Crazy it is!

It has been months since I last 'blogged'.  I have traveled to Israel, to Dubai and Zambia, to Honduras and have landed home for now.  Whew, I am still feeling the movement of the adventures.  I have not had time to deprogram or look at my pictures, my journals need their entries and attention too.  I am still surfacing from all of this, a bit tired still, but when asked if I would do it all over again, a resounding "YES".

I want so much to share you the hundreds of things learned, emotions experienced and perspectives I came home with but not today.

Today's focus is heavy.  I am going to focus on how I am coping in this crazy world we are finding ourselves in.  If you have not noticed everything is spinning and chaotic.  My head spins and I want to land somewhere that is sane and feels normal.  Even as sit in my comfortable, inviting home I sense that all is not right out there.

The news of evil people randomly shooting police officers, it seems on a weekly basis.  The stock markets of the world are teetering toward failure.  The abortion mills harvesting baby parts for sale, making millions of dollars.  The American political candidates who want to be the world leader, 'talking trash' and acting like junior high students.  Refugee's looking for a place to live, their Muslim brotherhood radicals have run them out of their homes, they too are Muslim. If they are followers of Jesus they are not refugees, for the most part, they are dead. The refugee who was 'looking' for freedom and given freedom, brutally rapes a 7 year old little girl. Do we let Muslims into our country to be attacked further???? What is the answer?   It just does not end.

So why am choosing to write about this today, when there are stories to tell and adventures to write about?  Because in this Face Book, social media world it is too easy to be caught up watching the world that we do not involve ourselves in the world.   We look at what others have that we might want and we are certain that 'thing they have or do' is the answer to our longing.  We ignore the horrible things going on in the world because it is painful to think about and to think about 'what if this were me or my family?'.  We shut down because we feel we are just one person and what can we do?  I understand each of these emotions and thoughts.

So now what?  I go to only place I know to turn, God.  He is not a popular 'turn to' resort.  In fact those of us who are Christ Followers are mocked and marginalized as unworthy.  That is not a new trend, it is a trend throughout the ages.   If there is no God then there is no hope!  Man is really a mess and has no answers.   I rest in my knowledge of the one true God and there in is my hope! I leave you with this passage from the Bible.

 

Isaiah chapter 55: 6-11

  "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

    Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, 

    and he  will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. 

 

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.   As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 

When you are tired of doing well.

I have been home a little over a week from Zambia.  My sleep schedule has improved greatly, but this week, every day seemed like a Friday.  I will own I am still a bit off on my sense of time.   I responded to an email that had an issue needing to be addressed, stating I would get on it Monday.  I still had two work days in which to get the requested task done.  Monday...what in the world was I thinking?  (I did take care of the issue.)  

This Sixty Fifth Year blog, is for me a time to stay aware and engaged in all that is around me.  I long to be part of a change, a good change.  A change where a well is dug, and that well brings fresh water to a village of 800-1000 people. The well's clean water will improve their lives.  A change where I make others aware that they too can make a difference, even if they never travel the world.  A change where I encourage people to not settle for lesser goals because their main goal might be hard to achieve.  A change where I challenge those in our country who complain about a piece of meat,  served to them in a beautiful restaurant, that has not met their critical 'taste' standards, to be grateful for the meat! 

Why the title "When you are tired of doing well"?  Because I am!   I don't want to be.  I want to remain encouraged about the progress I saw in our little village of Lutendee.  I want to be encouraged by those here in my country who have decided to stop being so self absorbed and too give back.  I want to wake up tomorrow and have a sense of 'all is right in the world".

I leave a 3rd world country whose people are proud of their heritage, want to make life better for their children, but do not know how. I  come home to my country who has gone crazy.  People hate it, disdain it, they devalue all life but their own and they mock it.   The sad thing is that my African country was looking to our country for stability and hope. 

I am grateful for all of the adventures, misadventures, travel opportunities, interaction with people opportunities and life experiences that have come my way. The experiences and exposures have opened up my eyes to the world.   If I were to die tonight, I have been blessed above most. I am most grateful for my curiosity of life that permeates my soul and drives me to keep going.

