attitudes, assuming that "grace" is some sort of magic eraser of our numerous flaws.
There is a problem with this kind of "grace," however- it's based on a definition of grace that I cannot seem to find in Scripture. Grace, when I have come across it in the Bible, certainly does forgive us our sin when we by no means deserve it. It's more than that, though- it not only allows for forgiveness, but it empowers us to act faithfully and obey God's commands in the future. It is the very thing that enables our faith and works of obedience. And so, while we are certainly saved by grace alone and therefore do not merit it, our single response to that saving grace must have two aspects- faith and works. Or as James would say-
I wrote earlier this week out of a frustration with my own limits. You see, although I really wish I could be, I will never be enough to meet the needs of the people around me. Their need is just too great, and I am simply not great at all. I am just a girl, and from the Zambian perspective, just a silly white girl at that.
The good news is that I am actually not the point- never have been, never am, and never will be. In His grace and mercy, God chose to reveal to me through His word my own insignificance and ineptitude long ago; long before I ever came to Africa. My coming here was not based on all the things I could do, nor all the talents I could use, nor all wisdom I had to offer. My coming here was solely based on the revelation of the infinitely holy God.
Though I have gotten to talk with many of you about your own faith and spirituality, I don't know the opinions most of you hold on who God is or what He is like. And though I would love to hear what you think, the reality of the matter is that only God, Himself gets to say who He is. His is the only opinion that actually matters. And all throughout His word, He is named by Himself and His people with a simply profound word- holy. A specifically powerful instance-
"Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty,The Word says that right now, there are angels and creatures sitting around the throne of God (wherever that may be) singing this phrase over and over and over again. They don't get tired of it. They don't wish they were doing something else. They are not bored with their jobs. They stand before the Lord and call Him holy because there is nothing else for them to do in His presence. When faced with the eternal and infinite God, these are the only words they can muster up- He is that holy.
who was and is and is to come!"
Revelation 4:8
Can you imagine if you actually stood amongst those angels and creatures before the throne? What would it feel like? What would you say? What will you do when you actually stand before the eternal, infinite, holy God?
Even trickier question- what will He say to you? What will He say about the life you lived on earth? Will He be pleased? Or will He be dis-pleased?
Here's the thing- it's not actually a hypothetical situation. Each of us will actually have to stand before this Holy God one day-
" And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works."Here's another thing- this passage says that we will be judged according to our works. I know that contemporary Protestant theology would explain this passage in a lot of different ways- but what if we just took that passage to mean exactly what it says? What if, when we stand before God on that final day, we actually are judged according to our works?
Revelation 20:12-13
I italicize the word because it seems to have become quite taboo in our contemporary Christian culture. Maybe it's because we like "grace" so much- it seems we like the idea of being saved and upheld by "grace" alone- it means we don't have to change very much about our sinful habits. We seem to have these it-doesn't-matter-what-I-do-because-I-have-"grace"-to-clean-up-after-me attitudes, assuming that "grace" is some sort of magic eraser of our numerous flaws.
There is a problem with this kind of "grace," however- it's based on a definition of grace that I cannot seem to find in Scripture. Grace, when I have come across it in the Bible, certainly does forgive us our sin when we by no means deserve it. It's more than that, though- it not only allows for forgiveness, but it empowers us to act faithfully and obey God's commands in the future. It is the very thing that enables our faith and works of obedience. And so, while we are certainly saved by grace alone and therefore do not merit it, our single response to that saving grace must have two aspects- faith and works. Or as James would say-
"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?(I'll stop for now, because let's be honest, I'm tired of writing, and I know you are tired of reading. Expect a Part Two finale soon...)
...faith apart from works is dead."
