Student Mission Trips Student Mission Trips Maggie Shields off to Africa!
Read through the email updates from Maggie:May 1 Update:Maggie left 5/1 for Boston. Then it is Boston to London overnight. 14 hours to kill in London and if she can get up the nerve she is going to try to get into London for a few hours. Then overnight again from London arriving in Lusaka, Zambia about 6:00 AM on 5/3. There she will be picked up by people that are friends of the missionaries she is living with. They will take her to the bus station and put her on a bus to Kitwe, Zambia. In Kitwe she will be living with some Zambian missionaries who run Renewed Hope Childrens Center. She will be helping with the kids, doing some AIDS education, helping with a Bible Study, and doing whatever else they need help with. She was pretty nervous about the trip today when she left as it is a daunting journey of 35 hours in planes and airports and a lot of question marks when she lands. So, an extra dose of prayer the next 36-48 hours would be much appreciated. May 4 Update:It took me about 20 times to figure out how to pronounce hello/how are you (muli shani), but it's easier when it's written out. Well, after 19 hrs in airports, and 20 hrs. on a plane, and a 5 hr. bus ride, I finally made it to Kitwe. I was sooooooo relieved to see a lovely woman waving at me through the bus windows when I first arrived. It was such an answer to prayer. The trip went very smoothly besides being reallly exhausted. I got to spend like 5 hrs. in London and came close to getting hit only once because I was looking the wrong way on the street. :) I got to see Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Clarence House (where the Queen really lives), The London Eye, and much more. I feel like I have so much to say and I've only been here for a day. The Sheba's are a very nice family. Their home is quite nice. I have my own room, they sometimes have running water and if you are really lucky it is warm, and they have their own car. So they are a pretty wealthy family here in Kitwe. They have 3 children (lemesa, immanuel, and wamcheka) and then they have 4 nieces and nephews that live with them because they are orphans. One girl, Spopa, lives w/ them because her parents are both dead from HIV, all of her brothers and sisters are also dead from HIV. It is very sad. Annie says that about 80% of the homes have orphans living there. Today, after I took my first bath in 4 days (which almost brought me to tears i was so happy), we went with a woman names Rose to a small village about 2 hrs. away (if the roads were decent it would have taken like 25 minutes), but the roads are very bad. Anyway, we are tyring to find a shcool for a young girl that has cerebral palsy. we found out that there is only one school in the whole country that accepts children with disabilities. we also went to a school for the deaf (this is also the only one in the whole country). Tonight, I got to teach a bible study for a group of teenage girls. The groups is called Good News Club. I talked about Luke 8 and what it meant for God to be our Master. I really liked listening to the girls and being able to hear them worship in thier language (Mbemba). Ya know how we say that people speak Spanglish when it's a mixture of spanish and english? well they speak Mbembaglish. It's hilarious. So Annie willl say "ajremvmeiarueowjivoeiajroenveoianfve, ya know what i'm saying, awejrioemavmeiarjeomveaoijfejfj, and i was so grateful." lol...it cracks me up. Anyway, my time is almost out. I don't think I'll email much because it is rather inconvenient for the family to bring me here. But i'll keep a good journal, and email back just in case I do get to check it. that's always fun :). Anyway, I miss you all! Thanks for praying for me. I know God is hearing all the prayers (otherwise, i'm not sure i would have made it here). Everything is going well though and I am so thankful that I made this trip. Mom, thanks so much for cards--and thank your students too. they are such a nice reminder of home. and thanks to dani and brent too. I love you all. Miss you! May 7 Update:Jane and Steve got an email from Maggie this AM with no news- just the subject line that said "READ BEFORE YOU GO TO SCHOOL!!!!" After I picked my poor heart off the ground, I read the email. She is out of money because they charge $100 for her Visa when they said it would be $25. And, the bank won't cash her travelers checks and no one will accept her credit card. We are faxing (hopefully) the purchase agreements on the travelers checks- which she was told to leave here, and they said they would take them if they had that. American Express wasn't much help, so I figured we should try prayer! May 8 Update:So i've learned a few new Mbemba words, but none of them seem to apply for writing this email. I'm sure i'll be fluent by the time I leave here (kidding). It wouldn't do me much good anyway because by the time I leave the city of Kitwe, Mbemba is no longer spoken. Apparently, there are 72 tribal languages spoken in Zambia alone. yikes. Anyway, thank