Sunday, June 14, 2009
Home safe and sound
Hello everyone- I thought I would write a few concluding remarks and let everyone know that we are all home safe. The trip was a huge success and all of the team came home challenged by what we saw and renewed in our faith for our Good Lord Jesus and the mighty works he has done. Really all of the trip is summed up for me in Phil 2:1-2 that there is great encouragement in Jesus Christ and doing his work with other believers from all over the world. It was a privledge to serve with my fellow christian team mates from all over that US and my fellow Christian believers and friends in Zambia. TO God be all the glory for all that was done by our team while we were in Zambia. Thanks for all of the prayers and support it is truly priceless to have so much support.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Jessie's notes from Sunday
hi friends!!
or here in Mwandi, the language is Lozi, and they say "encha," which means "hello, thank you/you're welcome" all of the above. the last few days have been pretty busy, which is why I haven't been able to catch up until now; we would get to the end of the day and we would all absolutely exhausted. but it has been a really fun couple of days!!
- we put on an educational workshop for some of the local cattle farmers, some of which are actually in a dairy co-op together; which is a great encouragement for the community, the fact that they are all getting together to work with one another and learn from one another. they also have a great leader/person in charge, whose name is Mr. Samfumba - he was actually in a really bad car accident a while ago, but he's back to walking and doing just fine, which is a cool miracle he can share :) anyway, you could really tell that the farmers were excited about the workshop; they came in their collared shirts and ties, and even brought papers to take notes.
they were all super appreciative and just kept saying how thankful they were that all of us came to help them learn, so that was pretty awesome.. it was also a cool learning opportunity for me, because there are several diseases that are a primary concern here that are not even present in the US, such as "lumpy skin disease," which is caused by a pox virus (don't worry, it's not zoonotic) :)
- we've also had the opportunity over the past couple of days to serve at the local children's orphanage, which is called the OVC (which stands for Orphans and Vulnerable Children); it has been really fun, all of the kids LOVE getting their picture taken with the digital camera and then seeing their faces immediately after. there's even this one ham of a kid that flexes his muscles and totally cheezes in all of his pictures (but I was really sad to find out that he's HIV infected.. just one of the realities here in Africa, that so many times we take for granted in America). we were also fortunate enough to share a devotional time with them, which they sang some praise and worship songs to us in Lozi and in English, which was INCREDIBLE!!! they were just so into it, really shouting their songs to the point that the walls in the little room seemed to echo and shake.. it was just such an encouragement to see them so in love with Jesus, despite what we might look at as an unfortunate life and something to be pitied; but these kids were really filled with such joy :)
- Irene, Rose and Cecilia, the ladies who cook for us at the Simba house (the name of the house that we're staying at on the mission) are absolutely wonderful; I have not had something yet that I do not like!! it's funny though; they definitely cater to us being american - we've had versions of hot dogs, grilled cheese, and pizza. but a couple of times they have cooked for us traditional Zambian foods, the main one being "nashima," which is kind of like a very bland corn meal solid mash; you eat it with your hands (which is SO much fun!!), form it into bite-site balls, and eat with some greens, sauce, whatever.. it was really really good!! we ate it with oxtail, greens, and sweet tea one night, and I definitely felt like I was having a Zambian version of a meal from the South..
- we also got to meet the Chief of Mwandi, which was a huge honor; he has a "palace" build near the edge of the village by the river (I put that in quotations because it would never be viewed as a palace in the US, it would actually fall into middle-class suburbia quite well; but here it is such a luxury to have a complete roof and complete walls in your home) and he was a wonderful man; spoke incredible english, and seemed to be quite humble. I definitely did not expect him to come out in a camo jacket and ski beanie (shows how much I'm learning on this trip and how truly culturally ignorant we can be as Americans)
- over the next few days we are starting our rabies campaign in the village, trying to vaccinate as many dogs as we can while we're here; although it will barely dent the population of stray dogs here that are most likely not vaccinated, hopefully something more than nothing will be helpful to these people. it is very questionable though how the people here may respond; unlike the US, dogs here are NOT viewed as pets. in fact, the simple premise that we are wanting to work on their dogs is silly enough to them that it elicits laughter!! however the people here do understand the reality and severity of rabies disease, so hopefully that will be motivation enough to bring some of their dogs over the next few days.
a few other little highlights:
- we got to drive in the back of a pick-up through the African bush to get to some of the cattle corrals; it was one of the times that it really hit me that we are in Africa (crazy, I know..)
- we got to go to a local church service this morning!! (about three hours) with tons of praise and worship from the choir in Lozi and in English, all a capella with some African drums; as one of the vets here - Sara Louise - puts it, there are few more beautiful sounds that African voices all singing together..
- today we had the privilege to go on a canoe ride down a tributary of the Zambezi river; it was so peaceful and beautiful, God's wonder and creation was really evident to me :) it was also cool to be between two countries, as Zambia is on one side and Namibia is on the other. we also saw a lilac breasted roller, one of the most colorful birds I've ever seen in my life, which is only found in Africa (you should google it; it's really really pretty)
thanks for reading :) ya'lls prayers are really appreciated!!
