My first reactions were: “I don’t want to impose on anyone.” “I haven’t got any cash on me to pay them for helping me.” ” I’m perfectly capable of doing this myself.” “Do they think I’m weak/incapable because I’m (pick one) white, a woman, middle aged?”

As I’ve gotten to know the Zambian people, I’ve learned that while the above statements may be true, the biggest reason for their help is kindness and respect. It is very rare for me to be lifting and/or carrying things from my car into my house or office any more. And while there are times, where I suspect the only reason a young man has offered to help me is because of the prospect of a tip, for the most part, I believe people are offering their help simply out of kindness.

This morning, I was carrying my “Cart-o-Presentation Goodies” down a flight of stairs after completing a presentation at a local church. I am capable of carrying it – even in 3-inch heels. Four or five men passed me either on the way up or down. Not one of them offered to help me. And while I managed to get my cart down the stairs with only minor struggling, I was surprised by that revelation.

Have we become so independent and liberated that we can no longer offer kindness to one another?

At the end of January, I finally broke down and got a cat. I call her Saran the Wonderkitty; she’s a bit clingy. It turns out I’ve grown quite fond of Saran. Who knew!

This winter, I’ve had almost no rats and mice in the house. When she does spot one, she makes VERY short work of it. Yay!

But, in order to show her affection for me, she brings me gifts (that was my biggest concern with getting a cat to begin with). Last night she brought not only one treasure, but two!! One at 2:30 and another at 4:30. I know this because she announced both of her victories – loudly. Then I heard her crunching the bones under my bed. Yum!

On the way to the bathroom this morning, I found the head and liver of one of the rats by stepping on it. Ew. Yay! :-\ What a good hunter.

It’s so confusing. All these moving targets
and ever changing rules.
Will I EVER learn?
Will I EVER stop being so surprised?

Driving. Driving. Driving. Stop.

Small bank notes. That’s what I want.
But you’re a bank!! How can you NOT
have small notes?
Yes, she says, that is a problem.

Driving. Driving. Driving. Stop.

You must pay. More than I expected.
You cannot have the Info until
we have the money.
Huh?
But how do I know it’s worth it
unless I see the info?
Yes, he says, that is a problem.

Driving. Driving. Driving. Stop.

No, the lady with the contracts
is not here.
Yes, she says, that is a problem.
But you must follow our laws.
We will make it harder to comply
than to disobey.
Aaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrgggghhh!!!!!

Driving. Driving. Driving. Stop.

I know my blog has been very quiet, but I do intend to get back into the swing of things. Toodles!

“I’m the frantic one,” I whispered as the tears began to fall. “I’ve had an illness for the past 37 years. It’s very closely tied in to diet and could easily be viewed as allergies. And I’m so tired of it. I’m just so tired.”
As she began to pray for the peace I longed for, I felt the warmth of her hands coursing through me. She prayed for peace and spiritual healing as well as physical healing. And she continued to hold me as she prayed.
I went back to my seat. Tears continued down my cheeks. I was still in pain. Maybe this would turn out to be like all the other experiences. Had anything changed?
Afterward I was speaking with the woman who had prayed over me and I noticed my headache starting to abate. I was smiling as I spoke.
The next morning I awoke pain free and with a light heart! The light-heartedness and peace lasted all day. Praise God!! Some pain is back, but not as bad as before. I know that God is working in my heart and in my body. I don’t know if this is the final answer, but I know I have God’s peace for what lies ahead. And I choose to believe that He is healing me: now, tomorrow, and always.
Glory be to Him alone!

I groaned inwardly, but something tugged at my heart. Was it his raggedy clothes? Was it the fact that it was nearly dark and he was still trying to sell me something? Or was it the defeated look in his eyes? Maybe it was the former teacher in me.
Whatever the reason, I pulled out a 5,000 ZMK note. I told him I still didn’t want any ground nuts and made him promise me he would only use it to buy notebooks. I saw him bounding into the store as I drove away, skeptically believing that he would probably use it for sweets or a fizzy drink instead.
Last evening, I was refueling my vehicle at the BP station next to Castle. I was going through the normal routine with the vendors and beggars. “No, I don’t want any DVDs. No, I don’t want any socket wrenches, drill bits, umbrellas, socks, or talk time.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a boy with a bag of ground nuts. It was the same kid. Was I really going to have to tell him again that I’m “allergic” to peanuts?
Instead, he surprised me. “Madam,” he said in a strong clear voice, “I just wanted to thank you. You gave me 5,000 to buy notebooks for school.”
“And did you?”
“Oh, yes, Madam,” he smiled a big beautiful and heartfelt smile.
It turns out that Kennedy is in grade 7 and is thirteen years old. He didn’t ask for anything else. He simply said, “Thank you.”
His graciousness and his gratefulness have touched me to the core. I am so blessed, yet how often do I stop simply to say “Thank you,” and expect nothing more? How often do I take for granted the things I do have and complain when I don’t have all I want (not what I need)?
Lord, may I never take for granted the many unearned and undeserved blessings you have given me. May I never become so hardened that I “forget” those who have so little.