The way back home

Alongside all of these exciting adventures, the reason I spent the 3 months in the summer of 2011 living and working in Moldova was to lead teams of volunteers from the UK as they used their summer holiday to renovate the house of one of the neediest families in the village. It was such a joy to see the volunteers journey through their two week experiences, learning about a new culture and throwing themselves into something really special. What a mixed bunch came along! One team was a youth group, whilst other teams were formed of retired couples who proved that at any age adventures can be had. One of the hardest things about a trip like this was adjusting to UK life upon my return and it has been a joy to re-live that summer by sharing it with all of you. Currently I am based in the Mission Direct offices, doing the behind the scenes stuff to facilitate other teams going overseas. Opportunities are available not only in Moldova but also in 11 other countries, across Africa, South America and Asia. If you would be interested in getting involved, feel free to call the office on 01582 589985. Alternatively, drop us a line on info@missiondirect.org 

Down-time in Bucharest

As we don’t fly home until the end of the week we decided to spend a couple of days in Bucharest. Although, we have been backwards and forwards from the airport with the teams all summer, we haven’t actually ever explored the city. It has worked really well as is a bit of a half-way house between life in the village and life back home in the western world. We explored the tree lined streets that have a historic Paris feel to them and are beautiful! Alongside this though is the communist influence and a darker feel as the more recent history becomes apparent. The city was bombed heavily during the war and in 1977 in earthquake destroyed many of the buildings. The Palace of Parliament which was built in the 1980s is the largest civilian building in the world and has over 1,000 rooms! We had the classic tourist tour which was an hour and a half and we didn’t even scratch the surface as we only covered 5% of it! Ceauşescu built it under his dictatorship but was shoot in 1989 before it’s completion. The best bit of the day was the restaurant this evening. Such character! All the staff we in local traditional dress and we ate downstairs in the wine-cellar with live music! It has been a real treat to have a bit of a holiday at the end of what has been a very eventful summer. 

Home Visits

With each of the teams we did some home visits to some of the most vulnerable in the village. We’d spend time chatting and praying with them as well as leaving them some gifts. One of the visits was to see two sisters. As with many Moldovans, their mother was working in Italy (as their are more employment opportunities there). The Father had been a soldier and fought in Afghanistan. Upon his return he suffered with post-traumatic stress disorder and there was very little support services available to help. Sadly, not long after the Mother left for Italy, he committed suicide. 

The girls are in their late teens and are now alone at home. It was such a difficult visit and I really wanted to spend some more time with the girls. They have a few animals as most Moldovans do, but I found out that in the time we were in the house chatting someone had stolen their prized possession, a cow. It really shuck me up to think our visit had provided the perfect distraction for someone to take it and to think that someone had been watching us. I felt so helpless leaving the girls at the end of the summer, but was able to leave most of my clothes with them, which put the most lovely smiles on their faces as they began trying them on and discussing who could have what. Such a simple thing, that will never make a terrible situation right again, but at least can bring a little bit of joy in a broken home. 

Poverty

Today, was one of the most challenging days I've spent in Moldova. We took a bus into the town and as always it was jam-packed. This usually adds to the amusement of the adventure but today I was utterly shocked. 

We stopped to take more people onto the bus (which was already full).  A mother helped her teenage daughter up the step. She was clearly very ill and in a real state. She began having a fit, losing consciousness with her eyes rolling back in her head. She kept throwing up and her hands couldn't stop twitching. It was so harrowing to see what poverty really means. If you can’t afford a healthcare you have to make the best of things. I don’t know where the mother was trying to get her to but she seemed so desperate. We were able to give her some water but, in a cramped bus you feel so helpless as to what you could do in what was clearly a very serious situation. You wondered what their story was and if she would make it to a hospital. Poverty really means a loss of dignity in appalling situations. 

Football

One of the Youth Leaders at the village church runs a football practice for the teenage lads early in the mornings when it’s still cool. It has been really special  to get involved with this and watch them practice. One image that has stuck with me has been watching them queuing at the well, taking turns to drink from the bucket after the game. A bit of a different from the Lucozade waiting on the bench for players back home. 

They have a ‘God Slot’ before practice and for many this is the only contact they will have with the Church. They then have a prayer circle which again was a striking image as they put arms round each other and form a circle in the middle of the dusty field. I felt so privileged to then be able to share my story with the boys and the only downfall of the morning was stepping on some glass on the field! 