James 2:14, 26
May 18, 2010
Finitely Frustrated
Today, we spent several hours visiting with families in a particular compound called Chunga. We were told that these children each had Down syndrome, but we found that their specific intellectual disabilities were not Down syndrome-like at all. The first little girl was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was 7 (she is now 15), and seems to have some significant cognitive delay as a result of her seizing. The second girl we met had very poor vision and affected cognition as well. The third young woman seemed to display symptoms of autism, although her family had never heard of it.
It was such a privilege to be with these families in their homes, talking with them, hearing their stories, delighting in their children- but here's the thing, they were families. Each of those children have someone speaking for them already; they have someone defending their rights. They have families that love and care for them in the best way they are able. They have homes to live in, even if they are hidden away in them most of the time. And for those reasons, they are actually not the reason I am here.
God has called me here to care for orphans with intellectual disabilities- the ones who don't have someone speaking on their behalf, the ones that don't have anyone defending their rights. The ones who don't have families loving and caring for them. The ones who don't have a home or any place to live, for that matter. They are the real reason I am here.
Today, I think might have realized the hardest thing about living here. I actually won't be able to fix everything. For those of you who know me, you know that I don't like things left undone; I don't like not being in control of things; I certainly don't like not being able to fix problems.
The staggering reality I am beginning to face it that there is just too much here- there is too much left undone, too much I cannot even begin to control, and too much I will never be able to fix. My human limitations will not allow me to care for kids who have families and orphans at the same time; as it too would simply be too much. And so, I am frustrated with my own finitude, especially for it way it affects families like these...
I pray that God would increase and multiple my heart and energy so that I could expend as much of my time as possible to do His work here. I pray that He would clarify more and more what that work looks like, so that I may do it well and in a way that is effective for the kingdom. I pray for the orphans I have yet to meet and care for, that God would continue to focus my eye upon them. And redundant as it may be, I still pray that it would all be to His infinite glory now and forevermore.
It was such a privilege to be with these families in their homes, talking with them, hearing their stories, delighting in their children- but here's the thing, they were families. Each of those children have someone speaking for them already; they have someone defending their rights. They have families that love and care for them in the best way they are able. They have homes to live in, even if they are hidden away in them most of the time. And for those reasons, they are actually not the reason I am here.
God has called me here to care for orphans with intellectual disabilities- the ones who don't have someone speaking on their behalf, the ones that don't have anyone defending their rights. The ones who don't have families loving and caring for them. The ones who don't have a home or any place to live, for that matter. They are the real reason I am here.
Today, I think might have realized the hardest thing about living here. I actually won't be able to fix everything. For those of you who know me, you know that I don't like things left undone; I don't like not being in control of things; I certainly don't like not being able to fix problems.
The staggering reality I am beginning to face it that there is just too much here- there is too much left undone, too much I cannot even begin to control, and too much I will never be able to fix. My human limitations will not allow me to care for kids who have families and orphans at the same time; as it too would simply be too much. And so, I am frustrated with my own finitude, especially for it way it affects families like these...
I pray that God would increase and multiple my heart and energy so that I could expend as much of my time as possible to do His work here. I pray that He would clarify more and more what that work looks like, so that I may do it well and in a way that is effective for the kingdom. I pray for the orphans I have yet to meet and care for, that God would continue to focus my eye upon them. And redundant as it may be, I still pray that it would all be to His infinite glory now and forevermore.
May 14, 2010
Will You Pray with Me?
My dearest Stacey sent me this email newsletter from International Justice Mission, a faith-based organization working for justice across the world, and specifically in Zambia. This month's "From the Field" report tells the story of a seven year-old girl who has Down syndrome and was recently raped by a neighbor here in Lusaka.
Please read the full story here... http://www.ijm.org/main/ijmfromthefield-may2010,
then pray with me
O Lord, be who You say You are to this little girl, and to her family. Be the One to bring good news to them. Be the One to bind up their broken hearts. Be the One to proclaim liberty instead of captivity. Be the One to open the prison doors of these that are bound in oppression. Be the One to proclaim favor unto them. Be the One to promise the coming of a day of vengeance for evil and comfort for the mourning.
