Bleeding love

Hello, welcome to my blog (Victoria Emerson) 😊. This morning we woke up to what looked like a murder scene, Holly B had a nose bleed, the 1st of 4 from the day. It was an early start with a 7:30 breakfast in preparation to board the bus at 8:15. The bus came on time at 8:15, but we were on Zambia time and didn’t leave until after 8.30! 

When we arrived at the church we were greeted by lots of smiling faces, we got lots of hugs then the young kids had to go to school for a test. We continued into the church to meet the youth that we have got to know over the past few days. We shook hands as that is how they greet each other in their culture. During the first session we had a talk about love from our very own Ashley Parks based on loving God, loving our neighbour and loving ourselves. When the talk was finished some of the GB girls and officers had came to visit us. We have them many items such as jumpers, notebooks and resource books. The girls were overwhelmed and soo appreciative. 

Then we got into groups with the youth, we then went on house visits to some of the elderly people from the church to deliver care packages. The groups went to various different parts of the compound some were further than others. Alice and Ashley walked the furthest- for nearly an hour! Marko T and I got a car ride to our house as we were the furthest away from the church. 

Once we got back to the church it was time for lunch. Lunch was not ready when we arrived so we kept our self entertained for a while by singing songs with the youth, playing games with parachutes and learning new games from the kids. During this time a few of the team members went to help the ladies with making the lunch. 

After lunch the first thing to happen was then 2/4 nose bleeds from Holly B. When everyone was okay and our resident first aider Christine Bell had the situation under control many of the team got measured for a traditional Zambian shirt/dress which we will pick the material for them to be made (pictures are yet to come). We then got into different groups to go litter picking in the area surrounding the church. It was an enlightening experience to see the back streets and the places that you don’t fully see from the bus. When we got back to the church, a few of us played football with some of the youth until all the team had assembled  we headed off to go get some shopping for the dinner. When shopping number 3/4 of Holly B’s nose bleeds happened, but this time Ashley was also infected so got one too, as did Kenny!

Back at the hostel we had some free time to do some things like shower, (this also included the 4th and final one of Holly B’s nose bleeds), have some down time, or clean their room ( ie. the girls bedroom). Firstly I would like to thank Kenny and Christine Bell for cooking the team their dinner. For dinner we had sausages and mash, yes Mums and Dads we did have vegetable, gotta get that 5 a day. 

Once dinner was complete it was time for Michaels devotion. Michael shared a about being spiritually rich and poor, this was very encouraging to all the team members as he took time to involve everyone individually. Finally to finish off the day we had entertainment from Michael and Lyndsey, this came in the form of a quiz, there where many rounds including singing, drama and questions about other team members. It was a riveting game with highs and lows but in the end Mark and Holly B won.

(Victoria)