Thursday, September 24, 2009

Back to School FAQs


Since enrolling at the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) to take the Legal Practitioners Qualifications Exams (LPQE) I have gotten a lot of questions about what it is all about. I thought I would start out answering a few “Frequently Asked Questions”.


What type of program is LPQE?

In Zambia, the law degree (LLB) is part of a student’s undergraduate studies. After finishing this degree, you are considered a lawyer BUT if you want to be called to the Bar and appear in the Zambia Courts, you must pass the Legal Practitioners Qualifications Exams (LPQE). To take these exams you must participate in a 9 month course of study at ZIALE, taking classes in 11 subjects. These courses are supposed to be focused on the actual practice of law, rather than legal theory. Students are also required to work at a law firm during this time. At the end of the course, if you clear the exams in all of the subjects and have performed satisfactorily at the law firm, you qualify to be called to the Bar and appear in court.


What subjects are you studying? What is the schedule like?

The 11 subjects we study are: High Court Civil Procedure, Domestic Relations, Subordinate Court Civil Procedure, Probate & Intestate Succession, Criminal Procedure, Commercial Transactions, Evidence, Conveyancing, Accounts, Ethics, and Company Law. We take all of these courses SIMULTANEOUSLY over the entire nine months. It’s definitely a challenge to keep up with everything! We have two one-hour classes every afternoon, four days a week, and three classes on Friday. In the mornings the students are all required to work at a law firm and journal each task they perform to make sure we are putting our learning into practice. IJM Zambia also functions as a law firm (Lusitu Chambers) so I have continued my work with them while fulfilling ZIALE’s work requirement. Classes started in June with a three week break in September. Mid-year exams will be in December and our final exams in late March/early April. After that, we wait until June to find out our results and the passers are called to the bar in July.


How are you adjusting to going to school in another country/culture?

In many ways I have adjusted quite well to ZIALE. Because the official language of Zambia is English, the laws are all in English, and therefore, all legal programs are also in English. There are times that a term or two stump me because of the lecturer’s accent or a case name whose spelling baffles me, but usually some classmate is ready to whisper a quick tip when they see my puzzled expression. Even though I am the only student out of 75 who is not from the region, I have felt mostly at home and have enjoyed developing relationships with several of my classmates. It’s fun to swap questions about our native countries and cultures. One thing that has been tough to get used to is the dress code - yes - ZIALE has a strict dress code! I was shocked to find out the day before classes started that I was expected to wear a Black/Grey/Navy Suit with a White/Sky Blue/Lilac shirt every day, no matter the weather. This was a challenge since I only had one black suit and a couple of white shirts with me in Zambia. I’ve managed to build up my wardrobe until I have a few more suits and a shirt for of each day of the week. At least I don’t have to spend much time deciding what to wear!


What are your plans once you finish?

That is a good question that I don’t have an answer for yet. It was a little disheartening hear the exam results for the 2008-2009 LPQE class - 12 students cleared out of 79! The statistics don’t exactly boost my confidence. If I am fortunate enough to clear all the exams on my first attempt, I could be donning my robe and wig in July. However, if not, I have the option of trying again in September 2010. Whether it’s practicing in Zambia, working with an international organization, or some other direction, I am confident that God will use this experience somehow for His glory! In the meantime, I am learning how to take things one day at a time.


Click Here to see more photos of ZIALE

Leia Mais…

Finances

This is something that I hate talking about, but just for your information...


Just as my internship with International Justice Mission was volunteer, I am continuing as a Legal Fellow on a volunteer basis. This means that I have to meet all of my travel, living, and education expenses. If you are interested in supporting my work in Zambia financially, there are two different options.


Make a tax-deductible donation to International Justice Mission on my behalf. This money will be used to reimburse me for specific expenses such as plane tickets, medical insurance, rent, etc. Donations can be made as a monthly or one-time gift. To donate online, go to this page and select my name from the drop down menu. Checks made out to IJM can also me mailed to my USA address.


The second option is to contribute money directly to me. These gifts will not be tax deductible.


I was one of those cookie-baking, lemonade-selling kids that always tried to look after myself by my own hard work. It has been a real challenge for me to work hard, but trust God rather than my own two hands. Please pray that I will finally realize who the True Provider is and rely on Him to meet my needs.

Leia Mais…

Sorry for the delays!

Just a note of explanation on the neglected state of my blog: My laptop crashed back in April which made communications a little tough. It was not a good enough reason to result in five months of silence, but I will try to do better now that I am equipped with a brand new MacBook Pro! (Thanks Bradys!) I am also going to be putting up some photo galleries on another site that will be linked from this blog.


