The Savour of the Lord

Typical Zambian Breakfast that we had in Lusaka (Beans, Sausage, Toast with Jam, and Juice)

Typical lunch we had in Lusaka (chicken, beef, veggies, Nshima, rice).

The Beloved Fruitree

Another lunch in Lusaka (chicken, rice, veggies, fruit, and Nshima)

Samosa and Chicken Pie with a Pineapple Fanta at a side shop on our way to Choma

Choma- potatoes, beef with veggies, rice, and banana

Lunch in Choma (red sausage, cookies, veggies, banana, and chips)

Dinner in Choma(meat sauce, rice, veggies, and banana)

Dinner in Choma (hot dog, noodles, rice, and veggies)

Traditional meal in Choma (Nshima, beans, pumpkin leaves, and banana) 

Fanta- the only way we could get a cold drink in Zambia

For the entirety of this trip, we have been feed. Whether spiritually or physically, we were filled with the “fruits of the Lord”, and each day we have been blessed so much.  I can begin to explain how grateful I have been for the many blessings throughout this trip. I wish I could share so much with you all but for today (and for time’s sake), I am going to be sharing about being feed physically from the minute we stepped on the plane in Washington DC till our last few days here in Livingstone. Welcome to our Zambia Abroad ’14 Food Blog!

Plane Food

Well, we were fed multiple times on the plane. Let’s just say we were feeling like we ate so much. Every time I went to sleep and woke up, it was time to eat again. Some food choices were better than others, but overall there wasn’t much to complain about. The one aspect of the plane food that I loved the most was all of the different drinks they gave us. I could have as much soda or as little soda that I wanted.

Lusaka

While we were in Lusaka, we were introduced to the fruit juice Fruit Tree. It automatically became our favorite. This is also when we were introduced to traditional food of Zambia, which consisted of a lot of Nshima, rice, vegetables, and chicken (which is not always included in a typical daily meal). We also were able to drink Five Roses Tea.  I know some of the girls on the team liked it so much that they were planning to bring some for friends and family to taste. I know I brought some for my family to try.  

Choma

The food in Choma was excellent. Mrs. Botah, our favorite cook during this trip, cooked for us three times a day. She truly blessed us and she even tried occasionally to make some American food for us.  While in Choma, we often ate rice, vegetables, red sausages, spaghetti, noodles, and chicken. One night we had traditional food and she cooked us chicken, Nshima, pumpkin leaves, and rape (which is a common vegetable in Zambia). Mrs. Botah caught on to our eating habits and saw that we loved fruit so she made sure we had plenty for each meal, especially apples and bananas. At times, we grew tired of the Zambian food so we learned to be creative with our meals. Some on the team resourced to the variety of red sauces available while others added spices, garlic, butter, salt, and pepper. For me, I tried to stick with things that I could add peanut butter such as fruit and bread when I need something more familiar. Overall, we grew to love Mrs. Botah and her cooking. She taught us so much about the culture and people of Zambia. When we walked through the kitchen, she was always so welcoming and caring. She loved when we tried to greet her in her native language. My favorite memory is when she sang the Tonga(one of the Zambian languages in Choma) songs with us and also when we were able to gift her with the Zambian chitenge (African skirt) that she had been wanting. We will all miss her so much!

Zimba

ICE, ICE, ICE!!!

Coke!

Cookies

When we arrived in Zimba, we were so happy to find out that we would be having food similar to home. There were literally screams when we saw ice cubes in the fridge because we were so hot and we missed cold drinks so much. The excitement was contagious and practically, everyone was smiling. It was the simple things like the ice cubes, coca-cola, and chocolate chip cookies that blessed us so much. I think the timing of this trip to Zimba was just perfect because we were starting to feel a bit homesick since the two and a half months were about halfway over. The highlight meals for Zimba included Mexican and pizza. Gertrude, our cook, was so sweet, and she realized that we loved cookies right away. She made us so many good cookies. It was so hard to turn them down.

