Day 6
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Paula woke up this morning feeling much better so we spent the whole day at the Tetekela Day Care Center with 150 or more kids, ages 3-16 or so. Wonderful, high energy, shy and brassy, older and younger, caring and helpful, respectful and obedient, boisterous and pushing the edge – all the things you expect children to be. We brought three footballs, two Aerobies, and four bags of beads to string, and we first had to find who would be in charge of which. Paula went with the older teen girls to string bracelets and necklaces and I went out to find the boys. They were all in a round, thatched roof gathering place making all the noise boys can make. As I approached and they noticed me an absolute silence ensued with them all looking at me and I at them. Since I don’t speak a word of Bemba and they speak very little if any English it was rather hopeless until Sister Petronella showed up to translate. I told them a bit about myself and mentioned the Aerobies (they had no idea what those were) and footballs (they went wild). I told them a bit about myself and then Sister suggested that they ask me some questions. That was not particularly productive because of their shyness (which later gave way to ready smiles and eager high five’s!) so she suggested a break so they could think of them, I took that as an excellent suggestion and went for the Aerobies.
There is a young man, Joachim, in charge of sports, so it seemed best to wait until he could organize the football game. I thought I could manage an Aerobie free for all. And free it was what with learning how to sail the Aerobie, retrieving the ones that went over the wall, fights over who got there first, tussles that threatened to tear an Aerobie apart, and general chaos. I tried to take some action pictures to send to the Aerobie Corporation for posting on the website but every time the camera came out they forgot about playing and wanted to be in the picture. It occurred to me that most of these kids had never seen themselves, so even that tiny screen on the back of the camera was a complete novelty. Besides which they seemed not to understand Movie or Video. All they knew was still picture taking. So I finally retrieved the Aerobies and retreated to where Paula was working with beads.
The girls were having a great time stringing beautiful bracelets and necklaces. The literally thousands of beads which we thought would last for several sessions were all used up before lunch! We both needed a rest so I took Paula on a tour of the facilities and took a few more pictures.
Lunch is amazing. The children line up outside the dining hall and come in, a few at a time to receive their trays piled high with food (much more than I could eat but probably the only meal most of them will have today), go find a place at the table and sit quietly (mostly) until everyone is served and a prayer is said, and then they dive in. The menu today (and it would be much the same every day) was maize, a very thick white cornmeal porridge, rather like polenta, cooked in a huge vat over a charcoal fire, dried yellow peas cooked in a similar fashion, and some cooked vegetables that appeared to be mostly cabbage. No spoons, forks or knives. It’s all eaten with the hands in communal style, adults and children. Then tables are cleared and cleanup is done. We never did figure out how the assignments were made but the cleaners were marvelously creative and energetic in the tasks, down on their hands and knees with rags and buckets of water. Soon the dining room was spotless.
An after lunch gathering with both Paula and me (Joachim translating) gave a chance for more questions. After a while the three footballs were brought out (miraculously fully inflated) and three games ensued – one for the older boys; one for the girls (a vague resemblance to Keep Away) , both of them skillfully played and hard fought on the large play field; and another football game with the younger boys in the drive way, intense but less skillful. It was a HOT day so water and cleanup with outdoor showers were welcome, after which the children slathered on lotion.
There was a final gathering in the meeting house outdoors where the children wanted to sing to us. We were properly seated and they sang with drums beating, two songs in English (one about friends and the other “Bind Us Together, Lord” – we could sing along on that one!), and one in Bemba. Very heart warming. Then came an impromptu statement by one of the boys wishing us God’s blessing in our travels and a hope that we could come again (in Bemba, translated by Sister Petronella). As a last gesture, on Sister Baptista’s suggestion, we had purchased bags of hard candy. The very mention brought incredible cheers. It was very moving and, I must admit, significantly embarrassing for me, to place a small, paper wrapped candy in dozens of stretched out hands (did some of them come for seconds??). Children dressed in rags and hand-me-downs, dependent on relative strangers for their very survival and a glimpse of hope, so eager for a taste of sweetness. It’s a humbling experience.
We asked Joachim and Florence, the two young volunteer teachers, what kept them coming back to Tetekela Day Care. They have their own dreams but they each said, in their own way, that if they could help just one of they youngsters grow out of the life they have into a dream they may not yet be aware of, it would all be worth while.
