First Days

Today was our first day of our new session of Child Trauma Training. First days are always a bit chaotic with the host site having to find a new routine, I have to figure out all the quirks of a new place outside of my  everyday role and all of our trainees have a new routine too!

They are always so nervous on the first day. I love watching them come into the classroom unsure of me, this, all of it.

We start  with  introductions in a way that is totally out of their comfort zone and by the end of the first day they are laughing and building friendships. 

These are the best kinds of first days. Where the "teacher's" job is to literally build a community of mutual care, healing and hope. Thats's my task. When I read those words I think, "How did I become the luckiest girl on the planet?" 

It's because of you. The people who have prayed, supported, encouraged and donated. You have given me the best life. It's not an easy, safe, comfortable life the majority of the time but wow is it exactly what I would have chosen for myself if I understood the desires of my heart as much as God does. 

With love from ZAMBIA this time,

Gigi

Unexpected Miracles

For about 10 years I have been asking for something that I really wanted for someone I loved. It wasn’t even really something for me, it was for someone else. I was told by official after official that it wasn’t going to happen. Not then and probably not ever.

But I continued to pray and I continued to ask. I continued to be told, “No.” In my heart I felt God say “This isn’t a no, just a not now.” I couldn’t understand why something so good wouldn’t come right now.  I still don’t understand. But this week, we asked for something MUCH smaller than the original and repeated ask. Terrified that if we asked for what we really wanted we would walk away with nothing. So we went small, feeling so afraid. The man behind the dreaded counter said, “Wouldn’t you just rather have the whole thing?” Shocked, Nyasha messaged me to confirm that we indeed wanted the whole thing.

I have been weepy with gratitude ever since. I don’t know how. I don’t know why. I do not understand the delays or why it has come now. I do not have a neat package to put this in or a bow to tie around it. Our life isn’t like that, our lessons haven’t been tidy. They have been messy but messy doesn’t mean wrong. Life is just messy sometimes. Often. Waiting is hard. Today is sweet.  

In the name of friendship

I have a dear friend who wants to start blogging. She is special to me and in cheering her on to get started I agreed to post daily for the next 30 days while she gets started by doing the same. I have been so inconsistent in posting here, but when I process through writing often, I feel better. This has been a busy season. In two months we have moved TWICE (out and back into our home that was renovated,) hosted two different visitors from the States and now (mid move) are packing to head out of the country for work! If ever I have needed to process my thoughts it is now, when I don't even feel as if I have time to breathe! 

So here goes.

One of the greatest gifts from being displaced over the past two months has been Vivi's friendships with the girls on the property of our temporary home. 4 year old Sharon has been at our home almost as much as Vivienne herself! Viv has had to learn how to be a good friend, a good host, how to share her toys well. Hospitality does not come naturally to us all. It truly is a spiritual gift!

This is our last weekend in our temporary home. Much of our stuff has been moved back over to our old home. So tonight, we allowed Vivi to have Sharon over for a sleepover. These sweet girls were so excited! Viv cheered about every detail: will sharon eat dinner here? YAY! Will Sharon take a bath here? Oh thank you mommy. Will Sharon sleep in my bed with me? Oh this is so exciting!

And then. Bedtime came. Vivi was tired (and a little grouchy) and didn't want to share her space, so as Sharon snored away Vivi asked if Sharon could just go home.  Friendship can be hard like that! But eventually they both snored away and woke up so thrilled to have had a sleepover so they giggled while they are pancakes, played dollies and watched cartoons.  Friendship is hard work and can require us to lay down our on needs, but it is worth it for sure.

So my dear friend, here I go. 30 very busy days of blogging in an effort to cheer you on and welcome you to your own little corner of the interwebs! You are gonna love it here. Most of the time!