So, what do you do when it is easier to quit, give up, worry, complain?  

 Keep going! 

 If you or if I  make a difference in just one persons life, we have blessed them in their hard journey. 

 Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.

Samuel Johnson 

 I live my life based upon The Bible.  I answer to a higher being than myself or  my government. I am called upon to give and to serve those in my realm of influence.  Yes, it is tiring.  Yes, it can be discouraging and seemingly futile.  However, as I head to my bed shortly, to rest this weary body, I know that tomorrow will bring to me opportunities to make a difference in the life of another human being.  I am not here to please man but to please my God.  

"Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.

So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith." Galatians (Bible) 6:7-10

The King

Note his chair and scepter.

My last blog post shared one aspect of my special opportunity to visit a king!  I have been fascinated with the whole protocol of kingship since my first visit on his property two years ago.  Two weeks ago on Saturday we were given the privilege of meeting him.

His name is Libosi Imwiko II.  He is part of the Lozi tribe a people, who migrated from the Congo several hundred years ago.  He is popular with his people though economic issue remain. 

The cultural traditions of his people have been maintained, for the good or the bad. (Perspective). 

The traditions are fascinating, foreign to me. Twice a year he moves.  During the rainy, summer season he lives in Mongu proper. (Photo below)  In the dry season he moves to the flood plain of the Zambzi River.

The regalia of him moving locations,  is festive and very expensive for the people, but they love it and hold on to this experience.  The king has one large canoe, his wife another!    We visited the grounds on the flood plane this time.  It is very, very modest and run down but, the tradition remains.  We were not allowed to photograph his residence on the flood plane.The pictures of the king below I snagged from Google. :)

The tribal attire is bright and beautiful the red hat denotes he is chief as well.  Chiefs of every village sport their red hats.  In future blogs of Zambia you will see reds hats abound.

The King's  land in Mongu has Lozi's renting from him.  I asked how one got to 'be' on the Kings land.  As in all cultures, it is political, whose village do you belong too, for example.  It also costs a lot of money...I guess we would consider it the high rent district.  The Zambzi river connects him to both of his homes.  The photo below is the incredible sunset where the Zambzi forks onto his property.

A little chief in the making.

He sits in within the striped area to greet the people. His home is behind the wall.

Sunset on The Kings property.

Women heading home for the evening. They live on the kings property

 

 

 

When a tradition gathers enough strength to go on for centuries, 

you don't just turn it off one day.

Chinua Achebe

 

An Appointment with The King

I am back in 'my world'.  The world of ease and conveniences. I am coming out of my jet-lag fog and want to catch up on the stories of the past two weeks.

Do you ever feel your life is surreal at times? Mine is!  When I decided to blog about the year 65 in my life I had no idea just how incredible, random and unpredictable  the experiences would be.

I have set out to make note of all things 'life'.   Ignoring sunrises and complaining of rain, ignoring kind gestures and noting the opposite, groaning over inconveniences rather than embracing the luxuries I do have have, all come into focus as I realize what blessings abound in my life.

In my 4th Zambian trip some things have rarely changed, but little changes are poking their heads up through this sandy forsaken place.   Each trip looks a bit different as we focus on the people and projects that are part of our over site. This time there were more local paved roads in Mongu. They lead us to dusty paths but it is progress! This time our visits with dignitaries seemed a bit more hopeful.  This time the weather was cooler (70 degrees) their winter.

But one tradition remains part of the African culture, The King. Here in the Western Provence of Zambia he still plays a significant role in the lives of the people. I had been on his property one other time.    His cement walled home is old but distinct, when surrounded by the grass huts of those who pay to live on his property.  It borders the river and it is a tranquil part of Mongu.  Guards, walls and rules are what one experiences upon arrival.  Protocol of where to walk, when to talk, what to do is immediately thrust upon us as we arrive.

