Things I learned in Zambia...

I kept a few word documents during my time in Macha - people I met, places I went, things I did, and things I learned. Here are a few of the things I learned in Zambia and that I continue to learn as I am back in the States...

• That the people in Macha are some of the nicest, most friendly people you will ever meet.
• They love soccer. The World Cup was a BIG deal.

• That the women are so strong - they do a ton of work, carry water/other things on their heads (without hands... I haven't quite got it down yet), take care of children, and cook. And let me tell you... cooking is hard work. It is really hard to stir that nshima.

• Some of the people there get really excited when you speak Tonga to them! 
• It's totally acceptable to ask for things. It's also totally acceptable to say no in their culture.
• Some people go to traditional healers to be treated.
• That people will give you a "push" when you are leaving there home. Sometimes that means walking you most of the way back to your home.
• Work, life, and home collide in their culture.
• That it's okay to be late - totally expected. If something is supposed to start at 3 - maybe don't show up till around 4. And it's great.
• You can make a ton of foods that don't come from a box! I know it's a crazy idea... but it's true. Thanks for the cooking lessons/recipes Cor :)
• God is the only one you can depend on. 
• Zambian weddings are full of energy and dancing!

• There are mini dust storms/tornadoes all the time - it's best to shut your eyes during these.

• It's normal to see young kids taking care of/carrying around younger siblings. And their parents may not know where there are... definitely different than the States.
• Cows are fun to chase out of the fence. Not necessarily after they have already eaten the whole garden though...
• And going off of that... if you ever live in Zambia, keep your gate shut if you have a garden. The cows really seem to enjoy the fresh veggies :)

• Children here are sometimes named based off of something that happened/circumstances of their birth.
• Sometimes they run out of resources at the hospital and there is nothing you can do about it. 
• They also have to overlook maintenance things on some occasions because they would rather use the money for medicines.
• School sports/teams have completely different structures - but the athletes still need to hear the same things, be motivated, be coached, and be loved.
• Life here in Zambia, in "Africa" isn't really like all the stereotypes we hold here in the States. Yes, they live differently than us. They are "poor" in our eyes. But it is their life that they have always lived and known. Their lives aren't that much different than ours.
• Death is handled differently in Zambia than in the States.
• There is no ICU in the Macha Hospital.
• There are MRI machines in every hospital here in the States, but there are only two or three in Zambia.
• That it is hard work to dig out a fire pit through that clay.

• You can learn to sleep through anything - the World Cup games with people yelling, early morning visitors, and of course, little sisters :)
• That it is really really hard to put this experience into words.
• That short-term trips are so so important for long term partners - these groups that come over bring an energy that long-term missionaries can't bring to the table every day.

• Living in a culture for a few months, or longer, is so different from just visiting one.
• That our culture here in the States is so much more fast-paced and entertainment driven - while the culture in Zambia is quiet and slow in the best possible way. There are less distractions.
• Transition is hard. Going there and coming back.
• When you take ownership of something, it makes you really want to share it with others.
• Sweet bananas are the best.
• Malaria has been reduced dramatically because of the work of the Macha Hospital and the malaria research.
• You can really get used to life in a new place after a few months.
• I am legitimately scared of baboons. And I will probably never go back to Victoria Falls.

• God places people in your life that are there in His perfect timing.
• Mosquito bites - especially 35 on your legs - really really itch.
• Computers will shock you when they are charging - unless you are wearing shoes! Eric conveniently shared that last bit of information with me the week before I left Zambia...
• It's hard to say goodbye to people when you don't know when or if you will see them again.
• The difference between life in Macha and Livingstone (more city-like) is huge.
• You can get attached to little sisters really easily.

• You greet everybody. Always.
• It's easy to take things for granted here in the US - car/bus rides to school, air conditioning, heat...
• Zambia went through apartheid too.
• High Tea at the Royal Livingstone is amazing.
• Reverse culture shock is a real thing.
• It's really hard to say goodbye to people that have become your family for three months. And it is really hard to say goodbye to a place that has become your home for three months.