FYI

I have been sick for the last three days I think I caught a bug from one of the kids here in Zambia…I am doing better now but I have lost a bit of weight. However, now I am eating and have more energy. It has been frustrating because I am usually an energetic person who is always on the go, so it was hard to be still and stay in one place for a long period time. I have been getting quite a bit of work done here in the last month; it has been exciting, challenging and interesting working with the local people and with the different CBO’s (Community Based Organizations). I visited another mobile clinic in a different part of Kabwe, Zambia…here I met a cute boy named Andre…. he is in the picture with me, he was the cutest little boy I have seen since I have been in Zambia, and he was so friendly and sat on my lap and loved to smile in pictures. No matter what hardships I am facing I love Africa and I think that everyone should at least visit this blessed Nation at least once in their lives. I have been privileged to be amongst such wonderful, humble and spiritual people, they are actually changing me more than I think I am changing them.

I also went to an African wedding last weekend, it was so good, a lot of dancing and singing and beautiful colourful traditional gowns…I have some videos of it on my camera I will be sure to show them once I arrive home. I have never been to anything like it in all my life. Weddings in Zambia cannot be compared to the weddings in our western culture, they are much more exciting…he he he!!!!

I have also met some wonderful friends, I have another mother here in Zambia her name is Loveness and a grandmother named Mary…they are awesome ladies who have taken care of me when I visit their projects and I will be having a traditional meal at their homes before I leave for Canada… which is in less than 40 days!!!!!!

Ryan=)

Updates

So i have been in Africa for just under 3 months. I can't beleive how fast time is going by. I am really enjoying my time here, i am meeting new friends both Zambian and American. I have plans to go to Livingstone (where Victoria Falls is located- one of the seven wonders of the world, and white water rafting) in November with a friend of mine, that should be fun.

Lesson Learned
- Through my time here i have discovered that Zambian do not value time, they value relationships, so sometimes meetings would go on for such a long time, where in Canada the meeting would of been done in like 3o minutes. In a way this is a blessing because if forces me to focus on the people rather than the work. This has proven to be helpful when i am trying to get information from the patients so that i am able to collect data. They open up to me once we have a conversation about thier family and thier personal lives.

I have only learned 3 greeting phrases in Bemba and i sound absolutely ridiculous saying them out loud, but it is neccessary becauseit is good manners to greet and shake hands with everyone you meet (thank God for hand sanitizer) I feel as though when i come home i will be shaking everybody's hand that i meet...he he he!!!

I know the town very well now and it is becoming like a little home for me, but don't get wrong i miss my home a great deal and the countdown is going to when i will arrive back into Canada...even though it will be bloody cold when i arrive in December.

Please continue to pray for me as i go through the adventure of a lifetime.

Ryan=)