Hi, all! We promised some alternative programming, so here’s a go at it. These Zags have experienced a variety of sensory moments during their time here. Sometimes we have unexpected visitors:
But the most consistent is the music from our varied church services. Many of you following along know that I asked our dear friends, Fathers Max and Roy, to teach us a song before we left Spokane. I wanted our group to begin our cultural learning with something that would allow an immediate connection to community members. Though I have no technical knowledge of music (and these Zags can attest that keeping time is not among my strengths), I am always profoundly moved by the music we experience here and the musicality of every part of life for many Zambians. I thought you might be interested to hear some of the soundtrack of our journey. Apologies for the unedited tracks, and here’s hoping the links behave.
From the outset, Zambian hospitality is marked by music. Just over two weeks ago, students from Chilenga school, under the direction of Jescar Mukumbi, welcomed each bush flight that landed on the Zambezi airstrip: Airstrip welcome.MOV
The first week our teaching candidates were at Chilenga school, the Head Teachers called an all-school assembly, which included a rendition of the Zambian national anthem, “Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free”:
At the same assembly, the school’s pupils also expressed their care for our Zags with a song that translates to a prayer for God’s protection:
For a bonus, here are back-to-back songs sung by St. Cecelia, one of the several choirs of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, during the offering at our first Mass here in Zambezi: Offering songs (1).m4a
In our recent trip to Dipalata, we were welcomed in a way that has become a kind of heartsong for us, one that most Zambians use to greet visitors, and which you may hear your Zags unconsciously humming to themselves when they are puttering around the house after returning home: Welcome welcome dip choir.m4a
Finally, back to that song we stumbled through in March and April: Namumoni mwantaa yesu inakwinza eee, mu muchima wami (I have seen the Lord coming, in my heart). This is a Lunda song, near ubiquitous in churches here in our part of North-western Zambia, and it was a delight watching our Zags stumble through the timing and lyrics. Each time we’ve sung it, a Zambian or a full Zambian choir has helped us refine our rendition. Yesterday, during our service in Dipalata, the choir director Pepitex, led us in what felt like our broadway debut: Namumoni in Dipalata.MOV
We hope you enjoy these small slices of the music that has brought vibrancy and joy to our time here in Zambezi!
Jeff Dodd
A message to the group since I kinda checked out a few days ago. I was practicing my religious pursuit of fly fishing and I kinda lost track of time (which is why I do it).
Katy – First of all, live chickens always make the best gift – remember that when you get home. When life gives you chickens, chop their heads off and cook those muthas up! You also asked why we read the blog. Well, I love stories of self-discovery and really like to see doors opening in all of your lives. Those doors have been there the whole time and now you are all unlocking them. Sometimes it takes a trip like this to help you through that process. Sometimes you have the keys to unlock those doors yourself and other times someone hands you one through an interaction or experience.
James – Like the poem…a lot. So much to unpack in that one. I particularly relate to “The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite” That’s really what we want for our kids. Let those arrow fly! The possibilities are infinite. Thanks for the shout out BTW…WORD!
Jeff – Thanks for all the audio clips. I love the songs – especially the one used to greet visitors. Can we just all agree to start doing that please? Think of how heartfelt and meaningful that is. Like you said, maybe that will stick in all the Zag’s heads. That would be a great gift from Zambia wouldn’t it?
To everyone else, just a big WAZZUP to all of you! I’m placing 2 fingers to my mouth right now and then giving a peace sign up to the air hoping that you will all catch it. Peace to my homies…especially you Nat!
Jeff, this post is Christmas morning (when we didn’t even know it was going to be Christmas morning). Surprise gift after surprise gift. Savoring each link. Thank you.
Watching the Chilenga school choir out on the air strip singing, “Gonzaga, Gonzaga … we are happy to see you today,” was how I imagined it based on Mia’s “Welcome Home” blogpost from the day you all landed in Zambezi — two weeks and what must now feel like a lifetime ago for you all. Watching these young singers, I couldn’t help but wonder how long they’d all been out there that day … in between your bush planes arriving … to provide strangers with welcome. This first, tiny, live-motion glimpse of Zambezi taught me you students will never fully be able to fully share or express all you’ve experienced and encountered there (externally and internally), but I pray (I know) this time and learning are seeds planted, living in your hearts … growing your “houses of tomorrow” … always, and for good.
