Prodigal

Hi. Sorry for being the prodigal blogger. Haven't even thought about it for months!

My last post was in May, so here's a quick summary of the last four months:

June: I met some cool Americans interning here, spent a week in the bush, and photographed a big conference on missions hosted by OM.

July: I went to Kenya, saw baby elephants, and kissed a giraffe.

August: I got fed up with being in an office. So I went and found myself some fun-loving youth. Joined Young Life and helped with VBS. Also on an unrelated note I learned how to make tortillas.

September: Eden decided I need to see Zimbabwe. So we've started a list of destinations we must squeeze into the next two months.

In all seriousness, I need to get back in the habit of posting weekly. I'm taking life for granted and not documenting how God has been changing my heart from day to day. I've grown so much this year. My way of thinking has changed and I've experienced things that will forever change my life. 

I want to remember these things forever and be able to use them to influence others. Life abroad gives you so much perspective. I've gotten to watch the US elections from the view of the world. I've grown to appreciate and be proud of where I am from, but I've also learned to pray from a new perspective. Americans are often stereotyped as ignorant. And that's cause lots of us are. What we do affects the world. Whether we like it or not our movies, products, music, and style stretches way farther than you'd think. And with that, our sins, our faults, our big big mistakes and failures.... those stretch far, too. Positive or negative it affects the world. Not just through war or hunger, but in a much deeper way.

The church in America has gradually stepped further and further away from the Bible. Social media has let opinions go wild and has changed our culture and our Christianity (among other things that have changed over the years). The church here is confused that the people that came as missionaries not so long ago are now promoting a whole different lifestyle. 

The church in America is doing amazing things today in our own towns and all over the globe, but let's keep encouraging each other! We are strong. We can be stronger. Let's be willing to learn from our foreign brothers and sisters, and let's always put the Bible at the forefront of our actions and decisions.

"Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'" - John 8:31-32

Seasons

Hey friends. It's winter here. I'm dying. Well, I mean, technically we are all dying... I just feel like my death process is accelerated at the moment. The past month has been a bit of a blur. In fact, this whole year is becoming a blur. Lately in the office I've been working on our Social Media and preparing posters and flyers to be printed that help communicate what OM is all about.

On May 18 I went to Pretoria, South Africa with the communications department. It is here where I found fall. Green grass and sunny skies, but lots of leaves on the ground! It was so fun to explore a new place. Pretoria is like the perfect city cut out of a postcard that's actually been well kept up for it's whole life. South Africa is not Africa. It's Europe. It was a blast to be able to visit!

While a lot of fun was involved in this short trip, the main purpose was to get some training in OM communications. We met some of the OM International communication team and got inspired to keep doing what we do. As you can see here, we were freezing in Pretoria as well.

To get there I enjoyed a 16-18 hour bus ride chilling on the top deck of a double decker bus. I had yet another excited land border experience. They're so different from the usual airport immigration lines I have experience passing through. I am falling in love with this land more and more each day.

Last night I got to have a little taste of Chicago and home as the Moody Men's choir performed in my church's sister church. It was good for my soul to see and hear people from not just the US but basically my backyard. I kinda felt like a creepy fan girl wanting to go talk to them afterwards, but it was worth it to hear about their adventures in Africa and to be encouraged by them as I shared about what I am doing here.

Pray:

• I'm freezing. Pray I stall well and my nose stops running.
• Pray for the economy in Zimbabwe.
• Pray for continued opportunities for me to get involved in the community. I can't always find opportunities within OM, but I am praying for boldness to go out and do things on my own as opportunities arise.

Toilets

Today I have been inspired to write about toilets. Why? Because I now know more about toilets and plumbing than I ever have in all my life. Here’s the thing. Toilets break. Water shuts down every now and then. And about one in every three toilets I encounter the back is open and you have to figure out just what lever or string to pull inside to make it flush.