Health

Driving through the village we pulled over to see one of our local friends. He had been having stomach pains for a few days and our driver wanted to drop something off for him. When we asked what it was he showed us an unlabelled bottle and explained that it contained berries from the Romanian mountains that have medicinal qualities. Moldovans are so much more open to natural remedies than we are here, focusing on western medicines.

Some of the volunteers had brought glasses to give to the local people. Today we set up a table and put them all out. It was lovely to watch the elderly folk trying on the glasses to find ones that made it easier for them. They were so thrilled and the uptake was staggering. 

Unwelcome guests

One of the joys of this trip is living with a local family. We have been welcomed with open arms and a comfortable bed, but we have had the odd unexpected visitor! 

Last week I pulled my shoes out from under the bed to find a toad in one of them! Today beats that hands down though. This morning I was just heading out the door when out of the corner of my eye something moved on a sheet that was covering some bags of grain. 

After a double take and a totally girly scream, sure enough I found a grass snake in the bedroom! In the shock (on both parts) it slid behind the bookcase and we couldn't get it out. The family were out for the day and we had arranged to go to lunch with someone in the village. Reluctantly we shut all the doors and left. 

When we got back we (as casually as possible) told our host family that we had a snake in the bedroom somewhere and did they have any suggestions as to how to catch it! The room was methodically turned upside down as clothes and suitcases were searched through. Long story short, the snake came to a sad end with a shovel. Just when we thought the drama was over the 9 year old boy we are living with thought it would be a laugh to chase me down the street with the dead snake, boys will be boys! 

Fishing

Last year the village flooded very badly. The army were involved in a mass-sandbagging operation leading to the flood waters eventually receding. However, a year on and still water covers some of the farmland. Although, land has been lost, the locals make good use of this area for fishing and today for the first time we ventured down to the water’s edge. After stumbling across a beautiful tiled fountain, we watched the sunset. The fishermen were enjoying the tranquility and the locals were herding their sheep back up to the village for the night. It was such a special moment. 

The Locals

The language barrier took on a whole new meaning today as we headed to the next town to get haircuts. In a room full of Moldovans who only speak Russian, we had a fun morning trying to describe how we usually have our hair styled. We needn’t have worried though as the woman did a lovely job, and at a fraction of the cost of what you pay back home!

Although on the whole the teams have been in good health, one girl was ill on the journey to Bucharest. We pulled up at the side of the road in rural Romania. It was so touching as the family from the nearby house invited us in and helped us out. I don’t expect they have a minibus of English people on their doorstep all that often but they were the perfect hosts and incredibly generous as they gave us all drinks and ensured we were all well before wishing us on our way. 

Tourism

We are currently having a ‘down week’ in between teams so we drove to the capital city, Chisinau. A muffin and a cuppa in McDonalds felt a luxury!  The morning was spent exploring the National Art Gallery and History Museum. It was so poignant to read about World War II from a non-British perspective. Once again we were reminded of what a brutal past this country has and how it has been passed about from pillar to post for decades. You can really appreciate the Russian and Romanian influence among the people, as Moldova only became an independent country 20 years ago.

The Lonely Planet guide suggested the caves and monastery of Orheiul Vechi as a highlight of the country, so we drove to see them as they aren't too far from Chisinau. Considering it was one of the biggest tourist attractions of the country, no-one else was there! It just shows how undiscovered Moldova is as a holiday destination. The only restaurant in the area only catered for weddings so we raided their resources of crisps and biscuits as a makeshift (and highly nutritious!) lunch. We then walked up to the caves which had quite a view from the top, however the most dramatic part of the afternoon was disturbing a wasp nest, our driver came of worst, poor thing! 

Weddings

Today, we went to the wedding of one of the girls from the village. Other than driving the minibus into a well on the way, it was a quiet journey to the church! It was such a fun day and the celebrations were so natural. The local Baptists do not drink or dance so the wedding was celebrated by a massive feast with a bit of a talent show too. All the guests sang songs and played music for the bride and groom. The feast itself went on for about 4 hours and all the local ladies had helped to prepare it. Food was cooked outside the church on an open fire and it all tasted great!

A couple on our second team drove from the UK in their campervan- what an adventure! ‘Elvis’ their Eldis motorhome made it no trouble at all and they were able to bring plenty of aid all the way from home. 

