Sadza and Smiles

Ashlee Alley shares a bit from her experience eating dinner with the teen girls on Wednesday evening. 

We have been having a great experience here at Eden Children's Village!  One of my highlights so far is from our meal on Wednesday evening. We went in pairs to the various cottages to eat dinner with the children and their houseparents. Kids are placed in the various cottages and make up a sort of a family unit. There are a variety of ages in each cottage, from infant to upper teenager. Each has two house mothers, with one house having a married couple who live with the children. They really do function as a family unit. The houses are mostly arranged in a little village, with a common kitchen and bathrooms. The house I went to was the teen girls house. There were only 4 girls there: Lisa, Talent (who lives up to her name--she knits things beautifully!), Pauline and Shingatai. The house mom is Juliette. When Hayley and I got to their house, the girls were sitting on their front porch waiting on us. They were very hospitable to us, even if a little shy. They invited us into their house for dinner. We sat around their coffee table and they started the dinner ritual with hand washing. They held out a bowl and motioned for me to out my hands under it. They poured very hot water over my hands and apparently I washed my hands wrong--you are supposed to wring your hands, but I just cupped my hands...they laughed at me and then showed me how to do it correctly. After everyone's hands were washed, one of the girls served up out meal. It was a traditional meal of sadza, beef and relish (greens). We ate in the traditional way...with our right hand, using no fork!  They used our plates to scoop out enormous servings of sadza, at least half of the plate. Then they served a generous helping of beef and relish. I looked at it knowing that there was no way that I could eat it all. I pinched off a bit of the sadza, rolled it into a ball with just my right hand and used the sadza to scoop up some of the beef and relish. I braced myself, unsure of how it would taste and chomped down on a slimy piece of fat along with my beef. The taste was pretty good, but the texture was a challenge for me...and it was only the first bite. Our hosts all eyed us expectantly to see what we would say about it. Of course we both said, "It's good!" but I think that Hayley was more convincing than I was. We had been warned that Zimbabwean dinner conversation is almost nonexistent, so we were prepared for the awkwardness, but thankfully, they were curious about how we liked the food and how we liked Zimbabwe. We had a great time sharing stories and laughing with each other. 

Sadly, I was unable to eat very much of my meal...maybe only a quarter. But Hayley was able to eat like a champ!  After dinner, I passed around some candy, which they doled out with excitement. We played some card games with one another and then enjoyed asking each other questions. While we talked, one of the girls played with her cell phone, another looked at picture from my cell phone, and the others tried to outsmart everyone in cards. The girls were smart, funny, curious, and in many ways just like typical American teens. There were some significant differences, though, I suppose. They had all watched their parents die, mostly from AIDS.  They had learned what it means to become a different kind of family, and they seemed to have a trust in God for all their needs. We heard later that several teen girls had been leaving lately for work and independence that took them away from Eden. These girls may be contemplating leaving, too, but if they stay here, they can get more training, education, and support as they transition to independent life. 

While there are many differences between Zimbabwe and America, one thing that unites us is our desire for independence, community, and fulfillment. This place had our hearts before, but I think after we were so generously invited into their homes, we were even more taken by this place. We left with hearts and bellies full. 

Gods Hands

God is good! It's an amazing thing to be a part of a team that are all working to do Gods will no matter if it benefits them or not. Opening your eyes to a world you have only watched and read about is a very new, exciting, and scary experience. We have already been through and learned so much and it is only Friday! Walking in to this adventure I had no clue what to expect, and it has been so much more that I could have ever imagined so far. It's amazing how not only are we helping and teaching the kids and people here but they are just as equally helping and teaching us. To see the happiness and love that the kids have for us and one another is so precious. At home, we don't realize how much we actually take for for granted...like complaining about sharing a room with siblings. Coming here, there are more than 10 kids sleeping in one small space. They are all a huge family and its wonderful to see how honestly authentic their faith is because they do not care what or who they have, God is truly working in their life and those smiles are priceless even when they have nothing to smile about.

