Leadership & Team in Africa

I can't believe it's been two days! Sometimes, it seems longer; sometimes shorter - time is funny that way. Yesterday, we did some errands, bought some groceries; you know "normal" stuff but yesterday was our first workshop day. Let me tell you, I was nervous about the workshop - I mean, I don't speak or understand Zambian and we were told there would not likely be an interpreter, YIKES!!! I spent time the day we arrived reviewing what I wanted to share, knowing that they wanted me to speak about leadership and team. Sounds simple, right? I was worried though as I was only using a very small amount of the material we use in courses at home since I couldn't take gear with me.

The first day of workshops was for a group of women who are leaders in an organization called Hearts of Compassion. This organization was formed to help widows and orphans - mostly widowed due to HIV; most of the women in the group were widows themselves and ranged in age from about 25 to 60+. When we arrived at the location for the workhop, about half of the women were there (Africa time means we start when people arrive for example a 9ish start could be 9, it could be 10, it could be later). Since we needed to wait for the other group, the women burst into song - literally, the sound burst from the room. They were praising and worshiping and dancing. The beautiful harmonies were so powerful! I felt such powerful emotion listening to the women sing; I could barely hold back the tears. When the other women arrived, we began the day. It didn't take long to realize that most of the women spoke very little English; thankfully, a lovely lady named Helen stepped forward as a translator and the day began. While I know there were things that I forgot to say that I'd planned to say and I did a lot of improvising so that the women could understand the concepts; God was definitely there and the result was overwhelming. In addition to the teachings I did, Debbie & Betty taught the women to make rag rugs. The only man in the room was one of the acting leaders and he said the timing of the workshop was perfect and the content exactly in line with what the team needed. I feel so blessed to be here! For lunch, they served us nshima - a stiff dough made from ground maize called mealie meal. It is the consistency of playdough and tastes like a mix of mashed potatoes and cream of wheat. You knead in the palm of one hand, flatten it in that same hand and use it to pick up other food called relish. Relish could be a vegatable mix or chicken for example. This was my first experience with traditional Zambian food.

Today, we worked with a group of Church leaders at the Fountain of Praise Assembly; the group was worship leaders, pastors, deacons, deaconess', youth leaders, praise members, etc. The church building itself was so simple - concrete and aluminum - a clear reminder that the building is irrelevant to God. We were set to start at 9am but we were told to come at 10am due to African time :-) Then, we didn't even start until close to 11! Good thing that doesn't bother me too much :-) Again, the group lifted their voices in the most beautiful harmonies - I wish I could bottle the sound and bring it home with me!!! The men and women were so wonderful and the level of English was astounding: no translator required! During lunch (which was 'take-away' chicken & chips from the Hungry Lion), Betty and I sat with the younger people who were there. Some were finishing high school, some in college and some already working; all were highly intelligent and communicated very well in English. One young woman, Mercy, is planning to become a neurosurgeon or cardiologist, part of that plan is to go to medical school in Canada in the fall. All of them are on Facebook even though they don't have computers at home. We had so much fun with the group and I have learned that Zambians seem to have an excellent sense of humour.

I can't even begin to explain all that is going on in my head and my heart. God has been good to me and directed to to create teaching sessions for the workshops that have been well received here; He's also granted me the grace to let the agenda be fluid and 'wing it' along the way.

Tomorrow is Sunday and I can't wait to go to Fountain of Praise for church!!! Debbie is preaching and I don't do anything but enjoy!!! Tomorrow is also exciting because we are going to the market; it will be a nice relaxing day. On Monday, I'm teaching all day again, Tuesday we travel to Kitwe where we meet up with Ruth & John Kerr who are missionaries teaching at a college. Tuesday is a travel & market day. Wednesday, we help Ruth sort a bunch of donations and have lunch at the college. Thursday, we go out and deliver clothing to needy families in the morning, I do an afternoon workshop do the student wives and other women on campus; Betty & Debbie will then teach them to make rugs. Friday, we teach a group of women to sew quilts then head back to Lusaka.

