Author Archives: Zags in Zambezi

As I write this on our group’s last full day in Zambezi, thoughts surge through my mind like bees being smoked out of a Zambia Gold beehive. There is so much going on, the education and computer groups graduate their … Continue reading →

As our hours in Zambezi are numbered and we embark on the ‘What now?” portion of our journey, I can’t help but be both haunted and empowered by a question posed during a night of stargazing from the water tower: … Continue reading →

The power has just come back on in the small, tidy eating area of the Simoonga’s household. Alexander, the father of the family and a man with an open smile, low voice, and small scar on his left cheek is … Continue reading →

Paige Brunett. Catholic. White. Female. The other night during reflection, we were each asked to name what identifies us. Personally, being female has never been an identifier that I have been terribly aware of. Of course, I love shopping, reading … Continue reading →

In his poem “The Road Not Taken,” legendary poet Robert Frost wrote, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” My road to Zambia started two … Continue reading →

I hear the yell down the hallway of our convent and home, “Dinner!” Eagerly, I make my way to our dining table and common room, where food, laughter, and deep reflection are shared simultaneously everyday. As I look at my … Continue reading →

Life is messy. In Zambia I have experienced this first-hand both literally and figuratively. I am reminded of life’s messiness each night when I try in vain to “Wet Wipe” my feet clean before getting into bed. (It never works.) … Continue reading →

Returning back to the chapel after a long walk to and from the Dipalata Mission Hospital, I geared up to teach my second computer class with Kyle and Nolan, to a group of forty eager individuals. For the members of … Continue reading →

Departing for Africa, the experience of a lifetime, meant that I was leaving two 96-year-old grandmothers and my pregnant sister on bed rest. All very emotionally trying situations. Allowing myself to be worlds away from them, meant that I may … Continue reading →

It’s the small things. It’s the kind soul who lets one uneasy passenger {me} grasp onto his shoulder during the three hour trip to Zambezi as our five person bush plane dipped and swayed with the turbulent wind currents. It’s … Continue reading →