Joy came up to me last night at dinner and told me that tenashe (a young boy that I have grown very close with) was praying earlier that day and while he was praying thanked God for "his new friend Robbi, who plays games and has fun with me". It is an unbelievable feeling when you realize how much you can touch one kids life by showing them that you care. I love each one of them so much. This is an experience that will change your life and the way you really view things and I know that we are all going to return home with such a different perspective. I will make sure to return to this wonderful place and people. God's hands are layed upon Edens Village and I am so fortunate to have a part in it all for these weeks.

Robbi

Expecting

Maddy Martin, a senior at Washburn University in Topeka, KS is contributing this blog to tell of the team's experience in Zimbabwe thus far. 

The one word that comes to mind is expecting. The last five days have been nothing like I had expected them to be. My visions and thoughts that I had prior to being in a new country and on a new continent are quickly changing. 

My first flight over a real ocean rather than a sea went swimmingly... Ha! The lack of sleep on the other hand has been rough to catch up on. The many un-expecting adventures in the airports...every single one we were in...finally brought us to our destination.... Zimbabwe! Never had I dreamt of staying the night in Kenya, but pushing through that finally got me here. 

I was able to sleep in the first morning, along with the others to start the journey at ECV off right. I also got to sleep in a real bed and a house rather than what I was expecting...a tent! I am so thankful that Rory and Judy opened their house to me! 

I have been able to walk through the land and learn how everything at ECV has a use.... Even used tea bags (soaked in kerosene to use as a fire starter)! What Susan and Kevin (the owners) have done with their property is unbelievable. The simple yet intricate work that is completed is breath taking... Hand milking cows, growing everything to be eaten, using straw for a roof, walking everywhere, and sitting outside to eat each meal to name a few. Something I have yet to get used to are the workers. Most tasks completed are done by Africans who are paid to do it... Literally workers. They want to clean the dishes I eat off of or sweep the dirt I carry in the houses with my shoes or even wash my clothes for me because that's how their family is able to live... None of which I was expecting. 

Today I was able to help in the school, in a classroom that had 10-13 year olds. I helped them write letters to their sponsors... Spelling and grammar and sentence structure were the hardest to grasp. I have also had the opportunity to play with the children in the orphanage and eat supper with one of the houses. Star gazing, lots of walking, fighting fires and chatting late at night are some other great times that have taken place. 

Each day in Doma is different and unexpected things take place. I am excited to see what I learn in my time here. Something I have learned is that I would love to spend more time traveling and helping others throughout the world.

Parts I have loved so far:

- Avocados I pick from the trees
- Flying over an ocean 
- Laughing with new friends 
- The slumber parties that take place in the bedroom I stay in 
- Delicious salads with greens from the garden  
- The peacefulness an open savanna brings me 
- Fighting fires like a champ

Peace out for now--

Maddy

The first few days

We got to Zimbabwe after slightly entangled connections at the airports with baggage and scheduling, but made it here at last, a little worse for wear and very grateful for a good nights sleep. I was pleased to find many familiar plants at the house here, although some are much larger and growing outdoors as part of the landscape instead of being houseplants indoors. We got to play with the kids yesterday and then were invited to eat with a family for dinner. I had cottage #5, where12 children -all boys ages 17 to 6 except the baby girl who is a little over a year old -live with two houseparents. Beds for the children are upstairs. One bathroom, a living room and small kitchen and parents bedroom are downstairs.  The cottages are stucco with cottage type thatch roofs. Jerry brought his guitar along and played a few songs on one of the porches, which had been scrubbed that morning (and probably every morning) It made a great icebreaker. We ate a very typical meal of sudza which is a corn- based staple cooked over the fire outdoors in a large pot until it is quite thick, so it is able to be scooped up and eaten with  hands. A side dish of greens and some chicken rounded out the meal and was very good. Then we visited afterward around the table an played a couple of simple games which animated the children and opened up a closer connection with them. I look forward to more interaction with the kids this week. Some have Shona (native)names and some have American names. One little girl told us her name was Cherrrrrrite- rolling the r very much. The accent is some Shona and some British. We got home and found her name is actually Charity. There is also a Proud, Blessed, and  Talent-who is well-named, as well as Stanley, Dennis, Bryan and Beverly. Tatenda means thank you and is one of the boy's names. I fear I will not be able to remember the few Shona words I learn hear but it is good to try. I'll write more later this week, the kids need the computers.
Joy

Our Adventure in Kenya

We made it to Kenya!! But we had a misunderstanding that caused us to miss our last flight to Zimbabwe. Since that happened we waited in the airport 5 hours until the Kenya airline transported us to a 5 star hotel where we got a hot meal and shower that we really needed. It is 2:00am now we will leave the hotel at 5am and head back to the airport and fly to harare where will then head to doma where the orphanage is.

