Almost at the end of 2019 ……………………..…..
Time goes fast together with quite some experiences! I can’t even write them all down! I’ll try to do an update regarding my life and work here in Zambia. I am getting used to life here quite well! I feel at home here although a lot is different from what I’m used to. Actually, when I think about it … it brings me back to the time when I was growing up myself. Yes, that is a long time ago, I know, haha 🙂 Life is somehow more pure here, without frills, at least that’s how I experience it myself. Many things go slowly and differently, but that also has its charm. Being satisfied with less…. I can tell you, it feels very good!
I’m so grateful to God and to all of you that through the support I receive I’m able to do my work here and I can live here. It takes a lot of getting used to dealing with ‘other people’s money’, I can be honest about that and also want to share that with you. It took quite a while before I dared to spend money. I didn’t have a lot of problems with my daily shopping, but if I wanted to buy something extra for myself for example it was difficult. Or just going out. Yes, we do have a few places where I live, where we can sit down comfortably with friends. Just do a few drinks for € 3. And yes, I do that now occasionally, or have a nice steak for €6. It is really nice to be out from time to time.
Hospitality
I also like to be able to receive people at home and cook for them or have them over for just a good conversation.
Luckily there are nice vegetables on the local market and they are quite cheap for European standards.
€ 1 is worth around K15. 4 tomatoes for K5, 4 onions for K5 and a bag of peppers, K5. We often do the shopping at the same stalls and therefore receive something extra most of the time. Isn’t that special?
Zambian dish
A few days ago a number of ladies from the Tabitha team visited me. I cooked Zambian with a different taste. They loved it! Even myself, if I say so myself!
The dish consisted of Nshima (local corn puree) spinach, Dutch stew, rice, marinated soy pieces and potato salad.
Women’s Empowerment Afrika
In the meantime I am busy setting up the sewing training. I have many ideas and dreams, but first of all I am working on adjusting the curriculum, preparing a training book for the trainers and a student book that the women can take home so that they have examples to follow. I try to keep these booklets as accessible as possible for these women. They come from the local area and some of them are often illiterate. I am therefore busy making drawings by hand. Just like in the 1980’s at Fashion school. So nice to do this! It is a well-considered choice for me not to do everything on the computer, it does not have to look so neat and fancy. The booklets contain the following at the moment; stitching for hand sewing, different seams, weaving techniques and over time I will add more and more, depending on the curriculum.
Northern Africa
In January 2020 I will travel to the Northern part of Africa for 3 weeks. Which country, I cannot mention for security reasons. The intention is that I will train a group of women in Discipleship through The Gospel, but also through skills.
Among other things, I will give sewing training and teach them 2 projects that I am currently working on.
Project sanitary napkin
It is a bit strange to write about this, but it is part of my work. I am working on a project in which I will teach the women how to make sanitary pads from fabric so that they no longer need to use old rags. Sanitary pads in the stores are too expensive and this way they can still go through the monthly period in a pleasant way. It is also our intention to provide them with some crucial information about this subject.
Project recycling
There is so much plastic waste in Africa that they are banning the plastic bags now in more and more places, or they will make you pay for them. Here in Zambia I am busy making bags from used plastic cement bags and in Northern Africa I am going to try to transform the paper cement bags into usable bags for groceries or other shopping goods. A very nice challenge to teach!
Furthermore, I have an encouraging role for many around me, the women at Tabitha, other Zambians, but also Westerners. It is so special to see how God brings people on my path, people who just need that extra bit of attention and people who can just give me that extra bit of attention.
“Great Joy for all the people; in the town of David a Savior has been born to you
He is the Messiah, the Lord”. Luke 2:10-11
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year 2020!!!
Thanks for your Support! Now we continue to support the projects!
My support is pretty much covered for the next 2 years. Everything above this 100% in commitments goes to the projects I’m working for and the materials which are needed, for example printing the little booklets.
To contribute, press the button ‘DONATE NOW’
What’s my story again?
Through the mission organization Operation Mobilization I will go and work in Zambia and Africa to give the women Hope and Recovery through lessons in sewing, pattern drawing and Bible study. In addition, I will also coach them and provide pastoral assistance. My salary consists entirely of financial donations. In this newsletter I share with you what happens in my work and life.
Any questions, remarks, want to know more? Feel free to contact me!
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Jannie in Mission 