Hello from Zambezi! Thank you everyone who has posted to the blog already. Josh and Mateo read your posts to us this morning during breakfast and it was a very sweet way to begin our first full day in Zambia. Thank you for reminding us that we are loved, thought about, and cherished.
As posted earlier, we did make it to Zambezi after quite a bit of traveling. However, the welcome we received getting off of those bush planes instantly made our fatigue fade into the background.
Taxiing around the corner, I looked out of my window completely taken away. Easily a hundred people had gathered around the spot where our planes would let us off to welcome us to Zambezi. They were singing, clapping and cheering for us. A swarm of children ran up to the planes and pulled us out, taking us by the hand and hugging us from all sides. A group of Zambezi women sang to us “welcome to Zambezi” and another group of school age kids dressed in uniforms also sang to us. Being on the first plane, I had the opportunity to watch as the other planes landed and to see the surprise and overwhelming joy on the faces of my companions as the people of Zambezi surrounded them with love.
From that moment on, I have felt a multitude of emotions. I think this is because my head is trying to adjust to what my heart already knows. These people accept us as their family, especially the children who have claimed each of us as “their” brother or sister. They want to know us, they want us to read to them, to play with them or to simply walk with them hand in hand. Realizing that my presence can be a present has been both joyful and humbling for me. I don’t know quite yet how to make sense of it all. Hopefully, during our first reflection after dinner tonight I’ll be able to process the past two days a little more.
One thing is for sure though, I am thankful to be here in Zambezi and to be experiencing a new culture through the eyes of the people. I can already tell that Zambezi is a special place. I’m looking forward to learning and discovering more each day.
Much love to family and friends of Zambezi 2013. Look out for daily blog posts from my companions.
Tamryn Aalvik, Class of 2015
Thanks Tamryn for your beautiful update 🙂 I think I might just be a little obsessed with this site as I find myself checking to see if there are any new posts every 20 minutes starting at 6:30am! I felt like a giddy little kid again when Christian just texted me “New blog post!” I know all your reflections for the next few weeks are going to be the highlight of my days 😉 Saying I look forward to them is an understatement! Katie I don’t want to nag but fill up all 56gb of sd cards and take tons and tons of pictures! We Love you sweet girl and couldn’t be more proud of you! (((Hugs))) to you all!! ~Xoxo
Wow, I can’t imagine what all of you are experiencing, and just know I am green with envy! I think this trip is such an incredible experience for all of you, and I agree take as many photos as you can, so you can share your stories with us upon your return!
Ally I am sure they have found your blonde hair very interesting to say the least….. I know you must be smiling like crazy being there and taking this all in!!!! Love to you!!!! I agree with Lynda I am somewhat obssessed too and check the blog throughout the day, so please update us as much as possible!!!
I too am obsessed with this blog. It’s Friday afternoon, and between the normal daydreaming and checking the blog for updates, I haven’t got much work done. Thank you Tamryn for the great update. Now I can finish up my project! Michael, much love to you and your fellow travelers!
Im also obsessed with checking the blog all day too!! I also agree with taking lots of pictures too!! I cant wait to hear all of the stories, adventures and friendships from Zambezi! So proud of all of you!!!
So glad to hear you all made it safe and sound and are enjoying your first few days together and in Zambezi!!
Sounds as if you all are already experiencing zambezi with your eyes and hearts open, which is wonderful! That’s the best way to experience anything in life :).
Teo- so glad I got to see you before you left!!! Enjoy your time and I can’t wait to hear all your stories when you return!
Kisu mwane
Anne
Thank you so much for the heartfelt writings on this blog. Each one of you will be forever changed from your experiences in Zambezi. Megan I can’t think of a better place for you to be. Just reading all the writings makes me sigh at how perfect it is for you. Make sure you take lots of pictures. Dad can post them on his facebook that he is so proud of. We miss and love you. Take care everyone…….
So good to hear from you Tamryn! You and all the others are constantly in my thoughts and prayers. Enjoy!
ps: your haircut looks really good!
Megan and pals,
I am green with envy and living vicariously through the writings. It sounds like an hourly posting would be a good idea (just kidding). Megan I’ve got two tasks for you. One, find me more Facebook friends in Zambia and start “gotta going” and we’ll get all of Africa on the newest trendy good bye line. Love and have fun.
