Anema May 2020

Zambia has been my home for almost four months—four months of providing a great variety of learning experiences in an ever-changing environment. Many of you have been following my journey by way of my Facebook posts, but it came to my attention that some of you who are so faithfully supporting me, do not use Facebook and I do want you to know how things are going.

Our beautiful, park-like Village is about an hour from Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. Although it is far in the bush, we do enjoy most modern conveniences such as hot and cold running water, electricity, and access to the internet. Although the internet is not always reliable, we are thankful for it every day. I arrived here in the middle of the hot rainy season when everything was lush and green due to the frequent rains. I learned that carrying an umbrella was a great idea since storms can come up fast and furious. We are now entering the dry cold season and already the landscape is turning brown. The harvest, which is mainly maize and groundnuts, is in full swing. The rains that were timely and plentiful resulted in a good harvest for which everyone is thankful because it is the main source of their yearly food supply.

The final preparations for the first term were being made when I arrived and within days the term started. Those first weeks were day by day, just doing the next thing that needed to be done. But God supplies and slowly on I felt like I was starting to know what needed to be done and could even anticipate it a little bit. We began each day with the Rafiki Bible Study which I was responsible for leading. We studied First and Second Peter and had just started James when the term ended. Although I often felt inadequate leading, it was a very uplifting time, especially the singing. The students are quite independent and are, for the most part, responsible for the coursework. My job is to conduct some classes, clarify concepts they are having trouble with, correct exams, observe practicum teachers, write gate passes, check out the ball pump, dispense headache pills, etc. Believe me I wore many hats, hats I have never dreamed of. I have two RA’s (Resident Assistants) who are amazing and since they had gone through the program, they could help me anticipate needs.

One of the greatest challenges was learning their names! Names are not my strong suit, and at first I had a hard time remembering which face went with which name. But as I got to know the students better by the end of the term, I rarely mixed them up. One thing that could throw me off was the new hairstyles the girls would come in with each Monday. The variety of hairstyles is never ending! By the end of the first term, I felt like I knew them quite well and came to love them. I am missing them during this extended break.

Here in Zambia, we too are experiencing the effect COVID-19. The President called for suspension of schools on March 20. That was the final day of our term, and we were able to enjoy an end-of-term celebration, which included a small graduation ceremony for eleven of our students. At this time there is no indication of when we may start up again, so I am doing what I can to help in the Village life.

I am getting to know more of the resident orphans and Mommas. Three evenings a week I eat dinner with them in the dining hall and also enjoy evening devotions once a week in one of their cottages. There are about seventy-five orphans living with their Mommas in eight cottages on the Rafiki grounds. This extended break requires a lot of planning so the children are occupied in worthwhile ways that in itself is a challenge. Their daily schedule includes meal preparation and cleanup, laundry, gardening, cottage upkeep, study time, games, and whatever other things we come up with. Each week one of the cottages also plans and conducts the Sunday morning worship service, they do an awesome job!

Life in a different country and in a different culture brings many challenges, but it also has a multitude of rewards. We have faced several challenges that created fear and uncertainty, but God has been faithful and we see His care and provision so very clearly. It also makes us very thankful for your prayers and support!

Please add to your prayers regarding COVID-19, an extra prayer that schools in Zambia may resume soon. We are trying to challenge our residents, but do not have the access to learning sites, and many of the students come from the surrounding area and have difficulty getting the materials. Teachers, who are not permitted to enter the Village, try to help as best they can by sending work and correcting some of it. Since RICE students do not live here but come from all over Zambia, I have no contact with them. Pray that they will have the means and be ready to resume their schooling when we start again.

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