In Him -
Jessie
or here in Mwandi, the language is Lozi, and they say "encha," which means "hello, thank you/you're welcome" all of the above. the last few days have been pretty busy, which is why I haven't been able to catch up until now; we would get to the end of the day and we would all absolutely exhausted. but it has been a really fun couple of days!!
- we put on an educational workshop for some of the local cattle farmers, some of which are actually in a dairy co-op together; which is a great encouragement for the community, the fact that they are all getting together to work with one another and learn from one another. they also have a great leader/person in charge, whose name is Mr. Samfumba - he was actually in a really bad car accident a while ago, but he's back to walking and doing just fine, which is a cool miracle he can share :) anyway, you could really tell that the farmers were excited about the workshop; they came in their collared shirts and ties, and even brought papers to take notes.
they were all super appreciative and just kept saying how thankful they were that all of us came to help them learn, so that was pretty awesome.. it was also a cool learning opportunity for me, because there are several diseases that are a primary concern here that are not even present in the US, such as "lumpy skin disease," which is caused by a pox virus (don't worry, it's not zoonotic) :)
- we've also had the opportunity over the past couple of days to serve at the local children's orphanage, which is called the OVC (which stands for Orphans and Vulnerable Children); it has been really fun, all of the kids LOVE getting their picture taken with the digital camera and then seeing their faces immediately after. there's even this one ham of a kid that flexes his muscles and totally cheezes in all of his pictures (but I was really sad to find out that he's HIV infected.. just one of the realities here in Africa, that so many times we take for granted in America). we were also fortunate enough to share a devotional time with them, which they sang some praise and worship songs to us in Lozi and in English, which was INCREDIBLE!!! they were just so into it, really shouting their songs to the point that the walls in the little room seemed to echo and shake.. it was just such an encouragement to see them so in love with Jesus, despite what we might look at as an unfortunate life and something to be pitied; but these kids were really filled with such joy :)
- Irene, Rose and Cecilia, the ladies who cook for us at the Simba house (the name of the house that we're staying at on the mission) are absolutely wonderful; I have not had something yet that I do not like!! it's funny though; they definitely cater to us being american - we've had versions of hot dogs, grilled cheese, and pizza. but a couple of times they have cooked for us traditional Zambian foods, the main one being "nashima," which is kind of like a very bland corn meal solid mash; you eat it with your hands (which is SO much fun!!), form it into bite-site balls, and eat with some greens, sauce, whatever.. it was really really good!! we ate it with oxtail, greens, and sweet tea one night, and I definitely felt like I was having a Zambian version of a meal from the South..
- we also got to meet the Chief of Mwandi, which was a huge honor; he has a "palace" build near the edge of the village by the river (I put that in quotations because it would never be viewed as a palace in the US, it would actually fall into middle-class suburbia quite well; but here it is such a luxury to have a complete roof and complete walls in your home) and he was a wonderful man; spoke incredible english, and seemed to be quite humble. I definitely did not expect him to come out in a camo jacket and ski beanie (shows how much I'm learning on this trip and how truly culturally ignorant we can be as Americans)
- over the next few days we are starting our rabies campaign in the village, trying to vaccinate as many dogs as we can while we're here; although it will barely dent the population of stray dogs here that are most likely not vaccinated, hopefully something more than nothing will be helpful to these people. it is very questionable though how the people here may respond; unlike the US, dogs here are NOT viewed as pets. in fact, the simple premise that we are wanting to work on their dogs is silly enough to them that it elicits laughter!! however the people here do understand the reality and severity of rabies disease, so hopefully that will be motivation enough to bring some of their dogs over the next few days.
a few other little highlights:
- we got to drive in the back of a pick-up through the African bush to get to some of the cattle corrals; it was one of the times that it really hit me that we are in Africa (crazy, I know..)
- we got to go to a local church service this morning!! (about three hours) with tons of praise and worship from the choir in Lozi and in English, all a capella with some African drums; as one of the vets here - Sara Louise - puts it, there are few more beautiful sounds that African voices all singing together..
- today we had the privilege to go on a canoe ride down a tributary of the Zambezi river; it was so peaceful and beautiful, God's wonder and creation was really evident to me :) it was also cool to be between two countries, as Zambia is on one side and Namibia is on the other. we also saw a lilac breasted roller, one of the most colorful birds I've ever seen in my life, which is only found in Africa (you should google it; it's really really pretty)
thanks for reading :) ya'lls prayers are really appreciated!!
