Goodbye Zambia, I'll be back...My time in Africa gave me the opportunity to connect with real people instead of numbling statistics. Listening to stories of those who have faced tremendous challenge, but who have also demonstrated incredible courage. I’m humbled by the two charities that I worked for over my 9 month stay in Zambia -- learning that it’s not about us going in to do all the work, but simply empowering others to do the work themselves.
People ask me, “Isn’t it emotionally hard to walk so closely and intimately with those suffering?” If I’ve learned anything from my time in Africa, it’s that though the suffering is overwhelming, so too is the hope.
Hope makes itself known in different forms. For the many communities, it is found in clean water. No longer having to walk for miles, grandchildren are able to go to school because they are not needed to carry water.
People ask me, “Isn’t it emotionally hard to walk so closely and intimately with those suffering?” If I’ve learned anything from my time in Africa, it’s that though the suffering is overwhelming, so too is the hope.
Hope makes itself known in different forms. For the many communities, it is found in clean water. No longer having to walk for miles, grandchildren are able to go to school because they are not needed to carry water.
Those with HIV are living longer and stronger lives because opportunistic diseases are no longer present and ARV’s have been provided to prolong their lives. Their clothes are cleaner, their crops are bigger, their hearts are stronger, their hope is higher.
I have personally grown on this 9 month journey in Africa and ready for my next challenges ahead. Thank you for listening and a HUGE thanks to those who donated to the projects and my work while in Zambia. I couldn't of done it without you!
Go well, my friends & hope to see you soon
Love, Tracey xoxo
30 comments:
Welcome home! :)
Hope you had a fantastic adventure. I look forward to catching up when you're all settled in.
Sandy
Trace!!
Welcome back - can't wait to talk with you!! I'll leave you alone for a few days....
Call me anytime during the week (when you have a spare hour!) and I'll call ya back !!!!!
WELCOME HOME!!
You were missed!
Heather
Hey Hon! Welcome home! Can't wait to see you - let me know if you have a chance we could get together for a drink or a meal.
Cheers,
Claudia :)
Welcome home, Tracey!
I hope all is well with you. I look forward to seeing you and hearing of all your adventures of the past year.
I'm in the middle of a tour, travelling across the country, I'm sure you have so many people to catch up with. But if you have some time, I would love to see you.
What are your plans now? Where are you living?
xoJL
Welcome home Trace.
Your final blog is beautiful. We had a lunch with the old gang last Wed. and your ears must have been ringing as we spoke of you.
We hope to plan another on a Thursday mid-July over at the RCYC - hope you'll be able to join us. We'd love to hear all about your Africa.
Donald and I are off to the Greek Islands for two weeks. Take care.
Luv, Cath
XX
SO GOOD TO SEE YOU SUNDAY!
Know that I am praying for you as you transition....it's not easy.
Lots of love!
Hannah x
Welcome home! I look at those pictures and how involved you are in their lives and I can not imagine a better person to be there. You have so much love to give and it shows in those photos.
You are fortunate to be able to say you have given back this way to so many people. You have more guts and courage than many of us.
I'm glad you're home safely
Love, Sherry
Welcome home Tracey,
So hard to believe you're back! I just think of how much you achieved during your stay, how much more is to be done and how torn you must have felt when leaving. I admire you so much Tracey. Your courage and commitment leaves me speechless.
Claire is so excited to see you - she feels a big party is in order!! We hope to see you at some point over the summer.
Love from,
Laura, Steve, Emily and Claire
Welcome Back!!!!!
Can’t wait to hear all about it. We should do lunch if you have time.
Isabel
Hi Tracey
Welcome home!! Although I am not close to where you are, it is nice to know that you have made it back safely. I have spent quite some time following your pursuits while in Zambia, and I know that your life will be influenced forever. Mine has been though my shorter time in Malawi. Sometimes it seems like a long, long time ago that I was there, but the memories are still strong. I think I remember the people most of all, and their outlook on life changed the way I think. Sometimes I get stuck in the trap and act like a north american, but everytime I meet an african I am reminded that the most important thing is relationships with each other. The people I met always had time to talk and more importantly listen to someone else, it is one of the things I miss here.
I am still working in Lake Louise, and things are going well.
What is in the future for you now? Are you going to travel within Canada? If so will you be out west? I would love to see you even for a short visit if you make it out near here.
Let me know when a good time is to call you, love to chat.
Brian
I HAVE SO ENJOYED READING ALL ABOUT YOUR WONDERFUL TRIP.
You are an amazing young lady.
Are you going back to Zambia or Africa?
Kind regards,
Hilary Rabie
You look wonderful!
Hope to see you soon.
Call me when you're settled. Cell# same.
Simone
Welcome home! It was lovely to see you Sunday.
Hope you don't have to dash off to China too soon - but what a great opportunity if it comes about.
You are welcome up here any time
Be kind to yourself on return - their is a mourning process
Hilary
Hi Tracey, You are such a sweetheart. I'm really looking forward to seeing you at your mom's b'day party.