What a moving day!
Bruce and Paula
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Day 5
Day 5
Monday September 22, 2008
The day began with a morning conference with Sisters Jacintha, Christine and Baptista, which went very well. We shared our mission statement and discussed what we need from them in order to fulfill that. We also went over all the questions that the board suggested and received some valuable information and the promise of more. We’ll share all that with the Board when we get home.
Paula was still not feeling well so opted out for the day in order to fully recuperate. Sisters Baptista, Jacintha, Christine, and Bruce traveled out to the property which is to be developed and saw as much as could be seen. A large swath has been cleared and an even larger piece is still in bush. They do have two wells dug, one, to be used for a hand pump, is just a large hole about 4 feet in diameter going down about 20 feet or so where they hit a large rock which stopped further progress for the time being. The hole is covered with small logs for safety. The other is a bore hole with a 16 inch pipe going down 20 meters. It is covered with a cap and a mound of dirt awaiting a power line and the installation of a submersible pump.
Following that we went to the Tetekela Day Care Center, a major project of the SCJ, where they feed, teach and play with the 203 children of all ages who are registered there. These are all half orphans, under guardianship of some kind, or full orphans without any family support and living on the street. The daily attendance varies because some are in school for part of the day or some are sick or have just decided not to walk that far. When we arrived about 160 kids were lined up for lunch, being as noisy and active as any similar group of children anywhere. I took a few pictures and they seemed delighted to see themselves on the screen of our digital camera. The kitchen was busy filling plates which were handed out in an amazingly orderly and calm process. All the cooking was done on a small apartment sized four burner electric stove and an outdoor charcoal fire on the floor of the small cooking hut. Sister Beatrice, who gave me the tour, happened to mention that they could really use a commercial electric range!! The rest of the building consists of four small class rooms, a food storage room not particularly well stocked, and shower/toilet facilities, but the showers are not all now working. They have four teachers who are not paid (they don’t have the money). Out the kitchen door she showed me the large garden where they raise a lot of the food they need but it all has to be watered by hand. Some kind of sprinkler system would be useful. We go past a small building in which another single classroom is partially filled with bags of charcoal , and then see the large dirt playfield which will undoubtedly be the scene of some spirited football (soccer) games using the footballs we brought (as well as a place to sail the Aerobies). The back part of the property is reserved for construction of dorms. It is surrounded by partially built walls and contains small piles of bricks in anticipation of further construction.
I asked why all the children were not in school and was told they don’t have the money for uniforms or books and supplies. Besides they are hungry. What does it cost to make sure that one grade school child would be able to go to school? $50 but if you want to feed that child another $50 – per year!!! High school would cost a bit more.
Paula is feeling much better this evening, after spending the day resting and eating only rice and Coke, and expects to be able to join me tomorrow when we go back to the Tetekela Day Care Center. The weather is very hot, which is very draining, so Baptista graciously brought us a fan to cool our bedroom at night. Tucked under our new mosquito netting (the original one had many holes), we hope to rest well.
Love and peace to you all,
Bruce and Paula
Monday September 22, 2008
The day began with a morning conference with Sisters Jacintha, Christine and Baptista, which went very well. We shared our mission statement and discussed what we need from them in order to fulfill that. We also went over all the questions that the board suggested and received some valuable information and the promise of more. We’ll share all that with the Board when we get home.
Paula was still not feeling well so opted out for the day in order to fully recuperate. Sisters Baptista, Jacintha, Christine, and Bruce traveled out to the property which is to be developed and saw as much as could be seen. A large swath has been cleared and an even larger piece is still in bush. They do have two wells dug, one, to be used for a hand pump, is just a large hole about 4 feet in diameter going down about 20 feet or so where they hit a large rock which stopped further progress for the time being. The hole is covered with small logs for safety. The other is a bore hole with a 16 inch pipe going down 20 meters. It is covered with a cap and a mound of dirt awaiting a power line and the installation of a submersible pump.