Perhaps no one will be reading this but as I write, it helps me to keep the experience forged into my brain.  How many people get to experience this?  As white women from across the globe, born in Oregon, living in Chicago, finding myself in Mongu, sitting before a king, I am in awe. Many of his subjects have never had this privilege, they watch him from a far!   Wow and why me?

I will write another blog post about this king adventure,  but for now protocol is my focus.  Upon our arrival our  instruction on what to do, how to do it and when, was very serious! Our American chatter was discouraged. We were subject to his rules.  We were introduced to a world very foreign to our way of thinking and doing life. 

Women play a lesser role (understatement) in this world.  Both men and women have a protocol that is strictly adhered too.   No one is ever 'higher' than the king.  No one ever 'turns their back' on the king.  Women enter through a side and back entrance, men go directly in.  We ultimately did meet together in the reception room.   At several junctions we were instructed to kneel down and clap.  Women have a different clap/beat than the men.   I am not catholic but it reminded me a bit of stations of the cross. There were specific places where we had to stop, kneel and clap.

In the past my friend (a woman) had to crawl into the king.  I had been hoping we would do this just for the experience.  As it turned out we did not crawl and given the distance (any distance) I would have had to be wheeled out or remained prostrate during our time. In this instance my 'old' bones would have revolted.

The room where we met, was a cement stone building next to his residence.  A modest but large residence by Zambian standards.  The floor had bamboo woven mats, the windows were openings within the cement block wall,  in the back a nice conference table, in the front his 'throne/chair' and prominent side chairs. We were given chairs to sit on.   Those who directed us on protocol sat on the floor.  Those on the floor were awaiting direction of what we were to do 'next'.  The king directs the conversations.

Kingship is foreign to our/my thinking and so when I see one who embraces his role very seriously and expects the same from others, it is to be taken note of.   Since we do not serve a 'king' and our culture is irreverent,  I pondered the experience and tried to put my self in the place of those who have a 'king'.  I was on his land, in his Provence, in his presence. Observe and learn were my thoughts.  We had no idea what to expect but our time turned out to be delightful.

The work of Hands of Hope had come to his attention a couple of years back.  Hands of Hope does excellent work on each of our projects, be they wells, schools or the clinic.  We expect excellence and the results are obvious to all who see the projects.  (http://www.handsofhopeonline.org/).    The Western Provence is the poorest in all Zambia so what we do is noted on so many levels. The quality of the projects completed is superior, the location choices (the middle of no-where) and we keep coming back to help have made a bold statement to this king.  None of it makes sense to those observing but it is changing lives.

Vicky Wauterlek and The King

The Kings entry was solemn, but he turned out to be very cordial with us.  Laughing at our weak pronunciation of 'Mongu' and our American blunt/direct approach to things.  He listened and heard our concerns over the lack of help from the government in getting school books to his people, medicine for the clinic, etc. He was shocked at the blatant resistance we have received these past years in getting projects completed by government officials.  He became an advocate for us!

He allowed Vicky (president of HOH) to sit next to him.  This is huge on two accounts.  One, she is a woman! Two, she was allowed the chair that only the Prime Minister sits in.

(Take note of his scepter. It is a beautiful carved piece of ivory.  It has leather fringes (my word) on the end.  This day is served to swat flies. )

Our team with the King of Western Zambia!

Today,  I am sitting here in a home grander than this king's.  I am sitting here with all creature comforts known to man.  I am for the moment free to share what I think, hope for and feel. However, I am humbled to have had this privilege for though his 'reign' has no impact on me, he rules his people and I hope justly. 

Reaching my destination - Mongu

Adventures continue to abound.  Not adventures for the indulged or whiners! Not adventures for the faint of heart but for those who choose to live in the moment and take in the sights, sounds, smells and textures of what is around you.

My entry into Mongu (means pumpkins) kicked the adventure into high geer.  No hotel room!  We were exhausted and hungry and dirty and just plain ready to drop into a bed.  Our rooms had been given away (sold) to someone who probably came with cash and a good story.  5 rooms gone, potentially 9 for the rest of those coming in and out this week.  