Hoping to make up for past neglect,
Sara

Leia Mais…

The Adventure Continues!

Last time many of you heard from me, I was two months into my stay in Zambia, adjusting to my surroundings and recounting my favorite things. So much has happened since then! As many of you already know, my six-month internship with International Justice Mission has turned into a whole new adventure. As of this week, I have committed to continue my work with IJM Zambia as a legal fellow through September of 2010. I am really excited to see how the Lord will use me in this beautiful developing country.


As May arrived, I began to think about my future and wonder what it would hold. I was enjoying my time in Zambia and began to see the abundance of opportunities it held. I was ready to extend my stay beyond my August return date, but which path should I take? Over the next couple of weeks, I had several different people encourage me to apply to the Zambia Institute of Legal Education to pursue getting admitted to practice in Zambia’s courts. It seemed an impossible option with classes starting in June, but doors flew open and in a matter of weeks I had been accepted.


Studying for the bar exams seemed like such a huge step. And what could I hope to accomplish with so little to offer in the view of such big challenges? Then I heard a message from IJM’s founder Gary Haugen on “The Unfamiliar Passions of God”. His illustration of the little boy with the lunch of loaves and fishes and Christ’s simple request “Bring them here to Me” made me realize it’s not about what I have to offer, but that I am willing to put it all in His Hands. So I went ahead, trusting that God would use this opportunity for His glory, even though I wasn’t exactly sure how.

It seems every day my faith is tested and strengthened. It is often a struggle, yet I am learning that my weakness and failings can draw me closer to God. One verse in particular has been a daily prayer: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind.” (II Timothy 1:6)


IJM Zambia has been very supportive and my studies have worked hand-in-hand with my work in the Legal Department. I am also grateful for each of you. Your thoughts and prayers, emails of encouragement, and financial support means so much! It’s nice to know that though I may be on another continent, I have not been forgotten!


And so my Zambian Adventure continues...

Leia Mais…
Thursday, April 30, 2009

Another source of info...

As I mentioned before, I have been experiencing some technical challenges that have delayed some of my posts. In case I ever go quiet for a bit, you can always check my roommate-coworker-conjoined twin Anne's blog: http://anneinafrica.wordpress.com/. Her grandparents have dubbed it worthy to be published in the New York Times, so you don't want to miss out on this good reading :)

Leia Mais…

How Great Thou Art!


O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hands have made.
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Carl Boberg/Stuart K. Hine

Leia Mais…

Victoria Falls - Mosi-oa-Tunya - “Smoke that thunders”

This past weekend I had the chance to visit Zambia’s biggest attraction (literally) – Victoria Falls! Considered one of the “Seven Natural Wonders of the World” it was a must see during the visit of my childhood friend, Hannah. Victoria Falls is near the Zambian city of Livingston and forms part of the southern border with Zimbabwe. From Lusaka, it’s quite a drive over dirt and worse-than-dirt roads, but completely worth it!

Right now the Falls are at their peak flow as Zambia’s rainy season is just coming to an end and the Zambezi River is swollen. If you want all the stats, check Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Falls) because all I can say about them is a long string of adjectives: Amazing, Magnificent, Awesome, Thunderous (as the native name implies)…

It was an awesome, yet funny, experience. I knew that the Falls were going to be at their height. I was told that I would get wet. Yet that didn’t do much to prepare me for what I was about to encounter! The “height” part was literally true – the incredible spray reached nearly to the clouds (approx. 1300ft). The wet part was more than true also – all that spray must come down. And come down it did – right on the heads of the spectators. I had envisioned that there would be a heavy mist, sort of like those “misting machine” things you use to cool off in an amusement part during the summer. Instead, it was like walking about in a spring rain storm without an umbrella. Even with rain coats, we were soaked to the skin! Anne was the wise one, coming sans purse. Hannah sealed her purse in one of the ginormous ziplock bags my mom sent over – also a pretty good idea. I opted to put the contents of my bag inside of the ginormous ziplock bag and then the ziplock inside my bag. The idea was to be able to go “hands-free” with my bag slung over my shoulder. That could have worked well. True, my bag did fill up completely with water as we crossed the “Knife Edge Bridge”, but everything inside the ziplock stayed nice and dry. Only problem was, everything did not make it into the ziplock. In turning the bag upside down to drain it, I discovered that my cellphone had encountered Victoria Falls first hand and did not enjoy it at all! (Fortunately, it recovered within a few days.)

