3rd day of Projects

Hello everyone! We are on our third day of our mission trip in lukulu. The word of our day was appreciation. Our day was filled with appreciation starting out with prayer around the camp fire. Our reflection talked about how sometimes we have little patience with old ways and customs. Sometimes it is better to let go of those ways to make the most out of the situations given to us. 

In the morning Suzanne, Liz, and Lisa went to the local preschool to read to the children. For Suzanne, a second grade teacher, reading to the classrooms was as eye opener because she believed she had it hard with 25 kids in a classrooms but the teachers here have double or triple that amount. They were very inspiring. 

Also many of us had the joy to meet many of children that have been discharged from mothers milk. We were able to play soccer with all these children including twins that would have not survived without the donations from everyone back home. As much as we are thankful for your help in donations, the people in the program are just as appreciative. We were thanked through emotional words and song. 

Throughout the whole day many of our missionaries worked on the basketball court with many of the local people. Through the grace of a community and john and Dave leading this project we have made more progress today then we planned to. John took the lead to teach many of the local people some of which were children how to mix and pour concrete. Without John's faith and skills along with Dave's leadership this project would not be as successful as it is. We look forward to sharing the progress of this project throughout the rest of our trip. 

Later in the evening our missionary group gathered at church where we co lead the mass. Robert read, Matthew gave communion and the rest of the team took the intiative to sing (please look for our YouTube video coming soon) 

After mass we went to Sister Pat's and Sister Elizabeth's for dinner to celebrate the Feast of St. Ignatius. This is where we continued to grow as a mission. We reflected on the appreciations we have on each other as well as the appreciation we have for those back home and for the people in Lukulu. Overall, we agree that the appreciation has been overwhelming and has reminded each of us why we have come to this mission. 

Lastly, we celebrated Hannah turning 18 today (Hi Nana). Hannah spent her day giving to those in this town by leading over 100 children in songs and dance.

Thank you again for all those have given to this mission. We appreciate all of your help. God bless and we look forward to sharing more tomorrow! God is good all the time! 

Second graders at Kolb Elementary Mrs. Billette has toliet paper.

2nd day in Lukulu

Mousahili (hello) everyone! 

As always we start our day with prayer. With mass being celebrated in the evening we had a prayer service around a bonfire which is a first for the Love for Lukulu mission group. Today our reflection of the readings greatly applied to our trip as we let go of all of our materialistic things and focus on what really matters when it comes to creating a Christ centered life. When you see the smiles of the children and young adults from just simply holding their hand it really makes you reconsider what is most important in life. 

Suzanne, Joey, Lisa, Hannah, and Megan went to read to the second graders only to have plans change last minute. So instead the team decided to read in the middle of the concourse. Joey read chicka chicka boom boom to about 100 children. Their smiles during this time and laughter brought a lot of joy to everyone's eyes. 

In the afternoon our mission team was able to tour the local hospital and preschool. At the hospital we were greeted by a smiling doctor and we were able to see how they make good with what materials they have. At the preschool we got to see their classes and how some teachers teach over 52 students in the morning and then 52 other students in the afternoon. They again amazed us with how they do with what they have and enjoy every minute of their jobs. 

After our projects we played volleyball with many of the local older high schoolers. Joey, Bob, Matt and Alexis played on one team while Megan, nick, Robert and Lisa played on other with the locals. We each had our own experiences but we all enjoy how fun and competitive it was. The people in Lukulu always show us how to have fun regardless of how good you are at something. Brother Zach is very passionate about empowering youth through sports. It gives them something to escape from poverty, lack of confidence, and over all be apart of something. It's amazing how regardless of the language barrier we still could come together as a team and encourage each other. 

While the older kids played sports the younger kids had the privilege to color and get their nails painted thanks to Liz, Ann, Sherri, and Suzanne. By the grace of God and some help from the locals they were able to tame 150+ kids. 

Lastly, we visited the high school girls dormitory that the mission team from 2012 helped reconstruct. The girls were so extremely excited that we visited them and had plenty of songs and dances set up for us! One of the songs being "Happy Birthday" to the wonderful Hannah Metevia who turns 18 tomorrow!! Can't wait to share all the wonderful memories she makes tomorrow! 

Thank you for continuing to read and share our blog please keep us and the people of Lukulu in your prayers! God is good all the time!!!

Sup Allie -Joey 

Hey Kristen -Matthew

Hi Madi -Robby Rob 

1st day of projects

Hi again everyone! Today was our first full day in Lukulu. We started it out with mass in the Loreto sisters home. Father Chibwe's homily explained how when in doubt to trust Jesus to lead you. Also he stressed the importance of listening to everyone you that come in contact to. We applied this to our daily projects by any doubt we may have had we gave it up to God knowing he would make it into something successful. This was very evident that God is most definitely with us during our basketball court reconstruction. It has home very smoothly so far and we hope it continues

Today we also had the opputunity to see the mothers milk program operate. It was wonderful to meet the mothers and children that many of our donations have gone to. We spent a lot of time holding the babies and understanding the history of how they have gotten stronger and gained weight since being part of the program. We also had the chance to learn about the mothers and guardians and how they have traveled days to visit this program every Tuesday. We are more than happy to fund this every year and we are blessed to have sister Pat lead this program for us. 

As the day went on many of us were trying to understand what to do next and try to understand what we wanted to do with the kids. Many of us sat talking about this and as we walked outside we all worked together to create a volleyball court and play games with the kids. One of the best memories for Lisa, Hannah and Megan was trying to teach the children the chant "head and shoulders, knees and toes" only to have some of the kids already know it and we ended up having a huge group join in. As much as we are trying to help the kids, the kids are teaching us about always being kind to others and making the most out of every situation. 

We have arrived!!

Hello everyone,

After 3 long days of travel we have finally arrived in Lukulu Zambia. We have been blessed with a great welcoming from both Lusaka and Lukulu. We are incredibly grateful for the hospitality from the parish priests as well as great driving from Sr. Pat and her helpers! Please continue to keep us in your prayers and we will give a better update tomorrow!

God is good all the time!