Amazingly, a calm overroad all of the other emotions and as we waited I pondered the pluses vs the obvious minuses.  The night was beautiful, the stars magnificent.  The weather, Zambian winter, perfect.  No snow, no rain, no thunder, no lightening, no wind was where I started.  Next, I knew that there are a ton of churches with in walking distance that could be opened up to us for a rest on a bench.  Not my choice of beds but better than a mat on the ground. I have no idea where I would have found a mat.  

A short two hours later we were driven to a remote (new) hotel. As we entered our new abode the power went down (normal occurance here) and we had to scramble for light, IPhone lights were used  to locate our flash lights to locate our bed, etc.  Fortunately the power was down just for a short time.  Fortunately, because when the lights came on, our roommate a very LARGE spider made himself known.  Large like bigger than a 50 cent coin!  A noble driver smashed him for me. I chose to ignore the fact as I dropped into a very nice bed that he probably had a family.  

Morning broke through and we were uncertain where we would be sleeping last evening.  We were taken to place for our breakfast. Options for breakfast are: Eggs in three forms, boiled, fried or an omlette.  Baked beans and sausage come next with white toast, no butter or spread but a jam of sorts. Macaroni salad was a new introduction this year. My guess is that they did not have the normal fill up the plate stuff so they used what they had.  Powdered/instant coffee, Tang, tea or soft drinks were/are our beverage choices. Water of course is available.    We languished over breakfast about 4 hours while we awaited our next place of rest.   The morning ended well, we are back at the Dolphin Lodge for the duration of our stay!

The adventure continued with our visit to the King.  I will describe that in my next blog for it could be a book chapter in itself.

It is Sunday a.m. and we are about to head to church. Don was asked to preach when we got here so he will do so via an interpreter.  We are eager to worship with the Zambian followers of Jesus.  Our worship styles are different and always interesting to me.  We love and serve the same Lord.

So I end this blog and want to get posted before the power shuts off again and I am beckoned to leave.

I encourage you the reader to slow down, yes slow down and observe your surroundings and your life.  You are among the blessed of the world.  

Luska Zambia

Another blog without photos.  Lusaka is the capital of Zambia.  It is a 3rd world country trying so very hard to come into being more in tune with the first world.   It is an old and tired city with hope.

A six plus hour flight from Dubai turned out to be awesome.  We were miracously upgraded to business class.  Ahhhh my favorite quote "A Luxuary once tasted becomes a necessity." , has come to be true again.

In my last blog post I mentioned 'class' distinction within the Arab world and thus within Emerits.  Remember, I was not unhappy with coach, my standard seat placement found within most of my air trips.  In fact, I was impressed with my 'back of the bus station' and service.

Overnight the world changed.  We arrive back at the airport after a nights rest.  Bonus from years past!   We check in.  All of sudden it appears that there is a mix up on my ticket.  My thoughts of what usually happens to me are, "my reservation is missing", "I am singled out to be 'searched'", etc.  Ask my family...these things do happen to me.  She then hands to me a new pass and says Mrs. Erickson you have been upgraded.  I looked at Don and thought, "Oh can I really leave him behind in coach and not feel bad?".  I did not have to wait long to decide, he too got an up grade.  This is a perk of grand proportions.

Boarding...a class distinctive for certain.  Like Heathrow you board a bus to arrive at your plane.  Coach goes first in a nice transport.  Next Business Class is called, the transport has leather seats, that rival any luxuary vehicle. There are a few of us and life is pretty cool!  I am not going to ask what the First Class transport was like, for there is no need to know.  Life had definately changed!

Ahhh...the trip to Lusaka was grand!  I will now savor this event and not complain upon my return trip home. It is all good!

Upon our arrivel into Lusaka's International Airport (modest is a good word to describe it) reality begins.  We find we have been summoned by the Vice President of the country for a meeting.  There is a long story behind this meeting but for now I will share that politics is not too different around the world.   The Presidental Offices probably were built in the early 1900's.  They are very old and dank and I know that this is their best.  Her office was quite nice by Zambian standards.