More food

Late summer means watermelons in Moldova! Huge watermelons can be bought off the back of a cart on the side of the road. Massive chunks are tucked into and there is no ladylike way of tackling it! We have taken to Watermelon eating competitions with the team, which has been hysterical. Watermelon can be eaten at any time and watermelon snack was incorporated into a wedding celebration that we attended the other day. By mid-afternoon all the guests piled out into the cool of the shade to tuck in.

The locals boil their home-grown fruits over the fire to make compote. This can then be drunk warm or left to cool. The fruit is left in and it is served with a ladle, like punch. Cherry, apple, pear, peach compotes are all popular.

Plachenta is a local dish made with puff pastry and cheese in a sort of savoury plait. As I’m not a cheese fan I can’t stand the stuff and our relationship didn’t get off to the best start as we first called it placenta!

The locals grow much of their own food, which therefore means that season’s hugely dictate their diets. As so much produce is harvested in late summer, the fruits and vegetables are bottled and pickled for the winter months when food is more scarce. The massive jars are then kept in the cellars of the houses. 

Food

Today, we shared homemade soup with one of the local couples. It’s so special to spend time getting to know them and be welcomed into their home. We were shown all their wedding photos and ate some of their home grown cucumber. Cucumbers are eaten like we would eat an apple, you just work your way through a whole one!

I love the biscuits here. They are crumbly and a bit like shortbread. You can buy them by the kilogram for a few Lei and the teams have been buying bags of them to take home to their families. One girl bought a bag full and on leaving the shop was asked by a local (in Romanian) ‘Could I have one?’ Imagine that in Tesco, sharing your McVities with the next person in the queue as you wait to be served.

There are field upon field of sunflowers in Moldova and there are stunning in mid-summer. Sunflower seeds are therefore never in short supply. They are still in their shells and there seems to be a knack to shelling them with your teeth but I still haven’t got it! 

Cultural differences

We were on the building site today and one of the locals from the church came striding up to me declaring that Emily House was dead. After a fair bit of miming and a good 5 minutes of broken English, we finally determined that he was trying to tell us that Amy Winehouse had sadly died. It's so strange to be on a dusty building site in a village in Moldova and receiving news that will be on the front pages of the newspaper back home.

We also found out that one of our drivers worked for two days in order to pay for his Bible. It is stories like that that really put things in context and make you realise how much you take for granted.

There isn’t the fear of strangers in this culture and a friend of a friend is always welcome. After dropping our second team at the airport (Bucharest) we picked up a man who needed a ride back to the village. He had been in Romania for 2 months trying to find work. After limited success he was heading back to his family. He was very musical though and sang he heart out for the full 7 hour journey!

En-route back to the village there was an overturned lorry blocking the rural road so all the traffic was diverted through a farmer’s field. Can you imagine that here, an accident on the M1 diverts traffic through the surrounding farmland. Each day has surprises and I love getting a kick out of the unexpected and bizarre things that happen every day. 

Fun and Games

It is wonderful living with our host family and the little girl is just learning to talk. After much encouragement we finally got a ‘hello’ from her today.

Everyone cycles here. Kids manage adult bikes. It’s amazing how many people can be squeezed onto one bike too. Planks of wood are attached to the back wheel as additional seats for tiny tots!

We had a BBQ with some of the older people in the village today, complete with games. Old Moldovan ladies playing Jenga is just priceless! Great to see them actually having fun. The men in the village are also taking rounders very seriously. It's wonderful to see them so animated.

Being with the kids both at the holiday clubs and round the village is a joy. When else do you have an excuse to do the ‘Birdie Song’ and have water fights! It’s all a bit surreal but certainly not 9 to 5 at the office. 

Animals

We went into Cahul today on the local bus. What an adventure to live like the locals do. It was very crowded and the girl next to me was accompanied by a box of rabbits!

I love the spontaneity of life here. At 9.30 this evening we were invited to attend a birthday party. So we dropped everything, got in the car with the family we live with and set off into the night. What an evening of wonderful, genuine Moldovan hospitality as were welcomed into another home. The pet guinea pigs belonging to the two girls were the first pets I’ve come across in Moldova. Most of the household have dogs but they are strictly kept outside, chained in kennels and are guard dogs rather than available for cuddles!

Music

Music is a very important part of the Moldovan culture. Accordions are played by buskers in the nearby town of Cahul. The traditional bands also have violins, trumpets and clarinets. Typically very quick tempo and all sounds the same to me! They also have a national dance where they hold hands in a really big circle and do steps in sequence, getting faster and faster.