Following that we went to the Tetekela Day Care Center, a major project of the SCJ, where they feed, teach and play with the 203 children of all ages who are registered there. These are all half orphans, under guardianship of some kind, or full orphans without any family support and living on the street. The daily attendance varies because some are in school for part of the day or some are sick or have just decided not to walk that far. When we arrived about 160 kids were lined up for lunch, being as noisy and active as any similar group of children anywhere. I took a few pictures and they seemed delighted to see themselves on the screen of our digital camera. The kitchen was busy filling plates which were handed out in an amazingly orderly and calm process. All the cooking was done on a small apartment sized four burner electric stove and an outdoor charcoal fire on the floor of the small cooking hut. Sister Beatrice, who gave me the tour, happened to mention that they could really use a commercial electric range!! The rest of the building consists of four small class rooms, a food storage room not particularly well stocked, and shower/toilet facilities, but the showers are not all now working. They have four teachers who are not paid (they don’t have the money). Out the kitchen door she showed me the large garden where they raise a lot of the food they need but it all has to be watered by hand. Some kind of sprinkler system would be useful. We go past a small building in which another single classroom is partially filled with bags of charcoal , and then see the large dirt playfield which will undoubtedly be the scene of some spirited football (soccer) games using the footballs we brought (as well as a place to sail the Aerobies). The back part of the property is reserved for construction of dorms. It is surrounded by partially built walls and contains small piles of bricks in anticipation of further construction.
I asked why all the children were not in school and was told they don’t have the money for uniforms or books and supplies. Besides they are hungry. What does it cost to make sure that one grade school child would be able to go to school? $50 but if you want to feed that child another $50 – per year!!! High school would cost a bit more.
Paula is feeling much better this evening, after spending the day resting and eating only rice and Coke, and expects to be able to join me tomorrow when we go back to the Tetekela Day Care Center. The weather is very hot, which is very draining, so Baptista graciously brought us a fan to cool our bedroom at night. Tucked under our new mosquito netting (the original one had many holes), we hope to rest well.
Love and peace to you all,
Bruce and Paula
Day 4
Day 4
September 21, 2008
It was mostly a restful night but Paula was not feeling well, probably a typical traveler’s ailment along with some nausea, even though we have tried to be scrupulously careful about what we eat and drink.. We did make it for a simple continental breakfast provided by our guest house (owned by the president of the Kasama Rotary club) and then went to High Mass at the Kasama Cathedral at 10.
Since this is the only mass in Bemba, the language spoken by the local people, the place was overflowing with a crowd of probably a thousand or more. Most of them walked because there were very few cars in evidence. Standing room only for the incredibly young looking crowd of obviously devoted worshippers. We had seats in the very back against a cool stone wall. It was really a very exciting service even though we couldn’t understand a word. Baptista translated periodically as the service progressed.
The procession of the choir (at least 40 male and female mostly teens and 20’s, all wearing green T shirts and the women green berets) with drums beating and a slow, rhythmic, repetitious dance and song took all of five minutes. Of course they could have entered much more quickly if all you are interested in is speed, but who would want that?? Clear, bright, energetic voices, perfectly in tune, were a joy to listen to and watch. We really didn’t expect or want to get out of there in an hour. Pageantry deluxe, a bit much for my taste but, hey, this is the Cathedral and it was so well and movingly done. We were on our way in just short of 2 ½ hours. We recommend it.
One of the great joys of being here is to experience the great friendliness of the Bemba people and, for that matter, of all the people of Zambia that we have met, even in passing. It is a genuine warmth accompanied with bright smiles.
If you are reading this you realize that I finally was able to get on the internet, thanks to the help of Sister Christine, the Assistant Mother Superior. I didn’t have the right cords for their dial up connection so she let me use her computer. A combination of flash drive technology and Baptista’s guidance through the unnecessarily complex methodology of Windows and it was done. I hope to find an internet café tomorrow.
We spent the afternoon with Baptista mapping out how we are going to get in everything we want to see and do in the next week and a half, a daunting task as the Sisters have so many different ministries in such widespread locations. We continue to be impressed by their gracious hospitality, their devotion, and their unflagging willingness to be of service in the face of overwhelming need.
Bruce and Paula
September 21, 2008
It was mostly a restful night but Paula was not feeling well, probably a typical traveler’s ailment along with some nausea, even though we have tried to be scrupulously careful about what we eat and drink.. We did make it for a simple continental breakfast provided by our guest house (owned by the president of the Kasama Rotary club) and then went to High Mass at the Kasama Cathedral at 10.