Even when it doesn't make sense- we trust Your sovereignty still, and know that you will be glorified in the end of this. Even if the end is far off, we trust that You will not let injustice go unaccounted or unpunished. And even when our hearts break, we say You are good- worthy of honor and blessing.
Please read the full story here... http://www.ijm.org/main/ijmfromthefield-may2010,
then pray with me
O Lord, be who You say You are to this little girl, and to her family. Be the One to bring good news to them. Be the One to bind up their broken hearts. Be the One to proclaim liberty instead of captivity. Be the One to open the prison doors of these that are bound in oppression. Be the One to proclaim favor unto them. Be the One to promise the coming of a day of vengeance for evil and comfort for the mourning.
Give them a a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,And o Lord, bring justice. Do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more (Psalm 10:18).
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit.
Isaiah 61:3
Even when it doesn't make sense- we trust Your sovereignty still, and know that you will be glorified in the end of this. Even if the end is far off, we trust that You will not let injustice go unaccounted or unpunished. And even when our hearts break, we say You are good- worthy of honor and blessing.
May 13, 2010
Delighting in Him, the Desire of my Heart
I guess right about now may be when I start to feel homesick. Some of the newness of things is beginning to wear off- driving on the other side of the road just seems like driving now. Some of "vacation" feel of our days is fading away- we are WAY too busy to call this a vacation. And therefore some of the reality of all this is setting in...
I guess I could let myself long for things from back home- like my favorite restaurants (I've been craving Continental Divide lately) or the ease of being able to go out alone (not the most safe option here in Lusaka). I guess I could let myself get really sad in missing friends and family- I certainly wish I could spend the week with Madds and Mols in KC and then make the drive back to VA with them (it's a drive we've several times made together), and I definitely wish I could speed-dial my sister and hear about her time at Greek Summit.
I could, and am certainly tempted to sometimes. I miss my family. I miss my friends. I miss Charlottesville. I really do.
The reason I don't necessarily long for them, however, is because I am here. To long for something other than what God has called and provided for me to do would seem to be a great grievance. If I am going to claim Him to be the sovereign Lord of my life, and if I am also going to claim that He does all things for His glory and for good- than my only real option is to delight in the place where He has me. And for now- that's here in Lusaka, Zambia, power-shortages, funny food, parasitic water and all.
There is also a reason why it is not actually hard for me to delight in this place. It's because I also claim these verses to be utterly and overwhelmingly true-
Like in the face of this little boy...
Had I delighted more in those things I loved back home, I would have never met him. Had I chosen to stay back home, I would have never had the privilege to be the one to hold him on his first trip outside of his house. I would have never been the one to help stretch his CP-tightened muscles. And I would have never seen his beautiful smile as I did so.
He, and ones like him, are the reason I'm not feeling overly homesick. I'm sure there will be moments when the sadness of the distance between me, friends, and family is great- but I also know the greatness of the privilege I find myself experiencing. The Lord is doing something here (see and be encouraged by the details on the Special Hope blog), and I get to be a part of it.
And so I ask all the more that He give me grace to delight in Him, commit my way unto Him, and trust in Him above all else.
I guess I could let myself long for things from back home- like my favorite restaurants (I've been craving Continental Divide lately) or the ease of being able to go out alone (not the most safe option here in Lusaka). I guess I could let myself get really sad in missing friends and family- I certainly wish I could spend the week with Madds and Mols in KC and then make the drive back to VA with them (it's a drive we've several times made together), and I definitely wish I could speed-dial my sister and hear about her time at Greek Summit.
I could, and am certainly tempted to sometimes. I miss my family. I miss my friends. I miss Charlottesville. I really do.