Hayley Weston

Who Are We?

You will be hearing from various people throughout our time in Zimbabwe. Here is a bit of who we are:

Benjamin Anderson is our trip leader. He has been on several missions already to work with Eden Children's Village and has been the lead point person for what we are doing. Ben has recently moved from Ashland as the CEO of Ashland Health Center to Lakin, KS for a comparable position. 

Dr. John Birky and his wife, Lisa are the second coordinators of our mission. Dr. Birky has been on several medical missions and he and Lisa lived in Zimbabwe for a time. Their three children Jude, Lily, and Eva are joining us as well. The Birky's will be heading to a clinic for half of the trip. 

A different dynamic of this mission for the usual mission trip from Ashland is that there are college students joining. Rev. Ashlee Alley from Southwestern College is going and will help in some administrative ways on the trip. Three Southwestern students, Justine Anthony, Robbi Lee, and Hayley Weston are going as well. Each girl is going to be a senior next semester. Hayley is excited to be on her second international mission trip and will be tutoring as well is helping us tell our story through words and pictures. Justine is responding to an exciting call by God on this mission and will be helping with the Birky kiddos and with some tutoring. Robbi has been counting down and anticipating what God is going to do through the mission. She will be leading a sports clinic at Eden. Jaimie Dungan is a pre-med student at Newman University and is going to be a senior. She is excited to have this international medicine experience and will will assist Dr. Birky with dental training at the Eden Clinic and a variety of surgeries at Karanda Mission Hospital. Maddy Martin is an early childhood major at Washburn University and will be tutoring children. She is excited about seeing her field of study in this context. 

Savannah Jenkins, from North Carolina, is our lone high school student. She had travelled abroad before, but never for a mission quite like this. She will be serving in lots of areas and is so excited about this opportunity. 

Joy Haggard comes to us from Ashland. She is a school records clerk and is on the board of the local thrift store ministry. She loves holistic living and is excited to experience the self-sustaining lifestyle of Eden. 

Jerry and Nancy Voorhies are joining the trip as well. They have sponsored a set of twins from Eden for the last several years and are experiencing a life-long dream by serving in this way. Jerry is a cattle rancher and they live half of the year in Washington state and the other half in Kansas. 

JT Vickers is a trained X-ray tech and owns a roofing company in Georgetown, TX. He has built a prototype of bench that we will be replicating for the orphan cottages and will oversee that project.

Melissa Bender is a NICU nurse in Florida. She will be joining the Birky's on the medical portion of the trip and will be training the clinic staff and area midwives on neonatal resussitation. 

Kate Dibberen is a track coach at Garden City Community College. She designed some great art for the trip for tshirts and will be working with the sports clinic among other things. 

Tim Walter is the final member of the team. He met Benjamin through a providential experience and has joined the team. He is a professional photographer and is also being able to share in a dream as he has been open to an opportunity for God to use him in a humanitarian photography assignment. He will be sharing a few pictures along the way, but mostly we will get to see his pictures upon return home. 

We come from 6 states, 5 different decades, 15 churches and will be taking 4 flights (each way). We will cover thousands of miles and we've been supported by tens of thousands of dollars in support and countless prayers. And we serve a God who knows each detail and loves each of us and those with whom we will partner in ministry. We look forward to sharing the journey with you! 

At the Airport

Our team is loaded up and is ready to go to Zimbabwe. Three members of our group are meeting is in Chicago (and one in Paris) and the rest are flying out of Wichita. We are ready. We are seeing God's provision in so many ways right now. Please pray for safety in travel and also, smooth transitions in airports and at customs. We've got a lot of people and a lot of stuff. Thanks so much for all of the support.