When friends become family

Here at Jean's house with her boy, Courage

In front of Jeans house, our new friend

It is amazing what God does for His children. I have been extremely blessed to be here. I have found helping people and seeing the smiles on the Zambian faces, has been more of a joy that I ever thought possible. Just walking by the kids and seeing them screaming and laughing and smiling and running up to you just to touch you is nothing I can even explain. The warmth you get when they get so happy just because they have touched you. (Imagine how Jesus felt when everyone was so excited to see him and touch him, there is nothing better.) Now take that feeling and times it by 10 when you truly help them and having them thank you, it is like God is blessing you even more when you are helping them. My dad always told me that you get more pleasure helping others then helping yourself, and being here I can see that more then ever (my dad is pretty smart sometimes ;) )

Jean's house on the right and her toilet and shower on left

Day two of Malaria is like getting over the flu. All day today I felt weak and tired and having stomach pains and headaches, it is not fun. Harriett has been so amazing taking care of me; we have become more then friends this week, I consider her a sister now, which makes the time in Zambia so much more enjoyable! We are so alike it is scary, but I appreciate her so much during my time of sickness, especially when I am use to my mom taking care of me. It is funny how little things make you think of your family. It has only been a week and a half and I miss everyone tremendously.  But, I am getting better and was able to leave the house and today was the day that we met our new friend, Jean for lunch (I thought her name was Gin ha-ha oops.) She came to our house and we walked to hers, chatting and learning about one another. She is such a sweet girl, renting a place with her teacher wages, supporting her son, sister and cousin.  I have some pictures down below of her house, they have no electricity and have 4 rooms for 4 people, but this is a lot more then the other village people, who just have huts.

Her sister washing clothes, that was nice to see

Jean's neighbor, so filthy :(

She made us rice and tomatoes, which was surprisingly very good. She asked if we wanted shima or rice and we said rice, im trying to eat shima as less as possible. In august they have a Christian girls camp and that’s all they eat, with beans and caterpillars, and they eat that every meal for a week. I might end up losing weight that week, compared to the weight gain this past week. We invited her to some gospel meetings later in the week and we got her number to make her dinner at our place. After the visit we felt more like family. She does not have many friends being new and we just enjoyed spending time with her. Later, we went to the market again I got eggs, and bread and rice, so we are actually able to make a meal. Not much to tell on a Saturday, on our day off. Tomorrow we are going to a smaller local assembly, which I am very use to and it will feel like home (besides the not being able to understand it part.) The Malaria is really catching up to me today; I am very tired, weak and achy, off to bed, goodnight!

other little kids that came over when they saw white people

the mice someone was selling, Jean bought one to cook