Ashley in Africa

So I want you to know that I am absolutely falling in love with this place and these people.  I am meeting friends and other Americans, and establishing a life here.  And it is only through God that I have made it thus far.  As I have read in Psalms this week, and continued to ponder….”Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory because of your love and faithfulness.”  How true that verse is.  Nothing has happened, or will happen because of me; rather it is all because of God.  So to Him be the glory!  He has proved His unending and deep love for me and proved His faithfulness once again.  How in awe of Him I am and more in love with Him everyday!

With that said, here are a few more facebook status thoughts.  It truly is the best way to give you a glimpse into my life here without a novel in an email.  I have edited this down some to just include most the new things I am learning.  So hopefully it doesn’t seem negative, but rather that I am truly a student to this new place!

…was told today that she needs help learning to clean the floors.

…these silly Africans.  You think I’m gonna polish my floors everyday?  You are crazy!

…is gonna go visiting.  Unannounced.  How un-American.

…learned to shake hands in Zambia.

…thinks it’s interesting that Zambians “sweep” the grass and the dirt driveway.  But it works!

…doesn’t understand why her ipod uses the time in America when the time in Africa is listed first.

…is trying to learn Bemba.  But it’s tough using your brain like that!

…had a skype date with her mom!  Yay.  But skype, you are failing me.  So many dropped calls!

…just made hot chocolate.  Who cares if she has to have the fan on to enjoy it?

…sat outside all morning and just read and prayed.  Wonderful.

…is hoping to meet more people.  And if all she does this year is hang out with them, she’s ok with that.

…does shower daily!  For all of you who were worried she wouldn’t…..

…and also cleans her chacos daily.  It’s so dusty here!

…hasn’t had meat in um…..a long time.  Too long to remember.  She just keeps forgetting to thaw the chicken ahead of time.  Cooking takes planning!  Wait, she does have ham for lunch some days, if lunchmeat counts as protein….

…is loving all this time with the Lord.  What a blessing!

…is supposed to be wrinkle free to follow the dress “code” in Zambia.  Ha.  Good thing she doesn’t have an iron so that can be her excuse!

…started a list of all her blessings.  What an encouragement!

…is really terrible about remembering the anti-malarial meds….Hope she doesn’t get it.

…has a mailing address!

…learned to polish and shine floors today.  Now the floor feels great….but for real, that was a lot of work.  I think I’ll hire a worker.

…fresh bread.  Yum!  I’ve got to get out more to get nice things like that.

…wow, how refreshing it is to have a made bed with lots of pillows!

…clean laundry.  Mmmm…

…is feeling comfy at home right now.

…likes this whole, two hour lunch/rest time.  Seriously America, you are missing out.

…now likes pears.

…’s closet is just a wooden rack next to her bed.  And there’s not a lot on it.  Wonder if she’ll get tired of the same clothes for a year….

…does feel better with a clean house….especially with guests arriving.

…is learning she can eat the same in Zambia as home.

…is thankful she doesn’t have a car to worry about putting petrol in during this fuel crisis.

…now uses the phrase “I think, maybe yes/no…” etc a lot.

…thinks those fireworks are directly over her house.  She can hear the whistle as they fly upwards, and yet still jumps when they explode.

…had lots of fun today with her new friends.  They used the word “crib” when talking about their home.  And said that the reason I have no lizards at home is because we ate them all and they no longer exist there….hm….They also used the phrase “TIA.”  I love it!  And they informed me of African time, and that I should not conform, but that I probably would, “they all do…”

…is getting into a routine.  Is that really possible?

…’s grammar is going downhill for sure.  Please bear with me and try and translate it correctly.

…is fascinated that when she goes for a walk she can observe young ladies wearing the latest fashion in America, or the traditional dress with chitenges.

…likes to think of her mosquito net as a canopy.

…had some pretty decent coffee tonight!

…has learned the meaning of culture fatigue.

…feels very out of date with world happenings, even though she never kept up while in America.

…had the same lady who told her walking would burn fat make sure she was eating today so she wouldn’t “slim down.”

…had her first Zambian meal…..hopefully she won’t be served that a lot or she’s gonna have some problems.  Not only was the food “different” eating with only one hand and no cutlery really got to her.

…is learning to guard her words with people she does not know.

…is confused how Obama was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

…homemade popcorn.  Yum!  Perfect for a movie night!

…is learning about the indirect communication way of Zambians.

…is learning that when you leave a conversation in Zambia, you might realize you didn’t really come to a conclusion or a plan of action.

…no longer screens phone calls.

…found an orphanage to volunteer with!

…is loving time spent with friends!  And they even bought her ice cream and gave her bananas!

…is a continual student when it comes to Zambia culture.

…is slightly perplexed by the fact that it is ok to pick your nose in public or do the farmer’s blow, but sneezing and blowing into a Kleenex are taboo.

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 9:45 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.