I don't think I'll have internet from Tuesday to Thursday night because of travel.

God Bless!

Zambia via London via Toronto

It seems like so long ago since I left Edmonton but, in truth, it's not even been 48 hours. Before we even left Edmonton, we experience divine intervention on our trip. Debbie (our team leader) was called to the gate over the intercom; none of us knew why but we were all secretly hoping that we were being upgraded :-) When Debbie got there, they had her passport & boarding pass at the counter. It was strange because Debbie was sure it was in her bag. Apparantly, a young couple had found it in the garbage can when they were throwing out a coffee cup. Debbie still has no idea how it got there since all she threw away was a banana peel. But, it made for an exciting start!

We arrived safely in Lusaka, Zambia at 6:15am (Zambia time) which was 9:15pm back home. Our first stop was Toronto where we had about 3 hours to kill then hopped the plane to London. When we arrived in London, we purchased tickets for the "tube" and headed to downtown London. I must say, we made our way through the London Underground like experts! In our few short hours in London, we went to Picadilly Circus, had Fish & Chips at Three Crowns, went for a "flight" on the London Eye, and spent some time at Buckingham Palace. Then... back to the airport to hop our 9+hour flight to Lusaka.

We arrived in Africa and got to Cheryl Ann's home only to realize that we'd left a suitcase at the airport. Fortunately, when Debbie & Cheryl Ann went back, it was there waiting. Now, we've all had showers and are ready to take on the day in Lusaka. It will be a low key day since we all want to be rested for our first all day workshop tomorrow. I will be leading a full day of workshops for about 30 women who work with widows and orphans. I don't often get nervous but I'm definitely nervous. BUT... I know that God has brought me here and He will not abandon me now. I feel Him leading me so I will trust in that.

On an interesting note, the missionary we are staying with is from close to home for me; she is from New Norway where my aunt and uncle live. Even more interesting is the fact that she is cousin to my friend's dad! Small world!

I hope all is well for everyone back home; my thoughts and prayers are with you always.

Anxious? Excited? Scared?

I'm only a few hours away from boarding the plane that will take me away from my family for almost 3 weeks. I don't even know how I feel right now. I truly believe that God has lead me in this direction and I know that walking where He leads is not guaranteed to be easy but... It was so hard to send my family off today; Blyss tried so hard not to cry but just couldn't prevent the tears. Elisa was her usual composed self and Aphia cracks jokes to not think about it. Sherwin is so supportive and actually even admitted he'd miss me :-) (some of you know the story behind that comment!)

Truthfully, in the midst of all the emotions I feel, the strongest sensation is a deep & abiding peace that - no matter what - everything will be alright. I am hoping to have internet connection while in Zambia so that I can update my blog during my trip.

Pray for our missions team while we are away that we will be sensitive to God's promptings on us while travel, that we will be free from conflict within, and that our families will be safe and well during our absence.

God Bless!

Africa here I come!!!

All my life, I've wanted to see Africa. I remember hearing stories of missionaries and thinking that someday, I'd like to try that. Well, someday is February 23, 2010! I'm going to Zambia with a small team from the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC). I'm feeling both excited and nervous. I have never been away from my family for more than a few days; this will be almost 3 weeks. I know that God has ordained this trip so I will put my trust in Him!

Overall, life is good. I have been working hard the past few months with a friend designing a new program for work all about continuous improvement. It's amazing how much can be applied to life in general; we all want to improve ourselves and our lives, right? Sometimes, the biggest hurdle to improvement is our own lack of ability to see more than one way of doing things, to see around real or perceived road-blocks. My prayer is that I will be open to opportunity, open to see the good around me, and open to God's will in my life.

Friends, please keep my family in your prayers over the next few weeks while I am away both for work and for missions. God bless!