We are becoming fully acquainted with Bucharest Ikea as they offer a bit of comfort after the airport runs to pick up the volunteers. It always makes me smile as we drive to the airport under the highways of the city as there are always gig adverts. It’s surprising what makes it over to Romania. So far there have been adverts for Bon Jovi, The Deftones, Pendulum and Mika. Small world indeed! 

The village

The people you meet on the street in the village are so friendly. They always greet and embrace us. Many of the old ladies seem to live in slippers, the old-fashioned velvet ones. Some of the old people also have a mouth full of gold teeth. The men love their meat but it’s very expensive for them here. Our driver says he’s not full if he has a meal with no meat! It’s definitely man’s country here.

We arranged for the team to have a ride on the back of a local horse and cart. In broken English we managed to explain to the driver to take them to the end of the road and back. However, something got lost in translation and before we knew it they were merrily heading out of the village with no way of being understood. In a desperate moment our trusty driver jumped on his motorbike and heading in search of them, bringing them home in one piece and finding the whole thing a hilarious adventure!

I love the rustic feel to the local houses in the village. Today we had our meals with our translator and her family. It was such a privilege to see everyday life unfolding and her mother pickling the cucumbers for the winter months. Much of the summer produce is bottled as a pickle for the winter months where it can reach -20°C.

Alcoholism is such a problem here and the corner shops double up as bars as bottles of homebrew is poured out under the counter. The men then sit outside before staggering home through the village. As there is no street lights it can be a bit hairy driving down the main street when they’re wandering. 

Daily life

The teams fly to Bucharest (Romania) which means a day’s drive to the village of Gotesti, where we are working in Moldova. There is such diversity between the cities and the countryside. Bucharest does have a western feel to it. But as you leave the city, the road gradually deteriorates. However, the roads are surrounded by beautiful rural farmland.

There are many stray dogs, especially at petrol stations, but they don’t seem to bother us. The rural villages are so rustic. People travel by horse and cart however there is still the odd flash Mercedes which seems very incongruous to the backdrop. I suppose it highlights what country of inequality Moldova is.

There are plenty of smallholdings and geese, ducks, chickens and turkeys freely wander the streets. It's hard to tell whose is whose but it doesn’t seem to be an issue.

They seem to grow a lot of dill here. The smell often wafts through the air and it is in all our meals. Having never liked it I have quickly had to get used to it!

Thursday seems to be rubbish burning day in the village. There is no rubbish collection so people burn little bonfires in the street.  There is one main tarmac road that runs the length of the village but all the other roads are dirt tracks. They go from dry and dusty to mud-bath when it rains. I have even had to invest in wellies from the market! 

On the road again

The travel bug bit when I went to Zambia. I had been so impressed with the unique opportunity that Mission Direct offered. 2 weeks really does give you a taster of overseas mission work, without having to give up the day job! When the opportunity arose in the summer of 2011 to run a series of teams I didn't hesitate and immediately signed up. For ten weeks I immersed myself into daily life, living with the locals in a rural village in Moldova. ‘Where?’ I hear you muse.

Moldova is Europe’s poorest country and is sandwiched between Romanian and Ukraine in Eastern Europe. It is a country that has been described as Africa in Europe. The capital city of Chisinau may on the surface have similarities to a western city. But as you drive into the countryside the road deteriorate to dirt tracks and you are transported back in time to an era when people got water from the well, had horses and carts and grew much of their own food. This was my home from June-August 2011 as we hosted three teams from the UK. As with any Mission Direct trip, our focus was a building project, in this case refurbishing a lady’s house. Each team stayed for two weeks and I and my colleague had a down week in between each team in order to prepare for the next. That was the rhythm of the summer and these were my experiences….

Looking back. Looking forward...

You will be pleased to hear that the school was completed in the autumn and on the 4th November 2010 the school handover celebration took place. 81 volunteers came from the UK with Mission Direct and were involved in the building. £32,000 was also raised to support Fountain of Hope, Old Macdonald's Farm, Kumbaya, House of Moses and the Home Based Care Volunteers. In addition, two boys who died whilst living on the streets had funerals paid for by volunteers, allowing them to be buried with dignity.

The Mission Direct trips to Zambia are still as popular as ever and we have now branched out into running Medical Teams also. If you are at all curious about these opportunities feel free to ring the UK office on 01582 720056. 