All the spray made for a pretty hilarious adventure. At times the downpour was so heavy, all I could do is squeal and giggle hysterically as I attempted to clear hair and water out of my face in windshield-wiper fashion. Then there was the guy walking in front of us arrayed in a giant yellow rain poncho and hotel slippers. (Not a bad idea!) And then, as we returned from our trek dripping from every part of our body, there were the stares of bright and dry tourists about to start down the path.
All in all it was an unforgettable experience. You all should really come and see it! I’d be happy for the excuse to do it all again!

Leia Mais…
Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Sorry I am so tardy!

The past two weeks have been filled with technological challenges, culminating with my laptop being “life-flighted” back home to Atlanta. Despite losing multiple attempted blog entries and most of my photos, I hope to be back on track soon. Can’t wait to write about my latest adventures!

Leia Mais…
Thursday, April 9, 2009

Easter Reflection

When I survey the Wondrous Cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His Head, His Hands, His Feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm
of nature mine,
That were a present
far too small;
Love so amazing,
so divine,
Demands my soul,
my life, my all.

Isaac Watts, 1707

Leia Mais…

These are a few of my favorite things

My first report was focused primarily on my work, just like my first month was focused on learning as much as I could about the Zambian legal system. No longer being on the road, my second month has been full of settling in to my new life here in Zambia. This report will be a little more light-hearted, just as my month has been.

The Zambian Sky
I think my very favorite feature of Zambia is the magnificent sky. Though things may be a little smoggy and dusty here on the ground, the sky is nearly always a beautiful blue and filled with giant fluffy clouds. If it weren’t for the dirt and bugs, I would love to spend an hour just laying and gazing! Easter weekend I hope to have the luxury of also soaking in some lovely sunrises, sunsets, and starlight. I can’t wait!

Making New Friends
The Christian expatriate community in Lusaka seems to be close-knit. Being away from the busyness of our various homelands, we seem to have more time for people. It’s funny how you can meet someone for a few minutes at church, or a market, or even through a friend’s email and now they are one of your new best friends. They open their home to you and you do the same, without a second thought. It’s just another blessing of being part of the worldwide Christian community!

Great North Road
Having a favorite road is probably a little odd. Just days after arriving, I took my first roadtrip. As we sped up the Great North Road towards Kabwe, I was able to take in my new surroundings without being jolted and jarred. (See left.) Not many Zambian roads are so “luxurious”. And since that day, it has been my goal to drive myself up the Great North Road. Again, a little odd.

Chapati
With the long training trips over, food has taken on a new importance – now I have to feed myself. It has been fun recreating home cooking with whatever is available. My favorite “replacement” food is Chapati. Chapati is an Indian flat bread that is similar to a tortilla. Every time I buy them, it is with the intention to make burritos, but they rarely last until dinnertime.

Cute Kids
Zambian kids must be among the cutest in the world! Most of my time is spent in the “adult world”, but I always like to peek out the window during our training sessions and watch the kids. For the most part, kids are kids, the world round. The little boys toddle around kicking plastic bottles to each other and the little girls huddle and giggle. Only the babies seem to be different, hardly ever crying as they survey the world with their big eyes from fabric slings on their mothers’ backs. I just want to hug them all!

Singing
I really think my coworkers must think I am a little loopy sometimes. It’s just when we begin our morning devotions in song, I can’t wipe the huge smile off of my face. There are few things that I enjoy more than hearing them sing. Zambians can really sing! I don’t know how they do it, but everyone seems to know some beautiful harmony to add to make even a simple chorus sound amazing! I really need to sneak in a recording device into devotions or church sometime so that I can send you a little foretaste of heaven!

Vegetables
Yes, all you parents out there, send you kids to Zambia and they will grow to love their veggies! Since I can’t run to Chick-fil-a when my tummy rumbles, I have had to turn to what’s at hand – fresh vegetables. With the help of FoodNetwork.com, I have made Pumpkin Soup, Roasted Tomato Soup, Garden Vegetable Soup, Parmesan Corn, Tomato Cucumber Salad… Send me your favorite veggie recipes and I will certainly try them out! (And for the benefit of those who are safety-conscious out there, the veggies are all well disinfected and often boiled before consumption.)

So if you get a longing for blue skies, cute kids and fresh veggies, hop on a plane and come over to Zambia! You’re always welcome!

Leia Mais…
Monday, March 30, 2009

Life in Lusaka

Now that I am settling to what is to be my new normal, I thought you may or may not find it interesting to see what a typical week might look like for me here in Lusaka. I will start out with a Saturday, since last Saturday is not one I will soon forget.