The “Namumoni in Dipalata” video. Goodness. The best gift saved for last. There you all are. What a song. I see Coco’s singing girl in pale blue bandana (pause video to immediately text Coco to check blog!). Then, after a minute of watching and listening and feeling my heart grow three sizes, the camera moves just so, rounds the corner and I see the girl I’ve joyfully watched sing and sway for 17+ years in choirs and musical theater. The tears got audible and lots, as I watched your collective right-hand-on-heart/left-hand-on-chest movements … torn between not wanting to miss a second of Mia and not wanting to miss these two young children in the front row — in their pink and orange tee shirts –quietly also placing their hands on their chests to the beat, also sharing in the movement … accompanying you all. Watched it again, this time focusing on Pepitex the choir director, wondering who he is, what this is like for him, what his life is like. Watched it again (and again, and again) for glimpses of Sean’s smile … the woman in white in the third row … the percussionists in their black pants and white shirts … and one of you in a bright patterned skirt singing and swaying with a stuffy (or baby?!) in your arms.
Thank you for sharing yesterday’s “Broadway debut” of this heartsong, landing on the same day as the 2025 Tony Awards here. In my heart, you’ve swept every category.
11:06 AM in Oakland. 8:03 PM in Zambezi.
xoxo,
Elisa
1-2-3
Popping in to say hello to both Mia and Ellie!! And hey to the rest of the Zags! Although pictures speak 1000 words, videos are even better! All of you singing together warmed my cold American heart. Seeing everyone come together to sing a beautiful song made my day. Ellie you are so cute in your scrubs and classic Ellie slick back. Mia I’m loving all of your skirts and of course two bouncy ponytails that only make me think of you. I promise you’re not missing much back home and I’m sure you’re barely thinking about it anyway with the amazing things you’re doing every day! Miss you girls. Sending tight hugs and dreams of Thomas Hammer matcha.
Me again, although I believe you asked for it.. haha
Made the “mistake” of listening to these songs during a quick break at work and found myself overcome with watery eyes. So many beautiful faces and smiles in addition to beautiful voices.
Can’t help but think that this group is trying to give Jonathan’s Germany traveling choir a run for their money! Love seeing you singing in a choir again, Sloane.
The music!!! I just loved it!! And I spotted my Katy bug singing away like she was back in choir 🙂 Were you holding a stuffed animal and….why? Has froggy been replaced??? And the Zambian’s singing how amazing was that!!! I just loved it thank you so much for posting this!!!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful music and the videos!! They are so moving and give us a whole new dimension of insight into your experiences!
Love you, Cate!!
Hearing the joyful voices and such genuine enthusiasm is truly heartwarming. The Broadway-style performance by the Zag Fam was both inspiring and delightful to watch. Thank you for sharing this music—it offers a meaningful glimpse into the Zambian experience, for which I am deeply grateful. I also thoroughly enjoyed catching a glimpse of Caroline M and the entire Zag family.
Your thoughtful connection with family and friends, allowing us to share in your journey, is profoundly appreciated. Thank you sincerely.
“Your thoughtful connection with family and friends, allowing us to share in your journey, is profoundly appreciated. Thank you sincerely” Thanks, Sara ^^ 🙂
Could not have said it better myself, What a fantastic community you have manifested!
Thank you for sharing those videos. If Kathleens different music teachers could see her now….singing in Africa.
Another wonderful experience and memory to hold onto, and use as an example to her future classroom.
Life would be better if we were all greeted with a song! It just made my day to see and hear how much our Zags are loved. Thank you!!!
Taylor- your singing and performance abilities have shown marked improvement! Wow! Now, how is the juggling going? ONE WEEK…I can’t wait to see you and hear your voice, heck maybe I should practice with Ann, Kelli, and Jenny so that we can greet you with a song? Probably too much right?
Jeff and Zags, it is so wonderful to hear your voices. The last clip of from Dipalata was beautiful, I can’t imagine how it feels to be singing together. It has been a minute but thank you so much to all of the blog authors— it is a gift to learn about what each team is getting up to. The market adventures, work in the hospital, stories of dancing and stargazing—- all of it sounds so special. You all have had some adventures!!!
