Another Update

First, my new address.  Since I have now left training my new address is:


PO Box 110264
Solwezi
Zambia


Any mail sent to the old address will still get to me, but it will just take a bit longer.


Next, I have a phone number here in Zambia.  Service is pretty good, so feel free to shoot me a text or call.  The number is


Thirdly, the photo below is of myself and the infamous Alan.  When I told him that after I blogged about him he had a bit of a following I demanded that I get a photo with him, so that his fans could put a face to the made-up name I gave him.  Aside from being a really awesome guy, my favorite fun fact about Alan is that his hometown (Mansfield, Ohio) is home to the prison that was used in The Shawshank Redemption.

Alan (Aaron Lamp) and Myself.  This picture was taken about four weeks into training.
Notice the amazing mustache I sported for about two days.

Lastly, well, I don't really have anything else to say.  I'll be pretty much out of internet contact for the next few weeks, which means no new posts.  When I do get back though I'll have more and more things to post about life here in Zambia.  

Jordan Becomes A Real Writer

I wanted all three of my loyal blog fans (and anyone that happens upon this) to know that I will be having a once per month (maybe twice per month) article in the Battle Creek Enquirer - my hometown newspaper.  If you're living in Battle Creek I expect you to buy a copy this upcoming Saturday (the 5th of May) when my first feature comes out.  Then you need to read it, love it, clip it out, and place it on your refrigerator.  After that, reach into your refrigerator and grab an ice cold Pepsi.  Crack that thing open and drink it for me.  Then read my article again.

I don't know if I'll have internet access to write two per month, but I'll try.  The newspaper articles will kind of be like my blog, so maybe it won't be anything all that different.  Maybe I'll throw some curve balls and you won't know these new updates unless you read both... kind of a tag team effort between the newspaper and my blog.

Well, I just wanted people to be aware.  Hope you like it.  If you don't, I still want you to clip the articles and post them on your refrigerator.  And be sure to have that Pepsi for me.

Meet the Mukumas

During my eleven weeks of training I stayed in Suse Village (outside of Chipembi, Zambia, where the main training center is) with the Mukuma Family.  The family is comprised of Peter (the father), Betty (the mother), and "my little brother" Paul.  They are, more or less, the typical rural Zambian family.  They wake up about 5 AM, when the roosters are just too loud to ignore any longer, and they go to bed just a little after the sunsets.  In between the rising sun and the setting sun they occupy their time with farming.

Farming for them is their livelihood.  If the rains don't come or if they somehow fail... then they severely struggle.  Life isn't the easiest for them.  They have no running water, electricity, or even a steady supply of candles.  What they did have, in very sizable abundance, was an awesome spirit.  They are amazing to be around.  They're bright, they love to laugh, and, most important of all to me, they took interest in why I was there.

The father, Peter, is a great guy.  He was full of all sorts of Peter-unique quips like, "Jordan, water is life."  This one he told me on an almost daily basis.  Luckily for him there was a pretty good rainy season this year, so I think they can keep on keeping on.  Betty, she was an amazing cook and even though I lost weight, I ate exceptionally well.  Paul was a kid's kid... always running around with a sling shot and singing at the top of his lungs.  His favorite song was the anthem / theme song for the Chipolopolo Boys - Zambia's national soccer team.

My favorite thing about staying with the Mukumas was that Peter loved maps and geography.  He had a large map of the world and after dinner would stand next to it, pointing at different countries, then ask me about those far off lands.  Lucky for Peter - I love maps.  I couldn't of had a better homestay.

Peter, looking by candlelight, at the map of the US I ordered for him.
Thanks for sending that Mom.

I tried to show my appreciation to the whole family in a lot of ways (buying them awesome thank you presents when I moved out, helping to build them a garden, and planting beneficial trees), but the one thing I got them, Peter specifically, that they loved the most was a map of Michigan and of the United States.  When Peter opened the map of the US, he exclaimed, "Praise the Lord."  No joke... he loved, loved, loved that map.  I had it specialized by having all of my fellow trainees sign where they were from on it.  I'll really miss living with them.  It made training that much easier knowing I could leave training and go home to a great atmosphere.