Saturday

Saturday was one of those days that you decide, even before you open your eyes, that you will snuggle up with a fluffy book, and listen to the rain from the coziness of your warm bed. Unfortunately, it happened to be one of those (hopefully) rare weekend community training days. Yes, Anne and I had to dress up and trudge down the muddy path to the office, load crates of soft drinks using a tiny umbrella, jar over horribly bumpy and flooded streets and spend all day in a damp church fellowship hall. Not overly cheerful, we had to cram our usual weekend chores into the few hours remaining in our evening. I started making the tomato cucumber salad for the next day’s lunch and Anne started the laundry. I had moved on to the chocolate brownie trifle when I heard the sound of rushing water. In that moment, our kitchen sink (which the washing machine flows into) decided to drain directly onto the kitchen floor instead of using the pipes. I shouted for a bucket, but only one we had was woefully insufficient and had to run around the flat collecting every trashcan, etc. in the place that could possibly hold water. The next 20 minutes we became a bucket brigade, switching the washing machine hoseSaturday was one of those days that you decide, even before you open your eyes, that you will from bucket to bucket, and running them upstairs to the bathtub in between. After dropping exhausted into bed, I thought that the “honeymoon” just might be over!

Sunday
Sunday was a much better day. The weather had not improved much, but at least we spent the day away from our troubled kitchen, doing what we wanted to do. After church, we went to a couple’s house for a braai (known in the States as a "cookout") with several other people. The grilled chicken, burgers, and lively conversation were just what we needed after our hectic evening. We got dropped off at the office for some quick email checking and calls home and then went on to Bible study. Arriving home by 7pm meant we got to indulge in the cosy book-reading we missed out on the day before.

Monday
Monday I called the landlord first thing. Much to our surprise, the plumber was able to come that same morning to scope out the problem! That meant I had to run back home to let him in and then run back for a meeting, but at least we were on track to get our kitchen in working order. After a nice meeting with the Field Office Director before she headed off to Washington DC for a special event, I tried to finish up as many things as possible since I would be out the next day. We ate pasta that night, trying to keep the dinner mess at a minimum since our sink was already piled with now kinda icky dishes that we had no way to wash. More reading and then bed.

Tuesday
Tuesday I took my first “Woman’s Day” since arriving here in Zambia. From what I best understand, one upon a time, it was decided that it would be best for everyone if woman just stayed at home during “certain times of the month”. From that concept comes the very nice Zambian employment policy that every woman gets one day off each month, no questions asked. With the plumber due, this day came in quite handy. So instead of rushing off to work that morning, I took my time getting up, dressed, and fed. I spend some time trying to arrange the dirty dishes so they didn’t appear quite so disgusting when the plumber arrived. Then I headed out for my first trip to the “Tuesday Market” with a dear lady, Lindy, who has been in Zambia for decades as a missionary and who has been showing me the ropes. The Zambian market is like a very crowded and caotic farmers market. The venders are arranged in very narrow rows with their wares spread out on the floor around them. There are hundreds of people also pushing their way through and haggling over prices as they go. It was all pretty intimidating and I don’t know how successful I would have been without Lindy by my side. I left loaded down with tomatoes, corn, peppers, zucchini, cilantro, and much more. After putting away my produce, I settled down to wait for the plumber to arrive, which took a while. In the mean time I measured my windows and several other things for future projects after realizing I had taken my first set of measurements in inches instead of centimeters. I made my grocery lists. I wrote out some postcards… Finally, the plumber came. I had to stay close at hand so that I could supply the various things he needed such as a mop, bucket, rags, etc. When he was all done, it turned out that a little rubber cement was all it took to fix the problem. (?) Once I felt it was dry enough, I washed the dishes, did my laundry, and made a pot of very nice “Roasted Tomato Soup” which we had for dinner along with some fresh biscuits. Woman’s Day was getting Zambia back into my good graces. ☺

Wednesday
Wednesday was taken up with an all day workshop. This time I got to be a participant instead of the trainer. The seminar on advocacy was held in the Intercontinental Hotel, which was quite a treat. By this time, the weather had turned absolutely perfect. We got to have an ample buffet lunch in the hotel’s beautiful pool-side courtyard. How I would have loved to lounge by the pool, book in hand, soaking in the sunshine like a true lady of luxury! But it was back to the training I went. After the training we hit the grocery store for some hectic rush-hour shopping. It was worth battling the crowds, because we found chocolate chips! (Their spot on the shelf had been empty since I got to Zambia!) Fortunately, we were still digesting our ample lunch and no dinner was needed. Instead, Anne and I pulled out the measuring tape, fishing line and stick-on hooks and hung hats and purses on the wall of our living room. It looks great (and not too girly) despite how it sounds.