The reason I don't necessarily long for them, however, is because I am here. To long for something other than what God has called and provided for me to do would seem to be a great grievance. If I am going to claim Him to be the sovereign Lord of my life, and if I am also going to claim that He does all things for His glory and for good- than my only real option is to delight in the place where He has me. And for now- that's here in Lusaka, Zambia, power-shortages, funny food, parasitic water and all.
There is also a reason why it is not actually hard for me to delight in this place. It's because I also claim these verses to be utterly and overwhelmingly true-
"Delight yourself in the Lord,It is true that Zambia, itself, has captured my affection- but it is actually the Lord who holds the entirety of my heart. In committing my way to Him, it seems He saw it best for me to make my way to Africa- to leave behind all the things I love so much, to serve orphans with intellectual disabilities. In trusting Him to make it so, I have seen Him act in the most incredible and precious of ways (in the months preceding and in the one week of my being here). He is my delight, and and it seems that in bringing me here, I have gotten to see and know more of Him.
and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in Him and He will act."
Psalm 37:4-5
Like in the face of this little boy...
Had I delighted more in those things I loved back home, I would have never met him. Had I chosen to stay back home, I would have never had the privilege to be the one to hold him on his first trip outside of his house. I would have never been the one to help stretch his CP-tightened muscles. And I would have never seen his beautiful smile as I did so.
He, and ones like him, are the reason I'm not feeling overly homesick. I'm sure there will be moments when the sadness of the distance between me, friends, and family is great- but I also know the greatness of the privilege I find myself experiencing. The Lord is doing something here (see and be encouraged by the details on the Special Hope blog), and I get to be a part of it.
And so I ask all the more that He give me grace to delight in Him, commit my way unto Him, and trust in Him above all else.
May 11, 2010
Let's Get it Started
Today we went to Nancy's house for our second lesson in Nyanga. She lives in a compound (think Zambian version of low-income housing, which means it is actually nothing like American low-income housing) on the northeast side of town called Chunga. We when arrived, it was very clear that there had not been a vehicle present in the neighborhood in quite some time, if ever. Our arrival caused all of the neighbors to come and take a look- I imagine they were quite surprised to watch each of us get out of the car- their faces only seemed to confirm my imagination.
We got to meet her family- her three biological children, her three previously-orphaned children, and her widowed mother, all who live with her. They invited us in, and served us a sugary pineapple drink (yummy, but pray for our bellies, as the water used to make it might cause us troubles), while we set up the kids with books and magazines to read. Her boys were clearly excited to get to read books, as it seems they don't get the opportunity very often (we're gonna have to get more books so we can give them away on visits like these!).
First things first, Nancy gave us each a quiz to take, testing our memories from last week's lesson. Then we got onto new things- but in the middle of explaining something, Nancy began telling us about a neighbor friend who has a daughter with Down syndrome. Nancy explained that this child is never allowed out of the house, since it would be so shameful for her family. Since we obviously function differently with the kids and take them out often, Nancy told us that she desperately wanted us to meet her friend so that we could talk with and encourage her.
Nancy's young son went to bring the friend over to the house, and when she arrived a few minutes later, she entered cautiously and greeted us politely. Her eyes then fell on Maggie and Mollie, who sat on the floor, and her faced instantly beamed. She sat down and talked with us about her daughter, and we shared about Maggie, Mollie, and Sam. Like they normally do, Maggie blew her kisses, Mollie sang her a worship song, and Sam spouted off one of his Bible verses. At that point, she got down on the floor and just held the girls' hands. The longer she sat, the more and more she seemed to hold back tears. It seemed so wonderful for her to meet kids like her's, and to talk with parents like herself.
We asked her if we could meet her daughter, and arranged to go to her house next week before our lesson. She then told us of two other friends in the neighborhood who also had children with Down syndrome. Nancy agreed to set up visits with each of their families next week as well.
