Ashley in Africa

So if you know me you know that I’m really obsessed with facebook.  Mainly because I had the many hours to spend on there.  So as I’ve transitioned, I’ve had many thoughts come across that are perfect facebook status thoughts (or so I think).  So I’ve listed some below, starting with my flights from the States.   I think it might give you a better idea of what is going on with me!

But before that, I have to say that God is teaching me so much right now.  There has been so much transition, but the people of Zambia are so friendly and welcoming and helpful.  I am starting to make a few friends, and for that I’m thankful!  And I’ve also met another missionary family and they have been incredible in helping me get more settled here.  God is providing everything that I need – from the physical to the emotional to the spiritual.  I love seeing him prove His faithfulness!

Ashley Smith…..

…is stuck by the window with two guys who are conked out and she can’t get up to pee.

…is about to throw up.  Continuously.

…’s emotions are an unbelievable rollercoaster.

…is pretty in love with London’s old buildings, fun places to see and walk around, and cool accents….not in love with the gross smokers or slightly different fashion trends.

…come on London!  It’s only October and you are already dressed in gray and black.  How dreadful and depressing.

…is sooooo over security and flying in general.

…hopes Ndola feels like a small town.  She’s kinda over cities.

…thinks traveling alone is really dreadful.  (and bc she’s in London likes to use that word.)

…didn’t even make it through her flights without spilling stuff on her shirt.  Fabulous.

…sees people in the airport and wonders if they are missionaries because of the way they are dressed…..

….is anti anti-malarial medicine.

…shoulda learned military time.

…thinks Heathrow’s airport is set up kinda weird.  And it’s so busy.  Soooo unlike KC or Tulsa.

…chose to keep the spider alive because he would eat the mosquitoes.

…just went swimming in Africa.  Good thing she brought her suit.  There seem to be plenty of opportunities for a nice chilly swim.

…now sleeps under a mosquito net.

…now goes to bed at 10 pm.  Or tries to.

…is deeply afraid of roaches.  Especially ones that are two to three inches long (yes, I know they can be bigger, but this is big enough for now.)

…is starting to look right before crossing the street.

…smells minty fresh b/c yes, she got burnt the second day in Ndola.  Even though she was only out a coupla hours…..yikes.  but only her shoulders, not her face.  She’s fascinated.

…hopes the minty fresh doesn’t attract mosquitos.

…has a night club across the street.  And now is looking forward to Friday and Saturday nights.  Not.

…is officially living in Ndola on her own.

…is learning about culture.  Even if ya know it, you can still forget it when it comes to living it out.

…is getting brave and walks around the house without shoes on.  Until another cockroach appears.

…was told to never go out at night.  So her first night alone in Ndola, she got home way after dark so braved the dirt paths with no light.  But at least she wasn’t alone.

…just called Ndola home!

…will not have clean feet for longer than five seconds for the next year.

…is reading.  A lot.  Send her books.

…now journals every night.

…is being humbled.  But God is doing great things in her because of it.

…is weak.  But glad He is strong.

…is overwhelmed by the Internet.

…lives hour by hour.  More than that freaks her out.

…always takes cold showers now.

…has a Chaco tan after a day.  And it’s not dirt.

…doesn’t like the fish smell that comes with her water and cooker.  Makes it hard to eat.

…would not make a good Zambian wife.  She really is lazy when it comes to cleaning and cooking.  Bring on the PB&J!!

…is truly humbled by the youth in Zambia.

…is so full of weaknesses.

…loves the encouragement God sends through what may seem random because He knows we need it.

…is learning.  So much.  About life.  Love.  Zambia.  God.  It’s so good.

…is adapting.  And learning what juice to not buy in Zambia!

…is not liking hot season number two.  One a year is enough.

…is glad she likes reading.

…lives in a home.  By herself.  Wow!  It only took me moving to Africa!  (Tammy does that mean I’m allowed to adopt now?!?!)

…is still jumpy because of lizards.  But not freaked out like with the roaches.

…wants a latte from the café very badly.

…had forgotten the intensity of the sun in Africa.  Fry skin fry.

…now has hot water!

…is not feeling ready to cook quite yet.

…is translating.  Even if it is from English to English.

…is gonna watch a movie.  Yay!

…thank you chacos for hurting my feet.

…the youth were allowed two questions upon my introduction.  #1.  How old are you?  #2.  Are you married?….Of course I’m married.  He was perfectly okay with me leaving him in America for a year….

…a mixture of Indian fireworks and African night club.  She can feel the booms and the bass.

…can hear the fireworks but not really see them.

…is pondering the reason why when she hears the fireworks she thinks she MUST watch them even if she doesn’t really want to go outside.  It’s like passing up an once in a lifetime opportunity feeling.  Weird.

…thinks maybe church in Africa isn’t so bad – she actually followed the sermon today and it had some solid meat to it.

…is gonna be a preacher.  Whether she likes it or not.

…will try not to preach and rather integrate discussion.  We’ll see how Africans respond to that.

…thinks the Wegener’s are just heavenly.  A place to wash AND dry my clothes?!??

…’s third encounter with the roach went better.  She didn’t jump or freak out at all.

…noticed how the lights get dimmer at night – especially if every light is on in the house.

…has decided that regardless of who you really are – if you are an American in Zambia, you will be my new best friend.

…has experienced cry number two.

…thinks she might be ready to take on this week.  The week that has absolutely nothing planned in her schedule, yet she still feels overwhelmed.  Or bored.  Not sure.

…the nightclub still going on Sunday evening?  Really??

…made a fool of herself at church today.  Oh well.  The missionary motto:  Learn to laugh at yourself.

…still has a sunburn.  Colgate you fail me.

…now sees internet as “Work” and must have a list.

…thank you Harry Potter for making me feel at home.

…shoulda brought more flip flops.  One pair isn’t doing the job.

…leaves the lights on until the last possible moment to keep the roaches away.

…is deathly afraid of roaches it seems by the large amounts of thoughts they create.

…doesn’t like dogs in the States.  And definitely does not like them in Africa.

…is officially over jetlag and ready to sleep at 9 pm.  Wow.

…cooks on the floor.

…is tired of juice.  Not a good sign.

…scrubbed her bathroom today.  Now it doesn’t feel so grimy.  But she still will always wear shoes in it.

…is not so overwhelmed with cooking anymore.  Maybe she’ll try something more than noodles tonight.

…is feeling more at home.  And sees potential friends.

…had wisdom shared with her today – “Friends are the people God puts around you.”

…found boneless chicken breasts today!  Wow!  That will be for sure in my budget!

…just heard the “alarm.”  Sounds like a power tool.  What will I do if I hear it and it’s for real?  Good question.  Huddle on my bed and pray.

…is trying to convince herself to do the workout video.

…did the workout video.  Thanks Billy Blanks.

…actually cooked a meal!  That was more than a sandwich or noodles!

…is thankful for God’s presence.  And knowing exactly what I need.  At the exact moment.

…is feeling more confident in her home.

…is wondering….if I can’t remember what day I left the States does that mean I’ve lost track of time already and have integrated into Africa?

…doesn’t have to use an alarm.

…wishes the States celebrated something for a whole month that had fireworks every night.

…is so thankful for garlic.  How did I ever live without you?

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