Saturday 17th July 2010

Well, we are on the plane to Nairobi and the whole trip feels a bit of a dream. What an amazing experience this has been and I can truthfully say it has not only been the best thing I’ve ever done but it has also brought out the best in me. I feel so blessed and privileged to have met the people I have and so inspired by what I have seen. It’s going to be so hard to express effectively to people back home how this has changed me. I am half dreading the ‘How was Zambia?’ question as you can’t ever really understand it until you’ve soaked it up yourself.

All I can say is that I wish everyone had the opportunity to see what I’ve seen and meet both a wonderful team and also local people with such strength and trust in God. All apprehensions about the trip have been dealt with and I have learnt more than I could have ever imagined. As I once heard, ‘Courage is not the absence of fear, just the belief that there is something more important than fear’. I have felt that with God at my side, trusting is the key to coping with unfamiliarity and challenges. If you just throw yourself into life, then what you learn from experiences will over-ride any fear you had to take the plunge.   

Thursday 15th July 2010

As with any Mission Direct trip, the last couple of days are spent exploring the country a bit further and having 'downtime'. In our case Livingstone! After the 5.30am start yesterday, we piled on the bus for the 8 hour journey. The scenery was beautiful, vast African savannah! Mainly tarmacked road but got stopped at umpteen checkpoints, but that’s Africa for you. I was so impressed by our driver who calmly navigated the last 30km of dirt road.

After a quick settle in and shower (much appreciated!) we were whisked off for a sunset cruise down the Zambezi River. The most civilised thing I’ve ever done! We sat on the top deck, the sun was shining and we had drinks and nibbles. There were plenty of hippos, exotic birds and crocs (apparently we were told that there is a crocodile for every 5 metres of water, can you believe it!)    

Today started off eventfully as I lay awake listening to things crawl about in the thatch roof of the lodge (it doesn’t bare thinking about!) Just as I wondered what was scurrying above my head my mosquito net came out of the ceiling, on top of me! My poor roomie awoke to find me trying to suppress the giggles as I balanced on my bed by torchlight trying to screw the hook back in. Not a pretty sight at that time in the morning, but hysterical all the same!

Anyway, in the morning we headed to Victoria Falls. After donning our lovely ponchos we headed through the forest park. The sheer size of the falls is just mind-blowing. The best bit (that really let you know you’re alive!) was walking across a footbridge over the gorge. As you walked across you are immediately soaked as it felt like you’d stepped into torrential rain, crazy!

We then headed to the other side and saw the Victoria Falls Bridge before awkwardly bumping into a guy skinny dipping in the Zambezi. Whatever floats your boat! We then headed back out to the market but not before being stopped in our tracks by a few huge baboons that seem to have free reign of the place. Anyway, next we were swept off to the country club which was so upmarket!

Afterward a lovely lunch was the safari. Our guide picked us up  before we headed out of the town on the open sided safari bus. A classic African experience as we saw zebra, giraffe, buffalo, wildebeest, wart hogs, impala and of course the highlight, the elephants! After such a packed day we headed back to the lodge just after sunset to freshen up before going out to a lovely restaurant. It was really special just to spend time, enjoying the company of the team. I can’t quite believe that we didn’t know each other until last week. When you live like this you get to know everyone so well and have such a laugh, alongside the challenges of each day.  

 

Tuesday 13th July 2010

It was sad to say 'goodbye' to the builders and the local kids today as it was our last session at the site. But we were able to play some games and leave some balloons behind which was lovely.

Afterwards, we headed to the Kumbayah Centre to help with a feeding programme. We were mobbed by hundreds of kids on arrival! It was so overwhelming to see them running down the street to us like a stampede. Such an impoverish area, much like where we have been building. The shock of seeing people live like this is never really dulled.

When we arrived the sun was beating down, but the feeding centre volunteers played their African drums and danced for us.  The kids then did a poetry recital and drama also. What an honour!

At this point it was degenerating into a ‘Lost in Translation’ feeling as everything was in the local language which left us completely clueless. We just clapped, waved and danced as appropriate!

After being hustled into two tiny classrooms we began the food distribution. About 70 of the tiniest kids were squeezed into there to eat so that they didn’t get trampled in the crush. It was total mayhem as big pots of Nshima merrily cooked at the back of the room. There was only one door meaning there were riots as kids begged to be fed. It was heart-breaking.

Our team leader stepped in as crowd control as locals began using sticks to hold the kids back. I couldn’t get over the desperation on their faces as they tried to grab the food through the bars at the windows. The hardest thing of all is that there wasn’t enough food to go round so some kids were turned away. It was really hard stuff to deal with. I will never forget the desperation I saw today; to see what it really means to be hungry.