Macha

Let’s just say that there is not much to talk about when it comes to the food in Macha.  The food was simple: chicken, rice, noodles, and vegetables. We loved having the fruit salad, which consisted of apples and oranges, and also the different types of bread that they gave us with our meal. One meal we didn’t quite understand was the cornbread and red sauce that they served us for a few meals. For lunch, all we saw was a bowl of red sauce with pan of cornbread next to us. However, we managed to have plenty to eat, and I am so thankful that we were able to have nutritious and filling food to eat in a country that has so many people that die from starvation or from diseases attributed to malnutrition.

Livingstone

The food in Livingstone has been EXCELLENT. We have had the opportunity to go out to restaurants a few times and other times we have stayed home and made homemade salads. What a treat it is to have salad again! It was so funny to see so many on our team get so excited for fresh, raw veggies and lettuce. The team was also able to go to a gelato shop and try multiple flavors of delicious gelato.

Home:

Although we have had the privilege of eating some amazing (or not so amazing) Zambian food, we do miss our favorites from back home. I have taken a poll to see what each team member has been missing most and would like to have the first few days we return home. You might want to pay attention (hint, hint…)

Me: Chips and Salsa, Chicken Tortilla Soup, COLD Gatorade, and Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks

Joy: Thai Massam Curry, Sushi, and Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks

Shannon: Large Diet Coke from McDonalds, Mom’s homemade Gluten-free Mac and Cheese, Chipotle, and Buffalo Wild Wings

Kristen: Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream from Oberwise, Pepperoni Pizza from Lou Malnati’s, and Fresh Veggie/Fruit Juice from home

Andria: Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks, Pumpkin Granola, Pumpkin Pie (basically anything else Pumpkin, without Pumpkin I practically wouldn’t exist J)

Hannah: Dairy Queen Oreo Blizzard or Anything from Culver’s

Katie: Applesauce and frozen Gogurt

Sara: Chocolate Milk or Milk in general

Lindsey: Chipotle and Strawberries (but not together J)

Emily: Mexican food and a Carmel Macchiato

Danielle: Skim Milk, cheese and crackers, Thanksgiving dinner, beef jerky, guacamole, chocolate chip cookies, chicken tortilla soup, and anything pumpkin

Paige: Chipotle and either Starbucks or McConn coffee

Alesha: Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito from Taco Bell

Melissa: Chocolate Milk, Mac and Cheese, Strawberries, and an apple pie chai from McConn  

Ashley: Chicken Balls, Applesauce, Corn, Grape Juice, Arroz con Pollo, and Salsa

Jenna: Chipotle

Dana: Yatz and blueberries

Professor Baird: Ivanhoes, specifically a pumpkin milkshake

Anna: (Although she is staying here in Zambia with her husband) She misses Olive Garden

Mweende Kabotu (Stay Well, a goodbye saying in Zambia)!
Love, Lauren Wolfe (Team Member)

It has been too long!

Hi. My name is Hannah. The Zambians often call me Mutinta, because I grew up here, and that is a name they gave me because I have three older brothers. It means change, or different. I am the resident director/logistics coordinator on this trip. I thought I should introduce myself so you know who is writing this blog.

So I realize it has been a loooooooong time since we last posted on here! They say no news is good news though, and these past few weeks in Choma have held some great experiences. The students were so excited to finally get back here to Choma, and we had Pam Leslie and Shelli Rowley visit during our first week back, which was so encouraging and fun.

The students jumped right back into the ministries here at fortress: Soccer club, No More Whispering (reaching out to people affected by HIV), and Kid’s Club. Many of the students did their community projects. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, and we have so much to catch you up on, I’ll let the pictures speak for me.  

 Emily and Paige teaching at Airport Community School

 Sara and Andria teaching

 Lindsey and Kristen teaching the boys at soccer club

Kid's Club

Fun times at Soccer Club with Dana

We also had a day, this past Friday, October 17^th, where we were able to go to my hometown: Jembo. It was such a special day for me, and I think that the students enjoyed it too. In Jembo, there is a Bible College that I lived at. We were able to attend chapel in the morning, then eat lunch in the house I grew up in, and then spend some time at a nearby clinic and boarding school. It was a very blessed day.

 In front of the Chapel

 At Pilgrim Wesleyan Bible College

At my childhood home in Jembo!