Since this is the only mass in Bemba, the language spoken by the local people, the place was overflowing with a crowd of probably a thousand or more. Most of them walked because there were very few cars in evidence. Standing room only for the incredibly young looking crowd of obviously devoted worshippers. We had seats in the very back against a cool stone wall. It was really a very exciting service even though we couldn’t understand a word. Baptista translated periodically as the service progressed.
The procession of the choir (at least 40 male and female mostly teens and 20’s, all wearing green T shirts and the women green berets) with drums beating and a slow, rhythmic, repetitious dance and song took all of five minutes. Of course they could have entered much more quickly if all you are interested in is speed, but who would want that?? Clear, bright, energetic voices, perfectly in tune, were a joy to listen to and watch. We really didn’t expect or want to get out of there in an hour. Pageantry deluxe, a bit much for my taste but, hey, this is the Cathedral and it was so well and movingly done. We were on our way in just short of 2 ½ hours. We recommend it.
One of the great joys of being here is to experience the great friendliness of the Bemba people and, for that matter, of all the people of Zambia that we have met, even in passing. It is a genuine warmth accompanied with bright smiles.
If you are reading this you realize that I finally was able to get on the internet, thanks to the help of Sister Christine, the Assistant Mother Superior. I didn’t have the right cords for their dial up connection so she let me use her computer. A combination of flash drive technology and Baptista’s guidance through the unnecessarily complex methodology of Windows and it was done. I hope to find an internet café tomorrow.
We spent the afternoon with Baptista mapping out how we are going to get in everything we want to see and do in the next week and a half, a daunting task as the Sisters have so many different ministries in such widespread locations. We continue to be impressed by their gracious hospitality, their devotion, and their unflagging willingness to be of service in the face of overwhelming need.
Bruce and Paula
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Day 3
3rd Day
20 September 2008
Early start at 6 o'clock to drive from Lusaka to Kasama. Well, we went out of the gate by 6:10! Leaving Lusaka on the two lane Great Northern Road which goes all the way to Dar es-Salaam on the Indian Ocean. On through the Central Province. Miles and miles of flat rich agricultural land mixed with African bush as far as the eye can see - wheat, corn, vegetables. Then, as we get farther north, rolling hills with occasional great rocky up-thrusts for contrast and, increasingly, the dry African bush covering the terrain. Villages visible on either side of the road with their conical thatched roofs over small round buildings made largely of dried mud bricks. Hundreds of paths leading off the road on either side presumably toward other villages unseen.
The major mode of transportation in rural Africa uses leg power, mostly walking but also bicycles. People of all ages walking or riding along the side of the road, morning, noon and night. There are also some busses, lots of trucks, a few cars and, and an occasional ox cart but walking is the most noticeable. Driving along there are myriad produce stands. If you chance to stop at one the routine is always the same. Suddenly a half dozen vendors rush out to entice you with their product, all clamoring to be heard. We did this a few times and Baptista handled the melee quite well. We certainly wouldn't have known what to do, particularly being still unfamiliar with the currency, Kaoma, our excellent driver made all the required stops at Baptista's direction and kept us racing along between 120 and 140 KPH ((72 to 84 MPH as close as I can figure it), except when dodging trucks and potholes. It was promising to be quite a ride.
Our first stop was a very brief one in Kabwe where we made the final payment on the Land Cruiser to a long time friend of Baptista's who is a used car dealer The money we had brought from HFZ. So the car is free and clear!! Then on to the Mpima Seminary where there are four Sisters who help keep the place running and also introduce the seminarians to home care for the elderly and HIV/AIDS patients, a powerful pastoral training event. There are two hundred young men there for two years of philosophy and Scripture, most entering about the age of 20 after a year of spirituality training. The nuns fed us breakfast as seems to be the universal African custom. You must eat something.
Our next stop was at the Chilonga Hospital and School of Nursing and Midwifery. There are 12 Sisters there most of whom are on the hospital nursing staff. There are 80 students who come from all over the country to get the excellent training provided. We were given the full tour by Sister Rosaria and, of course, we were fed lunch. During the tour we witnessed a group of grade school children practicing their music with drums for mass the next day with the Dominican Sister who was their teacher. It was tempting to stick around much longer but travel intervened.
