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Published: March 6th 2015
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Greetings from one of the most beautiful places on earth! Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Yesterday (March 5) was a day of inspiration, commitment, travel and touring.
We started the day at our hotel in Lusaka with a fabulous breakfast (the veggie omelets were amazing!) - and then had the privilege of listening to a guest speaker, Claire from the organization
http://www.bakashana.org Let me tell you how small the world really is. In January, at my mastermind meeting with my coach, Suzanne Evans - we were enjoying a chili cook-off (and our team really wanted to win!). One of my team members, Jane Deuber, was asking us, the team, to consider donating our winnings (we were THAT confident) to her niece's organization in Zambia because she believed in it so much - the organization supports education for young women. We all agreed - quite confident that the money was coming our way. This was the first time I had met Jane - it was Jane's first coaching experience with Suzanne - and we focused on making the best darn chili ever! Well, we didn't win but I certainly did learn a lot about Jane's niece and the good work she is
doing in Africa.
Fast forward to yesterday - our guest speaker at breakfast was none other than Claire! She told us her story of how she came to live in Zambia after having spent most of her life growing up in Hawaii. She lives a simple life in the country - cutting her own wood, hauling their water and so on. She is totally committed to the education of young women in Zambia and she explained that she has 9 young girls left who need sponsoring. Our hearts were touched and before she left that breakfast meeting (and she really did just give us a very soft sell - we are used to a much stronger approach back in North America!) - all 9 of her girls were sponsors - including the one I chose.
It was truly a God moment for me - any of you who know me and my story will know that my in-laws were the most amazing people on earth. I loved them dearly. They were instrumental in helping me get back on my feet after my separation and divorce from their son. So, imagine how I felt when I went to the
Bakashana website to read the stories of the young ladies and there was one that particularly caught my attention - and her name is Florence (my mother-in-law's name was Florence!) - THAT was my God moment - that is when I knew that is the young woman I am supposed to support, connect with and commit to. And so it is!
From a mastermind meeting in Phoenix with Suzanne - to a fun evening event with Jane - to a trip to Africa with both Suzanne and Sandy Salle (also in our SURGE mastermind) - I get to meet Claire and my world changes forever! That's the Suzanne Evans' community ........we are family!
So, we leave the hotel, hop on a plane and fly on over to Zimbabwe. This is another highlight of the trip as we are here (trip #3 for Suzanne and her team) to meet/mentor/support the women entrepreneurs of the local market. I was here on the first trip 3 years ago - it is exciting to return to see the women and see their progress. As we land at the airport, my buddy Jeffrey Ward points out another aircraft on the runway - it's
a HUGE private plane (see photo below) for special tours. Reminds me a lot of the world tour travels that I had the privilege of enjoying 3 times! (those blog stories are listed here if you scroll way down).
On the bus, cross the border and over to our hotel - the renowned Victoria Falls Hotel. Once we had a chance to check in (and a first class welcome we had, too!), then it was off to tour the Falls. I've been here before but, as I explained to Amanda Evans, this time is different (she asked me that question). The first time I came, three years ago, I was still growing my business - finances were really tight - and I got used to saying to people - 'no thanks, I won't be joining you for that glass of wine. I'm tired and will just be heading to bed." In reality, I didn't have the money to even buy a glass of wine ......but I was committed to the project but it is so in alignment with my 'WHY" - the reason I do the work I do in coaching and mentoring entrepreneurs. This trip - I had
2 glasses of wine, LOL! Just a tribute really to my own success, how far I've come in these 3 years and the fact that life is not such a struggle any longer. THAT is why I can relate, in some ways, to the women entrepreneurs we will be working with tomorrow (Friday). So, back to Amanda's question - is it any different this time? Yes, Amanada, it truly is. I see Victoria Falls through different eyes - I see and experience the hotel differently (and this place is incredible - tomorrow's blog post will feature the hotel AND the women of the market - so be sure to come back).
Off to the Falls we go - and that is where the rainbows come in. My father-in-law loved rainbows. We used to watch and enjoy them together after rainstorms in Edmonton, where we lived. When he was critically ill, he gifted me with a trip to Hawaii to visit my best friend (long and beautiful story) - he passed a few days before my birthday that year, and I hopped on the plane the day after his funeral and went to Hawaii. As I settled on to the
patio with my girlfriend, a beautiful, bright, gorgeous rainbow appeared in front of us. I knew that was a sign from my father-in-law and I knew he was watching over me on that trip.
And now, here I am at Victoria Fall - just having sponsored a young lady named Florence - and here we are surrounded by rainbows. My angels are with me and they are cheering me on! So, enjoy the rainbow photos - there are lots - they are awesome - and think about your own God moments. Think about the importance of 'being in the moment' and appreciating what is really go on around you.
I, for one, know that I am not alone here.
We left the Falls and headed over to the market to see the women in their environment - the progress that has been made since my first trip 3 years ago was heart-warming. The women came running out to meet and greet us with hugs and huge smiles! It was awesome! More on them tomorrow.
Then we returned to the hotel - where Suzanne, Melonie and Sandy hosted us in a fabulous reception by the pool. It
was so special - and much appreciated. This really was like a vacation day and ended in a very magical way - with a full moon shining over the pool. I enjoyed dinner on the patio with Sandy, Jeffrey, Candace and Amy - it was an absolutely wonderful way to end a magical day.
On that note, good night, my friend - I am crawling into my princess bed here at the hotel.
I'll see you all tomorrow. I must get a good night's sleep as we have important work to do tomorrow.
Happy Pat
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Kate Ashton
non-member comment
Fun with Pat
What a wonderful trip! I'm so proud of all of your accomplishments and it's so much fun to actually feel like I'm right beside you. Keep the stories and photo's coming. They are very inspirational. love Kate