Thursday
Thursday I spent all morning trying to track down prices for the media budget I am putting together. In Zambia, there is no such thing as “looking on the website” or even calling and having prices faxed or emailed to you. You have to go to each place, in person, and explain what you want and get a handwritten quote. Talk about time consuming! I ran back to the flat during lunch to make a batch of the famous “Larios Brothers Salsa” (which I haven’t eaten yet due to the lack of tortilla chips in Zambia) and then spent the afternoon finalizing the media budget. I made a quick call to my friend Elise back in the US (great talking to you Elise!) and then headed home. I decided to put my produce to good use by making a great big pot of “Garden Vegetable Soup”. It’s a good thing that it made a big pot, because it took me several hours!

Friday
Friday started out with a meeting with a police trainer from the U.S. Embassy. I will be helping out with a special police training manual that our office is collaborating on with the Embassy. Then, I headed over the Zambian Immigration Office to check how my temporary resident permit was coming along. Just as I was beginning to get bewildered, Lindy showed up with a new missionary and walked me through what I needed to do. It turns out that my temporary permit was ready and was granted for the whole length of my stay! That is a great blessing since I have heard horror stories of others who had their permits repeatedly delayed or who were granted only a few weeks at a time. We left the office promptly at 5pm in anticipation of a new activity we had heard about the previous Sunday. The neighborhood playhouse (which seems to only have productions two nights a month) offers aerobics! I am sure we were quite the sight – clueless and clumsy! But it was actually kind of fun. Since we still had plenty of veggie soup left, I made chocolate chip cookies after taking a cold shower. (Did I mention that our hot water heater decided to stop working, but not until after the plumber had come and gone?)

And so, I am sitting in my flat, snacking on warm chocolate chip cookies and “long life” milk, listening to the sounds of street traffic, crickets, and the neighborhood club, and typing a nice long blog post. Maybe the honeymoon isn’t quite over yet. ☺

Leia Mais…
Saturday, March 7, 2009

Knowledge is Power

"Knowledge is Power" is something I hear our training participants say over and over. Below is a selection from my recent newsletter:

*************************************************************

Joyce was mother to three with another on the way when her husband passed away. After the funeral, her husband’s family stripped the house bare, saying that with her work as a nurse, she could afford to get her own things. When P.J. lost his father as a child, his family struggled to survive by renting out their home. Relatives started collecting the rent early, keeping the money, and finally pressuring his mother to sell, losing her only source of income. Winnie, desperate to escape her violent husband, wondered where she would go and how she could support her six young children with only a 11th grade education. Peter, an officer in the police Victim Support Unit, does his best to handle an overwhelming caseload without adequate resources or training. As a well-respected member in the community, Happy found himself inundated with friends and family members in dire situations begging for advice and intervention.

These are just a few of the stories people have shared with me over the past month. Unfortunately, these situations are all too common. Ignorance of the law may not be considered an excuse, but here in Zambia it has contributed to a cycle of violence and injustice.
A few years ago, major organizations like CARE ZAMBIA and World Vision recognized the gap in knowledge and resources when it came addressing the issue of the gender based violence which was deeply embedded in the culture. With funding from the European Union and USAID, these NGOs united to form the project “A Safer Zambia” (ASAZA). The goal is to reduce gender based violence by building greater knowledge and changing attitudes about gender inequities and by ensuring that survivors of this violence have access to comprehensive services to meet their medical, psychological, and legal needs.
International Justice Mission joined in the efforts by bringing a legal perspective that was urgently needed. Many of these gender-based offenses are clearly against the law, yet victims are not aware of their rights and advocates, in many cases, do not know how to use the law to protect them. To start bridging this gap, IJM conducts a variety of workshops to help educate people about the law in hopes that it will bring about lasting structural change in Zambia.

As my first assignment with IJM, I was privileged to help out with two paralegal trainings in the towns of Kabwe and Mazabuka. A total of 29 people participated in the intense 10-day courses which touched on the Zambian Legal System, Human Rights, Gender-Based and Sexual Violence, Land and Tenant, Employment, Intestate Succession and Wills, Marriage and Maintenance, Contracts, and Criminal Law and Procedures. During the first training, I learned the basics of Zambian law alongside the participants and was reminded how long it had really been since had put my mind to some of these subjects. With British law being the original basis of both American and Zambian law, I found many similarities, yet some areas could not be more different, such as Marriage. During the second training, I was able to give my IJM colleague a break by “lecturing” on Contracts. Who would have thought?