 

Monday 12th July 2010

This morning for me was the emotional climax of the visits that Mission Direct had prepared. We picked up the leaders from 'Fountain of Hope' and accompanied them on their daily street outreach.

I can't even begin to verbalise the downtown city markets where we met with the street kids. They were sat on top of huge rubbish piles with flies everywhere. It stunk of fish as some people were sat in the dirt trying to sell these tiny fish. Although most of the boys we met were in their mid-teens, they had the faces of old men. They were so filthy, covered in a dense grim from not washing for so long. Most were high on ‘sticka’ which they sniff from bottles or cloths. They were so spaced out with vacant eyes and not walking straight. Some spoke English, others didn’t.

Our team looked out for each other as we manoeuvred through crowds and dodgy bridges over dirty water and rubbish. The four guys from FOH who were brillaint at looking after us. It was quite a threatening environment and I was surprised how relaxed I felt. I never felt unsafe and once you realise that kids are just kids you can do your best to chat with them and try to encourage them to go to FOH to receive some help.

A couple of the team stayed on the bus when we went out on the street, so once we’d finished, we re-grouped and drove to the building site. We have now filled in the foundations ready for the next team who will do the concrete floor and start building the walls. It was probably the most physically challenging afternoon so far. We were all starting to flag a bit as the temperature crept up. It is now nearer to 30°C, yet the locals are still in their winter attire as it is the middle of the Zambian winter!

    

Sunday 11th July 2010

‘Fountain of Life’ Church this morning. There was a roof and walls but no windows, but that certainly didnt' dampen the mood! Such a unique experience in a very deprived area. The service was very long, like any African service, but we got another dose of incredible choir singing. The vuvuzela in the praise team was definitely a surprise but it is the World Cup final today after all!

After refreshments (Coke, Fanta or Sprite from authentic glass bottles) we went straight to Old Macdonald’s Farm. Owned by a Scottish couple who had moved to Zambia originally on business, I was overwhelmed with awe for such an amazing place. The farm grows vegetables and coffee as well as nurturing its livestock and fish pond.

After moving to the Ex-pat community of Lusaka, the family quickly became involved in the lives of the boys living on the streets and began taking food to them. The first boy that they adopted had fallen ill and after they nursed him back to health, they didn’t feel they could send him back to the streets! Before long they began opening their house to the boys for a Sunday lunch club. There are now over 25 boys living on the farm. 

They stressed that the farm isn’t an orphanage, but a family, and you can really see the love shared between them all. It was interesting to see what life is like for Ex-pats living in Zambia. They also have two biological daughters who said how much they had loved growing up in Zambia. What an inspirational family!

Saturday 10th July 2010

After yesterday's time spent with the home care volunteers it was lovely to see some more of the work that they are doing in the community today.

In addition to the weekly visits to the sick in the community, they also run a monthly clinic, which happened to fall today. The volunteers had such limited facilities but at least they had four qualified doctors visting from the local hospital. Eye tests were carried out, check-ups were also offered, along with dispensing some basic medicine. The 8 year old HIV positive girl we visited yesterday was there for her check-up, and came up to me with a big beam on her face. She is feeling much better today and her temperature has gone down.

The contrast was this afternoon's visit to the shopping centre. Very surreal to be suddenly aware of western familiarites for the first time since we arrived in Zambia. There was a cinema, Spar and Subway, but the context was far from the high street back home. I was pleased to be able to go to the internet cafe and send an email home.To complete the shopping trip, Zambian stamps, newspaper and of course a postcard were bought!

The day finished nicely with ‘Bangers n Mash’ (not very African but still very welcomed!) and then worship with the praise group from ECZ Church. Finally, we rehearsed for our singing slot in the service tomorrow; one word....hysterical! We simply don’t have the musical capabilities of the Zambians and don’t get me started on attempting to choreograph swaying as a group!

 

Friday 9th July 2010

As with everything here, each new day brings new challenges but also new blessings. I didn’t quite know how I’d cope with the home care visits. We accompanyed the local volunteers on their visits to the sick in the community. The first two houses we visited were home to families caring for HIV positive relatives, one of whom was only 8 years old and being cared for by her mother’s cousin, since her mother’s death. In the second house there were 16 people living under one roof, with only one regular income. Suddenly poverty has faces, names and stories.