Pops
Good morning! Hope you’re enjoying that oatmeal or cornflakes/ baby bananas 🙂 Thanks for sharing your welcome to Zambezi with us. Lauren and I are sitting here reminiscing on the experience your words brought back to life for us. Know that you are all loved and thought about by all of us reading the blog. We’re so happy for all of you; good luck on the first day of classes! Many hugs from Barcelona, Lauren and Constanza
PS. Give Mamma a big hug for us!! Can someone tell us if Baby Joshua is walking now?? PSS. (PPS?) If you want chocolate, it’s in the left side of the old market middle of the strip of stores inside the refrigerator. We think it might even say Cadbury on it…
I read your post Tamryn. Although I don’t know you I really appreciate your comments and observations. You do a great job of verbalizing your emotions and experiences in a very clear and precise manor. As one of many parents following their children’s adventure in Africa, your description of being accepted as family and surrounded with love sounds like families everywhere. It reminds me that these feeling are as universal as a smile. Although from different cultures we share many attributes. How comforting. Please send out a special smile to my son Garrett.
I hope your first full day in Zambezi went well and that you’re excited about the adventures you’ll encounter and relationships you’ll build today! H, as I go through the day, my mind keeps wandering to you in Zambia! I’m so excited for you and can’t wait to hear all your stories. So, make sure you’re writing in your journal too so you don’t forget them. 🙂 Love and miss you. xo
What a wonderful welcome you had to Zambezi! I can only imagine all of the emotions you are all experiencing! Conner House- flash that beautiful smile and share your servant leadership. Your family is so very proud of you! Love and hugs your way…Love you a ton, Mom.
Hayley, what a remarkable journey you’ve embarked on! We all love and miss you, but I’m also thrilled you have the opportunity to help others, learn and have fun. Can’t wait to here in real-time about your adventure. I love you, Mom
Tamryn! Somehow I knew you would be first to post!! I hope you are having a great experience I can’t wait for you to get back to hear about all that you have reflected on! Dyno and I both miss you a lot! I love you!
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
Awesome post. I can feel the warmth and Spirit. Move forward every day with new wonder and awe. Enjoy this opportunity to experience all that life has to offer. Take time ~ reflect ~ observe ~ listen ~ be excited. A smile and a hug are universal signs of the love we share with each other. GOD BLESS! ~
Lucy bear and all of the wonderful folks in Zambezi! so happy to hear from you daily, it does a momma’s heart good to know that all is well and that your welcome was so special and full of life! Wow! Tamryn, I could really picture that sight of the children clamoring around you all as you got out of the planes. Your post was lovely, vivid and filled with great emotion. It helps us here at home to see and understand how ya’all must be feeling when you tell the story so nicely. We think of you many times through the day, especially when I try to figure out what time it is there. Tomorrow Lucy, your mom walks that graduation aisle and although your family will miss you being there, we could not be more thrilled about where you are. Take it all in, all of you, and stop to capture each moment and brand it on your brain. Love and prayers to all!
Mom and Dad Baldwin
Thank you for the posts. As a parent who longs to know what you are all experiencing, they serve as a window to Zambezi. I’m grateful. My gift to you all today is the grace that Delaney says when we have the pleasure of having her home for a meal.
By EE Cummings
I thank you God for most this amazing day; for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes.
Love to Delaney
Tamryn, thank you so much for the wonderful update. I can’t even begin to imagine what that must have been like to receive such an arrival from the Zambians. I’m seriously regretting not listening to you Katie when you told me I should apply to go on this study abroad to Zambia. I find myself, like many others, constantly checking this blog to see if there is a new post. I was at lunch with my nana and papa, and I checked once, and there was nothing. Then ten minutes later I check again, and lo and behold, a new post. It was great because I got an update on what was happening with you guys, and I also got the opportunity to explain to my grandparents about the amazing things all of you are doing. Anyways, I envy what you guys are getting to do!! I cannot wait to hear more from you all. I’m constantly thinking and wondering what you all are doing and experiencing. Miss you Katie, and love you tons, thinking about you all the time, literally… haha Anways, Tamryn, thank you for the update!! It was awesome, and amazing to hear! Praying for all of you guys!! Have fun!!
Christian Hoag
Wow, Tamryn! I am so glad that Grandma Carol forwarded a link to this blog for me. How fun to read about your team and the opportunity you have before you to experience a new culture. It is so humbling and life expanding to get to experience life in a different part of the world. I will be praying for you and your team and wish you health and openness as God shows himself through the gift of international community.
Dear Tamryn, I am enjoying reading the various blogs. What a sweet picture of you reading to the native children. The picture of you reminds me of a similar situation with your mother in a group of children in Okinawa, marveling over her blond hair. She was only four at the time and completely surrounded with children four and five deep. It is going to be wonderful to hear your stories at our first opportunity, probably in July. With lots of love, Grandma