Last blog!

Hi everyone!
As we travel down the infamous Lukulu road we pass the time by waving at the locals and watching their little pink palms and pearly white smiles emerge from the red dust of Lukulu. It's an amazing site to watch how eager they are to make sure they wave back at the "macua" (white people; very common to hear this word amoung villages) As we stop at the capushins mission we bypass a funeral for the Angola refugee children. Many of which tried to escape the terrors of their country but did not make it. The priests and police officials were telling the children during the funeral not to run from the gun noises. (They set off a series of guns to commemorate these children) Another stop along the way was at Holt Spirit parish where we met Father Francis, friend of Fr. Bob from 2 years ago. He was living in a grass hut and is now the parish priest of Holy Spirit. He has built the hospital, church, parish, and housing for all of the staff. This man was truly an inspiration to us to see how much he has impacted the people of his village. Also to see how you truly can start with nothing and build an empire. Needless to say the arrival is much worth the trip. Lukulu is truly captivating. With the amazing children, determined school kids, inspirational Sisters, and incredible priests you really can't go wrong. We were able to take the boat down the Zambezi river which was amazing scenery and Joe's first time! Sister Pat arranged for us to help with mothers milk on Monday since we would be leaving Tuesday. We met a baby who was 3 months old weighing less than 5 pounds with a mother who was 12 years old. She admitted the baby on September 3rd and is still not gaining the weight. I could not even fathom what this poor girl was going through. The mother is at the hospital by herself with no money to feed herself. the baby is admitted into the program receiving free formula. Sister pat gave her a bag of sheema and money for extra. She is truly an inspiration to so many people. Please keep her as well as the next baby in your prayers! Another baby was hydrocephalic and her mother was in the hospital with TB which is still very prominent in Zambia. Sister Pat is taking this baby into a more modern hospital to see what they can do to help. We can't thank her enough for what she does.
Take a second to say a prayer and thank God for everything and everyone that you have tonight. God is good.. All the time! Our flight leaves tomorrow be home soon everyone!!

En route: Lukulu

Hello everyone!! 

As we bring our Mongu visit to a close we could not be more content with the people we met along the way, stories we've heard, and memories we've made. This trip was about helping to build a dormitory for youth retreats however we quickly came to realize that it was more so about building relationships with everyone that we came in contact with. The youth that helped cleaned their meeting center are such hard workers. It's amazing the work that can be done when you have such a driven team. You never realize how much you have touch someone's heart in the moment but having the ability to communicate with the people we meet is awesome because we've received so many messages of how grateful people truly are that we actually care. Ali received a message of a son telling her how thankful he is that she brought a smile to his fathers face because he thought his job as a prison deputy was boring. (Ali was very intrigued by the prison so we met with him so she could ask questions. He even took pictures of the prison that morning when he found out we were coming) it meant the world to Ali and definitely warms your heart. Fr Bob is working towards getting that same person who messaged Ali, Emmanuel, involved with the oblates. He told his family he would be in contact with the bishop and would make sure he had someone to talk to and get started. You could tell his mother was so appreciative of someone showing that they cared once again. We would like to thank everyone who has shown such great hospitality to us throughout our time here: Fr. Singini, Fr. Valentine, The Malumo Family, and many more. It was a pleasure getting to know everyone and making new friends along the way. (Especially bonding while being locked out of the oblate house after dinner!) 

Now today is the day that we make our way to Lukulu to help with Mothers Milk Program, share our faith, and meet sooo many people we wish we could pack in our luggage and take home with us! Thank you all for your continued support and please continue to keep us in your prayers for a safe journey this morning! Again thank you so much there's no way this could have been possible without everyone back home! God Bless! 

Fr. Bob gets picked up by Zambian police!