Sean— I’m checking back in after a week or so of thinking of you a lot!!! Trudy, Liam and I are moved in to Squash house (sort of) (mostly) (plus or minus a dining room table and three of our humans, of course). Don’t tell the two of them that I said this, but living with people we love has been so important to me. (And don’t tell Bobby, but we’ve found a way to get on the roof— yes it is awesome). It’s all the things you love about our friends— waking up to each other and doing the dishes together in the evening. This house and little family will be special. You are on our minds a lot— we just unpacked The Vault (capital T capital V, in case these are read aloud), and Alfred the bear was an okay passenger princess, just not as good as you. On my end, I have around 200 pictures of bees in my phone and that’s just week 1. If you ever indulge me, boy will I have some bug facts for you. 🙂 Liam and I went to a baseball game, Trudy and I camped a night, all of us did a hike and some movie nights… it’s good. You will love it here in summer.
Soak up this last week for us all here in SPO, but please know how excited I am to give you a hug and see how that hair is growing out. Love you to the moon and/or all the way across the world &back. Stay cool out there!!! BYE!!!
Piper— Cannot wait to see you. The canoe adventure looked INSANE. Made me think of your dad— Trud and I were chatting after she got the chance to meet my father, and we’ve officially decided that the Krill-Gulick men need a day on the river together. I think they’d be buddies and maybe we could go too. He was here to move me in and we had some long chats that reminded me of you, and how wonderful our conversations are together! I’m so excited to have you back around in July. Love you girl .OKAY BYE FOR REAL!!
Love you zags!!!!!
Leah
Wow! Not much for me to add in these comments the music and well written description captures it all. Thank you for sharing such beautiful audios and videos, it is amazing to hear a slice of what you all get to encounter and participate in every day! Listening to these moments you have shared is a blessing and provides such insight into the power and wonders of culture that music brings. Thank you.
Ellie you killed the choir song from the dancing to the signing and swayin, I’m very impressd, it was so sweet to watch. Was also loving the blue bandana very stylish. Nothing crazy going on here went to the river yesterday… oh and you might be looking at the new supervisor of CVS (idk what made the hiring manager offer that job to me) more on that later. Okay love you bye legend
Let’s just say I can’t stop singing the welcome song… in the shower, washing dishes, walking Willy.
I’m so happy to see you today!!! After re watching several times, and crying every time, I am overcome with obvious raw emotion. The pure beauty, kindness, humanity- something I feel we are missing in the US right now.
What will we look forward to everyday once this beautiful blog is over? Thank you Elisa (Mia’s mom) for always writing exactly what I’m thinking but for some reason you have the perfect way of celebrating and communicating to us all.
Ellie I can’t wait to squeeze you so hard my heart might explode. Loved loved seeing the group song and the hands on your hearts with fellow community members singing along.
We are working on your Visa situation and your drivers license showed up this week.
Love love love
Hand on heart
Courtney (Coco) Ellie’s mom
Jeff, thank you so much for sharing those sounds from Zambia. I loved getting to listen to them, and in some cases, see the videos as well! The prayer for protection, the airstrip welcome, and Namumoni are my favorites. I’ve listened to them many times, and I think I’ve watched the Zags singing Namumoni at church at least 20 times! The airstrip welcome is especially moving. It brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it.
Sarah – Seeing and hearing you performing in the community fills my heart. Seeing your smile as you sing and connect with everyone makes it even more special. I can only imagine what it must feel like to look out at all those smiling faces, singing and clapping along with you. It also really helps us back home to better appreciate the vibrant culture and spirit you’re surrounded by. We love you and are thinking about you all the time!
So exciting to hear some of the sounds you guys are now so familiar with. Music is such an important way to connect and share history. I’m heading off to LA tomorrow, and I’m so sad I won’t be able to welcome you back, but I can’t wait to hear about everything! Living vicariously through these sounds and noises, and missing you dearly. Hi to everyone and keep sharing all your knowledge and light!
Catching up on the blog after a busy long week here. So amazing to hear all these sounds and songs. Music creates such a deep and immediate connection…so beautiful to see it was incorporated into you experience!