Princess Zulu

Sometimes when you meet someone you sense their presence, their big spirit, the presence of greatness, this is what it was like to meet Princess Zulu.  We had the great honor of meeting Princess Zulu, through a friend who heard that we were going to Zambia. She walked into our meeting with this huge effervescent spirit, and warm smile and we were blown away. She spoke about what it would mean for us to live in rural Zambia, the presence of witchcraft and the mix of medications with that, the view of our whiteness, foreignness, and customs of Bemba culture. She warned us to get over our concept of American time; we must learn to be laid back like most Zambians. She spoke of how peaceful and easy going Zambia has been. She covered us in prayer and spoke wisdom into our journey.

When I got home I picked up one of my books from the library called, “Warrior Princess” and on the front I realized that this was Princess Zulu. Her story is one of incredible courage. When Princess got married, Zambian woman were not allowed to get tested for HIV without their husband’s consent. Not only did she convince him to allow her to get tested, she went on to push for the Zambian Country to allow this for women. At this time in Zambia there were only 3 sites in the entire country that you could get tested for HIV. Most of the time it was a death sentence of six months because the medications had not yet reached Zambia. She is a huge advocate HIV/AIDS care throughout the world speaking with world leaders of the need in Zambia.  If you want to know more about this incredible woman check out www.princesszulu.com  or please read her book you will be blessed by it! Also check out her organization, Fountain of Life.

The Last Six Months

If you have spoken with Joel and I recently, or have read anything from us, you've gotten the back story.  But the last six months have also been quite busy.  As we said in our prior post, we found the internship for Bright Hope International in October and started the application process right away.

In November, after turning the necessary papers, we had a phone interview with Terra from Bright Hope. She asked about our faith journey, our interest in Bright Hope, our international experience. We then waited for the next steps. Mike Rudder, the Director of International Partnerships, and Cindie Gillie, our direct contact for Bright Hope, sat down with Joel and I in January for a two hour interview.  Normally interviews are a bit stressful, but interviewing together was actually quite fun.  It's a lot easier to be convincing when you're talking up your partner than when you're bragging about yourself.  (I might have Joel join me for any future job interviews so he can say wonderful things about me.)

The next step was a Skype interview with the Brubachers.  For Joel and I this was our first ever Skype experience. The conversation was a bit challenging due to the connection coming in and out. (Until recently, Zambia's major internet provider was owned a Libyan business. After Qaddafi's regime fell, Zambia wanted to own their internet. Because of this transition and many other reasons the internet comes and goes in Zambia, especially rural areas like Samfya.)

The last step towards acceptance was a psychological evaluation with a counselor named Jane.  We were intimidated, but it was a really great conversation that sparked questions of how prepared we were for immersing ourselves in another culture. How we would handle immense loneliness?  How might our pasts resurface when we are emotionally spent, tired, and hot?  What skills do we possess to handle those moments?  I think we could have talked for hours just learning from Jane's experience oversees and how there were moments she was wondering what the heck she was doing there.

In March we were officially accepted as Bright Hope Interns!!!!  That week we were so blessed to meet the Brubachers face to face!!  Mark grew up in Zambia, Carmen in Kenya. They met in Highschool. Carmen went to Berkley and pursued her engineering degree.  Mark got his agriculture degree. They worked in Sudan for three years. Carmen described how exciting it was to design roads, bridges and damns in Sudan. Once war broke out again they left and found Bright Hope. It was a perfect fit for them. Neither of them wanted to be missionaries and have to deal with church politics to raise support.  It is important to Bright Hope to hire natives of the countries that they work in.  Our conversation with them went really well; we look forward to learning more about this amazing couple who have invested their lives in Africa.

Another connection that we made through a friend of Joel's (yeah Ronnie!) was meeting Princess Zulu. I will speak of this meeting in a further post. Incredible!!!!

Recently, we were working on writing support letters. While at a local coffee shop, we were folding addressing our letters a lady asked us if they were wedding invitations. Once she heard what we were doing both her and her friend helped us fold all of our letters!! Thanks Jen and Lisa!!

We have also been working on our Fundraising Website!! Be sure to check it out! http://www.razoo.com/story/Rachel-And-Joel-Dewey-Zambia-Internship

A Brief Glossary of Useful Terms

Throughout our time in Zambia - and throughout the life of this humble blog - you will no doubt be enthralled by our clever anecdotes, our sweeping dramas, and our professorial explanations about "the way things are".  You may also come across terms that are unfamiliar to you, such as "mwaiseni" or "SCCP".  In order to avoid confusion, and to give you a quick introduction to our life in Zambia, here, for your edification and reading pleasure, is A Brief Glossary of Useful Terms.

Bemba - The name for both the language and tribe for the dominant ethnic group in Northeast Zambia.

Bright Hope International - A nonprofit organization that exists to bring hope and practical help to those living on less than a dollar a day.  BH operates in nine countries worldwide, including Zambia.  In Zambia, Bright Hope partners with organizations in and around the town of Samfya to provide the community with education, clean water, medical services, and microloans.

Brubacher, Carmen - With a background in Engineering, Carmen fills a number of roles to help the community.  She is one half of the Bright Hope staff in Samfya.


                                                          

Brubacher, Mark - A native of Zambia, Mark has a background in agriculture. Like his wife, Carmen, he wears many hats in his position.  Mark makes up the other half of the Bright Hope Samfya staff.

Cassava - This root plant is a staple for many African diets, sorta like a potato except with cyanide.  Make sure to cook thoroughly before serving.


Lake Bangweulu - A large, shallow lake that measures 40 km by 75 km, it contributes to one of the world's largest wetland systems.  Bangweulu means "where the water meets the sky" in Bemba.



Luapula Province - A mostly rural province in the north eastern part of Zambia, it is home to Zambia's current president.  It is also where the town of Samfya is located.




Mwaiseni - A common greeting and the most indispensable word in the Bemba language.







Samfya - A small town in the northeastern part of Zambia which acts as the administrative center for the surrounding rural district.  Roughly 23,000 people live in the Samfya district, many of them in the town proper.  Samfya is located at the southwest corner of Lake Bangweulu (think Chicago in relation to Lake Michigan) within the Luapula Province.  In a few months, the population will leap to 23,002 when the Deweys move in.




Samfya Community of Care Providers (SCCP) - a group of members from 24 Samfya churches that work together to help meet the essential needs in their community.  Several years ago, Bright Hope came alongside the SCCP to provide additional resources and support.  The work of SCCP represents the kind of vision and leadership that will bring lasting opportunity and prosperity to nations like Zambia.


Zambia: A landlocked nation in southern Africa, Zambia has 14 million citizens and covers an area roughly the size of Texas.  While Zambia has enjoyed peace and democracy since its independence in 1964, overwhelming challenges have made progress for this nation a long and difficult climb.  However, it is beloved in Africa - Nelson Mandela is said to have called Zambia his "second home."  Recently, Zambia claimed victory at the Africa Cup of Nations soccer tournament.