Wandering down a dirt road on my way back from teaching my first English class at the Chilenga Basic School, I began to ask myself, “what just happened?” A walk, which was supposed to take no more than thirty minutes from the school back to the center of Zambezi had taken more than two hours. By the time I had reached the convent back in town I had been invited twice to share a traditional kasava/nshima meal on my way back from school the next day, helped a friend of the GU community, Mama Catherine, carry water back to her house, and was asked if I would name the expectant child of a Zambezi couple I had just met shortly after being invited into their home.
Everywhere you go there is someone eager to meet you – someone craving just to say hello, just to be in your presence. At times the number of people yearning for a bit of your time can be overwhelming; however, as I try to search for some sort of deeper meaning in our day to day adventures I realize there is something special about the simplicity of just living in the moment. Here in Zambezi, things rarely run on a regular time schedule. In a computer class that starts at 9, we still have people strolling in at 9:50. It doesn’t matter what you do or what you accomplish with the people here. What matters is your presence and your intentionality. Never have I been in a place where people will so passionately dance and sing to welcome you. Never have I seen such genuine love painted in the smiles of total strangers. Here in Zambezi, life rolls at a much different pace – a pace in which you can’t help but think about the miracle of the human experience. To realize that in this short life we are so inextricably bound, so intimately interrelated to everyone around us is truly a miracle.
“Man is nothing without men. He lives in their hands and dies in their hands”
– African Proverb
Our time in Zambezi has already touched the hearts and minds of so many of us. I feel so blessed to continue sharing in this glorious experience as we continue to grow learn from one another with each and every passing day.
J. Blake Carr
Class of 2014
You da man blake! This is beautiful. You’ve already been able to capture one of the greatest gifts from the Zambian experience through living in the moment and allowing yourself to flow with the pace down there. There’s so much more where that came from and that kind of living in the moment is so much beyond that whole YOLO thing people keep saying these days. You all are taking that to a whole ‘nother level. I’m sure you have almost seamlessly adapted yourself to the culture and vibe that Zambezi has offered, blake, and I love your part about everyone being inextricably bound to one another. If you are able to realize and truly believe in that interconnectedness, you are already ahead of the game. Proud of you man and hope you are seeing the true greatness of Chilena and our Zambia Gold dollars hard at work. Less than a month ago we were chilling in the COG selling honey and now you are living it for real. It’s so early in the trip but take it simply moment by moment. I have enjoyed reading all the blogs so far and send my best to all of you.
Oh yeah, blake, Gary says whatup haha.
Much love,
Kurt Guenther
Zambezi ’11
Blake!! Ah this is great! I’m so happy you found Mama Catherine’s house. It’s incredible that everyday after class you end up passing her house. Does she still have the heart on her door?? Seeing the inside of her home and hearing her story is definitely one of my fondest memories. Not to repeat what Kurt said…but definitely live in the moment! YOLO your time in Zambezi like no other!!! I am DYING to know how Chilena Basic is doing…just saying. Blake just keep on saying Yes!
Enjoying all the posts but, especially good to “hear” your “voice” and WOW what a day you had! Continue to live in the moment and go with the flow’ 🙂
Much love,
Mom
Hey Blakey Boy, I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of you !! You are providing a wonderful service in Zambia to those that are less fortunate. Keep up the good work young man. Love you, Uncle Greg
Blake – Thank you for sharing this with us. Knowing that all of the students are having similar experiences is comforting for their loved ones at home. Enjoy everyday in Zambezi with a open heart.
All of you are truley blessed.
Blake! You already get to name a Zambian baby, pretty cool 🙂 What a walk home! Thanks for your thoughts and I hope you continue to build relationships with the community there as you continue to live in the moment!
Blake, this post is beautiful. Your words and experience that you’ve shared about your journey back home remind me that we should savor moments and soak in the reality of the present. Be present (as we always say in CLP). It’s not just about Yolo (as Kurt pointed out) we should should say Yoln (you only live now) or Yolwp (you only live when present). Not as catchy haha, but you capture with your story the necessity to not just walk down the road, but to truly enjoy and actively appreciate the journey. Keep BPing (being present! Maybe it will catch on 😉 ) You’re the best Blake!
And Hikaru, HAPPY FLUFFING BIRTHDAY 🙂 I hope you have an incredible day full of deep talks, journal worthy moments (which I’m sure is every moment) and some T-Swift dance parties! I love you more than fruit and Jillian and honestly cannot imagine my Gonzaga experience or life in general without you. I’m so excited to reunite and hear all about your travels and laugh until we can’t breathe and tears are streaming down our cheeks. Sending love and hugs your way soul sista 🙂 Love you!
Glad you’re having a great experience! Nicely composed post
David- I helped Blake with his post!
Glad to hear you are doing well and enjoying yourself! Be safe and keep us up to date! See ya in July! ❤taraneh
Aww Blake! Stay present. Be intentional. I hope the curiosity leads you on many adventures… make Murdock proud 🙂 Special shout out for Zambia Gold!
And Josh… today I returned from a trip to Portland and walked by that creepy bar where Nolan parked for our Saturday morning market trip. It just made me miss hanging out with you!!
Keep believing in miracles, everybody.
Claire
Zam ’10
BLAKE!! I just got goosebumps. Well written post! I’m soo glad you’re having such an incredible experience. The concept of time there sounds great..can’t wait to hear more about it when you get back to the US! much love, Olivia
Blake my love, my philosophical coffee partner, I absolutely adored this post. I know you of all people are truly cherishing your time and searching for the meaning of every encounter you have in Zambezi. I am so excited/happy/JEALOUS of what a walk home you had! Happy travels my friend; may they continue to bring peace and adventure. I love you boyo!
-Brades
A beautiful piece. I wish people here in the states are just like the way this writer described the people in Zambia. I feel like people here in the US have forgotten the warmth and the sense of “community.” To the students out there, please bring back everything you have experienced there and embrace them!
Hope you had an amazing birthday Hikaru:)
Xoxo