Our last stop before Kasama was to see the St. Therese School at Mpika, the site of the children's drama presentation some of us saw on DVD. Being a Saturday no students were there, but one of the lessons on the black board was a math exercise in handling Kwachas. We almost signed up for class!
As we neared Kasama, darkness fell and we began to see cooking fires in the invisible villages we passed. It was a little nerve racking to realize that foot and bicycle traffic didn't diminish just because of the lack of light. We saw only one bicycle with a light! Otherwise it was reduce your speed (down to 100 KPH, 60 MPH) and try not to hit anybody.
Finally we arrived at the Mother House of the Sisters of the Child Jesus about 7:30 and, you guessed it, we ate supper along with a half dozen Sisters who were there. Our visit has been highly anticipated but we told them we needed to learn from them how to be intelligent (a major undertaking for us) in funneling appropriate resources for their work. That will be the major focus of our stay here, along with establishing a relationship with the Kasama Rotary Club and making sure they accept their very crucial role in the well project for the Sisters' new property which will be used for services to HIV/AIDS orphans.
So to bed and the anticipation of another eventful day.
Bruce and Paula
20 September 2008
Early start at 6 o'clock to drive from Lusaka to Kasama. Well, we went out of the gate by 6:10! Leaving Lusaka on the two lane Great Northern Road which goes all the way to Dar es-Salaam on the Indian Ocean. On through the Central Province. Miles and miles of flat rich agricultural land mixed with African bush as far as the eye can see - wheat, corn, vegetables. Then, as we get farther north, rolling hills with occasional great rocky up-thrusts for contrast and, increasingly, the dry African bush covering the terrain. Villages visible on either side of the road with their conical thatched roofs over small round buildings made largely of dried mud bricks. Hundreds of paths leading off the road on either side presumably toward other villages unseen.
The major mode of transportation in rural Africa uses leg power, mostly walking but also bicycles. People of all ages walking or riding along the side of the road, morning, noon and night. There are also some busses, lots of trucks, a few cars and, and an occasional ox cart but walking is the most noticeable. Driving along there are myriad produce stands. If you chance to stop at one the routine is always the same. Suddenly a half dozen vendors rush out to entice you with their product, all clamoring to be heard. We did this a few times and Baptista handled the melee quite well. We certainly wouldn't have known what to do, particularly being still unfamiliar with the currency, Kaoma, our excellent driver made all the required stops at Baptista's direction and kept us racing along between 120 and 140 KPH ((72 to 84 MPH as close as I can figure it), except when dodging trucks and potholes. It was promising to be quite a ride.
Our first stop was a very brief one in Kabwe where we made the final payment on the Land Cruiser to a long time friend of Baptista's who is a used car dealer The money we had brought from HFZ. So the car is free and clear!! Then on to the Mpima Seminary where there are four Sisters who help keep the place running and also introduce the seminarians to home care for the elderly and HIV/AIDS patients, a powerful pastoral training event. There are two hundred young men there for two years of philosophy and Scripture, most entering about the age of 20 after a year of spirituality training. The nuns fed us breakfast as seems to be the universal African custom. You must eat something.
Our next stop was at the Chilonga Hospital and School of Nursing and Midwifery. There are 12 Sisters there most of whom are on the hospital nursing staff. There are 80 students who come from all over the country to get the excellent training provided. We were given the full tour by Sister Rosaria and, of course, we were fed lunch. During the tour we witnessed a group of grade school children practicing their music with drums for mass the next day with the Dominican Sister who was their teacher. It was tempting to stick around much longer but travel intervened.
Our last stop before Kasama was to see the St. Therese School at Mpika, the site of the children's drama presentation some of us saw on DVD. Being a Saturday no students were there, but one of the lessons on the black board was a math exercise in handling Kwachas. We almost signed up for class!
As we neared Kasama, darkness fell and we began to see cooking fires in the invisible villages we passed. It was a little nerve racking to realize that foot and bicycle traffic didn't diminish just because of the lack of light. We saw only one bicycle with a light! Otherwise it was reduce your speed (down to 100 KPH, 60 MPH) and try not to hit anybody.