So, on Tuesday, we will go and finally start doing all that we have talked about for the past months. As Nancy sat with us and told us of her friends and their kids, it was all I could do not to burst with tears of joy and thankfulness. It is one thing to just talk about meeting children who have been hidden away, and it is another to see their pictures on a slideshow- but actually being with them has me feeling absolutely ecstatic, even if it is just the thought of it.
So will you pray- for Nancy and her beautiful family (pictured below), the families and kids we will meet next week? Will you pray for us as we prepare? And O, will you thank God with me- for His grace and mercy in allowing me to be a part of this crazy thing He is doing here?
(This last picture of Sam and his fan club is also posted on the Special Hope website, which I hope you are keeping up with too, since Holly is doing a GREAT job of updating with all that we are doing!)
We got to meet her family- her three biological children, her three previously-orphaned children, and her widowed mother, all who live with her. They invited us in, and served us a sugary pineapple drink (yummy, but pray for our bellies, as the water used to make it might cause us troubles), while we set up the kids with books and magazines to read. Her boys were clearly excited to get to read books, as it seems they don't get the opportunity very often (we're gonna have to get more books so we can give them away on visits like these!).
First things first, Nancy gave us each a quiz to take, testing our memories from last week's lesson. Then we got onto new things- but in the middle of explaining something, Nancy began telling us about a neighbor friend who has a daughter with Down syndrome. Nancy explained that this child is never allowed out of the house, since it would be so shameful for her family. Since we obviously function differently with the kids and take them out often, Nancy told us that she desperately wanted us to meet her friend so that we could talk with and encourage her.
Nancy's young son went to bring the friend over to the house, and when she arrived a few minutes later, she entered cautiously and greeted us politely. Her eyes then fell on Maggie and Mollie, who sat on the floor, and her faced instantly beamed. She sat down and talked with us about her daughter, and we shared about Maggie, Mollie, and Sam. Like they normally do, Maggie blew her kisses, Mollie sang her a worship song, and Sam spouted off one of his Bible verses. At that point, she got down on the floor and just held the girls' hands. The longer she sat, the more and more she seemed to hold back tears. It seemed so wonderful for her to meet kids like her's, and to talk with parents like herself.
We asked her if we could meet her daughter, and arranged to go to her house next week before our lesson. She then told us of two other friends in the neighborhood who also had children with Down syndrome. Nancy agreed to set up visits with each of their families next week as well.
So, on Tuesday, we will go and finally start doing all that we have talked about for the past months. As Nancy sat with us and told us of her friends and their kids, it was all I could do not to burst with tears of joy and thankfulness. It is one thing to just talk about meeting children who have been hidden away, and it is another to see their pictures on a slideshow- but actually being with them has me feeling absolutely ecstatic, even if it is just the thought of it.
So will you pray- for Nancy and her beautiful family (pictured below), the families and kids we will meet next week? Will you pray for us as we prepare? And O, will you thank God with me- for His grace and mercy in allowing me to be a part of this crazy thing He is doing here?
(This last picture of Sam and his fan club is also posted on the Special Hope website, which I hope you are keeping up with too, since Holly is doing a GREAT job of updating with all that we are doing!)
May 7, 2010
Zikomo!
There is a lot for me to be thankful for today. We had our first language and culture lesson, and learned SO MUCH. The man (Chris) who works at the house where we are staying told us of his sister-in-law who could come teach us Nyanga (most common tribal language spoken in Zambia). She (Nancy) came today and turns out she is a primary school teacher for CHILDREN WHO HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS! Can you believe it? She sat and talked with us for a long time about how special education works in Zambia and how children with disabilities are treated and understood in this culture. It was so wonderful to hear her heart- it gives me lots of hope for all that could come from our relationship with her. So many people to meet, so many things to learn, so many blessings to share...
On top of that, she was a wonderful language teacher- very patient with us, mezungas (whites), and very encouraging when we would occasionally pronounce words correctly! We worked out a class schedule, and so with time, we will hopefully begin to be able communicate with people in the preferred, more common language (and not simply speak in English all the time). As we walked to the bus stop with her, she encouraged us to greet our neighbors using our newly-learned phrases- we did, and they responded with very surprised-looking smiles.