So as you can see from the title we have had an eventful couple of days! Starting with Monday Ali, Jill, Joe, and Alexis were at the youth center working on the dormitory. Little did we know that Fr. Bob and Fr. Singini were well on their way to the police station! Turns out Fr. Bob didn't get his visa approved.... JUST KIDDING!!! Fr. Singini left his drivers license at home and Zambian police don't mess around when it comes to no drivers license. We  went about our day as usual after that! We had Lunch then met with the youth groups of St. Lawrence and St. Francis! They are very dedicated to their parish and are trying very hard to get more youth involved! Lastly we were able to sit in on a live radio debate at St. John's secondary school hosted by the oblate radio station. (Secondary school is high school) the debate was where the community of Zambia needs to focus on ending corruption. (They use corruption to describe people taking bribes, mostly doctors treating rich people because they pay them more or in the career business giving the job to someone who has offered you money) some blamed the parents for setting a bad example for their children and some also blamed their generation because they have their own minds and can think for themselves. It was so intriguing to see such young ambitious minds intellectually debating things like this in Zambia.

     As for Tuesday we began our day at the youth center as always then Ali, Jill, and Alexis decided that they knew their way around Mongu enough to visit the Malomo house again. Well we quickly realized that we did not know our way around Mongu and got lost. However we met some adorable school kids and intelligent teachers along the way! Somehow by the grace of God we stumbled upon the main road that at least led us to the youth center to take a breather. Mind you there are no clouds and the weather here is currently reaching 100 degrees. So we now have a whole new respect for the walking culture of Zambians. After our breather we got directions from the friends of the Malomo family and made our way there! Once we arrived she cooked us rice and veggies aside from the main dinner meal she had to make for the youth group meeting. She took is into the markets to buy bangles that the locals wear, it was quite the experience!  Lastly, after supper hosted by the Akah family, Joe finally talked Fr. K into taking him to get a hair cut from the locals! Joe was very surprised that a haircut here is only 1 US dollar.

    Today was pretty lax minus the dormitory work we had. We moved lots and lots and LOTS of sand. So we then suggested to the contractor that we wash and and paint the walls to use our skills to their full advantage :) we have to give credit to these amazing workers that they work sun up and sun down with very little breaks! They are very hard workers! Then lastly we met with the Lourdes youth group and talked about the challenges that they face as a parish. Afterward they hosted dinner for us all. The youth funded and prepared this dinner themselves. As a mission group we will be giving a donation to each parish and sending thank yous along with the gifts we gave them earlier!

So thank you so much for all of your prayers and support again we greatly appreciate them and don't know where we would be without them. However before we come to an end we would like to congratulate Chad Kingsbury on becoming the Gilrs Soccer head coach at Nouvel Catholic Central!!! Goodjob Dad I love you!!!! -Alexis

God bless!!

Busy first few days!!

Mousahili everyone! (Hello)

Sorry for not posting last night it has been a very busy few days in Mongu! I will start with yesterday's activities, then today's, what we have learned, and the great people we have met along the way!


    We had the blessing of the Malomo family (Elijah, Betha, George, and Precious) cooking a WONDERFUL dinner insisting on seconds and thirds! It is a great sacrifice for people in Mongu to invite us over and cook for 5-6 more people than they usually do. The hospitality we received was unexplainable and completely incredible. It's amazing to see people that always have a genuine smile on their face. At the end of our stay we gave the house gifts of kitchen utensils as well as soap, candy, map of Michigan, and bandanas for the ladies of the house. Lastly Jill, Ali, and Alexis received chatangas (skirts) as a gift. They will be wearing them for our Sunday mass tomorrow!
   We met so many people just in the short time we have been here! Staying at the Oblate house we met Fr. Singini and Fr. Valentine who are great to have here at 5 in the morning to wake you up! These Fathers run the Oblate Radio Liseli in Mongu. They cover the whole Western Province which is the entire western area of Zambia, so these Fathers are very well known! George Malomo, son of Elijah and Betha who had us over for dinner, is the announcer of the radio and recorded all of our voices to be on the radio! Ali also gets the chance to do an interview with the radio crew about her stories and experiences to tell the youth of Zambia!
     The group had coffee and tea with the Bishop of Mongu as well as his colleagues Fr. James, Fr. Gregor, and the Sisters! Fr. Bob spoke with the Bishop about the schooling in Zambia and was very impressed with exams grades and the progress Zambia is making!

