Simplicity

Today’s post is brought to you by the simplicity pillar. I think I’ve always said how living more simply was a motivation for PC service, and it continues to be true. I love the things I can see/experience/do/be a part of when I step away from extras. Lately I have been fascinated with how my simple life has let me watch things grow. In November, at the beginning of the rainy season I planted maize. Now after 4.5 months of weeding, tending, and watching, I harvested healthy huge cobs just before Easter. Maybe you’ll think I’m childishly amused, but there was a part of me which found it fascinating to plant one seed, and watch it make use of soil, sun, and water to grow. Nature going about it’s natural work is amazing. Of course the concrete scientist side of me was also proud to see her work using natural fertilizer succeed.
I am also grateful forthe simple joys of watching my neighbor’s baby grow up. She was born just before I arrived in Zambia, and in the last month-6 weeks, I have watched her learn to walk and babble. She used to cry when she saw the scary foreign looking girl, but now she’ll wobble-walk the 20 meters from her parent’s house to my yard. She’ll also dance on command to my modified Zam-pop song. Adorable! I’ll pass on electricity, or reliable mail service any day to keep watching her grow.
Last week in the village was also great, because I feel I have gotten to where I can recognize the simple spontaneous moments throughout the day which are really the most rewarding. I returned home to cook dinner just ahead of the rain after accomplishing alot with the women’s group the other day. Zambians try to avoid getting soaked, and anyone is welcome anywhere anytime, so I acquired 6 of my neighbor boys in my cooking shelter (kinzanza) as the downpour started. Sharing food with any and all guests is a common practice, but I don’t normally get guests unexpectedly, so I’d started cooking nshima just for myself. Loaves and fishes, loaves and fishes. All 7 of us ended up eating our fill of nshima/veggies/beans (one of my favorite meals) with enough extras for my lunch the next day. We ate and laughed in my kinzanza until the rain stopped. One boy understood my Kiikaonde when I gave him a hard time for trying to eat before praying, and I understood their stories in Chichokwe. Hilarious, and not an evening I want to forget. It’d been a long time since I’d gotten so much enjoyment out of a simple meal.
It’s that time again for new env/ag Volunteers, so I’m spending this week in Lusaka as one of their trainers. How did I get here?! At the same time, I feel that alot has happened since I was in their position. Next week I’ll help out a bit with some of the planned activities around Lusaka for Earth Day. On the Earth Day note, I’d appreciate any freebies sent through my parents; I can use them in my environment club. Stay Well.