leaving Zambezi with Flying Missions
Dear parents, family and friends,
The students and faculty of our Gonzaga team have safely arrived in Lusaka after a morning flight from Zambezi with our partners Flying Missions Zambia. They will do some final souvenir shopping and celebrating in this capital city before departing Thursday morning for London and the journey back home.
I’m at a loss for words. As one who enjoys hearing myself speak (an occupational hazard), this is rare and frightening. For the past two months, I have had the incredible pleasure of studying, traveling and exploring Zambezi with a truly remarkable collection of Gonzaga students. We have laughed, we have cried, we have cried while laughing. We have been challenged in expected and unexpected ways. We have been supported by a community that can’t help but love us unconditionally. You have shared in these stories, so beautifully written by our students, on this blog. I know that you have been challenged and touched and I’m so thankful you were along for the ride.
I also hope to convey my thanks for allowing and supporting your students in this opportunity. “What? You want to go to Zambia?” Thank you for your trust. I recognize that it is not easy having loved ones so far away especially without the personal communication that we have come to expect.
I can honestly say that I have been changed by your students. They are remarkable individuals who have embraced living outside of their comfort zones and have tackled big questions without easy answers. Our evening reflections have been an amazing space for learning and processing our daily adventures. These students have been journaling about this experience like struggling dedicated novelists. They have also introduced me to relationships and realities in Zambezi, a place that I affectionately call my second home.
The Jesuits are fond of saying that a Jesuit education “ruins you for life.” I hope that this experience has ruined your students in all of the right ways. We have learned so much and will continue to learn from this experience. We have been thinking about Mother Teresa’s words that “There are no great things, just small things, done with great love.” I have been encouraging students to find these small things that will connect them to these relationships and lessons from Zambezi and integrate them into their lives. You can help by finding the time to truly hear their stories, see their photos, and ask them good questions.
I do hope that when you are next on Gonzaga’s campus that you will come by my office. I have a story about your son or daughter that I would love to share, and in many ways, we already know each other.
Kisu, mwane.
“Dr. Joshua” Armstrong
Dear Dr. Josh,
I brought up the blog more for nostalgic browsing of pictures than expecting a new entry so was so happy to find yours! 🙂 Thank you for letting us know of their safe arrival in Lusaka…and for me especially nice to hear due to Kate’s fear of small planes! 🙂 Thank YOU for guiding our kids through this incredible experience. I imagine it will take a while to hear all the stories as Kate processes it all but am so grateful she’ll be home for a couple months before her next adventure to Florence. We had “planned” on that study abroad and were a bit taken aback at the Zambia prospect in addition. However, without even having her home yet, I know the value of this experience…I had the advantage of hearing great things about Josh Armstrong via Melissa Symington 🙂 so it was a bit easier to accept this happening. Thank you again for all you gave during Kate’s month and the semester preceding. I know she was blessed. And, I will hope to meet you and thank you in person someday!
Kisu, mwane (blessings to your dear family as you bring Grace home!)
Mary
ps- Cannot thank you enough for the call following Kate’s grandmother’s death.
Dr. “Joshua” Armstrong,
Thanks for the message of a safe arrival in Lusaka. Also, thanks so much for allowing these select group of GU students to experience Zambezi and the people of Zambezi.
Thanks also for your leadership. We look forward to meeting you in person when we make a visit to GU, although I have a feeling that we will hear a LOT about you and your amazing family before we officially meet.
Thanks and safe travels to all,
Rick and Kelli Orth
Dear Dr. Josh…
…and your wife and children. You have ALL become dear to us as this adventure has unfolded. When Stef couldn’t go to Florence because of another ankle surgery we were sad that she would miss the opportunity. Little did we know that God would open the “Zambezi door” and give her an even more valuable experience. Entrusting her into the hands of you, Josh, and your staff, was not an adventure into the unknown because of her experience with CLP. You, the staff, and this program have more than lived up to our expectations. I will not dwell on superlatives, but as a father, I believe that you know what I’m trying to say. As we welcome Stef home, and she begins searching for that place where “her passion, and the world’s need collide,” we are confident that her time in Zambezi, and in CLP will be a major influence in her life. At an early age, she chose Prov. 3:5,6 as a life verse: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” This trip, and it HAS been a trip, has brought that promise home to our family. The fact that we, at home, have been able to share a part of this through the blogs has meant a great deal. The entire Armstrong family will be in our prayers, especially during the next few weeks. Best wishes to the six of you (six has such a nice ring to it!) as you finish your work in Zambia, and return home to Spokane.
