Chazanga Compound

The Chazanga compound is a compound that houses the Bwafwano group. This group gives in home community care to patients with HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis. Many of these patients are very sick, and the group is doing their best to give treatments to them. Upon driving into the compound a little girl was waiting for us at the corner. She screamed and was yelling and ran to the gates, where MANY other children were waiting for us with cheers. They chased after the bus, and were reaching for the bus. Words could not even express the happiness these children were expressing by our presence. It was such a warming feeling. At our arrival, we were introduced to the Bwafwano group, and told a bit about what they did, and then we were divided into groups to go visit some of the patients through out the compound. Our first patient was an old man--65 years old who had TB. He's been paralyzed for a number of years, and is unable to move. We sat in his tiny house--no bigger than my room at home, and visited him. His care takers were so loving--especially one who is a 70 year old cancer patient. It amazed me at his care-takers love and willingness to serve even though he too is suffering. We left him with a care kit, and a song:

Heavenly Father you are wonderful, 

you are marvelous, you are excellent.

We worship you Lord because you're wonderful, 

and we sing this song for you. 

He's got the whole world, in His hands,

He's got the whole world in HIs hands, 

He's got the whole world in His hands, 

He's got the whole world in His hands.

At the chorus of the song, Kathy (our group leader--also the founder of Mothers without Borders) changed the words to "He's got the you and me brother in His hands" At that moment, I felt so deeply connected to each of the individuals in that tiny room. Tears streamed down my face, and I felt our Heavenly Fathers love. It was so strong and powerful, that just recalling that moment makes me tear up.  

Our next patient was a little boy who is literally the bible definition of lame. He couldn't speak, nor walk. However, upon staring into his eyes--you could feel his warmth, love, and energy. His only way of communicating with his mother, is to bang his dinner plate on the floor. To go to the bathroom, he uses his arms to crawl outside to go. He did have a wheel chair that he had just received weeks before. It was so sad to see this young man--who was basically helpless, and to look at his mother--so patient and loving. The children who lived in the surrounding areas sat around and watched us. We said hello to them in Nyanja, and they giggled and laughed because we are so white. 

After our visits, we went back into the compound gates to play with the children. They played with my hair, and told me how pretty I was. They just wanted to be hugged, and held, and loved. We played sock ball, soccer, basketball, jumprope. I tried to play the drums but they laughed at me cause I am not very good!! 

After we played with the children, we went and gave cornmeal to 90 year old Takayla who takes care of her orphaned grandchildren event hough she too is sick. All the children who live nearby chased us into her yard and we played with them. Takayla is so full of compassion and strength. I LOVED meeting her. I am sad I forgot to take a picture. 

The children chasing us into Takayla's yard. 

House of Moses and University Teaching Hospital.

So... I know I have been absent for like a few months now... but I figure I NEED to finish documenting my amazing trip to Africa.... so here is the 2nd day in Zambia.

We went to a place called House of Moses. This is a home for children from infant age to 18 months. There were 2 rooms here. Upstairs was for the babies. As soon as they can sit up on their own, they are sent down to the room for the bigger babies. We started out in the room with the older babies. It was so depressing to see the rows and rows of cribs where these babies lay all day--if it weren't for volunteers like us, no one would be there to attend to every one of these children. They just have nurses who feed, bathe, and change them. They can't always be held. They immediately reached for us. I held one little boy the entire time we were in that room. He just placed his head on my shoulder and clung as tightly to me as he could. He had a solemn expression the entire time, and didn't ever smile or make a noise. I think he made one noise when it was time for me to go, and that warmed my heart. When it was time for us to go upstairs to see the infants--he did not want to let me go. I couldn't help but cry a little. Upstairs I held little baby Jacob. He was a happy and smiley little guy. After I held baby Mapala--who weighed maybe 4 pounds. She was SO TINY! She had the most perfect angelic face. When it was time go to our next location, the older babies cried and reached for us. It was a horrendous feeling--to know that you are leaving these children who just want to be loved. I'd do anything to take all those babies home and give them to great families. It saddens me that adoption is made so hard in places like this--when I know that there are so many good people out in the world who could provide a perfect home for these children who are in need.

