Mukinge

So, I know I said I would give you stories, but I figured it best to give you some background on where we went before I get into the stories. 

Above Photo from Wikipedia
Below is from http://wiki.machaworks.org/Communities/Mukinge

Mukinge is a small town-ish area in Kasempa, which is in the North- Western Province of Zambia. It consists mainly of a hospital, a few schools and some residential areas (and let's not forget the "Take-away" and the BOMA!).  It's interesting because, just like in America, people come from all different levels of wealth.  There are the homeowners who are educated, dressed well, and have careers and a few miles away, there are villages where they live houses like this....

The house we stayed in was HUGE.  It had five bedrooms.... and a SHOWER! We were thinking we would have to take baths instead of showers.  We had to boil the water before we drank it for fear of getting sick.  We also took malaria meds.. just in case!  

It was the dry season while we were there... that means no rain, no humidity, and very chilly mornings and nights.  Even though, we were grateful for our house, there was no heat, so we were very cold at night!  Thankfully, it was a full moon while we were there, so even though it got dark early, it didn't get pitch black while we were walking from place to place.

Zambia is 6 hours ahead of South Carolina/Ohio time.  This only made communication more difficult.  Internet is a rare commodity over there.  One of our team members had an international data plan on her phone, but it didn't always work.. even with a cell tower on the hill.

It is also not very easy to get to!  We flew into the city of Lusaka and then had to take a six-seater plane (aka puddle jumper) to the "air strip" in Kasempa! We could have taken a bus for 13 hours, instead of the plane, but that takes too long!

When our plane landed, people from the village came to the fence to see us.  It's their entertainment for the day.  We were also greeted by other missionaries... I was too nauseous from the flight to talk to them though!

More to come soon...

And so it goes...

Wow.  So for six days now I have been thinking about this darn blog... How am I supposed to write so that people want to read? How can I put 2 amazing, incredible weeks of Africa into words?  Well, I decided that instead of giving you the play-by-play of every little thing we did, I will just tell you stories.

Before I do, I would like to give a shout-out to my friend, Sarah, and my new friend, Haydn.  Sarah and Haydn were our official tour guides in London when we had our layover there.  They were super generous.  They took us on the train to what seemed like EVERY hotspot sight of London: Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, a pub, Buckingham Palace, the park, a coffee shop, a tourist shop... and just about every where else! They were the best.  Thank you so much, Sarah and Haydn!!

More posts to come...

No turning back now!

Ok.  Wow.  How to even express the emotions right now.  Stressed, stoked, nervous, excited, worried, curious, etc. etc. etc.


4 days until we leave!! I have started packing, but I am no where near close to being done!


So, Tuesday is the big day.  From MB, we go to Atlanta, from Atlanta overnight to London.  A friend of ours will show us around in London on Wednesday before we head to Lusaka to get in on Thursday. 




Here is the official itinerary:


Tues., July 5th    - 4:45pm Leave MB Spirit Airlines flight 403 to ATL (1.15 hour flight)

                       -Arrive in Atlanta, GA at 6:07

                       -9:15pm British Airways 226 to LHR (8 hour flight)

Wed., July 6th   -10:15am arrive in London, England

                       -In London for 9 hours touring

                       -7:10pm British Airways 255 to LUN (10.10 hour flight)

Thurs., July 7th  - 6:20am arrive in Lusaka, South Africa & fly to Mukinge, Zambia on a small plane

                        -Stay in Mukinge until July 15th

                       While on site we will:

                               -Probably do “entertainment” at the girl’s school.

                               -Attend 3 total church services.

                               -Work at the “elementary” school.

                               -Visit the orphanage & with missionaries.

Fri., July 15th –Leave Mukinge on the small plane and travel to Livingstone (3 hours)

                   -visit the falls & spend the night at Greentree Lodge

Sat., July 16th –go on safari in Botswana

Sun., July 17th –fly to Lusaka.

Sun., July 17th & Mon., July 18th- visit, tourism, eating & shopping

Tues., July 19th- 1:40pm South African Airways 63 to JNB (2.05 hour flight)

                      -3:45pm arrive in Johannesburg

                      -In Johannesburg for 5 hours

           -8:45pm British Airways 54 to LHR. (11 hour flight)

Wed., July 20th - 6:45am arrive in London

                       -In London for 8 hours 15 min

                       -3:00pm British Airways 227 to LHR (9.05 hours)

                       -7:05pm arrive in Atlanta

                       - Stay Over night in ATL

Thurs., July 21st – 10:30am Spirit Airlines flight 404 to Myrtle Beach

                       -Arrive in Myrtle Beach at 11:49 am




We need prayer for:
-Safe travel- We will be on many planes and have some long flights. We will also be flying on some very small planes.

-Health- We will be in some interesting areas, and eating interesting foods. We are excited, but can use prayers to make sure we are healthy because we do not have many days there, and we want to utilize all our time.

-Preparing Hearts- Pray that our hearts, and the hearts of those we will meet, are prepared for what God has in store for us.

-Family/friends at home- Although I am the only one in the group who does not have children, I do have a large family who will worry like crazy!




Here is a video that JJ found.  It is not Mukinge, but Mukinge is just like the video
YouTube Zambia Singing


Well, I better get off the computer and get moving! Lots to do!!  P.S. Happy Fourth of July!

Accommodations

WOW! JJ hooked us UP! 


Towards the end of our trip we will see Victoria Falls and then go to Botswana for a safari in Chobe National Park. 
We will be staying at this CUTE little place:


http://greentreelodgezambia.com/


Check it out... It's BEAUtiful!!!

DONE!

'tis finished!  I have officially raised enough money for the trip!  Thank you to everyone who contributed.  I am truly grateful!

Grandma bought me a bunch of skirts, so with airfare and wardrobe... all I need is an adapter for my hairdryer!!! :)

Getting closer...

We all have our money in for our flight TO Africa, now for the money while IN Zambia.... only $600 more for me... praying!!

Helen Keller once said....

I came across this quote today.  It was in a stack of papers from my "Valentine's Day" theme folder for school.  Not sure how it got there.... but it's pretty neat.


"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable." 


Helen Keller


It's totally fitting for what is going on my life, not only my trip to Africa, but doing the "Polar Plunge" today and what is to come for next year.  Funny how a quote like that could end up in a folder full of ideas of what to teach the kiddos for school. Hmmm...