 Zambia Service Group - OLP | All Comments |
Comments | |
| 6th July 2009 Grace | Thank you again - From: The Chicken Caper Sandy, thank you so much for adding these final blog entries, and all the wonderful photos. |
| 5th July 2009 Randy | hey guys! :) - From: Livingstone and HOME hey all, first of all let me say that you guys are amazing!!! i cant wait to hear the stories!!! you all have been in my thoughts and prayers for the last couple weeks. i wish you a safe journey home and i will be waiting anxiously for your arrival. :) sarah- believe it or not, i miss you. it is really weird not having you around. i cant wait for you to get home!!!! oh, i just gave your hours to the Dunwody's yesterday.. haha life has been a little hectic.. LOVE YOU ALL!! -Randy Patzner |
| 4th July 2009 Katie and Joe McDonough | So the experience is almost over - From: Shani Shani I cannot believe that this experience for all of you is almost finished. We can hardly wait for you to fill in some more of the details. Can Victoria Falls in any way compete with the personal experiences you have encountered? We love you, especicially the McDonough/Blaskowsis, but all of you by extension. We wait for your safe return. Love to all. |
| 3rd July 2009 Mary | Happy 4th - From: Shani Shani Just wanted to wish everyone a happy 4th of July. Monica can you sneak some of those fried bugs in your bag for Nano? He is known to eat just about anything. I can't wait to see you and hear about all of your adventures. Everyone is thinking about you and will miss you tomorrow. We will shoot some fireworks in your honor. I love you. |
| 3rd July 2009 Arlene Blaskowski | HAPPY 15TH BIRTHDAY, SEAN - From: Shani Shani TO SEAN MCDOUNOUGH: HAPPY 15TH BIRTHDAY, SEAN!!! WHAT A PLACE TO CELEBRATE!! ENJOY, ENJOY TO ALL!! LOVE, NANNI XO |
| 2nd July 2009 Denis and Mary | Hungry for more - From: Shani Shani Thanks for the update. So many stories and events are hinted at, we cannot help but want to hear more. Those of us who are with you in spirit are hungry for as many details as you can share with us about all that is happening. A special shout out to the kids - would love to hear from Stephen or Artie or Anna or Monica (of course) or any of the other young people about your experiences and your perspectives on your incredible pilgrimage. Think of it as feeding us a virtual fried caterpillar... |
| 2nd July 2009 Kristie and Jim | Wow! - From: Shani Shani We have loved hearing about your experiences and we are SO proud of you all. You have experienced something we all wish we could have shared. Looking forward to hearing about it when you come home. We also miss you all so much.....seems like a void in our OLP Community not having you here. We ARE a family here and we are proud of the new family you are coming to know in Zambia. Keep smiling! |
| 2nd July 2009 Jeannie | Hi Sarah! - From: Shani Shani Do you guys get these comments???? I hope so. I sense some sarcasm in Sarah's 'voice'! :) We are asking... and we do love you... and we do miss you more than you'll know! We are so excited to read these blogs! We especially love the pictures! We know you are having the time of your life and we hope you still like us when you get back here in our neck of the Conifer woods. We know you'll be a changed person when you get home. Good news, or bad news.....we haven't changed at all! :) Be safe and enjoy every God-filled moment over there! We love you! Mom |
| 1st July 2009 Kimberly Poe | "Awesome" Work - From: Back in Ndola at the Franciscan Center Also, thank you for the blogs! I have enjoyed reading about all of your awesome experiences. Wishing all of you a safe trip home and can't wait to hear about the wonderful things that you have done for the Zambian people. The Poe's (Mike and Katie Jo's neighbors) |
| 29th June 2009 Pawlik's | GREAT Work guys - From: Back in Ndola at the Franciscan Center Your blogs are fasinating. You are doing what so many of us wish we could do! God Bless your experience and trip back home. |