you so much for emailing. I cannot even explain how nice it is to hear from you guys. And thank you to all who said they are praying for me...I am praying for you as well. I hope things are going well for everyone back home. Well, I don't know where to begin. I am experiencing soooooooooooooo many new and different things, and I feel like there is way too much to tell. I can try to expalin some of the cultural differences that you all might enjoy. Now, please do not think that I am critizing the culture here (To my social work professors--I think I am doing a good job of being culturally sensitive :)), but seeing as how I don't have anyone traveling with me to discuss and enjoy these differences with, I must report them to you. So here we go: FOOD: The staple food here is called Nshima. It's flour and water mixed together on the stove until it forms like a patty. The people LOVE it here. We eat it everyday--sometimes for lunch and dinner. Usually for dinner, there is also chicken or sausage to go with it, but it is still flour and water. haha...when I think about how much more Nshima I am going to eat on this trip, my stomach gets upset. But I still eat at least a little bit everytime. The other food is called Semp (dont' know how to spell it), it is also a mixture of flour and water, but the flour is not ground up as fine. enough said. CHURCH: I had to chuckle my first Sunday here while thinking about my dad making it through these church services. All I can say is that I was seriously humbled. First of all, I helped Auntie Sheba (people call their elders Auntie or Uncle as a sign of respect) with the children's sunday school class. These kids KNOW the bible. It was amazing. Auntie was asking questions like how many children did Ishmael have and where was he buried and name 5 of his kids and these children were just busting out names. Jokshan and Midian and all kinds of things. I just sat there in amazement...definitely humbled. Anyway, we had two church services on Sunday. The morning service went 3 hours! I couldn't help but think if that were to happen in America how many people would be sitting there thinking about Sunday lunch, etc. Anyway, once we got home from church, we ate, and then Auntie said. "are you ready to go to church?" I didn't know what to think, but of course I said yes. She explained that this is a short communion service. So I'm thinking we go, pray, maybe sing a song, and then take communion and leave. HA! we were there 3 hrs again. The sermon itself was a hour and a half. There were 4 Scripture readings. And in the U.S., Scripture readings are usually like Leviticus 6:1-5. Well, here it's more like Leviticus chapters 6,7,8,9, and 10. And there are 4 of them! and then the sermon on top of that. Let me just tell you that I was struggling. But I was also amazed by their commitment to the church. Like I said, I was humbled. Anyway, I'll save more for later because there is a ton I could tell you. Yesterday, I went to Kapoto which is a village about 25 minutes from here. That is where Auntie Sheba will establish the orphanage. Currently, she has a group of children from Kapoto that are orphaned from HIV (most of them having HIV themselves) that she visits regularly. They get together, sing songs, she passes out food, and we just visit. The kids were amazing. They are beautiful, happy children and I can't help but cry when I think about their futures. I want so badly to believe that this orphanage will give them hope, an education, and a better life--but it's so hard. I know we have a big God that can do immeasurably more than I can imagine, and if I didn't believe that then I don't think I could be seeing these things. I just couldnt' handle it. Anyway, we walked around the village and visited families. We also visited several HIV patients and brought them food. Many of them just laid in bed and stared at the ceiling while were there. They are not very responsive. But the conditions of the places they live are heart-breaking. There are families of 6 and 7 people living in a house that is no bigger than my room at home. Kitchens are the size of a closet. It's so sad. Anyway, my time is running out. Next week, I will be traveling back and forth from the Sheba's to Sara Rose (another orphanage) to work there. So pray that I can figure out the bus system, and make it there and back safely. Also, just pray for these children and that Annie gets funding for the orphanage soon so they can move in. Also, can you pray for my money situation because right now they are not accepting my traveler's checks so I dont' have any money! Thanks guys. I love you all and I'm praying for you! [Jane got to talk with Maggie before this email - the money situation is not resolved - please keep this in prayer]. May 11 Update:I just wanted to let ya'll know that the money situation worked out fine. God is so faithful! Mom and Dad just wired me money and it was very easy to get. So...praise the Lord that worked out. I had a chance to visit the farm where the future site of Renewed Hope Children's Orphanage will