Zambia - Training...The First Day

Well, here I am, sitting at home after my first day of training. I thought it was fitting to create my first post on my first day of training. As many of you know, actually probably all of you know since you are reading this, I am going to Zambia (see map on left) with Crossroads Christian Communications Inc. I will be working on a farm helping grow fruit and vegetables and teach boys about agriculture. The farm is located just outside the capital of Zambia, Lusaka. I will be leaving in September and I will be gone for six months. It really is an exciting time and an excellent opportunity to, not only use the skills and knowledge I learned in University (which only cost over $24,000), but also to allow my faith to grow as God challenges me. From what I have heard so far, Zambia (and actually all of Africa) is quite a bit different than here (besides the obvious). I'm sure I will have many things to share as my time there passes and when I return.

So, enough about what I will be doing. Today I had my first day of training. One would expect the usual paperwork and general introduction to the company/institution/ministry. Not so today. My day started at 9:00, where instead of having a tour of the place, I was ushered into the studio to watch a live taping of 100 Huntley Street. (Incidently, today they had a singer there performing, along with her sister and two other band members. For those of you that remember Crossroads in Palmerston, does the name Tara Dettman ring any bells??) It happened to be kids day, so the audience was packed with young kids. Pretty exciting actually. After the show, I was brought upstairs to where the Missions offices are but my supervisor wasn't there. So instead I had to go downstairs to the loading docks and help unload four desks and a filing cabinet.

Two and a half hours later the four desks had replaced some old ones and we were sitting down for lunch (with my supervisor who came about halfway through the desk moving). After lunch I helped move Africa...yes that's right, you read it right...we moved Africa. So if you plan on visiting it anytime soon, make sure you look it up...just kidding. We actually had to move a mural that was used as part of a set for a tv show that was a big painting of Africa. The painting was brought to the warehouse for CCCI and we hung it on the wall so everyone that entered could see it. After that, I returned to the main building and talked with my supervisor for a bit and then went home. Kind of an unusual day for a first day, but pretty satisfying.

Hmmmm, what to say now...I guess that's about it. Tomorrow I think will be a little bit more 'normal' but we'll see when I get there. Feel free to add any comments. It's always nice to hear from people, even if it is just one or two lines. God bless everyone!