Nakempa!

I never intended to start a blog. In fact, I had every intention of never starting one. But here I am, anticipating infrequent access to email correspondence and submitting to semi-regularly posting my thoughts and experiences online…so here goes, my apologies.

That said, I appreciate all those who are interested (or feel obligated) enough to read it, and am looking forward to all of your responses/updates/brief hellos. However, knowing me, I’m liable to fall behind on getting back to you, so know in advance that you are loved and appreciated and I truly feel your generous and prayerful support.

I’m not really sure where to start, so I guess I’ll describe a bit about why I’m writing.

On August 16^th, 2008 I’ll depart from Harrisburg, PA and after 2 days of layovers in DC, London, and Nairobi, I’ll finally arrive in Lusaka, Zambia (the capitol). I’ll be spending a year doing voluntary service through MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) with a program called SALT (Serving and Learning Together). I’ll be living in a village called Nakempa (24 km outside of Choma) and teaching at the Basic School there. Details about that will likely have to be specified at a later date, but mainly I’m planning on learning and gaining much more than I will ever be able to teach anyone. My host family will actually be the Headmaster and his wife and daughters. I just got this picture of them from Eric and Kathy Fast, my country reps, a few days ago! Beyond that, I’m trying to have few expectations.

What I do know is that I don’t know a whole lot, and am expecting to be challenged in every way possible. I can read all I want to about oppression, poverty, AIDS, and the multitude of other issues I’ll inevitably face, but unless I learn to live among these things and know the people they affect I can’t even begin to understand. What I do believe I can try to do though is learn. I can attempt to use my privilege to listen, love, build relationships and to empower. I may never see the fruits of these efforts, but I hope to continue to learn better how to be faithful, not effective.

In a sense, I am ready. I have packed and prepared. But I know so very acutely that this preparation is not enough for what’s to come. So I am not ready, but this surrender sets me free.

“Understanding the suffering is beyond me

Understanding the healing is too

But in this moment I am here

Use me”

So thank you one and all who are keeping me in thought and prayer. It’s because of the many deep and meaningful relationships that I feel at all empowered to take this journey. It is with your support that I am able to have this experience at all, and I feel as though I can’t fully express my gratitude to you each individually. Know that you have inspired me and supported me in ways I can never repay, and that your ongoing support will sustain me.

peace,
Ashley