We leave Choma this Friday to go to Macha. We have loved being here in Choma. Today we had a time where we said a big “Thank You,” to Fortress for allowing us to join them in ministry. Dana and Lindsey led worship. Jenna, Ashley, and Lauren all said a special thank you to each of the separate ministries that they have been involved in here. Sara led us all in a time of prayer over the Fortress Staff. Then the director of Fortress also thanked us, and we all shared in a time of snacks together. It was a blessed time.  

 Saying Thank You with the help of Obby - the interpreter for the morning

 Serving tea/coffee and snacks

 All those who are Fortress, and those who are Fortress at heart

 Danielle and Mrs. Botha - Our wonderful cook

 The No More Whispering Group

I guess that's all for now. Know that God is continuing to work here in Zambia. He is teaching us new things every day, and it is such a blessing to be a part of what He is doing here!

Love,

Mutinta

Hello from Zimba!

It’s hard to believe our two weeks here is almost up. I know the team has really enjoyed our time here. It’s the little things we’ve learned to be thankful for, like ice for our drinks & fresh brewed coffee in the morning. The mission hospital is a short walk from our house, so it’s been nice to leave like five minutes before clinical starts. I think we all have enjoyed our experiences at the mission hospital. One day last week, two other girls and I were able to go on a health outreach to a village with some staff members from the hospital. The village was about an hour’s drive from Zimba. Once we reached the village, hundreds of mothers and babies were waiting for our arrival. The day was spent preparing and administering vaccinations to the babies. Some of these immunizations included measles, rotavirus, polio and hepatitis B. Unfortunately towards the end of the afternoon, the vaccinations ran out. It was difficult to turn some mothers away because of a lack of supplies. Another outreach will occur next month, so at least these babies may be able to receive the vaccines next time. 

This past Saturday our team walked to a nearby visit the grandmother of our cook. Gertrude lives in a house on the mission, and is very gifted in the kitchen. There’s an endless supply of cookies available for us at all hours of the day. She has really been a blessing to our team. When we went to visit her grandmother, we went in anticipation of learning more about the village life. Upon arriving to the house, the grandmother hugged each one of us in warm welcome. During first part of the morning our team walked to the village well (called a bore hole here in Zambia) to fetch water. Each one of us carried a jug of water back to the house; unfortunately we could not balance the water on our heads like the African woman do! Some of the girls helped cook nshima, vegetables & fish for the lunch. A group of us also played games with the grandchildren. After a couple of hours we shared the meal together. I think everyone agrees that this time was such a blessing, to meet this wonderful woman and her family.

One night our team watched the sunset together. It really does remind me of the Lion King. Our pictures just can’t capture the beauty of the African sun as it sets in the evening, but I think our photos show how much our team has grown to love each other. 

As today is the first day of October, we’re soon entering into the second half of our trip. Thank you for all your continued support & prayers! 

- Andria (Zambia 2014 team member)

Week of September 14-12, 2014

I think what strikes me most about this group of young ladies is their love for others.  I see it in how they interact with each other and the Zambians they meet.  They scooped up the barely dressed babies, dance with the people in the market, and attempt to comfort those in pain.  I have never seen a short-term team connect so quickly with the local people.  It is encouraging and challenging. Nevertheless, the newness and excitement of Zambia is beginning to wear off.  The students are starting to express feeling overwhelmed with homework, classes, and clinicals, but their attitude and response has been “Buck up. We can do this.”   These sixteen girls all have beautiful hearts. 

Playing with children at the orphanage

This week has brought on a new level of busyness as we started rotations at Choma General Hospital.  Like everything else, the students have jumped in.  They have begun rotating through cervical cancer screening/male circumcision clinic, pediatrics, med-surgical wards, surgery, maternity, mental health, and the anti-retroviral clinic.  Some have already gotten to participate in surgeries, scrubbing in and assisting the doctors.  Others have helped delivered babies.  Most have taken the time to learn from the Zambian nurses about the system and are processing how this will change how they view healthcare.  The severe acuity of the patients, the number of those suffering from HIV/AIDS, and the severe shortage of staff and supplies is now a reality to them.

