Missing Zambia...

I find myself missing Zambia today.  I'm rarely sure what brings on the different emotions I experience lately.  I'm learning about myself that I've come back from Zambia a much more emotional person.  Sometimes I smile when I think of our trip to VOH.  Sometimes I find myself wondering what the kids are doing at the moment I'm thinking of them.  Sometimes I wonder if they remember us...

Today, I decided to take a few minutes and let myself just remember my time there.  I've decided to share with you some of my thoughts from my journal the day after we returned from Zambia:

I woke at 3:30am thinking of Africa.  I can't go back to sleep so decided to write in my journal.  I'll plan to take a short nap today and probably go to bed early - hopefully that will be the end of the jet lag...

I am thankful.  My experience in Zambia has changed me.  I am thankful that I don't have to worry about our tap water making me sick.  While in Zambia, we learned to be thankful for bottled water.  It's nice here in America to not have to keep track of my water bottle, and if we'll have enough water at night to drink while we are at our house.  I'm thankful we don't have huge wall spiders that I have to look out for... or lizards.  I'm thankful for the opportunity to drive yesterday to the grocery store.  Most people walk in Africa, or have to take a crowded bus to a "market".  I say market loosely because of course it is probably a shack with a table of tomatoes, banana's, wood, etc.  I'm thankful that all of our laundry I brought home can be thrown into a washing machine.  And then if I choose to hang my laundry on the line I can do that or I can simply put my clothes in the dryer.  I'm thankful for green grass.  Everywhere in Zambia is dry and dusty in August.  The temperature was beautiful there!  It is hot and humid here 90+ degrees.  But I am thankful for our air conditioning that we can choose to use to be more comfortable.  It is not even an option in Zambia during their hot, rainy season.  I'm sure they would think we were rich if they felt our house...  I don't know what they would think of central air.

What are you thankful for?  I've been encouraging my kids lately to be thankful for the blessings God has given us.  They've been having to wake up early everyday for the past 2 1/2 weeks and it is hard for them.  But I want them to find joy in the life we are choosing to live.  We chose to participate in football, cross country and band.  We are blessed to have a good school to go to.  We are blessed with minds that soak in information and teachers who are willing to spend their days teaching.  I am thankful for a husband who provides for our family financially so I can be at home caring for our children and home.  The list could go on.

I loved Zambia and the people there.  They taught me much about life...

You're invited!

Hi everyone,

You are all invited to Calvary Bible Church in Neenah on Sunday September 8th at 6pm to hear our team tell about our Zambia experience.  We are so thankful for the way God worked through you to make it possible for us to visit VOH last month, and we would love it if you'd plan to attend our presentation.

Calvary Bible Church is located on Oakridge Rd. in Neenah.  Take the Main St. exit off Hwy 41 and the church is on the south west corner of the intersection of Hwy 41 and Main St. (Main St. becomes Oakridge Rd. on the west side of Hwy 41.)

The church driveway is the first turn to the south after exiting the Hwy.  Follow the driveway take the first right turn to go to the back of the church.  We expect to be presenting in the music room.

We hope to see you there!

scott