Exchange Rate

just another fun worksheet

Side note: Our currency was revalued 1 January, leaving our Kwacha three zeros closer to the decimal point. Instead of $1 USD being equal (approximately) to K 5,000, $1 is now equal to about 5 Kwacha! Plus, we now have coins called Ngwee. It’s going to be an interesting adjustment these next few months as stores and banks (and brains!) continue the conversion to the new Kwacha.

Just for the record: Zambian Kwacha was previously written “ZMK.” Now, the proper notation is “ZMW,” reflecting the rebase.

These are a few of our favorite things

USPS packages wrapped up in tape...

(our first package arrived last week)

Christmas Pictures

Christmas Day

special little packages from Heather and I for each other

All dressed up and ready for church Christmas morning

ditto

In Zambian time, sometimes 9:30am actually means 10:45am (Christmas church service)

Merry Christmas

It’s a tad late, but…

I wanted to share a photo of the completed Prophecy tree on my office door on Christmas Day.

I intended to post this photo on Christmas, but we didn't have internet.

Believe it or not

This bath water washed 3+ feet of hair and 1 body this morning.

*Our water pump is broken again*

Auntie

This little orphan girl insisted on sitting next to me at a recent food and blanket distribution
with Compassionate Ministries (Heather's job).

Perhaps it’s because of fun aunt memories from my childhood, perhaps because I adore little friends, or maybe it’s just because I like the ring of the words, but it makes me smile inside to be called Auntie Julie.

Here in Zambia, Auntie Julie is what children call me out of respect. There’s something fun about introducing myself as Auntie Julie instead of Miss Julie. Also, I feel trusted and welcomed into families when parents introduce me to their children as an auntie.

I consider this new title one of the perks of my work here in Zambia.

Desperate

How I feel sometimes when I can't communicate with my family.