First Day of Clinicals

Visiting a community initiative school and a special needs school were other experiences that opened their minds, building awareness about how Zambia is coping to help those with disabilities and challenging preconceived ideas.  We were all asked to consider the question: Is education a right or a privilege?

Lindsey with community school students

Marcie at the community school with a student

The community initiative school has more than 700 students from pre-k to grade 7.   When the government was unable to provide a school in the area, the community managed to provide an area for a school and started off with an untrained teacher.  Eventually trained teachers were sent and international support has grown their complex, but that task that remains is great.  The children shared several songs with us.  In true form, these loving girls had trouble saying goodbye...

Next up was the mission school for the deaf, blind, and mentally impaired.  This boarding school is the only school in all of Zambia to house teachers to meet all three impairments.  Teachers are critically short and special needs teachers even more so.  Many of the teachers at this school also suffered from a level of deafness or blindness, but their heart and love for this vulnerable population is palpable.  Despite limited resourced, children are taken in and taught hoping that an education with bring them greater hope and success in the future.  

Andria, Katie, Ashley, Melissa, Alesha, & Joy with No More Whispering girls

Sunday after church, we traveled to Zimba and are just settling in.  More memories to come…

Anna Mangimela (Clinical Instructor)

Choma

Our last few days in Lusaka were great! We talked to representatives from World Vision, the General Nursing Council of Zambia, and the Ministry of Health. These experiences taught us how the health care system is structured and the policies that nurses must follow. I learned that the average nurse to patient ratio here is 1:60! I can’t even imagine being in charge of that many patients. We also went to a cultural market and bought more beautiful items. I bought my first Chitenge (a chitenge is a skirt that the women wear in this culture). We visited a children’s hospital called Beit Cure Hospital. This hospital provides free care to children under the age of 16. We were able to see where surgeries take place, where procedures are performed, where the children sleep, and much more. It hasn’t all been fun and games because this is an academic trip. We work hard every day in class and study a ton.

We loaded the bus Thursday morning (September 4^th) and headed to Choma. It was about a five hour bus ride with beautiful scenery along the way. We saw mountains, small villages with grass huts, a giraffe (it was enclosed in a fenced in area), cows, goats, and much more. Choma is a lot more rural than Lusaka, and it isn’t as busy. The house we are staying in is stunning! There is an area outside for us to eat our meals and study. There is a living room with comfy couches and multiple rooms with bunk beds. We sleep under mosquito nets to protect us from the mosquitos (MALARIA!). Also there are a lot of spiders here, so the mosquito net also protects us from those scary things. The organization that houses us is called Fortress. They are an organization that sponsors different ministries here in Choma. Throughout the next couple weeks we are able to work with these ministries. We are able to work with a Children’ program, an HIV support group called No More Whispering, and a soccer ministry.  

The past week that we have been here we have done a lot. One of the days we went to a worship night at a local church. The worship team was beyond enthusiastic, and also they loved to dance. We have no moves what so ever! I have never seen so much hip movement in a church before coming here. They encouraged us to join and a man pulled me up front to dance in front of everyone. I’m sure this embarrassing moment for me was entertaining to them. My favorite part of the week was visiting the orphanage. The first day we went there we pulled up to the house the children surrounded the bus and reached their arms up to us. A little boy named Joshua ran up to me and I picked him up immediately. He would not let me put him down the whole time I was there. He fell asleep in my arms and this melted my heart. All of the children there call us Auntie. We played games with them and sang songs with them while we were there visiting. It is hard to see and hear of all their needs, but it is great that we get a chance to spend time with them and love them. We are able to visit the orphanage anytime we are free throughout our time here. Another thing we have been able to do is visit a local museum. Here we learned about the history of Choma and the different cultural aspects.

As a group we have shared stories, played games, watched movies, cried together, prayed together, worshiped together, and much more. I love this group of girls and I cannot wait to spend even more time together. In our next week here in Choma we will be starting clinical, working with Fortress, and going on more field trips. I cannot wait! We would very much appreciate some prayers as we still have two more months here.

- Alesha (Zambia 2014 team member)