A great big KISU MWANE to your all.
Steve Watson, Linda, Jesse, and Grandma Edith
Dear Dr. Joshua and family,
Thank you for the update on Group 2 and the beginning of their travel home. We are anxious to have Meg safely returned to us. The Jesuit saying “ruined you for life” of their impact on students is so true. We recognize that our daughters Erin (Group 1) and Meg (Group 2) were ruined (in the best possible way) in high school with their trip to Belize. That trip prepared us for our girls coming home and saying: “We want to go to Zambia!” Thankfully we had a small glimpse of what we would be keeping them from if we didn’t cooperate and encourage them with their desire to take the journey of a lifetime. We THANK YOU for opening the door and making that “journey of the heart” a reality. We will be praying for each of these students to work out the reality of how to integrate the lessons learned in Zambezi and apply them to lives lived in very different circumstances here. We will also keep you and your family in our daily prayers that your remaining time in Zambia be filled with peace, blessings, and safe travel home! We look forward to stopping by your office and hearing the personal stories you are so ready to share about our daughters! Until that time…
May, “The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
Traci Dempsey
Dr. Joshua,
Thank you for your update on the safe arrival of our loved ones. They are all special people, and God has blessed not only them, but this world for them being in it. We all pray for their safe return to Spokane.
May it only be possible that all of us could be “ruined for life” in some way, as this wonderful group has.
Thank you!
Steve Ruegg (Melissa Houglum’s dad and Dave Houglum’s father-in law)
Ditto to my brother Steve Watson’s message. God has directed our lives in so many ways and what a blessing He directed Steffie’s way to Zambia–We can hardly wait to her accounts of what the group did and how God has furthered His kingdom, both in Zambia and in our dear Stephanie. Thanks so much for your vision in this program–God bless you richly as you continue in His service. PS Congratulations on the new addition to your family–Steve’s right–Six does have a nice ring to it and besides, the pie is now easier to cut!
Dear Dr. Joshua,
I can’t thank you enough for guiding Paige through this unforgettable journey. You gave her the opportunity to face new challenges – and I bet she did things that she never dreamed she could do. As a parent, I know how important strength and guidance is to my kids, and since she arrived at Gonzaga, Paige has been surrounded by people who offer both. I look forward to listening to her stories, and to watching as she continues to process what she saw and heard and felt in Zambia. I’m so ready to have my girl back home – but I gotta tell you, I’ll miss the blog terribly and am already going through withdrawal. Talk about living vicariously!
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the work that you do, and best of luck to you and your entire family as you welcome Grace home.
Ann Brunett
Dr. Joshua
Thank you for taking the time and energy to administer the Zambezi program. Through the blog I have seen the impact of the program on the students. A inspiration picture hanging in my home has the following quote.
“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove…but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”
Forest E. Witcraft
I hope I speak on behalf of the proud parents when I say: Thank you for being important in the life of our children. (the young men and women in the program who as parents we had the privilege to raise and call our own)
Glenn (Kyle’s proud Dad)
Musana Mwane and greetings from Heathrow International Airport! As the last nine members of our group wait for our flights (we just saw Kate off to her gate) we read the blog over one last late breakfast. We couldn’t help but be humbled and once again taken back to Zambezi by your beautiful words Josh. We miuss you already and feel like we have left part of our family in Africa. Some of our family has remained in Europe too (after celebrating Alex’s 21st with a night on the town in London): Melissa and Dave are off to see London and then Italy, Mateo and Alex are en route to Paris as we speak, and Nolan is off to adventure through Europe for the next five weeks! Thank you for all of the support and love you gave us throughout this experience, we can’t wait to see you and our own families again soon! Love from all your chindele children!!
Dear Remnants of Group 2
Good to hear from you all! Wish I could see what you all had for breakfast…cheese? bacon or sausage? Caffeine and sugar? Perhaps! We love you all and can hardly wait to see pics and hear stories. Godspeed to you all as you travel.
Watson