We left knowing that the answers to the questions she asked will probably not be resolved.  But I pray that is a wrong assumption.  We could not bring in medication for our clinic but they would allow us to bring a hospital bed.  Seriously, how many airlines allow for baggage of such grand proportions.  Then, if in fact we were able to fullfill that request, how do we get it to Lutendee.  We could not bring in more than $500 per person before customs slapped a heavy fee onto us.  The list goes on and the people we want to help go without.

In about one hour we embark on the longest day trip ever.  I am praying for a quick day.  There are no places to stop and eat.  Bathrooms now become squatty potties and as we enter the national park, we will pay a Kwacha to pee. We will use a cement hole vs a dirt hole.  I am also praying that I get to see elephants, a zebra and other wild life that is supposed to live along our road.  4 round trips back and forth from Lusaka to Mongue have not been too successful for these sightings in the past.  Hope is good and like a child it will give me something to focus upon.

I do not know when I will be blessed with internet access again.  The Dolphin Inn where we stay is supposed to have it...hmmmmm we will see if it works this time around.

I am blessed and humbled to be part of this trip.   Hands of Hope does bring Hope to these people.  The magnificent garden fair in our surreal world raises money for those who have no hope.  We can only put a small bandaid on the gaping wound of poverty but perhaps in time those villages we serve will grasp that they can care for their own.

Dubai

This entry will be void of photos as I recount our few hours in Dubai.  I usually do not use my IPad for anything other than reading....I know 'over kill'.  When I travel (and I had to travel very light with personl items this trip) I have to IPad it.  This long trip is going to force me into using more of tools that this was designed for.

Dubai...the last place I ever wanted to visit.  However, I rarely turn down an offer for a new experience.  One never knows the 'why of an invitation' or the 'why God might direct you to a place or activity' or the 'what might I miss out on if I decline'.  In this case the air fare to Zambia required that we choose Emerits via Dubai.  The journey to this place was decided for me.

One very important  thing I often forget is that ones perception is not always reality.  At this ripe old age of 65 I still am in awe of how much I must learn and process to be honest in my dealings of life.

Some observations of this adventure so far:
1. Dubai has become the center of the world.
2. Dubai is a very long, long way from the United States of America. 13 + hours from Chicago.
3. Emerits airlines is amazing!  Even coach (back of the bus, for class is noted in this world, even for us Americans who think otherwise) was incredible.  The flight attendants are all beautiful and groomed to their standards.  The male attendants (few) are equally well groomed.
    a. Sub point, the restrooms are maintained through out the flight!!!!!  Bonus!
    b. Jet Blue partner...lots of goodies and satellite viewing of just about everything!
4. If you have been in Texas you know 'Big' is the by-word.  If you have been in Los Vegas, you know over the top is the norm.  If you have been on any Disney property you know amazing is the norm.  This pretty much sums up Dubai for me.   Our taxi driver who shuttled Don and I from the hotel to the heart of the city commented to our amazement, "it is all fake".  It was built from the desert and with out money it will go back to being just that.
5.  As far as airports go and that I have experienced, Dubai's is massive, opulent and down right jaw dropping. It is a city within the city.
6. The Dubai Mall is a shoppers, entertainment seekers and foodies dream.  From an American perspective, there is not an upscale store missing.  Cheesecake Factory, Red Lobster, Sushi, Texas Roadhouse, 5 Guys, Gino's Pizza to name a few restaurants you might know abound.  Of course Starbucks (no free wifi :( ), etc.  Ice Rink (in the desert), theaters, waterfalls, fountains abound.
Stores that I need to move the decimal point 6 places to the left before I could consider purchasing anything also abound.
7. For the moment all religion is tolerated but Islam is dominant

So, to sum up a million of my thoughts: From a worlds perspective and observing mans efforts Dubai is impressive.  To sum up God's thoughts on mans work:

"What does it profit a man/women if he/she should gain the whole world but lose his/her soul" Mathew 16:26 Bible  Mark  8:36 Bible    Luke 9:25 Bible

Do not lay up for yourselves treasure here on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Mathew 6:19-21 Bible