Chillin in the Heat

I apologize for not posting for a while. Limited internet makes it difficult; plus things have begun to slow down. I have spent time getting to know the George Benson College students by sitting by them in chapel and hanging out at their dorm rooms. Each of the students gets along great, which is encouraging for me. At Harding many clicks are formed and often times people are cast aside by the way they act or look. There is an albino student with several facial deformities; however, I have never seen another student look at him funny or avoid talking to him. He is always surrounded by friends and has a smile on his face. I hate to admit he might often find himself walking alone on Harding’s campus.
Saturday, an Herbalist came and spoke to the group. It was very interesting to see the different plants that are used for traditional healing in the local area. Either the bark or roots are used from the plant to treat various dysfunctions and diseases. Sunday we visited Ba Leanard’s (our cook) church for service. After service the congregation gathered for nsima and dancing. Ba Shawn gave us permission to dance with the locals, but we had to “lock our hips.” I don’t know that anyone knew how to dance with their hips locked, but we had a wonderful time dancing and playing music with the church members. I have some great videos that I can share later.
We have spent some time focusing on classes and resting up before our big trip up north. Tomorrow we are leaving early to head toward the northern province of Zambia. My Tonga tutor, Augustine, is actually from the north in Kabompo. Augustine and I have become quite close and he was kind enough to share some basic phrases and greetings that people use in the northern part of Zambia (mostly Luvale and Kikaonde). Augustine is my age and I respect him very much. I met Augustine at my front door one day. Augustine is the Zambian that located my Iphone when I lost it and searched the compound until he found who it belonged to. It is interesting that Augustine ended up getting matched up with me later on, but I will never forget his honesty and care to find me and give me back what belonged to me. Just imagine finding a touch screen device that is more elaborate than anything you have previously ever laid eyes on. Would you go in search of the owner? Or would you conveniently hang onto it until someone came to claim it?
During our eight day journey north we will visit Mapepe Bible College, Fringilla, Mumena, Meheba Refugee Camp, Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage in Chingola, Lusaka, and Eureka. I will keep a journal while I am there and post some information about our trip afterwards.