One of IJM’s key verses is Isaiah 1:17: “Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.” Paralegal training is just part of that mission. 29 people will now be able to go out and seek justice for the vulnerable in their communities.
Joyce can help bring molesters to justice by preserving medical evidence while caring for victims of sexual violence. P.J. now 22, will protect the property of others as a paralegal for a local crisis center. Winnie, as the president of the local YWCA, will counsel battered women on their options. Peter will return to his precinct armed with his own copy of Zambia’s Penal Code and many other resources. Happy can be confident as he confronts oppression in his community.
Knowledge is Power.

Leia Mais…

Sara Bakes A Cake


International baking is something I haven’t done since Moscow ‘98. I was afraid that this entry would end up being entitled "Pride Cometh Before A Fall". Baking skills don't necessarily translate from continent to continent. It is said to be a science (though I don’t understand it very well) and when it comes to ingredients, the types, quality, and substitutions you encounter can make a “world” of difference in determining success and failure.

As I started my first cake I was hyper-sensitive to all of these factors, dreading utter failure at every turn. Right off, my new electric handmixer let me know that this was not going to be an easy task. (I have named it Humpty Dumpty because it’s roundness makes it prone to having “a great fall” each time I set it on end. How did this mixer make it to the market?) The ordinary sugar here is also quite coarse, like raw sugar. Now I realize that I should have purchased “caster sugar”, but the fact that the coarser was from Mazabuka (one of my early destinations) swayed me. I made a substitution of extra margarine instead of Crisco, because I couldn’t find it here (not necessarily a bad thing). The “Pam Spray” for the pan was an experience. Instead of spraying the pan nicely, it creates an oily cloud that you try to catch in your pan while also trying not to inhale. The thrifty girl that I am, I just go outside now to spray my pans rather than throw the can out. I was glad at the time that it was semi-near Valentines’ Day, since the only pan in the house was a large heart. With decent-looking batter in the pan, the first hurtle was cleared.

I am very happy that the oven works. It’s small, but it does the job! (However, that doesn’t include the range. I quickly learned that the burners only have one setting despite what the dials say – Super Hot!) FYI, 350 degrees Fahrenheit is about 180 degrees Celcius. As you can see, the cake baked nicely and despite the pan-greasing debacle, came out of the pan without a problem.

Again, there were the small matters of icing the cake using a steak knife and putting it on a cookie sheet, but in the end it was a success. My colleagues pronounced it "quite lovely".

Since that baking adventure a few weeks ago, I have managed to do some more baking and cooking with mixed results. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins can be quite an undertaking when you don’t have canned pumpkin (I had to start with it straight from the vine) or chocolate chips, but the results are almost worth the work. Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies are much easier (though again, M&M instead of chips). Spaghetti sauce can be a little arduous when you have to suspend the pot 5 inches over a very hot range to keep it from burning. And corn on the cob here just isn’t like back home, no matter how much yummy stuff you rub on it.

I didn’t think to bring a cookbook with me, so I have been limited to jotting down recipes from the web during my lunch break. I would love for you to email me some of your favorites and report back to you on how they turned out “African Style”.

Leia Mais…
Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Back from Kabwe - Quick Update



I just wanted to let all of you know that I returned from my two week adventure in Kabwe alive and well! The training went well, and I think I am almost missing Kabwe a little. Our particpants were great, as well as the families we met at church while we were there. Though I "live" in Lusaka, I have spent more time in Kabwe than any other place in Zambia so far. I guess it is my "home away from my home away from home." For more pictures you can temporarily visit my website, which is still under construction: http://web.me.com/jacoblarios/Sara_from_A_to_Z/Photos/Photos.html



In the coming week I hope to post the contents of a little newsletter I am working on which describes the work I have been doing the past few weeks with IJM's paralegal training program.


Just another reason to miss Kabwe - Cheesy Pizza and Tab!

Leia Mais…
Monday, February 16, 2009

Big Spender

It's not every day when you go out and drop nearly a half a million on a weekend shopping spree. Before my donors have a heart attack - it was in kwacha! There was a day when the US dollar and the Zambian Kwacha were the same. However, today it takes more than K5000 to equal just $1. I am getting pretty good at dividing numbers by 5000 so I know what I am spending. If only they would just knock off some of those pesky zeros. With all the traveling I have been doing, I hadn't gotten the chance to go out and get all those food staples (and plastic containers for everything to keep the bugs out), and some essential appliances (who can survive without an electric handmixer?). My shopping trip took me to Shoprite and SuperSpar, the two big grocery chains here in Zambia. And then came my first trip to Game, which is sort of like Walmart. I could have spent all day there, but I demonstrated amazing self-control and limited my purchases to the essentials. It's amazing how lack of a car really helps you cut down on your purchases. You can only buy what you can carry home.