| 28th June 2009 Grace | Amazing - From: Back in Ndola at the Franciscan Center Thank you for the blog. Sounds like an amazing array of opportunities and interactions with the Zambian communities and people. We are so proud of all of you! |
| 27th June 2009 Royce (McDowski Neighbor) | What an adventure... - From: Tomorrow's Plans You're an amazing and wonderful group. How those folks must love and appreciate you all. Glad you're having lots of fun, as well as doing such meaningful work. Enjoy the rest of your time there. |
| 27th June 2009 Royce | Just catching up - From: Loading the Airplane Looks to me like Sean is doing all the work. What's with those other two lazy McDowski boys? :>) |
| 27th June 2009 Mark | Great Stuff - From: "ZamTales" (cont)--St. Francis Centre in Ndola Following your progress - geographic and spiritual - with great interest. Matt, I look forward to more thoughts on the music when you return. Stay well. Mark |
| 26th June 2009 Ian Murray | MoMo - From: St Bonaventure College Hey Mo! I just wanna Say I'm very proud of you doing this and I miss you it's weird not having you here!! I love you I hope your enjoying Africa! |
| 25th June 2009 Laura Ware | Glad you are dancing! - From: "ZamTales" (cont)--St. Francis Centre in Ndola So glad to hear of your appreciation of the choir and the dancing, and of course Turkish style toilets. Sure do miss you here - it pours every day and everything is green like the south! Enjoy being without internet! |
| 24th June 2009 Lindsley | Photos - From: Tomorrow's Plans Thinking of all on this trip praticluary the Colorado Wickhams! Love seeing the photos of all of you. Loved the hacky-sack...as if I wasnt surprized to see Matt doing that! Love to Matt ME Andy and Artie! Lindsley |
| 24th June 2009 Lindsley | Thinking of you all! - From: "ZamTales" (cont)--St. Francis Centre in Ndola Loved one of the last pictures of Matt doing hacky-sack...as if it wasnt a surprize! :-) Good to see that Artie and Andy are in pix sothat we can pick them out as well as Matt and ME! Thinking of you all! |
| 24th June 2009 Katie McDonough | What an experience you are having - From: Mass, Chawama Compound and bartering! Greetings to the service family. That's what it seems that you are forming there. I suspect that you will never again be able to turn you face away from the poor, with the memory of Chawama compound in you minds and hearts. It's so good that you are sharing your personal response to the experience to all that visit the blog. And it's good for us "elders" to hear that all is well except for a nose injury. Thanks for sharing your reflections and experiences. |
| 24th June 2009 Jackie Raimonde | Hi from Jackie - From: "ZamTales" (cont)--St. Francis Centre in Ndola Hi to the Wickham's, sounds like you are having a wonderful time. Nice picture of Artie learning the new dance, you'll have to teach it to me when you get home. Congrats on winning the football match. All is well here in OH. Mom and Dad say Hi. Love reading the blogs! Talk to you soon. Love Jacks |
| 23rd June 2009 OLP | Weibugs!! - From: Hidden Voice and Saint Patrick´s Schools Thanks. We are all great. Thanks for the note. We'll be off line for three days here.... Tomorrow off to feed the poor! M, M, A, and A |
| 23rd June 2009 OLP | Nariz - From: Crocodile Dundee Well, when the nose is sticking that far out to begin with..... |
| 23rd June 2009 Christiana | Lucky Monica - From: Hidden Voice and Saint Patrick´s Schools Monica (if the crocs didn't get you) I am envious of you. Sounds great. Cant' wait for your return to hear all of your tales. |
| 23rd June 2009 Mahaffey's | Croc Bait!! - From: Crocodile Dundee I have loved keeping up with all of you!! We are so proud of everything you are doing over in Zambia to truly make a difference in our world. The Mahaffey's are starting to save for the next mission trip because we do not want to miss this opportunity again. Love to you all and know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Dorothy, Bill, Lucas and Zach |
