Wednesday, December 16, 2009

At a close

When I look at the date I last posted it reminds me that so much has changed since then. I have packed my bags and left the country and am currently residing in Zambia where I will be spending the Christmas season with my Zambian family whom I met two years ago during a practicum placement with Mennonite Central Committee. Though it is great to be back I can't help but feel that so much of my work and friendships in Dzaleka have been left to adjust to my quick departure.

I wasn't aware I would be leaving Malawi so soon but before I knew it I was on a bus heading west to the Zambian border where I spent an unexpected overnight in Chipata. Having spent an overnight in the stationary bus parked in the depot parking lot all evening long, myself and two Zambian women I befriended stepped off the bus for a few minutes to use the facilities before departing. Before we knew it we were left in the dust and the bus was somewhere on route to Lusaka. The three of us quickly jumped in a cab and raced to catch up to the bus. And we did.

Let me say that the week leading up to that particular day as well as the many days that followed had been truly marked a stream of bad days I can't begin to conceive of having happened. To date I have never experienced a stream of negative events as I did during that time. I feel back in a state of equilibrium at this point but am still having difficulty coming to terms with the fact that I will be heading home sooner than anticipated.

That said, I am definitely looking forward to sharing stories with family and friends and am actually anticipating the snow and whatever remains of the Chrismas cheer. Somehow Christmas without snow just doesnt feel like Christmas at all. Then again, the more I continue to hear Carol of the Bells the more Christmas-like it feels on this side of the world. Nine days to go. Merry Christmas everyone!!!

1 comment:

  1. Oh Jamie, it will be so good to have you home. And Christmas will still be here. I'm leaving the tree up for you to take down :) Have a wonderful Christmas in Zambia and see you in the New Year.
    Much Love,
    Mom

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