Leia Mais…

Mysterious Finding

Anybody know what this is?



The flat I am living in has been passed from generation to generation of IJM workers and interns. This makes it much more interesting than moving into a previously unoccupied space. This weekend I decided to clean out the two storage closets downstairs.  I found a few useful and a lot of random things which had been abandoned by scores of previous occupants. There must have been a Canadian here at some point, because I found several flags and maple leaf pins. (New Goal: Befriend a Canadian) Also, I don't think I need to buy bug repellent any time soon! Most of the cast-offs were pretty normal, but a few were more unusual, such as fireworks, a self-defense baton, and an old shower head. And then there is our mystery item. It is probably something highly useful and, once we figure out what it is, we will wonder how we ever lived without it. Any ideas? We are clueless.

(P.S. I can't figure out how to make the "comments" option show up on the main blog page, but if you click on the individual entry, you can then leave a comment.)





I should have taken "Before" pictures so you could better appreciate my organizational skills.

Orderly Closet 1


Orderly Closet 2

Leia Mais…
Tuesday, February 3, 2009

A is for Airtravel...

A is for Air Travel….

Thirty-two hours after entering Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International Airport, I finally arrived in Zambia. From my aisle seat over the wing, I was not able to get much of an impression of Africa from the sky, but as we landed, I could see nothing but grass dotted with bushes and homes that looked like white shoeboxes. The airport looked exactly as you might imagine an airport in Africa to look – a small terminal beside an airstrip and a few planes ranging from the Boeing 767 I came in on to very small ones which carry only a few passengers in the middle of the wilderness. Even at 6:30am, it was bright and sunny. The temperature and climate reminded me of Atlanta in June – warm and sticky, but not unbearably so.

I was the last one through the entry gate and found my four pieces of luggage piled up and waiting for me in the deserted baggage claim area. My two co-workers waiting outside of the airport looked relieved to see me finally come out. (If I had missed this flight, it might have been days before I could catch another!)

It was about a twenty-minute drive from the airport to the flat, so I had time to get used to the whole driving-on-the-left-side again. (I came equipped with an international driving permit, so I will get use my left-side driving skills I learned in New Zealand – if I can figure out how to shift.) The flat I will be sharing with an American co-worker is right in the middle of Lusaka, Zambia’s capital city. I like the flat very much and I can already see it has lots of potential. (See the pictures below.)

After only about 4 hours of sleep during my entire journey, it was a struggle to keep my eyes open, but I was determined to stay awake until bedtime. The only way to do this was to keep busy, so by 1pm I was completely unpacked and had my room organized. In the afternoon, I took my first trip to the office so that I could use their awesome VoIP phones to call home – for free. I can hardly remember the rest of the day, but I did manage to stay awake, though maybe not lucid.

Sunday morning I woke up refreshed. It was strange to open my eyes and remember I was in Zambia! I decided to stay at the flat all day instead of venturing out with my mind still muddled. As I read my Bible by the window, I could hear a congregation somewhere singing “Only Believe, Only Believe, All Things Are Possible, Only Believe…” Later on, I heard some young people practicing/learning a song in with harmony. And of course, being the rainy season, it rained. The rain brought a really nice breeze.

And so went my first weekend in Zambia.

I plan to try and post at the beginning of each week. However, it looks like I will be leaving sometime this week to spend some time in the town of Mazabuka, and may be without internet for a couple of weeks. According to Globetrotter, Mazabuka holds “little of interest to the traveler.” But don’t be concerned, I am sure I will find something to blog about. ☺

Tidbit:
I was reading in my study Bible this morning about how the Book of Psalms is organized. Often, individual psalms use an acrostic or alphabetic arrangement: the first letter of the first word of each verse or section begins with a different Hebrew consonant and advances in alphabetical order. This may have been done to aid in memorization or to demonstrate that its particular had been covered from “A to Z”. ☺ (Paraphrased from the McArthur Study Bible)

My Luggage!



Can't wait to find my way around my new kitchen. (Note the amazing water filter on the counter everyone - I am being safe thanks to the Wood Family!)



The Living/Dining Room has great hospitality potential!