Finally we arrived at the Mother House of the Sisters of the Child Jesus about 7:30 and, you guessed it, we ate supper along with a half dozen Sisters who were there. Our visit has been highly anticipated but we told them we needed to learn from them how to be intelligent (a major undertaking for us) in funneling appropriate resources for their work. That will be the major focus of our stay here, along with establishing a relationship with the Kasama Rotary Club and making sure they accept their very crucial role in the well project for the Sisters' new property which will be used for services to HIV/AIDS orphans.
So to bed and the anticipation of another eventful day.
Bruce and Paula
Day 2
2nd Day
September 19, 2008
OK, so I spelled it wrong yesterday. It's Kwacha, not Kwatcha. But it still runs through our fingers like sand, a million here, a million there. Amazing!! We just paid a million 320 thousand for our and Baptista's two days and nights, plus meals, at Kapingila ZEC (Zambian Episcopal Conference House), and a little over a half million for 69.3 litres of diesel fuel for the Land Cruiser. Yikes!!
As you can tell I finally got access to the Internet. Everyone guards their password access with a security conscious zeal that astounds me. But they would let me plug into their system and do my thing. So you got the last blog. This one may have to wait until Sunday. We leave at 6 in the morning (Saturday) for Kasama. It's a 450 mile drive with stops along the way. I bet you are waiting with bated breath for the first report of real life in the Northern Province! So are we!
Today was a day of waiting. The Archbishop left at 9 and our appointment was scheduled for 10, so needless to say we didn't get to see him . But we got to see the Cathedral. Magnificently sparse we would call it, but with a pulpit made from a drum and several large, contemporary African paintings. Quite different from St. James! And instead of visiting with the Archbishop we got our first bid on a tractor for the farming the Sisters are doing and hoping to do in a more efficient manner. We're talking big bucks here, folks, as you might expect. We'll get other bids and have a more realistic picture after we see the actual plots of land and talk to the folks involved in farming.
This evening we enjoyed a potluck at the American Embassy with hamburgers and hot dogs cooked by the Marines stationed there. It was for over 200 Americans and their families living, working and visiting in Zambia. Mostly, the Embassy staff wanted to do three things: encourage them to complete their absentee ballots, be briefed on safety issues and emphasize how to behave as polite guests of Zambia. A lot of questions and answers ensued. The Embassy staff works hard to make life here as uncomplicated at possible but they need the cooperation of all, especially by providing information on changing procedures which the staff may not be aware of. The food was good, including some fine American style desserts, and we got acquainted with some interesting folks.
Now it's off to bed for an early wake up call. We have needed a nap each afternoon so far, but hope to be pretty well adjusted to the 9 hour time change soon. Talk to you again tomorrow.
Bruce Paula, and Baptista.
September 19, 2008
OK, so I spelled it wrong yesterday. It's Kwacha, not Kwatcha. But it still runs through our fingers like sand, a million here, a million there. Amazing!! We just paid a million 320 thousand for our and Baptista's two days and nights, plus meals, at Kapingila ZEC (Zambian Episcopal Conference House), and a little over a half million for 69.3 litres of diesel fuel for the Land Cruiser. Yikes!!
As you can tell I finally got access to the Internet. Everyone guards their password access with a security conscious zeal that astounds me. But they would let me plug into their system and do my thing. So you got the last blog. This one may have to wait until Sunday. We leave at 6 in the morning (Saturday) for Kasama. It's a 450 mile drive with stops along the way. I bet you are waiting with bated breath for the first report of real life in the Northern Province! So are we!
Today was a day of waiting. The Archbishop left at 9 and our appointment was scheduled for 10, so needless to say we didn't get to see him . But we got to see the Cathedral. Magnificently sparse we would call it, but with a pulpit made from a drum and several large, contemporary African paintings. Quite different from St. James! And instead of visiting with the Archbishop we got our first bid on a tractor for the farming the Sisters are doing and hoping to do in a more efficient manner. We're talking big bucks here, folks, as you might expect. We'll get other bids and have a more realistic picture after we see the actual plots of land and talk to the folks involved in farming.