(They asked that we not take pictures inside or of the children, so I snatched one off the internet...)

After house of Moses, we traveled on to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), which is supposedly the best hospital in the country--to their standards. It reminded me a lot of a 1920's war hospital. There were rows of beds, with very sick people in them. It was a very sad place to be. We started out in the NICU. Here, 3 nurses are in charge of 80 patients.There were babies the size of my palm laying in incubators struggling for life. I have never seen so many tiny babies struggling so hard to live. Some of them had signs on them that said "feed me, mom is sick" or "feed me mom died." Looking at all these struggling babies made me think of how strong they truly are. Some of them--only hours old--they must remember heaven. Yet here they are, struggling to live, and when they do live, their lives ahead won't be the easiest of times. We learned that in every 8 hour shift multiple babies die. It was SO hard. After the NICU, we got a tour of the hospital, and were told of all the improvements they were trying to make. We saw the patients, some who looked bad off.

(they asked us not to take pictures here, so again... one off the internet)

4th of July... in AFRICA.

I flew into Zambia on the 4th of July. When I made it through immigration, claimed my bag, and went through customs, I saw the Padovich's smiling faces. Needless to say... It was SUCH a relief to see a familiar face. They drove me to the mission home, and we had a yummy lunch. I then took a quick nap on the couch.

After, they drove me to meet with a lady named Kathy who is the CEO/founder of Mothers Without Borders. She told me a bit about her program and the type of service they did-- and that her team started the very next day, however it costed money. She also told me of a few other ways I could serve in Zambia. I wasn't sure what I would do at that point, but she told me to come with them on their first day because the place they were visiting would be a place I could volunteer at during my stay. We talked a little while longer, and she told me to go and think about what I wanted to do.

When we got back to the mission home, we celebrated the 4th of July by having a BBQ. It was me and all the Sr. Mission couples, and WOW were they so much fun!! We ate, had some dessert, and played a card game that I was not very good at. It was fun to be around loving and embracing people. My first night in Zambia, and I already felt at home.

Kenya.

My time in Kenya was short lived. Keep in mind I was SUPPOSE to be in Kenya for the entire two weeks. When I got to Kenya and went through the immigration line, my suitcase didn't make it to Nairobi. The workers at the Kenyan airport typed my baggage number into this outdated 1990s computer and said that my luggage never made it on the plane, and that it was still in London. When I walked outside the baggage claim, there was no one there from the organization to pick me up.... I called 3 different numbers that were given to me, and there was no answer. 3 hours later, someone finally called me, and I was picked up. After this, I was taken to a little hotel and dropped off where there were a few other volunteers. They just kinda left me for myself. At least I had some other volunteers to hang out with, and we had a good time with each other.

The next day, we had orientation, and I thought it would get a little better... nope... I was taken with 2 other girls to our placement... in the outskirts of a little town called Thika (keep in mind I was told I would be with several other volunteers). We were literally in the middle of nowhere... or as they say in Africa, out in the bush. They just dropped us off, and from there we were responsible for ourselves--even getting back to the airport at the end of our stay. The lady said we would be doing her housework and watching after her grandkids, and that when we went to the orphanage the children wouldn't be there. She also kept indicating that she wanted our money. Needless to say, none of this was what I saved up for... so LONG story short, I was able to get flown to Zambia to stay with the Padovich's who are currently serving their mission there. President Padovich is the mission president for the Zambia Lusaka mission. President Padovich contacted President Broadbent--over the Nairobi, Kenya mission and the Broadbent's took me in for a night and got me safely to the airport. I am SO grateful that the church is everywhere, and that everyone was so willing to help me out, it was SUCH a blessing to me.

volunteers at orientation

Kenya is so beautiful and green

I will NEVER complain about LA traffic again... ever.

London.

I originally didn't plan on leaving the airport during my layover, but then I realized it would be CRAZY to sit in an airport for 9 hours. I am so grateful that I decided to leave the airport since my flight arrangements home changed. I didn't see as much as I would have liked to, but a little is better than nothing!! London is BEAUTIFUL, and I definitely want to go back someday.

a real phone booth!!

London's dollar store

This is where I ate some lunch... I had some pasta which was SO tasty.