This strange little porch is accessible only through the living room window!



My bed feels just like home! (Thanks Jill!)



My city views (?) come with similar sound effects (roosters crowing at 4am!)


The shower and I are officially at war over the use of hot water.

Leia Mais…
Friday, January 30, 2009

Getting from A(lanta) to Z(ambia)

So, I am finally off. After a couple weeks of packing, tying loose ends, and sometimes tearful goodbyes, I am on my way to Zambia.

Packing went pretty well, in spite of me. My family deserves an award for not only putting up with my stress-induced
crabbiness, but for sorting, squeezing, and weighing my ever growing pile of "must-haves". It was only through their valiant efforts that I ended up with merely four (!) perfectly weighed suitcases. The "loose-end-tying" was really going on until the last minute, as I called my bank on the way to the airport, and payed my Bar dues online from the terminal! I won't say much about the goodbyes. :( I am going to miss my friends and family so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I appreciate so much all the prayers and support which has been given to me over the past two weeks and especially all the prayers going up during my three day trip to Lusaka. There have been quite a few things that could have gone very wrong, but quickly were resolved. I know that because so many of you are praying for my protection and well-being during this trip, I can continue the final leg of my journey with a sense of peace.

Sitting in an airport for nine hours doesn't give me too much else to say. Some prayer requests for the next coming days would be that I make it the remaining 24 hours of my trip without too many problems and that I adapt quickly to the time change once in Zambia. My office would like me to travel to another city to help with some training within days of my arrival. I would love to be in good enough shape to go and actually know what is going on!

If I do end up traveling next week, I am not sure when I will be able to post next, but at least I will be able to share about my first Zambian roadtrip!



Some views of the new Terminal 5 at Heathrow in London where I spent 9+ hours waiting for my flight to Lusaka.



My traveling companion (yet to be named) showing how I spent much of my time at Heathrow.



More views of Terminal 5



Maybe my last Caramel Hot Chocolate for some time.



Hi Sally!

Leia Mais…
Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Quick update

It is only the first week of my blog and I am already running behind on my "blog plan". I guess that is what happens when you finish "drink information out of a fire hose" week only to begin "pack everything you will need for the next six months of your life" week. I want to post about my incredible training week, but for now, I will let you off easy by posting the link to an in-depth article about International Justice Mission that appeared in this week's issue of The New Yorker. Enjoy!

Nine days to go!

Leia Mais…
Monday, January 12, 2009

First Stop - Orientation!

Today was the first "official" step of my new journey from A to Z. Of course, before this day, there were the applications, interviews, paperwork, plane tickets, shots, and visa applications. Then there will still be my commissioning ceremony on Friday, boarding the plane, and taking my first step onto African soil. But tonight is the first time I gathered together with other volunteers and staff and became part of the International Justice Mission team and realized what I am a part of. It is not a bad group with which to be associated. I have never before been around so many young people with so much international experience. It was fascinating to encounter such diverse backgrounds, even around just my assigned table. And we are all eager to grasp this journey we are about to begin. 

I have been rather excited about going to Zambia. However, in the past few days and hours as I have started to comprehend IJM's reputation and ministry, and then started meeting my fellow teammates that will be sent out across the globe, my excitement has reached a new level. I marvel that the Lord and IJM have allowed me to be a part of this mission. What an amazing adventure!

I hope to sneak in a post that explains why I am doing all this before my official "weekly post". Otherwise, I will talk to you next week! :)

Sara

********************
It can be pretty intimidating when I think of the political culture that is common throughout Africa. These verses I heard at church this morning are a good reminder:

Titus 3:1-8

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

Leia Mais…

My Plan For This Blog...


My plan for this blog is to update it each Sunday/Monday. While I figure nobody but my own mother would check a blog written by me every day, a couple of you might just read it once a week. I also plan to send out an occasional email/snailmail newsletter, which will likely more than satisfy most of you. If you would like to be on the email/mailing list, please let me know.

I am hoping to set up a little website with pictures and video once I get to Zambia. Once I have a grasp on the internet situation and work out the hosting, I will publish a link.

My mom is going to organize a prayer team for me, so contact either one of us to get involved. Because much of my work may be legal in nature, I am not sure at this point how much detailed information I will be able to share. However, IJM sends out weekly prayer emails about their work around the world that would be helpful in knowing how to pray for us.

And don't forget - email, skype, facebook, etc. still work in Zambia, so please keep in touch!


Leia Mais…
Thursday, January 1, 2009

Life is precious.

May I learn this year to cherish each and every day I am given.

Leia Mais…
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