Adventure to Zambia

It's like I woke up this morning, and thought "Oh my word!  I'm going to Zambia next week"... I mean, I knew I was going... I had hoped to go... I hoped that I could be a blessing to the people of Zimba and those that serve them faithfully.   But how did it get to be January 15th already????

I was asked to come and do some painting and mural work at the hospital in Zimba, and add some verses throughout the facility in Tonga, the regional language, to inspire and encourage the patients and workers there.

So I had been researching a lot of things, like; what does Zambia look like?   I mean, I can't really paint murals with Canadian mountains and pine trees... they'll think I'm from another planet... so I checked out such things as Zambian sunsets, Serengeti-esque landscapes, beautiful vegetation like the vibrant Flamboyant Tree, the Jacaranda trees lush with gorgeous purple flowers, and the Baobab Trees that are mysterious, awe-inspiring, and legendary.  I'm already seriously in love with Zambia, just from the pictures!

I also researched where the closest Michael's or ACMoore was anywhere near Zimba... turns out- there aren't any!   So I will have to bring whatever I use, and hope to plan well enough to not run out of paint before I run out of time.   But that gets a little complicated too... TSA has to make sure that we are all safe (Thankfully!) so they make sure to check out items in luggage that look like they could be flammable or dangerous... like paint.    So I have to select products for which I can clearly prove are non-flammable with an MSDS safety data sheet, and pack them with the paint so that there will be no question as to the safety of my suitcase.    Before this adventure, I had never even heard of an MSDS sheet... now I can quickly scan one and find a product's flash point.  Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?
But all of that planning, research and effort will not guarantee that the TSA employee who examines my suitcase won't be in a rotten mood that morning, and throw all of my paints away... please pray that won't happen... because if I get to Zambia with no paint, they'll probably make me learn to draw blood or something, and that's just not going to work well for me.

So tonight, I am frantically packing what paint I have already purchased, making room for the Amazon paint shipments arriving Monday, making lists, etc.    Hoping that I don't forget anything... because remember, no quick trips to ACMoore or Michaels once I get there!

And oh yeah, I have an appointment Monday for my yellow fever and typhoid vaccines... I'm so stoked for that.

So I hope that I can use this blog to keep everyone updated on my adventure... especially once I get there and start soaking up that incredible Creation that God has made.   
So stay tuned, and thanks for joining me on my Adventure to Zambia!