be. There is quite a bit there already to go from, but Annie is just waiting for funding so they can buy bunk beds for the children and then they can start bringing kids in! The farm is outside Chimemwe which isn't too far away. It was really exciting to see the site though. There are already animals on the farm (chickens, donkeys, etc). There is a big house that will be used as a dorm for now until they get funding to build an actual dorm. There is a lot of land too for future building. Annie and the rest of the directors have such an awesome vision and I am so glad to be a part of it. I can't wait to come back one day and see all the children that I visited who were on the street in Kapoto. Hopefully by then, they will be in school, getting an education, and having a safe place to go back home to. I learned yesterday that it only costs $30 to send a primary school aged child to school for an entire year! And it costs $100 to send a child to secondary school or high school. I couldn't believe that! I can't believe that it is so inexpensive and there are still so many children that aren't being sponsored or helped in anyway. I also visited Sara Rose Orphanage today. It's a home that has been up and running for awhile now. I am going to be working there all next week. As soon as I walked in, several little toddlers came running up to me and latched on to my leg. Of course, that brought a huge smile to my face. There was a nursery with 5 babies in it--all under 1 yr old--all orphans. I can't even imagine how many more are out there. There are so many street kids in Kitwe too. I learned yesterday that many children actually leave the village where they live and become street kids because it is actually a better alternative--even if they have family there. All the workers were very nice and excited for me to come next week so that was encouraging. I met two women there from the U.S. who are also volunteering so that will be nice to interact with them next week. I had a meeting with the caregivers of Renewed Hope yesterday.They are the 6 women who live in Kapoto now and try to look after some of the children while the orphanage is being established. They told me a story that just took place yesterday morning. As they were walking from the village to our house they passed by a young girl who they said was "bewitched". Apparently, there is a lot of witchcraft that takes place in the villages. Anyway, she was screaming out in pain so they stopped to try and help her. After a few minutes, she started throwing up stones. Just dry stones--like gravel. Eeek. I don't know what to think about that, but regardless, it pains me to think about and motivates me even more to get as many orphans out of that village and into a safe and loving home. Thanks so much for your prayers. I get to attend a Zambian wedding tomorrow so when I write next week I'll be able to tell you all about that. May 20 Update:Seeing as how it's been over a week since my last email, I have way to much to say in the few minutes that I have, but I'll try to make it quick. Anyway, the last week or so has been very very busy. I was at Sara Rose orphanage all last week. I got up about 6am to get there. It usually took awhile because the buses stop so much. Oh, I managed the bus system just fine except for being the subject of some minor harassment at the main bus stop in town. I would get followed by a guy or a few guys and they would be yelling things like, "hey sweetheart, come with us sweetheart." I would obviously just ignore them and keep walking, but I was really praying and peeing my pants. haha...anyway. The caregivers at Sara Rose were amazing people. Unfortunately, the American volunteers didn't come last week, but I really enjoyed most of my time that I spent with the caregivers (the ones that spoke english anyway). Iness, the matron of the orphanage, made me a chitengue which is beautiful. I got to know one of the caregivers really well. Her name is Carol. She is 16 and has a one year old son. They both live at the orphanage. Her dad died of AIDS when she was young and her mother was not able to take care of her so she went out on the street. There are SO many street kids here because they are orphans and don't have any relatives, or just because their parents can barely survive themselves. Anyway, Carol went out on the street when she was 9. She and another girl would beg for food or money during the day. During the night, they would have to find places to hide out in the bush because they were so afraid of being raped. Unfortunately, Carol's nightmare did come true when she was raped at age 14. That's when she became pregnant with Jack. Mrs. Mwansaa, the woman who runs the orphanage, found her pregnant, begging on the streets and took her in. I'm sure you agree with me when I say that it just breaks my heart to hear stories like that. Most children in the U.S. live such different lives. I don't even think I knew things like that were possible when I was 9 years old. Anyway, that story is way to familiar to a lot of people here. I've actually heard