Author Archives: Zags in Zambezi
How to Set the World on Fire (without burning it down)
I write you today in what may be my last writing ever as a Gonzaga Student. In a fitting end to my collegiate writing career, I now write this in the wee hours of the night after a beer (in … Continue reading
Looking up, looking down
Hello loyal blog readers and followers! Since it’s been a while here’s a few updates for those following along at home: Although the flies and spiders are still a problem, we have ventured into the world of cockroaches. So, we … Continue reading
Finding Comfort in the Midst of Discomfort
Hello sweet family, friends, and all those reading! We are just over three weeks into our time in Zambia, many of us finally in a rhythm but still experiencing new surprises each day. We enjoy meals together, walk … Continue reading
Feel Free
Anyone who knows me knows that I am reflective: constantly and to a fault. In preparation for this trip, we congregated in Gonzaga’s student chapel during finals week for a commissioning service. During the service, we took part in a … Continue reading
The World Conspires to Create
Early last semester I was in my advisor’s office, making us both feel uncomfortable with the number of tears I was attempting, but failing, to hold back with my sarcastic hand motions and notable “okayyy anyway”. I wept because I … Continue reading
Cold Showers
The sound of the water pounding the concrete reminds me of those rainy nights that used to help me fall asleep. I stand outside the convent shower and brace myself for the sting of regret that I anticipate feeling after … Continue reading
Sitting in Complexity
I left the convent walls for my daily walk along the dirt road to the market. As I followed the tire tracks and Chaco prints on the ground, I realized I was close to … Continue reading
Zambezi Sunset Cruise
“You can’t exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness. You can’t be human all by yourself” – Desmond Tutu As we are starting up our second week of classes here in Zambezi, we have been … Continue reading
Munone
Piled on top of each other in the back of Father Yona’s pickup truck, Mama Katendi taught us a new word: Munone. Used in Luvali to describe the feeling of butterflies in one’s stomach when driving over a bump in … Continue reading
Kalundola Bound; Liberations Bound
In the words of Nasir Jones, “I don’t know how to start this [thing],” so I’m just gonna type whatever comes to mind. First, a preface. To friends, future friends, family, and as a reminder to myself, the purpose of … Continue reading