This evening we enjoyed a potluck at the American Embassy with hamburgers and hot dogs cooked by the Marines stationed there. It was for over 200 Americans and their families living, working and visiting in Zambia. Mostly, the Embassy staff wanted to do three things: encourage them to complete their absentee ballots, be briefed on safety issues and emphasize how to behave as polite guests of Zambia. A lot of questions and answers ensued. The Embassy staff works hard to make life here as uncomplicated at possible but they need the cooperation of all, especially by providing information on changing procedures which the staff may not be aware of. The food was good, including some fine American style desserts, and we got acquainted with some interesting folks.
Now it's off to bed for an early wake up call. We have needed a nap each afternoon so far, but hope to be pretty well adjusted to the 9 hour time change soon. Talk to you again tomorrow.
Bruce Paula, and Baptista.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Our First Day
September 18, 2008
Well, we made it this morning at 6:30, sleep deprived but nonetheless alert and ready to go. After 20 hours in the air (10 to London Heathrow, a three hour layover then 10 more to Lusaka, Zambia). It was great watching the sun rise over the African continent and slowly distinguishing the landscape. The International Airport in Lusaka is a bit like the one in Walla Walla. We had to circle a few times because there were three planes trying to land at the same time. The pilot said this was the first time he had experienced that kind of traffic jam at Lusaka.
Sister Baptista was there to greet us and walk us through passport entry and customs (note the high security not needed, quite unlike SeaTac) which went without a hitch. No questions asked about our more than 200 pounds of luggage.We gave Baptista a few of the hugs we had promised you we would deliver and the cards several of you wrote her. She was delighted.
Our ride through Lusaka rush hour traffic (we kid you not, it's as bad as I-5 - only 4 lanes, however, but with pedestrians and bicycles darting in and out) brought us to the Catholic Secretariat compound where we will be staying for two days. After much needed showers we were decent enough to be seen in public. We had a little breakfast and then off to the bank where we were introduced to the intricacies of Zambian currency. Talk about high finance - $1.00 USD is exchanged for Kwatcha 3600. We came away with hundreds of thousands of Kwatchas, all paper money from K100 to K50,000. It doesn't all fit in your wallet!! A little shopping for some needles to fill the 17 soccer (football) balls and make them useful and some food for the journeys next week at the ShopRite super market and we came back almost K300,000 lighter.
Sights in greater Lusaka that impressed us this first day:
Bicycles loaded to the gills with produce going to market. Women with a wide variety of loads carried in their stately manner on their heads. Men on foot, mostly younger, hawking all kinds of wares on the street and between lanes in traffic. Vacant lot vendors set up on the ground. Small store front businesses strung out along every road, mixed with the large local and international corporation buildings. Literally dozens and dozens of ways to try to make a living evident as we watched.
Lunch back at the compound (a cousin of Baptista's is the chef). Then a much needed nap in the afternoon. Paula said I was asleep 10 seconds after I hit the bed. Dinner with a group of nuns who had just arrived led to an interesting conversation about ministering to HIV/AIDS patients. there is a great deal of denial, first being unable to admit their disease, and then a lot of "Why me? Why am I being punished?" Classic grief process experiences we all go through.
The climate today (it is spring, and the dry season) is warm, perhaps low 80's with a lovely breeze. Both the temperature and the flora are much like southern California -- lots of purple jadaranda trees bouganvilla, oleander, and other colorful flowers. For two sun-starved Washingtonians, this is beautiful! But signs of poverty are very evident in groups of idle young men everywhere, no sidewalks, old cars, lots of litter, though there are efforts to "Keep Lusaka Clean". So it is quite a mix.
The used Land Cruise if sturdy and reliable, and we have a young and skillful driver named Kaoma. No relation to Baptista, though the name is the same.
Now, it's off to bed with the frogs singing us to sleep, and then tomorrow. But, as they say, that's a story yet to be told.
Love to you all,
Bruce and Paula
Monday, September 8, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Picture of Bruce and Paula with Sister Baptista
This is just to get you started, seeing who we are. We haven't started the actual journey yet but feel like this will be another life defining experience. We'll be traveling together for 16 days starting in one week on September 16. Lots of getting ready things to do this week. Keep us all in your prayers.
Bruce and Paula
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