                 

As I was chilling in my room this past Saturday reflecting on life, this random revelation about toilets came to mind. I’ve kind of forgotten that at one point all of this random knowledge about how toilets work was foreign to me. When I arrive at new places I’ve learned to backtrack plumbing and figure out how to turn water on and off. Often times I get to search for a water source to manually dump water in to flush it myself. Hand sanitizer and toilet paper are always in my bag because literally like every public toilet is most likely lacking these things. Not to mention the fact that quite frequently public toilets are missing the seat – and occasionally the lock or the door itself is missing too.

(This is probably the weirdest blog post you’ve ever read, and I’m only a little bit sorry about it haha)

That being said, I’ve noticed that God has been teaching me some serious flexibility and patience. I don’t miss the comforts of home very often, and I consider that a huge blessing to my sanity haha. I don’t think twice about cold showers. Boiling water for a bath is my new normal unless I’m too lazy and would rather freeze. (Ashamedly I admit that 5 out of 7 days a week I am too lazy and would rather freeze.) Hand washing clothes now seems super economical and appealing to me even when I get back to the States.

This lifestyle makes me appreciate everything so much more. While I know doing simple daily tasks here can be a little more entertaining than at home, I also know that we have it pretty great here. Others out there are struggling much more and I am so thankful that God is a faithful provider in all ways for what we truly need.

But wait. There’s one more thing.

Target. I get to scroll through Facebook and see angry posts about Target, movements to boycott Target, reasons why it’s not a big deal, and all kinds of stuff about their new decision on their public bathrooms.

Friends. I agree that this is unsettling and yet another sign of how sin is gripping our nation. But at the same time…. PEOPLE. Just be thankful you don’t have to pay a dollar to use their toilets (that actually have seats) and you don’t have to bring your own soap and toilet paper and then try to figure out how to flush the stupid thing.

Disclaimer: Don’t get the impression that every toilet in Zimbabwe is a disaster haha… I’m just speaking from random experiences as I have traveled around.

Vernacular

A day in my life... using as much common vernacular from here that's unfamiliar to home as I can:

Typically in the morning I'll get up, bath, plat my hair (being thankful I no longer have fringe) and grab a quick bowel of muesli for breakfast. If it's nice and I'm feeling ambitious I'll throw on my trainers and go for a jog. Then when it's time for work I put on my slippers, put my trousers over my pants, grab a jersey if it's cold, and head out the door.

Taking Kombi's isn't really my ideal transport situation, so I'm totally chuffed that I found a car that is my own. On my way to work I throw my pack in the boot and drive to the gate. The gardener or amai Vally will typically open it for me, and I'm on my way! I pass a few robots on my way to work and always get frustrated when they turn amber. Wouldn't want to be late. My tyres need to be replaced so I put my PHD skills to use and take it slow. Also don't want to drive straight and look drunk.

At work I get out my laptop and get busy. Sometimes the zesa goes out, which is pretty frustrating especially when my laptop's almost flat... even more frustrating when network's down, too. But zesa isn't down often and when it is you know it will always come back just now. Some days I forget my power cord and have to ask a friend to borrow me theirs. Once a month I'll get my GWUG after they take out zimra. I'm seriously so thankful for those of you who support me and make getting my GWUG possible.

A few days a week we get take aways for lunch. We go to Food World, grab a trolley, and fill it with meals of sadza and veg, rice and stew, or a thousand other options. We may buy some plastics for a few bond coins and push the trolley to my boot. We typically don't have any drink for lunch, preferring to just drink water, tea, or coffee instead. However, occasionally someone will ask for a small pulpy. Sometimes we'll have fresh chips with tomato sauce or get some crisps to snack on... and some days I'm keen for some biltong, but it's expensive. We eat outside in the garden for fellowship. (We have an avocado tree and a swimming pool. Our garden is awesome.) Eventually someone's gotta say, handei, and we get back to work. We bin our serviettes (napkins are for babies) and throw our take aways in the rubbish bin, too.

We're responsible for hoovering our own office and keeping bathrooms clean. If we actually have Jik, Andy's, and mop cloths lying around this is a lot easier.

On my way home I may hoot for a dollar airtime so I can buy my bundles. Bundles of Joy are my favorite kind of bundles. I'll get a few of those every week. If I'm out of petrol I'll stop at a Zuva station and sometimes they'll ask if I can pop my bonnet so they can check my oil.

