After two solid days of traveling, I’m writing to let you know that we have all arrived safely in Zambezi. Two 10 hour international flights, endless hours in airports and a 3 hour bush plane later, we were welcomed through song and dance into the Zambezi community. As I write these words, I hear the joyful screams and laughter of hundreds of Zambezi children who are playing outside before we walk down to our first Africsn sunset.
You can expect a thoughtful reflection blog tomorrow, but for now, we are well and working to get settled into our new life. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.
Dr. Josh Armstrong
Amen on your safe travels! enjoy!
Yay! Thank you for letting us know you all made the long and I know exhausting trip safely! Hopefully you can all get a restful nights sleep…enjoy the sunset! Here’s to a happy tomorrow with the beautiful children/families in Zambezi! I love you Kaitlyn…(((hugs))) to you all!
Great news. This has already become a very anticipated part of my day. Take lots of pictures Megan. Love ya, gotta go.
And so it begins!! I’m thrilled you all made it safe and sound…I hope you experienced the same joy, tears and overwhelming sense of love from the children & Zambezi community as they dragged you from the planes in Zambezi. I look forward to following along and sharing in your reflections for the next month. Much love and peace to you all, you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Hello to my peeps – Jason, Hanna, Teo, Garrett, Josh and Connor!
Kisu Mwane.
…and Ally!!
Yikes. Already a day behind on the postings.
MAAAATEEEEEEEEOOOOOO (you better read it just like that) – such a beautiful reflection yesterday, though I’d expect nothing less from you. Don’t think I didn’t notice the “drinks of your choosing” on the plane ride 🙂 Just kidding. But in all seriousness,…YOU CUT YOUR HAIR???
You of all people know how to jump across those comfort boundaries (cough cough Zambian dancing) to the enjoyment and privilege of everyone in your presence and I couldn’t imagine anyone better to accompany this incredible group of students through their journey in Zambezi. I am so excited to be able to relive the time spent in Zambia through you and your adventures. I can only imagine Matthews face when he saw you step out of that bush plane…
Please give Collins, Humble, Melody, Lilliana, Mama K, Baby Joshua, Chris, and Timothy big bugs from me (just hug everybody you see for me really, okay?) and send all my love.
Dr. Josh and crew – YOU MADE IT! So glad to hear you all arrived safely. The hours of anxious waiting were definitely worth it. As you all begin to adjust to Zambia time and life composed of nshima, mosquito nets, mwanes, and endless hand holding, remember to look up and take note of all the beauty in the little things around you — those are the things you’ll be missing most when a year passes and you find your thoughts drifting back to the place you left your heart.
Jason – Hi. Love you. Hope you are singing with the Zambians already!
Connor, Lucy, and Hayley – Make sure you all put some uchi in your tea tonight; it’ll be the sweetest Zambia Gold you’ve ever had.
Ally and Hanna – I know you two will greet all you meet with your beautiful smiles — I can’t wait to hear your stories when you return.
Kisu mwane to all,
Brady Essmann
Zambezi 2012
So thrilled to see you have all arrived safely. I can almost hear the joyous sounds of Zambezi children laughing all the way back here in Tacoma. Katie, we are so happy that you get to enjoy this life changing experience and can’t wait to have you back home to tell us all about your adventure.
Travel safe and make great memories.
Kevin McCann
Greetings, Hayley M. from your “family” in Montana! Take Care! T left this a.m. and VERY excited! Said to tell you he loves you! He’s on way to Seattle airport in a couple hrs. M
So glad to hear everyone is well. Can’t wait to hear more! Michelle, we miss you and love you. Have a great time and take lots of photos. We are praying for all of you. Love, Mom
I’m so happy to hear that you made it to Zambia safely and can only imagine how exciting and welcoming the songs of the Zambezi community were! H, take lots of pictures.. and video if you can. I started calling you last night. Then, I realized you’re in Africa now! Crazy- it’s still surreal to me, but I’m sure it has become very real to you. Enjoy the first few days as you settle in to life there. I already miss talking with you, but I’m beyond excited for you and can’t wait to hear stories. Plus, you’re always in my thoughts and prayers anyway. Love you girl! xo
YAY! Enjoy those Zambezi sunsets…they are one and a million! enjoy your journey as you all begin to form relationships with one another, and more importantly with the Zambezi community. If anyone sees Moses tell him I say “hello”.
Kisu Mwane
Carly Grether: Zambezi alum 2011
Ah! So glad to hear you are all safely arrived in Zambezi! I know you will all have an incredible experience. Soak up those sunsets, reflections and small moments. It goes by quick but you’ll be left with the most wonderful life long memories.
Teo-Enjoy it for all of us last year participants! We are all so jealous and happy you get to be back there again. Maybe you’ll even be able to assist another group member in killing a chicken….note to the other members… i can speak from experience Teo really is the best chicken killer-helper 🙂
If you see him, give a hug to Japhet to me and all those rascals outside the convent. I miss them so!
Have the time of your life everybody!
Kisu Mwane and much love,
Kate
Hope you all are refreshed after a good nights sleep and ready to embrace your first full day in Zambezi. What a great way to end my day by reading about your adventures. Carpe Diem Garrett!
Hey Mikey, don’t be making everybody else look bad with your mad leadership skills just yet bro.
I can’t believe you’re all in Zambezi!! Have the time of your lives and soak up the culture. Love and miss you already Conner House!!
Glad you made it safely! So excited for you to get uncomfortable because that’s when you grow the most. Sending you all my love and prayers.
Hikaru
PS. JASON: T-6 days (US time) teeheeeeee <3 <3 <3
Im glad you all made it safely! Enjoy every moment! You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Love and miss you Hailey Baker!!!
Awesome! Enjoy the experience and the people. Embrace the culture. Discern. GOD BLESS! Monte
oh yes, how a mommy loves to hear that her precious baby has made it safe to her next destination with all of her friends! I think of you often and each time I do, I pray for you and the time you are about to spend there. It is so far out of my realm of understanding, and I know it is an amazing opportunity. Know that the students and staff of Southside are praying for you and thinking of you, and cant wait for you all to come back and share about your Zambian adventure. Take good care and stay healthy!
love love love
Mom and Dad Baldwin
Akwaba (welcome in Abouré/Akan language) to all of you as you let our mother Africa carry you.
I lite a candle for you (I will photograph it and email it to Josh) and it will be burning each single day of this amazing mission trip.
Know that you are in prayers.
May this cultural encounter brings you peace, and everlasting joy.
May the Spirit strengthen you every day, every hour, every minute during this adventure.
My heart is with you.
I hope to be with you at next retreat here at GU.
Go Zags with love and for love!
So happy to hear that you all made it to Zambezi after a long and exciting trip. We are thinking and praying for you and all the other Zags on this incredible journey. Have and great time and be safe. We love you Hailey Baker, your Grandma and Grandpa!!!!
(G-MA & G-PA)
Thank you so much for the detailed report of your adventures in Zambezi. Katie, we miss you so much but are proud beyond imagination that you have embraced this opportunity and have sought out experiences beyond anything we imagined you would do. As we sit at home in front of the computer, reading these blogs, we are overcome with pride and joy as we vicariously join you in Africa.
I am both thrilled for the experiences you get to enjoy and proud of the wisdom you will share with the people you touch in Zambia. Please listen to your mother…take lots of pictures (make sure you are in some too), write in your journal and share your beautiful smile.
Travel safe and make great memories.
Love you –Daddy
Oops the above comment was meant to be posted under Tamryn’s ‘a multitude of emotions’ …sorry for duplicating