And today we had the opportunity to meet the youth of  the parishes of Mongu Dioscese and they had it all so organized and planned hour by hour it was so incredible to see them take the time and put on such a wonderful presentation. We had Sunday mass at the cathedral for Silozi mass. On our way back to the oblate house, Joe, Ali, Jill, and Alexis helped push a car out of the sand. Joe waved down a humbvee who pulled the car as we shoveled the sand. Everyone in the village gave us a shovel and a helping hand. It was completely amazing to see such great team work from the village of Mongu to see someone in need and not be hesitate to help. Such amazing people overwhelm us all with such warm smiles. And lastly we we are on our way to the bishops house to have dinner that he is hosting! Day by day we all learn so much from everyone and have so much to bring back to the states. Jill told a man that she was so impressed by the amount of happiness Zambians have with having almost nothing and his response was "we don't have nothing.. We have each other" and I think we can all learn from this non chalant statement that no matter what situation God hands us that "nothing" is non existent we will always have each other as brothers and sisters of Christ. And that in and of itself is all we need.

Arrival in Mongu

Hello everyone!

3 days later we finally made it into Mongu town after 27 hours of flying and 7 hours of driving we finally made it! The flights went very smoothly with help of some great ladies working in the airport letting our over weight donation bags go through! We stayed in Lusaka at the oblate house of which we were given fantasic hospitality. Now in Mongu, we had the opportunity to meet the bishop of Mongu diocese as well as the directors of the Oblate Radio Station. The directors are inviting us to an interview tomorrow morning at the station! Also, we gave Father Kapya the soccer balls and soccer nets donoated by the Midland Fusion girls soccer team, Coughlin family, and as well as Mike Boyd at Nouvel Catholic Central. As for tomorrow we have mass very early at 07 hours then we make our way to help build the dormitory and see the great progress! The youth of mongu are very grateful and appreciative of the building, we couldnt have done it without all of the donors we have back home. Thank you all very much! Lastly, we will be going to the radio station for an interview and going to see where the bishop works as well. Thank you for all of your prayers and thoughts from back in the states and also following and sharing our blog! God Bless!

Departure Day!

It's finally here!! After a long journey of fundraising and organization this mission group of 5 raised all the money necessary to fund our project which came to a grand total of $46,000. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you have God on your side. As we leave the states we ask you to keep our team and also the Zambians in your prayers throughout our trip! We will be having mass tonight at St. Agnes church in Freeland at 6:30pm if you you would like to join and send us off with prayer! Lastly, apart of our fundraising this year was to fund raise prayers! As monetary donations came in we asked for special intentions or prayers they would like to offer up, here are what our amazing donors have said:

>Dear God, please guide and protect Alexis on her mission trip to Zambia. May it be a positive and successful experience for all involved. Safe travels and go with God -The Barry Family

> We applaud your efforts and commitment to your mission in Africa and are happy to support this cause. We all hope you have a safe and healthy trip! -FOP Associates

> May God guide you and keep you safe as you spread his news -Cecilia, Matt, Megan, Ryan, and Bri Sullivan

> Our prayers are with you as you continue to love and support the poor in Lukulu. You have been blessed with a kind and loving heart and we are blessed to know you! -John and Mary Sullivan
> We pray that you will be safe and protected. Also that you will be able to get the building done, help help those that need help and provide support/love to the village of Mongu -Brandy & Brian Eagan

> Please let Alexis be safe in her mission. Give her strength each day to move forward in her life. Let the experience make her a stronger person -Dr. Cramer

> Lord, please keep Alexis and her mission group safe while she pursues this undertaking in Africa. Love, Colette Shreve 

>I pray that your group accomplishes everything they have set out to do and for a safe returns for all to your family and friends -Jeanine Hutchinson

> May God send you with happiness and safety. May He direct you to your path of success -Greg Helpap

> Dear Heavenly Father thank you for calling Alexis to do your work. Please watch over her as she travels and is gone. Keep her healthy and safe from harm. Send the Holy Spirit upon her and the rest of the mission. All the glory is yours and this we pray in your name Jesus Christ, Amen. -Amy, Chad, Dylan, Brady, Parker, and Gabrielle

> Please pray for the friend of Lynette Drumhiller Cheryl Mistry as she battles breast and brain cancer




Again thank you for continuing to support the Love for Lukulu mission group, God Bless!!

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