I found the final visit particularly poignant as you simply feel so helpless. The gentleman that we visited had been an accountant and there were English management books on the shelf. You could tell he was once a very able man, but three years ago he had a stroke which left him with paralyzed legs. He was so frail and skeletal with the thinnest legs I have ever seen. His wheelchair wasn’t at all padded, had part of an arm missing and the tyres had seen better days.

Having worked as an assistant to a disabled woman back home, to see the lack of support he receives was just heart-breaking. The pressure on his wife is huge as she is also a teacher so can't be with him in the day. He enjoys reading but lacks stimulation as he is housebound since the stroke. He tries to go to the clinic when he can, but sometimes they simply can’t afford the taxi fare. His chair can't be used outside as the rocks, rubbish and dust forming the streets make it so uneven.

We were able to leave some blankets and Nshima (local maize staple) mix today, but only as Mission Direct  had paid for it. The fact that the home based care volunteers are regularly visiting these people who are so isolated from the community, is really encouraging.  

On a lighter note, the tailor came back with my dress this afternoon. He has worked wonders and I feel really privileged to have had something specially made. I have also now fathomed how to tie my Chatenga (a wrap-round skirt that all local women wear) and the Zambian’s are thrilled that we are making an effort to blend in with them. Unfortunatly, I don't quite the same blending in skills when it comes to carrying washing on my head as the local ladies do with such ease!

 

Thursday 8th July 2010

This really is the best thing that has ever happened to me and it's so hard to express emotion this rich on paper! This morning the guys went to the building site and the girls went to a Maid Training Centre. We were able to give out some wool and dress patterns from the UK and it was such a special moment to pass on such appreciated gifts.

We spent most of the morning knitting with the ladies, which is just what we needed after such a busy few days! The tailor then came back to the compound and had sewn my dress. He has a few adjustments to make and then it’ll be done!

We then had a prep meeting for the home care visits we are doing tomorrow. The team of local volunteers support those in the community who are ill and we will be accompanying them on their rounds. I spoke at length to one local volunteer who was so passionate about his country and told me all about the problems facing Zambians, including flooding and the copper market collapse. I wish I could listen to him talk for 3 hours every Tuesday morning rather than my current social development lecturer! So much better to hear it from the people whose lives are directly impacted.  

I am so overwhelmed with the love we have in this team. We seem to be growing so close now and all reserve has been replaced by banter and laughter! I am leading our morning devotion tomorrow and this closeness has inspired me to explore Romans 12. After our discussion this morning on the protection of Christ’s love being like that of an eagle's wing (linked in well to the eagle on the Zambian flag) I hope tomorrows message can be as useful to the group.

Wednesday 7th July 2010

I literally can’t begin to put into words the emotional rollercoaster which was today.

Walking through the ramshackle housing to the building site still doesn't get any easier. There is always something to stop you in your tracks. Today the kids were waving at us and I was waving to one boy and couldn’t work out what he was waving back at me. As we got closer I saw he was dangling dead mice by their tails! Mind you, if there are no toys available, the kids just learn to play with whatever is to hand.

It was warmer today but we still made good progress on the foundations. After lunch we drove to ‘Fountain of Hope’ (FOH). What an incredible place! The journey itself took longer than expected as the President’s convoy passed and the police stopped all the traffic. We went through a different part of the city and it was a shock to see western looking buildings and tarmacked car parks with painted bays! It's funny the things that strike you most are things you've never really considered before. Car park bays in this case!

After each introducing ourselves to the boys (90% of Zambia's street kids are boys), we were left to mingle. I ended up playing volleyball with some of them and the most eccentric teacher. As the sun set we headed to the dining room where the boys sang the most incredible songs and our team, as expected also, (less tunefully, but in good heart) sang a couple. The energy in that room blew me away and by the end of the night I was as hoarse as if I’d been to a gig!  Such a party atmosphere and many boys spoke and cried so openly as they shared their stories.  

We then shared Nshima (local staple maize mash) and cabbage before shaking hands with every boy as they thanked and hugged us all; such a special moment. I was so moved in fact that I sobbed most of the way home. Such beautiful moments of connection with people from such a different world to my own. This has been one of the most special nights of my life.

Tuesday 6th July 2010

This morning we visited a vocational training centre; another place of real positivity. There was a joinery workshop where the guys were making beautiful furniture, often used in schools. In the next room the ladies were sewing and knitting, both to clothe their own families, and also to provide school uniforms. One of them let me have a go on the knitting machine. It’s exciting to think that somewhere a child will be wearing a jumper for school with my 91 lines of knitting!

