Two Day Update

Thursday July 3, 2008
We are nearing the end of our first week and already becoming anxious about having to leave. The more time we spend here, the more we grow attached. The people. The culture. The pace. As heartbreaking as it has been to witness poverty in a world that has more than enough for everyone, the sense of community here is incredible.
There was no posting yesterday due to a full day of interaction and fun that ended with fatigue by all. So to make up for it, I, the writer have been nominated to fill in the details as best I can (and in the shortest amount of time) so you all know what has been occurring.

On Tuesday the teacher’s – Sandy, Barb, Nancy, Carolyn, Emily – went to Helen De Vos School to teach while the rest of the group – Dean, Matt, Jeney, Christen, Kat and Victoria – went to the new House of Martha being built. While the teacher’s used their skills to share new games and lessons with students and Zambian teachers, we workers used our strength and talent to help progress the building of the new facility. This included mixing, shoveling and pouring concrete, cleaning up debris, making sawhorses, filling trenches and getting some sun.

But not as much sun as we would get the following day. Wednesday proved to be one of our favorites yet. Especially mine since now I can brag to my brother that I have refereed two International soccer matches before him! In all seriousness though, my description will not do it the least bit justice but fortunately we have plenty of video and photos to share with you.

The entire team arrived at the Helen De Vos School late morning. The teachers who were teaching again that day found their places in the classrooms and the rest of the group toured the school while the Headmaster and Campus Crusade guests figured out a misunderstanding regarding the timing of the girls soccer tournament. (T.I.A – This Is Africa). After distributing new shorts and jerseys that had been donated by Brandi Smith that sent the girls in a frenzy of excitement before even putting them on (and the boys eyeing in jealousy), I was given the privilege of being named honorary coach for the Helen De Vos girl’s soccer team (their first year of existence). What an incredible opportunity for me to share my love for soccer with these young women and what an incredible opportunity for them to have a female to lead them.

To make a long story short, I was taken by the hands of the girls and led out of the campus, down the road and onto the field surrounded by singing and clapping. I felt like I was going to coach the World Cup final. After warming the girls up, the coaches of the other schools asked if I would like to referee the games instead of coach. That way I would be right in the middle of the action and the girls would have a chance to have a female on the field with him. Naturally I accepted. Two hours, two games and two very brown ankles later, the final game concluded.

While I was in the middle of the soccer field watching in amazement young girls in skirts, rolled up jeans, socks and barefoot chase a soccer ball up and down a dirt “field” littered with rocks, stones, trash, potholes and an occasional patch of long dried out grass, the rest of the group was busy being surrounded by school children (and local children from the compound not in school) begging for attention.
A goal is scored and the entire crowd rushes the field screaming and hugging in excitement. Groups of boys dance around drums chanting. Coaches run up, down and around the entire field yelling direction to their players. An incredible day. Incredibly exhausting.

Tomorrow we leave for Victoria Falls…
Blessings,
Jeney