I have dinner with my family here and then get ready for bed. For dinner I often do get drink of some kind... Blackberry Mazoe is my favorite, otherwise I go for Fanta. After putting Colgate on my toothbrush (though mine is Crest...) I brush my teeth. I go to bed and whatsapp friends from here and home as I fall asleep. Network is terrible in my room so I'm grateful for TelOne.

Handiti? Zvakanaka. There's the story of my typical life... from A to Zed. Iribo.

Now read it again with an African-British accent.

Sentiments

A team from the OM Ship the Logos Hope is here in Zimbabwe for a few weeks. As a result, I've finally had the opportunity to break out of the office a do some hands on ministry.

The Ship Team is made up of five people, all from different nations (Russia, Japan, Netherlands, South Korea, USA). It's been really cool to see such a diverse group of people working together for a common goal. I was able to photograph one of their outreaches last week and see some places near Harare that I hadn't yet had the opportunity to see.

We visited a squatter camp out on the edge of town and I was able to photograph the activities that the Ship Team had for the kids. It's so weird to be on the opposite side of things when there's a short term team around. I really enjoy getting to show them around a bit and have knowledge about this unfamiliar culture that I can share with them. Harare feels like home. It's a weird concept for me to fully wrap my head around.

Like I live here. This team comes, they visit these places once, and then they go. But when they go I am still here. And I have a car. And I can choose to get in that car and go back. I love this. Like I literally love it. I was born to explore and go to places I don't know. I always have a tendency to fall in love with people with a different language and culture than me. This year is changing me and changing my heart in so many ways. God has been preparing me for this life since I was a little kid and it just feels so right to be living it now! Thank you everyone so much for all your prayers and support. I can't believe I'm already a third of the way through this year. It's flying by way too fast.

I guess that's all the sentimental thoughts I have for today. I'll just leave you here with this adorable photo of what kids do when you use your hands to tell them to smile for a picture.

Refresh

This week I went to Zambia. My passport will soon be out of pages. This is kind of an awesome problem to have. It’s always been a dream to have a passport completely full of memories. I just feel real blessed to have the opportunity to travel and be a part of God’s plan to reach the nations. Just this week I interacted with people from at least ten different nations. My culture-loving heart is very full.

So let me tell you about my adventure to Zambia. First off, I was kinda terrified. Apparently in my mind somehow spending two days in a plane to travel halfway across the world by myself, not knowing what’s on the other side, is less terrifying than taking taxis by myself in Africa. Turns out neither is really that frightening. I was able to meet up with an SBU Intercultural Studies team (Kailyn and Jamee if you know them).

Zambezi River

Ever since I saw Niagara Falls and heard there was something bigger I’ve always wanted to see Victoria Falls. Yes, I just flew to Victoria Falls and spent 6 days in Zambia… but no I still have not really seen the falls haha. Didn’t really have time to go visit the official parks since I spent my time at New Day Orphanage with Kailyn and Jamee. I had my first walk-across-the-border experience – and it was a pretty beautiful experience. The bridge over the Zambezi river is full of mist from the falls and has incredible views in all directions. The reflections from all the water create a beautiful double rainbow over the rushing river.

The Falls in the distance

I traded a hair tie, an apple, and some spare change for a wooden carved hippo at the border. That’s a pretty funny story involving a nice old man who kept me from being bothered by other salespeople and walked with me all the way to immigration. But in efforts of keeping this short you’ll have to ask me about all these stories another time. After arriving in Zambia I went to the grocery store with the New Day Orphanage staff and there were literally tears in my eyes. Not sure if I was just overwhelmed with the variety of stuff, just so happy to see canned food and a variety of snacks… or even just still overwhelmed with the realization that these were really the first Americans I’ve seen since January 10th.

Reading in the library

At New Day I am so grateful to have had just a small taste of American culture. I was able to speak using cultural references no one gets in Harare, I ate Mexican food, and I quoted my way through the Princess Bride while watching it with staff. I didn’t realize how badly my soul needed a refresh of familiarity until it happened. It also was wonderful to have a bunch of little kids to play with. This really could not have happened at a better time. I’m pretty sure I would have passed my breaking point just in simple cultural stresses if I hadn’t had a chance to see another American. Now I am refreshed and recharged and so excited to be back in Zimbabwe. I have just moved into my new home and gotten my car all sorted out so that I am “now free to move about the country” as that one airline says.

