Happy Independence Day Zambia!

Today is October 24, 2015, and Zambia has been independent for 51 years now. Can you imagine if just 51 years ago the USA was still controlled by another country? So being here, I can only imagine what it felt like being independent the first couple of years in the United States, for those who were allowed to participate.  So I celebrate and pray for Zambia as they continue to celebrate during this time and hope that the country and the leaders of this beautiful country keep pushing Zambia forward.

To catch you up, I have been living in my village now since the beginning of September and it has been going well. I’ve started two groups so far, and have taught a number of times at school. During Community Entry, we are really suppose to spend most of our time getting to know our community so we’re not supposed to teach….but I have. I’ve also done a lot of tutoring of students who have asked, and were serious.

 

 In other news it has rained about five or six times now! It’s so crazy and exciting to just experience a climate where part of the year it doesn’t rain and then when it does you’re happy. We just don’t have that in the states…but all throughout our training at times we the Peace Corps Volunteers (pcv’s) would look at the sky and say, it’s definitely going to rain, and sure enough the Zambian staff would assure us, “no it’s not, you’re fine, it’s not rainy season.” So the first time it did somewhere the end of September, I was in sheer shock. However, with a thatched roof you have to make sure you have the plastic lining your roof well, or the natural beauty of rain will be a mess. My roof is getting worked on right now. The other draw back is that the same plastic that protects you from rain, debris, and the like also attracts…..RATS So people say oh get a cat and you’ll be fine. Well Nuisha my cat is still quite young and I am thankful that I never have seen a mouse (it makes me feel better to say that) like on the floor of my house. Three days ago I did see two run on the roof to the outside above my bedroom. That was enough, I told my Yataata we have to do the roof asap and get rid of these now because I can’t deal. To make a then very stressful situation better…they are on it and I am very grateful. Let’s just say once my plastic was removed….it was very apparent that many had made homes in my roof…and it sent me over the edge and I cried for the first time since I’ve been here. So without the plastic they don’t come b/c it isn’t stable enough for them….but you will also have rain and debri everywhere. With plastic they want to make a home but with a lot of poison and Nuisha safely staying at my parents house, we hope to kill them and the plastic will be up Monday, the old nests will be gone praise God ( I can’t stand to look at that) and my roof will be finished ASAP. Before leaving for church my Dad checked to see if any had fallen dead in the house…but he saw nothing…fine by me. We’re thinking they died maybe in the roof or ate food went away and died. I definitely heard sounds that sounded closer and then further away…and one I thought sounded like he could have been hurting but I don’t know. I didn’t see anything around the house either. Needless to say more poison is going up today and also my neighbors to send the warning to the whole rodent community to STAY OUT! So my principle and community have heard the message and are on it and I am beyond grateful. If I remember I'll take a pic of the nest….not a fan. Because Nuisha is only two months old she or he I don’t actually know but time WILL tell…sorry I digressed. Nuisha is still growing but later on she/he will be the Hercules of the compound. 

 

In other news another pcv…has started a radio show with her family and friends back home…and I want to do the same as well. It’s quite hilarious and I will be picking her brain as to how she sends it out to the masses. One thing I also like was the question and answer section she has. People will ask questions and then she will respond. I love that, so again if you have questions about anything I would love to reply. So leave comments and I will get to them…and it’s also nice to hear a voice you haven’t heard in a while…btw I still sound the same.

(pics of me being silly…and clear clean water)

This leads me to my final thought of today. Sameness. You think that people change b/c there far away, and I guess it happens to certain degrees but I’m still just Imade (Mahdee as many pronounce it). Yes my bathroom now is a hole in the ground but I still don’t like putting my shoes on wet surfaces…haha my standard has not changed. There was a football final in my village which means wet surfaces in the chims  (Imagine a festival with the porter potties…which I never went into). I was charging my electronics at my teachers when nature called…but I was ready. I carry toilet paper and hand sanitizer with me. In I walk in and the wetness greeted me…so I do what I have to do and once out, like my cat, I’m rubbing my feet on the dirt…like get off my shoes and sanitize immediately and then I’m good. So humans adapt but that doesn’t mean I just love everything….I come ready and do what I have to do to find peace in gross situations. I still don’t like dirty dish water and food debris in the water still disgust me….that will not change. So I have gloves that I use or other times I’m just willing to use more water to make sure my washing bucket stays free of that. So don’t think everything has to change in your life to do something you feel might be considered hard. We just adapt in ways that will bring us satisfaction while doing the harder thing, it’s worth it b/c then you still have a great attitude, and God gets the glory. Well that’s all for now until next time, I love you be encouraged.

madetoencourageyou