Twists Towards the Unknown
Yesterday I went with Sara and her youth group to a crocodile farm. It was really cool, those things are sooo massive! There were also alligators, turtles, tree snakes (and numerous other kinds including the most poisonus right here in Zambia!), and monetary lizards. At one point the guy who worked there pulled out a MASSIVE python from this big pit and I got to pet it...freaky but cool. The scariest thing is when there's nothing but a chain link fence seperating you and death in the form a big scaly green thing.
Today I went to an Intl. church and I cannot tell you how nice it is to a)understand the ENTIRE service!! b) have worship in ENGLISH!! c)Have a message that applied to my life!! d)Be sitting in real chairs!! e) It didn't go for four hours!!!!!!!!
I also went to the Sunday market today and bartered my way on a hair thingy from 50 thousand Kwacha to 20 thousand Kwacha! That's about a ten dollar drop. Go me for being white. Today, I also got a package from my rocking g-unit (grandma) with magazines, hemp, beads, STARBUCKS COFFEE, and twizlers. The package from Canada Fire (www.canadafire.org, check it out yo) also came in with plenty of sweet bits of Canada. What a sweet last day of freedom before I throw myself into study oblivion trying to catch up on three weeks of school.
On another note...
I've seen in the past year how life can change so quickly. Last January, if you were to ask me what 2005 was going to bring I probably would've said this:
*A trip to the Ukraine
*Lots of shows
*Doing Quest in my school
*Finally going to Boucherie
*Road Trip
*Meeting sweet new people
*More opportunities to preach
*Organizing lots of outreaches.
Instead, 2005 brought the reality of the idea I might be moving to Africa, going to my last YC, Going to the Ukraine, Entering Boucherie (but only for 4 months), spending lots of time between Vancouver and Kelowna, saying good-bye to my entire world, preaching. It was good, but so amazingly unexpected. For 2006 expectations are looking a bit different:
*Bungee jump for my sixteenth birthday
*Get my full license
*Visit Canada
*Go through South, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and maybe a few other random African countries
*See a lion, elephant, zebra, lechwe
*Find an international school to attend
*Find a good youth group where I finally feel like Im getting some Jesus again
*Look for a ministry that reaches out to street kids
And what has happened so far in 2006:
*Moved to a third world country
*Ate maize
*Ate termites
*Hung out in a compound with a 70-some year old
*Pet a python
*Been less than a foot from a crocodile
*Been less than a foot from an Alligator
*Made American, British, Zambian, Zimbabwian, Congolese, South African, Brazillian friends
*Played with monkeys
*Visited Malawi
*Cut my finger open
*Got proposed to
It's proved to be fairly interesting so far. It just kills me, thinking the other night: my old life is gone. Never again will I be able to casually phone up Steve and ask about a poker game at his place, phone heather and say hey lets go on an adventure at 2 in the morning, phone up liz and meagan and ask to go to Starbucks, ask Andy when we'll be preaching next, sit on my brothers bed at 4 in the morning talking about how they invented words and listening to them play their guitar. It's all peaced out. Im a teenager, and Im not getting to be one. I need to let go of that though, no matter how fricking amazing last year was in every way, and realize I need to make a life for myself here. I know it won't be as fun or crazy, but I have to deal with that. I have to make it as much like that as I can and let God take me where he needs me. I just feel sooo stinking dry and confused. Who the heck am I... What am I doing in Zambia?
Today I went to an Intl. church and I cannot tell you how nice it is to a)understand the ENTIRE service!! b) have worship in ENGLISH!! c)Have a message that applied to my life!! d)Be sitting in real chairs!! e) It didn't go for four hours!!!!!!!!
I also went to the Sunday market today and bartered my way on a hair thingy from 50 thousand Kwacha to 20 thousand Kwacha! That's about a ten dollar drop. Go me for being white. Today, I also got a package from my rocking g-unit (grandma) with magazines, hemp, beads, STARBUCKS COFFEE, and twizlers. The package from Canada Fire (www.canadafire.org, check it out yo) also came in with plenty of sweet bits of Canada. What a sweet last day of freedom before I throw myself into study oblivion trying to catch up on three weeks of school.
On another note...