I know you'll have a lot to share and I can't wait to hear all about it. I'm glad the cross necklaces were liked. See you soon.
Kristen
Hi T,
Can't wait to talk to you. Hope to see you soon. I'm on call this weekend so hanging around here.
Hope your culture shock is easy on you...
Love, Soupy
How very exciting. I know you will be busy, but just being in another country is such a marvelous cultural experience. I am Soooo excited for you. Less than a month for you now.
Look forward to further news. Enjoy your time with your family and let me know if you need special prayers as you prepare for China.
Lots of love, Sue
Great to hear from you and to know that you are safely home again.
You have sure had an amazing nine months and I am sure have been very welcomed and appreciated.
I haven't followed all 100 blogs, but certainly many of them, and have enjoyed keeping up with what you are doing.
Do, please let us know what you feel you will do next.
Every blessing,
Chris
WOW, congratulations are in order!!!!
I am so happy for you that the job has finally come through. I know that it will be hard work, but you will absolutely love it!
Huge bummer that we are not going to see each other this summer... I can't believe it.
I hope that you are enjoying yourself so far back at home. I am sure that your friends and family are so happy to have you home again and to hear all about your adventures. I guess I will have to wait for a special photo/video screening when we are together again.
Love you lots,
Nat
CONGRATULATIONS TRACEY!!!!!!!!!
That sounds fantastic about the job. Good for you, and who knows where this may lead! Very exciting. Enjoy being with your family and friends.
Let me know when there's a day we can meet up too though, I can't wait for a bit more time with you before I go back.
Thinking of you in these days, and sending lots of love!
Talk to you soon I hope,
Hannah xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Congratulations and how exciting to be off to the olympics Tony will be green with envy. We have just got back from a week in Egypt.
I'm going to really miss you when I get back to the farm as you had become part of the family.
Please keep in touch and let us know all your news. Love to all your family I'm sure they were really happy to have you home again.
Now is the time to start afresh and make a new and exciting life for yourself. Remember all that we told you. You can fufill all your dreams if you just believe in yourself.
Love and blessings
Josie xx
Thanks so much for the e-mail , how amazing that you got the job and even better if you get to the canadian winter olympics.
We all love and miss you and are praying for great things.
Keep us all informed on how things are going.
Lots of love from us all
Derry & Farm
Hi Tracey!!
Wanna Golf on Friday?? Argh I wish, been missing you a lot!
Don't worry we remember you every game by saying "pop up"!! with a big smile on my face. Golf seems to have have a turn for the better, although they found a huge 3 metre cobra on hole number 7, and haven't managed to kill it yet, just makes the game a little more interesting around that area.
I might have a job in the pipline, hopefully I will find out next week. Fingers crossed!
What about you? Are you still with your folks? When are you going to china? Well I hope you are ok and settled back in.
It was great meeting you, only sorry we didn't get to see more of you.
Take care and lots of love
Farah jane
Hi Tracey,
Congratulations once again on the Olympic job. I still find it quite remarkable that you could be in Ndola and interview for a job in China...and get it. Way to go!
Enjoy the days with your family
Scott
Tracey,
It was truly wonderful to spend time with you, as always... but it's been so long since we've hung out for a whole evening like that, and my soul just felt so refreshed afterwards and all day today!
Mum and I were talking about what an amazing gift you have, of making whoever you're with feel important and valuable and worth listening to. You're so interested in individuals.....you got my Grandma talking away about herself, something which she rarely does; amazing!
You've just got this energy exuding from you that you infect people around you with, and it's full of love. I just am so thankful to know you!!
Thanks for filling me in on anything. I'm sure I'll be e-mailing you while I'm there!!
So glad I get to see you again on Sunday.
Enjoy time with your Dad,
Lots of love,
Hannah xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dear Tracey,
compliment of the new year! my name is Felix, I most commend you for what you are doing out there,in respect of the Africa families that you have taking your precious time to show concerns in their lives, it is true that a true friend you most hold with both hands, may God bless you together with you whole families, and show you favor all the day of your life, African leaders has giving the food of sorrow to an old man as reward of his old age, only God Almighty can speak for the old man, I came across your profile on skype such good works I can not turn of the page without saying thanks for your goodness
Best regards
Felix
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Oh my goodness Tracey! You have been busy! Sounds like such an amazing adventure!
Its really disappointing to see people plagiarize other people's work.
The quote you ripped off - “People ask me, ‘Doesn’t it paralyze you to walk so closely and intimately with suffering?’ ‘No,’ I tell them. ‘If I’ve learned anything from my time in Africa, it’s that though the suffering is overwhelming, so too is the hope.’” - is from a really beautiful photography book by Jeremy Cowart and Jenna Lee.
If you are going to use other people's content you should cite it, and not take credit for it as your own. Anyone can publish anything online, but have some respect for the creative content of others and give credit where credit is due. disappointing.
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