Another reason to be thankful- our internet is finally working at home! Communication will now be more regular (and therefore, posts more regular) about what is going on here. For example- I can tell you about fun day trips we take to places like tropical gardens and crocodile farms; where we went for Eric's birthday yesterday. I can tell you about very interesting trips to the local city market (if you're picturing the Charlottesville City Market- you are WAY off. think allies that are 10 times more narrow, anything you could (n)ever want to buy such as second-hand jeans, rusty car parts, and freshly fried (eye-balls intact) fishes, and beautiful Zambian men and women all around). I can tell you all about how much of a spectacle we are in this city- judging by the way we constantly stop traffic, workers, and pedestrians everywhere we go, it seems safe to say that kids with special needs REALLY do not go out at all.
Here are some fun pics we have from our time so far-
A very sleepy Mollie on the flight
Special Hope Network does Heathrow
Apparently, Eric and I both like blue oxfords, black vests, and Cokes
Don't worry, we didn't bring too much stuff...
Sam and Mollie at the Croc Farm (that is indeed a fig tree behind them- I love figs)
Eric and Maggie in front of our gardenia and hibiscus bushes
Holly with our very own baby fig (did I mention I love figs?), meyer lemon, and avocado trees!!!
Zikomo (thank you), O Lord, for this life you are letting me live, may it be unto You, Your honor, and Your fame.
On top of that, she was a wonderful language teacher- very patient with us, mezungas (whites), and very encouraging when we would occasionally pronounce words correctly! We worked out a class schedule, and so with time, we will hopefully begin to be able communicate with people in the preferred, more common language (and not simply speak in English all the time). As we walked to the bus stop with her, she encouraged us to greet our neighbors using our newly-learned phrases- we did, and they responded with very surprised-looking smiles.
Another reason to be thankful- our internet is finally working at home! Communication will now be more regular (and therefore, posts more regular) about what is going on here. For example- I can tell you about fun day trips we take to places like tropical gardens and crocodile farms; where we went for Eric's birthday yesterday. I can tell you about very interesting trips to the local city market (if you're picturing the Charlottesville City Market- you are WAY off. think allies that are 10 times more narrow, anything you could (n)ever want to buy such as second-hand jeans, rusty car parts, and freshly fried (eye-balls intact) fishes, and beautiful Zambian men and women all around). I can tell you all about how much of a spectacle we are in this city- judging by the way we constantly stop traffic, workers, and pedestrians everywhere we go, it seems safe to say that kids with special needs REALLY do not go out at all.
Here are some fun pics we have from our time so far-
A very sleepy Mollie on the flight
Special Hope Network does Heathrow
Apparently, Eric and I both like blue oxfords, black vests, and Cokes
Don't worry, we didn't bring too much stuff...
Sam and Mollie at the Croc Farm (that is indeed a fig tree behind them- I love figs)
Eric and Maggie in front of our gardenia and hibiscus bushes
Holly with our very own baby fig (did I mention I love figs?), meyer lemon, and avocado trees!!!
Zikomo (thank you), O Lord, for this life you are letting me live, may it be unto You, Your honor, and Your fame.
May 2, 2010
WE ARE HERE!
Oh friends, we made it to Lusaka! After two long days of travel and not much sleep, we are finally here and settling in nicely. It's beautiful- sunny, warm (but not too hot, since it's wintertime), with incredible trees and tropical flowers. We've already made a trip to the grocery store (and found some very interesting bugs for sale in the dried beans section), went on a couple practice-driving-on the- other-side-of-the-road trips (with only a few near-accidents), and had to fight off a crazy amount of ants in our house.
Initial thoughts- I LOVE THIS PLACE.
Initial thoughts- I LOVE THIS PLACE.
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