5/17 Update from Stefanie - HIV Education Program

Today started out pretty relaxed for our team. Jeremy talked at the church planting school this morning so our team got to sleep in. For the most part we did exactly as we normally do, we sleepily walked out of our rooms to the kitchen, poured bowls of either weetibix or oatmeal, and drank coffee together around our tiny table sitting on our tiny square stools. From there we either listened to Patty Griffin on the radio while preparing our talks or stayed in the kitchen to just sit and talk before the day got going. At about 10:15 we left the house on foot and walked to the church planting school. I must say this was one of the highlights of the day. Dan, Jill, Elizabeth, and I set out side by side with our various backpacks, nalgene bottles, and of course, Jill's rock star sun glasses. The walk is about 20 minutes and along the way we passed beautiful trees that grow out instead of up and always are decorated with colorful flowers. There are also other Zambians out and about walking and we definitely stick out being a pack of four "muzungu" kids with matching shirts and a tendency to giggle and walk on the wrong side of the road. We also passed an orphanage and the marketplace-each reminding of us that we are a long way from home.

When we got to the church planting school 15 minutes late we wondered if Jeremy would be just awkwardly sitting around but then we remembered, its JEREMY, there would be no awkward sitting around-he would be preaching. We were right and he finished up about 10 minutes after we arrived. We gave the church planting students their tea break and then I gave a presentation about how to present the "getting tested" talk. The students were involved in the presentation and informed us that in Zambia, mothers often use their babies as a sign for whether they have HIV or not. If the baby lives and is healthy until it is 5, then they know they are safe. Needless to say, we were all aware of how much fear and stigma interferes with the simple act of getting tested.

After eating another fine meal of enchima and chicken (the chicken here is amazing, probably because it was just slaughtered that very same day!) we left for Kantanshi High School and were greeted like rock stars. Immediately the team was surrounded by kids shoving notebooks in our faces asking for our addresses. While becoming famous at Kantanshi High School is not our mission here, it was encouraging to see how quickly these kids were able to feel connected to us. After a quick team prayer session in the grass off to the side of the school, us four "muzungus" entered the auditorium and the program began. I have to say the dancing was awesome today! Most of the kids were standing and everyone was either swaying, shaking their hips, or waving their hands in the same direction. Then ensued the regular program including the dance contest where yet again, Dan and I totally embarrassed the American people for the sake of a laugh. I have to say the "flounder" move was probably the best... Dan, we have that on video ;) Meanwhile Jill was taking wonderful pictures and Elizabeth, while she tried hard not to, still managed to be one of the best dancers. Later on we broke into groups where Dan lead the boys in an intimate talk about Jesus Christ and the girls did the same. Jill ended our group with one of her favorite Bible verses and I think the girls all felt how personally connected the three of us are to our mission and to truly loving those students.

As the day came to a close at Kantanshi High, we packed into the van and headed home. However, our day was not over as Dan and I played soccer well into the night with the neighbor boys and Jill and Elizabeth played in the dirt with the neighbor girls. After dinner, the four of us re-grouped to talk about the plan for tomorrow and what should have been a 15 minute meeting turned into an hour and half meeting because at this point in our trip, the four of us can't be together without laughing hysterically and getting off topic. I have to say, I have come to love Zambia, the Zambian people, my housemates, and most definitely, my fellow teammates. At the end of our meeting Dan reminded us that we are covered in prayer right now and that made us all more comfortable about getting up and continuing on... thank you everyone who is praying for us, we love you and miss you.

~Stef