Flying Solo

I apologize for not getting a post out last Saturday, but there was some internet and electricity issues. These are just things that one must deal with when living in Africa. If I ever miss a post again you probably can blame it on the loss of electricity, internet or if I am traveling.

It seems as if from here on out I will be flying solo. My partner, Zack, just recently informed me that he no longer wishes to be in Africa and that he wants to go home. Zack contacted our supervisor and has caught a flight out of Lusaka, Zambia. He did so yesterday. This means that I will be alone for the next coming months. I will be in Zambia until January and then in Tanzania for a number of months. I will continue my work in the clinic and school and then travel with Fr. Nick to Hanga, Tanzania where I will find new work to do. It will be strange and hard to be alone in the middle of Africa where the only phrase most people know is “how are you,” but I will make the most of it.

Last year the BVC sent four men to Africa and this year only two. It feels strange to be the only one out of the entire group of BVC members to be on the African continent now. However, life is too short to be unhappy so I believe Zack is making the right choice to go home if he knows that will make him happier. Battling the different culture as well as the way of monastic life is a difficult task so I understand his decision.

So, yesterday evening we packed his bags and loaded them into the monastery’s land cruiser. We traveled together down the ‘highway to hell’ one last time and finally made our way to the bus station in Mpika. This is where Zack caught his bus to Lusaka.

Before I got back into the car, Zack and I hugged it out one last time and said our goodbyes. As I left Zack in Mpika and made my way back down the ‘highway to hell’ to the monastery it finally set in that I am alone. It’s strange, but also a good feeling. I am one who enjoys challenges and activities that make me feel alive. This explains my love for adrenaline rushes (skydiving, bungee jumping, white water rafting, etc.). Challenges like these and the one I am facing right now make a person feel their surroundings. They make you feel where you are and how you are. I like it. I enjoy analyzing myself and taking on challenges that will make me a better person. This is one of those challenges. 

Furthermore, being alone may actually help in one way, though. Our emotions are contagious which is why smiling can actually help you and others improve your mood. So I will focus on the positives of life in Zambia as well as on my work. Like I mentioned before, our thoughts affect our outlook and actual experience.

This is not to say that I will not miss Zack. It will be much harder not having someone to talk to, but that challenge will just add to the amazing experience of being and living here in Africa. This will toughen me up mentally.

As I press on alone I focus on each new day. Each new day is a great day to learn and experience more. If there is one thing I do know is that tomorrow will be followed by another tomorrow. The days will come and go so I might as well enjoy them. Never give up on something due to the time it will take you to finish it. Yes, I will be in Africa for a number of months alone but there is not point to give up at this point. I don’t have anything of great importance to do back home (at the moment) and the time is going to pass all the same. Before I know it I will be back home in Minnesota discussing this experience with friends and family and I want to be able to speak about my entire service experience.

As Barney Stinson from the show ‘How I Met Your Mother’ always says “When I am sad I stop being sad and be awesome instead.” I am going to take after Barney and try my best to live by this quote.

With my free time I have been and will continue to teach myself the basics of Swahili. I will have to speak Swahili in Tanzania because they do not speak English at all. Furthermore, I will begin studying for the GRE just in case I plan to apply to graduate school. Lastly, I will continue to read and go on my runs and walks. Since Zack left yesterday I have already rearrange my room and spread my stuff out a bit more. I’m making it my own. I have also gone through and cleaned everything that hadn’t been cleaned since we arrived here. It’s nice having a clean space to live.

Lately Zack and I had been playing Frisbee which was a nice way to pass some free time in the day. With Zack being gone I obviously won’t be able to continue this, but maybe I can teach some kids how to play. I’m sure they would love to see a flying disc.

Last Thursday the profession of four monks took place. It was a big celebration very similar to the one we had back in August for the ordination. For lunch the entire community came out and celebrated in the monastery and then later that evening just the monks and their family members were invited for a nice dinner. It was fun and it’s always good to have something to break up the daily routine of monastic life.

Working in the clinic has been going well. I have become very comfortable handling patients, giving injections, prescribing medication and taking blood pressure (and whatever else is needed to be done). Violet’s daughter, Grace, is always fun to see when working as well. She is 7 months so soon she will begin to walk. She has been practicing a bit in the clinic.

I administered my first exam for my 11^th grade biology class. I must say, it was very nice being the teacher rather than the student. Around 40 students showed up for the exam and their scores ranged from 30%-100%. Some excelled and got everything I was hoping they would and others struggled quite a bit. I will be going over and reviewing the questions with the entire class on Tuesday just to make sure everyone understands the material before moving onto the health/disease topic. It will be strange not having Zack in class anymore as well as not going to his class each day we teach. I am unsure what will happen to his physics class, but I assume either it will just be left alone or another teacher will take it over (I wouldn’t be surprised if it was just left alone).

With Zack leaving I will now have extra products such as shampoo, soap, sunscreen, deodorant and toothpaste. He doesn’t see the sense in bringing it home and I agree. It will be nice to know I won’t run out of the main products at least.

Well, that’s all for now. The days continue to climb into the 90’s and even higher sometimes. The monks are even beginning to mention the heat. The clouds have been changing a bit too so I believe something must be moving in soon. It would be nice if November was rainy because it would cool things down a bit and the water is badly needed. Whether it’s for the fish ponds, electricity or watering the crops we could use some of it.

I hope everyone’s October is off to a good start.

Thanks for reading!