In Him -
Jessie
doggie day
Today we started vaccinating for Rabies and saw both cats and dogs. The people were very good at working with us and were thankful for out work. The children were very interested in us and what we were doing. I played hop skotch and duck duck goose with the children(30-50 were ROUND US AT DIFFERENT TIMES) and shared our Bible story cube with them and that was fun. I woke up sick this morning so that is no good but I am still able to work so please pray for me to get better. One more big day of work tomorrow so excited. LThanks love- Kathy
Friday, June 5, 2009
Laughter
Today was filled with laughter and fun. From our time at breakfast until our time of going to bed tonigh we laughing so much fun.Laughter I have decided is like love and it is the universal language. With all the people I interacted with today with whom spoke a different language then me or the same language we were all laughing so hard at things that we found funny and silly it is hard to describe. I laughed with people of all ages and races today and laughed so hard that my stomach hurts. So Praise be to our Good Lord Jesus that blessed us all with laughter I am still smiling with a great smile while I think of all the fun I had with our friends here in Zambia. We saw 1,000 cattle today and treated over 100 cattle and had quite the adventureous rodeo and had a great team effort everyone on the team worked so well together it is beautiful to see God at work amoung us. Much love I need to sleep please keep praying. love- Kathy LAUGH as much as you can. may God bless you as much today with laughter as I was blessed.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
We have been very busy working with all kinds of animals. We saw 40 cows to be treated yesterday and 25 goats and did surgeries on 3 dogs. Today we worked at the orphanage in the morning and prepared for a workshop in the afternoon. We ran an educational work shop with the cattle farmers and talked to them about preventitive medicine and animal husbandry issues. The farmers really enjoyed the workshop and were so happy and thankful for the class it was really great to see the smiles on there faces. I ran into a lot of the friends I made last year and had some very special moments today rejoicing in the relationships that God has blessed here in Zambia and the people who have shared God's love with me and I have shared God's great love with them it is so beautiful thanks be to our God Lord Jesus that brings blessings to us all. One of the people I got to see today was the vet officer that I worked with last year who was seriously injured in a car accident a praise be to the Lord a miracle has occured and he has healed and recoverd and is able to work with us. TOmorrow we will be going to a village outsie of Mwandi thatn has over one thousand cows to look at at least 75 that are sick so very busy. Please continue to pray for us, thank you for all the prayers so far lots of love- Kathy
Stephanie's notes about the trip so far
The house and food is awesome. The ladies that cook for us are so good and they are so kind. I am very spoiled here for this being a mission trip. They make our beds, food (3 meals a day), and do our laundry everyday. We even have a guard who stays outside all night!Yesterday we went to the Dairy place and kinda just looked at all the animals there was one lactating cow... There were several different herds and corrals all owned by different people but sharing the same land maybe like 10 acres. The terrain they live on is awful they dont get free choice water their taken to get watered only in the morning and evening. They dont get any concentrate and hardly any forage bc they are all sharing the same land. Its so sad. Today we went back this morning to work on all the cows who were either sick or injured. We did a few castrations, a lot of ivermectin and deworming. We did a mass removal, Preg checks,some vulva abscesses. There was one cow that aborted a few days ago and retained her placenta partially and so I got to insert this giant pessary pill into her vagina it was so stinky and gross. There were a few maggot filled wounds we cleaned up, couple ring worm casses, and some lameness exams. It was pretty busy we visted 5 different herds and only one of them had a chute the rest was definitely rodeo style. It was awesome though, especially to see how much these farmers really do love and care for their cows the best they can. It was neat to have them be like yeah this cow is feeling a little off out of a herd of like 30. They knew everything about every individual cow. Its just awesome to be like God is the same with us times 5 billion. He knows every hair on our head and its reassuring to know He is in control in Zambia otherwise it would be ten times more heartbreaking. It is so sad to think that my camera could buy dinner for a family for like a week. They need so much and we have so little to give. There needs are way beyond our reach but not God's. I just have to remind myself that Jesus promises He is all we truly need. So just keep praying He continues to work through us. I know the people here are so appreciative of everything we are doing and I hope they are able to see the love of Christ in us. I can feel God working on my heart more and more everyday and opening my eyes to the world beyond vet school and America. I wish everyone would go do a mission like this just to see how truly selfish we are as a country.One of the saddest things here is the children there are hundreds of orphans because they have lost their parents to HIV. 1 in 4 people here is HIV positive and its so awful. Just yesterday one of the other group memebers was volunteering at the hospital and he said there was an 18 month old boy the size of a 6 month old who was HIV+ and was too weak to even hold himself up. Its so frustrating to know he will never have a chance at life... The country is improving slightly they have more and more education programs and are now promoting abstinence instead of condoms as a preventative so God willing, the numbers should start to decrease in the next few years. Overall, this trip has been amazing so far the people I am with continue to impact my life as we are bonded more by this experience. The farmers and locals are awesome too and its great to see them want to better their animals. Its still hard to see them living in the conditions they are but its the best they can do. Thanks for reading please keep praying for all of us we hope you are also doing well.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
The Ball is rolling
WE are all here safe absolutely every piece of luggage arrived so praise God what a great thing to have all our donations and all of our team. I am doing pretty good, I am a little worried a few of us like me may be getting some kind of cold so pray this goes away.when I reflect on all that GOd is doing and all the we are able to do with the veterinary work it make me stand in Awe of the Lord and rejoice in the way he is using our group to bless the lives of these cattle men as we work with there catlle we treated many of there cows for disease problems today and I got to castrate a cow. THe vets that are with us a simply a perfect fir they are amzing teachers and know so much about working in Africa. Truly it is great to see where God has brought this project from the dream of it last year when I was here to the actual living out the dream this mission trip with this new team. We are getting up early ot work with the Dairy animals. PRay we can accomplish all the things that God has helped us plan with the people.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)