After lunch we went back to the building site. Today we were filling in the blocks which are making up the foundations. After yesterday’s block shifting, my arms were thankful for less heavy work! Still the temperature is so pleasant for working in and the local builders seem to be enjoying having the extra help.   

Many of the same kids as yesterday came to see us. There was one little boy who wears a full pumpkin costume! Clearly it’s been donated, but he seems just happy that it fits.

Finally, we had dinner with two of the team from the ‘Fountain of Hope’ Centre. I could have listened to them talk all night, as they shared their incredible stories. They were once living on the streets, but have turned their lives around and now run the centre which helped them off the street. After how moving tonight was, I hope I have the right words to say to encourage the boys we meet tomorrow on our visit.

In true African style we’ve had our first power cut tonight so I best leave it there…

Monday 5th July 2010

Today was our first project visit; ‘House of Moses’. It's a centre for abandoned babies and the most uplifting and inspirational place. Unloved babies, born into such harsh situations, are now receiving a second chance. Sobering stuff, yet such a place of hope!

We then drove to our building site for the next fortnight; parking the minibus and walking to the site of the new school. The first glimpse of horrific poverty really takes your breath away. Rubbish on the street, children with no shoes and dirty faces, women sat round precariously balanced fires. Yet they all have wonderful smiles and waves.

We are the first team of five travelling with Mission Direct from the UK this summer to work on the school building project. Therefore, our role is to lay the foundations. So we spent most of the time today shifting the breeze blocks and positioning them (under the instructions of the local builders!). Hard work, but as a team you could see the progress.

Many kids came out of the woodwork looking for love and attention so some of the team did ‘Ring-a-Ring-a-Roses’ and ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’ which went down well. Action songs seem to overcome the language barrier and it just shows the power of music to connect people.

Such a treat in store when we got back, as the local tailor visited to measure everyone for their African clothes. Such colourful fabrics to pick from! I can’t wait to see the results.

Sunday 4th July 2010

I’m sat here under a huge mosquito net which took ½ hour work out how to put up! We finally made it to our Chamba Valley at 4am and are staying in basic bungalows owned by the Evangelical Church of Zambia (ECZ). After a few hours shut-eye we were up and about this morning for church. The choir sounded beautiful, Africans have such an innate rhythm! I was really surprised to hear them singing songs that we sing back home in the UK; small world or what!

Afterwards, we walked to Kiine School where the headteacher shared his vision for educating 1,000 children. I was surprised how cool it was today and I was too much of a wuss to go in the pool, although a couple of the team braved the cold and had a dip!

It was great to then have a proper sit-down, home-cooked meal after what felt like days of plane-food and nibbles! I was curious as to what we would be eating here in Zambia but we had a lovely bean casserole and rice with loads of butternut squash. I needn’t have worried!

Sunday 4th July 2010 (just!)

Well, we are on the third and final flight to Lusaka, Zambia. I can’t get over the fact that people see the world as such a small place and it’s amazing to think people are doing epic journeys like this every single day. Hearing people’s stories on the plane is an inspiration.  On the last flight (Nairobi to Lilongwe) I sat with a couple from Texas who have been in Malawi for 8 years building and establishing orphanages. He had such trust in God’s plan for him and had resigned from a position as a hospital executive to do this voluntary work- incredible!

Having never done a long haul journey before, I wasn’t quite sure what it would be like but on the first flight (9 hours) the plane was comfy and really spacious. I watched ‘Dear John’ and not surprisingly discovered that the book was better than the film! Despite such a long day the team is still in good spirits. There are 15 of us from the UK, ranging in age from 14 to late 60s. We are just taking off and climbing above Lilongwe but we can’t see much out of the window as it’s dark and apparently only 6% of the housing has electricity, so no lights!

New Beginnings

Some people like to keep diaries, I'm not naturally such a person. However, when travelling I make an exception.

The other day I stumbled across a diary that I kept for two weeks, documenting my time spent on a Mission Direct  trip to Zambia in 2010. As someone who has spent most of my holidays in a much-loved caravan in the English countryside, I felt it was important to record on paper such a unique experience.

This was also the beginning of quite a journey for me, as now 3 years on, I'm sat in the Mission Direct office, working full time for the charity. I could never have dreamt of the domino effect that signing up for that trip 3 years ago would have had.

So, over the next couple of weeks, I'm going to share with you the daily anecdotes, thoughts and experiences of a newbie to overseas mission. If you're thinking about coming on a trip, this is a taster of my journey. Welcome aboard...