7/23/09 from Heather

Hello from Zambia! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our fearless leader Tannen!!

The past two days have gone really well with the girls at Pamodzi, the school Megan, Tannen and I are teaching. The first day (Tuesday) was a tad disheartening because all of the girls sat in the back, right hand corner of the room and would not move up to the front of the class near the muzungus and really didn't know what to think about class participation. Wednesday and today really made me change my mind! These girls are engaged, very intelligent, funny, participating in every discussion, and all around amazing!! The future of Zambia is looking very bright because of these incredible young women.

Yesterday we discussed life choices and how to make good decisions. They seemed to really like our 3 part system for making decisions:
Step 1 -- Is the choice Lawful?
Step 2 -- Is the choice Wise?
Step 3 -- Weigh the pros and cons of the choice

Today we discussed topics specific to females, which in an all girls school would really be all of the topics discussed. We talked about how women need to be support systems for each other and not use gossip to put other girls down or gain popularity. The girls really enjoyed our main activity of listing all of the good things girls can be on the blackboard and the promises God made and what he thinks about each and every one of us (we are wonderfully and fearfully made, God loves each of us, etc.). Then each girl blew up a balloon and wrote something mean someone had said to them on the balloon. We then taped the balloons over all of the good things on the board to show that the hurtful things people say about us can cover up all of the good things God wants us to know about ourselves. Each student then got to come to the front of the room and *POP* the balloon with the hurtful thought and say "That's a lie!" The whole activity went over very well and the girls seemed very empowered. (And a word of advice, should you every come to Zambia, the #1 fashion no-no is wearing tight pants.)

The school was in testing today, so we had to go early which meant we had more time in the afternoon to go to Murundu and see the orphans get fed -- the place was pure chaos! We also had the chance to check out the new clinic and see the artwork Liam has been doing in one of the rooms. We then went over to Joseph's house where all of the work is being done on the property to provide a well and shade house for the trees being planted and it looks amazing! Thanks to Joel, Jim, Jack, Alden (though apparently construction may not be his favorite thing), and everyone else that is making the project look so good and help so many. I also got to practice a few "football" skills, which really could only be considered football because it involved me throwing a foot ball as high in the air as I could and watching the kids scramble to catch it. Has anyone mentioned how serious these kids are about sports?!? They put competition a whole new league!!

But now it is time for bed because this week has been a long one. I hope that everyone reading is doing well and will continue to keep our crew in your prayers.

Heather