I've seen in the past year how life can change so quickly. Last January, if you were to ask me what 2005 was going to bring I probably would've said this:
*A trip to the Ukraine
*Lots of shows
*Doing Quest in my school
*Finally going to Boucherie
*Road Trip
*Meeting sweet new people
*More opportunities to preach
*Organizing lots of outreaches.
Instead, 2005 brought the reality of the idea I might be moving to Africa, going to my last YC, Going to the Ukraine, Entering Boucherie (but only for 4 months), spending lots of time between Vancouver and Kelowna, saying good-bye to my entire world, preaching. It was good, but so amazingly unexpected. For 2006 expectations are looking a bit different:
*Bungee jump for my sixteenth birthday
*Get my full license
*Visit Canada
*Go through South, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and maybe a few other random African countries
*See a lion, elephant, zebra, lechwe
*Find an international school to attend
*Find a good youth group where I finally feel like Im getting some Jesus again
*Look for a ministry that reaches out to street kids
And what has happened so far in 2006:
*Moved to a third world country
*Ate maize
*Ate termites
*Hung out in a compound with a 70-some year old
*Pet a python
*Been less than a foot from a crocodile
*Been less than a foot from an Alligator
*Made American, British, Zambian, Zimbabwian, Congolese, South African, Brazillian friends
*Played with monkeys
*Visited Malawi
*Cut my finger open
*Got proposed to
It's proved to be fairly interesting so far. It just kills me, thinking the other night: my old life is gone. Never again will I be able to casually phone up Steve and ask about a poker game at his place, phone heather and say hey lets go on an adventure at 2 in the morning, phone up liz and meagan and ask to go to Starbucks, ask Andy when we'll be preaching next, sit on my brothers bed at 4 in the morning talking about how they invented words and listening to them play their guitar. It's all peaced out. Im a teenager, and Im not getting to be one. I need to let go of that though, no matter how fricking amazing last year was in every way, and realize I need to make a life for myself here. I know it won't be as fun or crazy, but I have to deal with that. I have to make it as much like that as I can and let God take me where he needs me. I just feel sooo stinking dry and confused. Who the heck am I... What am I doing in Zambia?
posted by Lauren at 8:28 AM
8 Comments:
That is a pretty amazing change. You think you could still win that "I have never..." game now? I don't normally compare years much. I suppose that would point out differences. This year is different from last year. Maybe you can still be a teenager. Not quite the same as you would have over here, but have an entirely new teenage experience. Being away from home for a long time does get sort of draining though sometimes.
You have my prayers.
Boo
Lauren, home is where you are at. Make yourself comfortable, hang on and enjoy the ride!
You are weaving the tapestry of your life. It is unique to you, and will be made up of your experiences and relationships. You are building on a good foundation, your faith in God. The Will of God will never lead you where the Grace of God cannot keep you. Keep the faith!
Hindsight is always 20-20. Someday you will look back and see how your path was clearly defined.
Sorry for the delay...
Well change can be crazy and it must kill you knowing that you cant hang out and make sweet memomories with us at the moment, but truly who else can say they've lived in africa doiing Gods work everyday. I dont know but I think thats the ultamate memory.
-fellow MK
I cried for you when I read your blog. You sound lonely and confused. But I believe God has you there for a reason and he is going to use you if you let him. It sounds like you're having some really cool adventures so far. Who else can say that they've eaten Termites? I'll be prayin' for you...and hey why don't your brothers comment on your blog?
I have to agree with your fellow MK, We have had some amazing memories that i will never ever forget, but you will make amazing memories in africa too! I miss you, and i love you so much. thank you for being my bestfriend.
Keep your chin up friend. You are a strong woman of God. I saw that in Ukraine. You gonna kick the devil's arse in Zambia. YES YOU CAN!!!!
Hey girlie! It sounds like you could use a vibe or two! Email me lcabney@hotmail.com. Although you are confused and lonely, you have to remember that you have friends and family who love you, and God loves you too. And believe it or not this is all part of the path that he wants you on! And i promise you that your life will be waiting for you, when you decide you are ready to return to it, it may have changed a bit, but it's not going anywhere, I promise. The people in Zambia need you more than we do right now, help them, we'll manage with out our angel for a while. As for your brothers, being apart only makes your relationship stronger. Trust me on this one. I love you, and I miss you, xoxoxox, Lauren Abney.
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