Happy birthday to you!

Learning points:

• I had a pretty big breakthrough in confidence this week. I did enough walking around and across borders by myself and rode enough taxis alone to get over any fear and uneasiness I had about that.
• God is always there. Looking back, I can see how he placed so many total strangers in my life to make this trip flow smoothly and make me feel safe. From the old man at the border to meeting someone who knows my uncle to the kind man at a convenience store that fed me and let me hide from annoying guys asking for money while I waited for a bus… God’s hand was in all of this even when I forgot to ask for it.

Insanity

The word insanity has two meanings for me these days: (1) I have been going stir crazy and a bit insane for the freedom and independence and familiarity I miss from home. (2) I have had the most insane week of emotional ups and downs and craziness until it finally settled down.

Writing in the office right this minute

I suppose it's been a few weeks since my last update, so I'll make an effort to bring you up to speed. I have started working in the office. In fact, I just so happen to be here right now... hanging out after hours. I have a great team here in the communications department and am looking forward to new ideas we have this year.

Now onto the insanity part. Right now I've been blessed to be able to stay with someone here while I get my life sorted out. The first week after training I had some time off. Time off, while typically wonderful, was driving me crazy because I had nowhere to go and no one to see because I know no one outside of work at this point. If you know me you know I don't do nothing well. I have to do something. Always. God provided some design projects from 4 differed people back home (thank you for not forgetting me, people!) and then made me learn to rest a bit.

The last couple weeks I've been looking for accommodation and a vehicle. Last week, I had the car figured out. After some searching and lots of online research we found one that would work. Then a few days later another OMer offered me a temporary opportunity for accommodation that would have me set for a couple months. Temporary because I could just stay there and pay discounted rent until a full-price paying renter surfaced.

God is good. After weeks of wondering how I'm supposed to figure life out when I don't understand how things work in this country... He provided.

Then Tuesday happened.

I got up and called the car place to let them know we could come today to get the car they were holding. They said they sold the car over the weekend. I was kinda speechless. Lots of searching, hopes up, then it's gone again. "Okay, this is fine, I can handle this." Spent all morning making calls and searching online and getting real comfortable navigating the Zim Classifieds and talking to total strangers. Found some prospects to look at today.

Tuesday lunch came and I ate some food, relieved progress was again being made.

Then I get another call. The flat I was temporarily staying in became super temporary because renters were already found. Yikes. Great news for the owner, but now I was back on the hunt. God again provided an option for me to stay with a family here.

It's a 2001 Honda Fit for those who care

Today I spent four hours going around town, making calls, and forgetting to eat food... and then I bought a car. (Which just happens to be this beautiful colour that I love, thanks Jesus.)

Please excuse me for a moment while I freak out that I just bought a car in Africa.

So here's what I learned this week.

• I am not in control. Never have been, never will be. God knows what is best and his plans are already in place.
• People are wonderful to have. I have been so blessed beyond measure by the OM office here. They've been so gracious to let me stay with them, to let me visit churches with them, to drag me around car shopping, to negotiate and ensure I get a good deal, and to spend time and money on making sure I get settled. I seriously am so grateful. If you're reading this feel free to take a moment to praise God for nice people and just pray for the office staff here.
• It's okay to do nothing. I hate doing nothing. I totally missed the part in school where they teach you how to rest and chill. If you know me, you know this. I create work for myself and I go do things just because it's better than sitting. But rest is good and rest is needed, and I have learned how to fill up my rest time with productive - yet restful and needed - things. Like time with Jesus or sleeping 10 hours. 

Thanks, friends, for journeying with me this year. Sorry for all the words and not many pictures this time. Turns out a combination of rest and insanity does not yield much opportunity for photography.

Oh, and on Friday I get to take a mini-vacay to Zambia. So be praying for that. :)