January 26th is our first anniversary of being on the field in Zambia.  It is amazing how time passes so quickly.  We have enjoyed getting to know the people, culture and a little of the language.  There is still much to learn.

We have learned that just because an item in the grocery store is there today, doesn’t mean it will be there tomorrow.

We have learned that just because someone says they understand what you said doesn’t mean that they actually did understand what you said.

We have learned that when a road sign says “Men at Work” what it really means is that there are women sweeping the street ahead.

We have learned that electricity is a luxury not to be taken for granted.

We have learned not to leave the house without an umbrella or sunglasses during the rainy season.

We have learned that not everyone at funerals is there to mourn the dead but some have come for a free meal.

We have learned that being on time is not something that concerns people here; being three hours late for your own wedding is perfectly acceptable.

We have learned that God is always there whenever and wherever you are in the world, Zambia, El Salvador, Germany, Burkina Faso, or the United States.

There is still much to learn and lots of work to do here.

Curtis Johnson, Zambia