5/25 Update from Stef - HIV Education Program

Hello Everyone! As usual, today was another unique and interesting day in Zambia. As it is Zambia's Independence Day, there was no school today so all the teams had a break and it gave us a chance to explore the country a little bit. We began by waking up at 5am and piling all 12 people into the van (pillows and blankets in tow) and heading off to Chingola to visit a Chimp orphanage. Of course, the ever reliant "Say Yes to Jesus" van blew a shock and we had to turn around about 20 minutes into our trip to take the shock that was dragging on the road off. After the boys fixed the problem, we piled back in the van and settled in quite cozily. Dan, Jim, Carol, and myself sacrificed for the group by taking the back where we were able to again "sacrifice" by stretching out and falling asleep like a pile of kittens snuggled together in a heap of blankets and pillows. Almost 2 hours later we arrived on a very narrow dirt road surrounded on both sides by miles and miles of tall grass and rolling hills. 12 miles later, we arrived at the orphanage and proceeded to behave like children in awe of their first experience with animals at the Petco in the mall. As soon as we stepped outside of the van, we were faced with a female hippo named Billy laying in the pond only 5 feet away from us. This was only to be made even more surreal as we looked around and noticed all the little monkeys running around free jumping from roof to roof and hanging on branches just above our heads. Needless to say, we were all very excited about being so close to these animals that were not being held behind bars or cages. After being shown around a little bit and meeting the Chimps that were being held behind fences, we were called to the side of the house to watch Billy being fed her bottle. Seriously, this was hilarious. Billy is like 3 times the size of a cow and this little old English woman stood in front of her feeding her milk out of a bottle the size of a 2 liter coke. Apparently, "little" Billy who was 15 years old and obviously over weight, was kind of particular and refused to drink milk that was not heated up first. According to the little old woman, "Billy won't drink cold milk, she doesn't like it." Well, Billy...it looks as if you've figured our species out...

After watching Billy get fed and watching the Chimps (who were saved because people are poaching them for food) beat each other up "in play," we headed down the dirt path to Kitwe to enjoy some lunch and a day at the markets. Dr. Thinus treated us to Schwarma's (wow, I totally did not do justice to the spelling of that food!) and coke. While we sat in the van to enjoy our lunch, we were surrounded by young boys who were beggars and put their faces right up to the windows of the van and stared at us as we ate. While this was uncomfortable and frustrating, it shows you that there is always suffering in the world, whether it is your day off or not. Nevertheless, we finished eating and headed downtown to shop in the open markets and pick up souvenirs for our loved ones. I have to admit, I am not used to bargaining with people and I was a little overwhelmed by the experience of negotiating prices. You will be pleased to know that most of the group behaved like pro's and I would count the shopping trip as a success:)

While shopping was fun, we were cut a little short of time because we had to leave to drive to Ndola where we sadly dropped Holly and Jim off to head home for the states. After dropping them off after a round of hugs and goodbye's, we welcomed Jamie to the crew as she flew in on the plane that flew Holly and Jim out.

The evening ended with yet another night of the house favorite dinner, PB and J, and various journal writing, book reading, or listening to music. Jill and I fly out tomorrow and I think I speak for both of us when I say that we are going to deeply miss all that is Africa. This country is beautiful, hungry for Jesus, alive with culture, and painted with suffering...all the while, welcoming and loving the strange people that talk funny and don't know how to dance.

In any event, we miss our family and friends and talk about you often...thank you for your prayers and support.

Love,
Stef