worse stories than that which I don't have time to share right now, but I'll share them when I get home. My time with the children was really great too. I came home around 18 hrs (6pm) everyday pretty much dead. They LOVED to just climb on me and get twirled around and wrestle with me. It was so much fun, but I had to pray for energy everyday. God was faithful in that are for sure. There is a preschool class there that I had the chance to help out with as well. That was fun. I taught the kids some songs, and did a few crafts with them. This weekend I was invited to Ndola which is about 1/2 hr. south of Kitwe. A woman who is a friend of Auntie Sheba's has started an organization called PLAEP. It's an organization aimed at helping those infected and affected by HIV here in the community. She wanted me to help out at a workshop they were holding this weekend. I didn't know exactly what that meant, but I agreed to go. Apparently, when she said "help" she really meant "run" because that's what I did. I was up in front of about 15 people talking about how to start an organization. haha...like i even know. Apparently, being white implies that I know what I'm talking about. Anyway, luckily, I had help from other people during some sessions, but I had no idea what I was doing. God must have been working there though because a lot of people said they learned a lot. lol...i didn't even know what i was saying. I just started talking about missions statements, and visions, and goals and objectives (thank God i was a social work major). Anyway, i'm about out of time. Hope things are well in the U.S. I CANNOT WAIT TO BE HOME! This trip has been so wonderful in some many ways. But it's also been one of the most difficult, and challenging things i've done. Anyway, I miss home a lot and I miss all of you. Love, Mags May 22 Update:We [Steve & Jane] spoke with Maggie for a little bit today. Everything is going ok except that she is having some malaria like symptoms. Her family took her for a test, but it was negative. But, she is still feeling tired and weak. She is taking malaria preventative medication, but the malaria in Africa is pretty strong stuff. So, please pray for her over the next few days. She continues to work with the family this week and leaves Saturday to go to Victoria Falls and then back to Lusaka to catch her plane out on Tuesday. Please pray that she does not have malaria and that her symptoms subside enough for her to enjoy the kids for the last few days and to enjoy her sightseeing before she heads home. |
Zach Pieper - Orlando ProjectCCC member Zach Pieper (son of Jeff and Andrea Pieper) is spending the summer break from Indiana State University in Orlando Florida working with Campus Outreach Indianapolis. The Orlando Project (OP) is an investment of 9 1/2 weeks that will pay dividends throughout the remainder of students’ lives! They will grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ by learning more about studying the Bible, praying, building relationships with other college students, working a full-time job, sharing their faith and attending a local church. For more information about the project, click to visit the Orlando Project website. We look forward to seeing what Zach and Joel will do! Amber Wolf - Mission week in Costa RicaAmber Wolf (daughter of Sherry Strauss & step-daughter of Tom Strauss) is leaving for San Jose, Costa Rica on May 24 in the early morning. There are 7 of them going on this mission trip (from Church at the Crossing in Indianapolis, where Amber attends when she is with her father). They will be staying and sleeping in a church. They will be putting up the ceiling and finishing sheetrock in a recreational center. She is excited about using power tools and doing some "hard dirty work"! They are taking Sunday School supplies for reaching out to the people there. They will get to go sightseeing one day, which she is very excited about. A group went last year and she was not able to go with them then. So she has wanted to go there for well over a year and she is hardly able to contain herself! She has been working hard to raise the money, even before she knew for sure that she was going. The mission group gets back about early in the morning on June 1. Amber will be working at our Crosslight Christian Daycare for the remainder of the summer before she returns to Huntington University for her sophomore year in the fall.
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Maggie Shields (daughter of Steve and Jane Shields, all members of Cicero Christian Church) graduates Saturday, April 28 from Indiana Wesleyan with a degree in Social Work. She has had a great 4 years, grown tremendously in her walk with the Lord, and has made many friends that will be very hard to leave. On top of that, she leaves on May 1, 2007 for Africa. She is going by herself to work with some missionaries that she has never met in an orphanage in Kitwe, Zambia. Please pray for her over the next month and that God will grant her peace, His strength and His protection (and a job when she gets back!).