Beginning Life at Namwianga

The drive from to Lusaka was an eye-opening experience for most of our group. The hotel we use Lusaka has a very Western feel and our walk through the shopping area and dinner also were not that different from experiences in the States. However, as we left Lusaka and headed into rural Zambia, life began looking very different. We arrived here at Namwianga Mission just in time for a tour. Meagan is leaving after 5 years and is going to leave a big gap here. She introduced us to everyone, including this little girl at the Haven. Notice that she is tied onto Meagan's back with a chitange, a strip of cloth also used for clothing, padding, and everything else.

We then headed back to the Hamby House for dinner. As you can see, it was made up of typical Zambian foods all made for us by Mr. Leonard. He makes the best fried chicken in the world, second only to ______(fill in the blank, this is to keep me out of trouble). It really was great and even Ian ate a big meal. I think everyone feels better about the food for the next several weeks.

We also had a great breakfast before going to George Benson Christian College to be introduced in Chapel. We were given our schedules and we begin teaching classes tomorrow.

A quick trip to Kalomo to get kwacha, phone cards, a few supplies and a quick run-through of the market. Many bought chitange and Ian found, bargained, and purchased a shoulder bag with a Zambian flag on it. I was proud of him. He is taking to everything. He has been invited to a soccer game so I am about to head over and see how it is going. I am giving him the run of the Mission, but it is taking some getting-used-to.

Ian had hoped to play and I let him wear his runners but I thought this was a serious game and they would not be interested in a 12 year old. After he retrieved a few balls during warmup they invited him to join the game. They did indeed take it seriously but Ian held his own with/against a group of college students. He even took the ball away from one of them, much to his (and the older players) surprise.

Great supper again which we ate on the Hamby House backporch, then everyone headed home. Ian and I were invited back but we decided to call it a day. We were playing a game of cards when the power went off so we finished the game by flashlight. There is nothing like the stars in Africa without all the light pollution. You add to that a blackout on any light and we had to go out and see the stars of the Southern Hemisphere. WHAT A DAY!