| 21st June 2009 Chris Evenson | Happy Father's Day! - From: Crocodile Dundee Isn't it amazing how much we take for granted here.... paved roads! Isn't it amazing how food brings everyone together....crocodile tail fillets! Isn't it amazing how laughter sounds the same all over the world....whether playing "volleyball" or hack-sack! Isn't it amazing how a good night's sleep refreshes you....even if it's under a mosquito net! Gee.... you all are amazing! P.S. to the Wickhams.... Mom and Dad Raimonde say: "Hello", glad you are having a good time, have a candle lit for you at St. Paul's, and are keeping you in their prayers. |
| 21st June 2009 Lindsley | Matt's nose injury - From: Crocodile Dundee Interesting that you were the first casulty of the trip - maybe a 50th birthday gift! Not! Thinking about you all! |
| 21st June 2009 Mary & Denis | Monica we love you - From: Crocodile Dundee Hey Monica did you really eat the fish head and tail soup??? We wish we could have seen that. We are glad to hear you are not home sick. We love seeing the pictures of you on the blog and can see that you are really enjoying yourself. We hope it is everything you hoped it would be so far. T-bones, champagne and wine all sound pretty good and it doesn't sound like anyone is suffering too badly. Happy Birthday to Matt! and Happy Fathers Day to all of the dads. We love you and miss you. Keep the pictures coming. |
| 21st June 2009 Kathy Tyler | Monica - From: Crocodile Dundee Glad to see you're having a great trip so far! I can't believe how much you all brought with you to distribute. May you enjoy your time there and be a blessing to those you come into contact with - and may they be a blessing to you! You all are in our prayers - Aunt Kathy and Uncle Paul |
| 20th June 2009 Fr. Charles Mukuka | Welcome to Zambia - From: St Bonaventure College Dear Gracious Friends from O.L.P. Parish, Special greetings to you from Ancona - Italy! I feel over thrilled to be in touch with you through this email that I am sending to you now. I have been following your events about your trip to Zambia though in Italy with the help of Sandy our dear mum whom we cherish so much. Though miles away from you at the moment, I welcome you to my country of origin - Zambia. Be assured of my fervent prayers in all your endeavours whilst in Zambia. I do hope that what you will experience in Zambia will widden your horizons in your life. Well, my USA experience when I togehter with 7 Zambians visted your beautiful country in 2006 on your big day - the so called THANKSGIVING, 22nd November was a memorable one and widdened my horizons about the nice American (USA) people much more than what I used to hear about and watch on television sets. Furthermore, I had even an opportunity to preside at some of your Masses in Conifer, Co in 2006 with the permission of your former Parish Priest, Fr. Reuben. My conclusion was and is still today that pepole are generally good and nice to mingle with wherever one goes. Once again, welcome to Zambia and have a wonderful experience. Bearing in mind the Friars and our new administration, I wish Megan (who is in Zambia for the second time now) and our mum Sandy (in her second home away from home - USA) to really expose you to the different life situations in Zambia. In a special way, I would like to thank the Parish Priest and all the parishioners of Our Lady of the Pines, Conifer - USA for their support to us in Zambia, especially the Friars and for making your trip a reality. May our Our Lady of the Pines - Mother Mary intercede for you always. Bye for now! MWAISENI - WELCOME TO ZAMBIA. Sincerely yours, Fr. Charles Mukuka (Note: The pictures posted on wedsite or facebook are great, especially the first Mass you had with my confrere, Fr. John Lesa at Rivotorto in Lusaka) |
| 20th June 2009 Nancy | Hope the crocs didn't eat everyone - From: Hidden Voice and Saint Patrick´s Schools One of KJ's (many, but the favorite [hee hee]) cousins here-from across another pond. What a wonderful adventure for you guys! I have only done this kind of physically exhausting but spiritually uplifting work closer to home (Neon, Kentucky; New Orleans, Trenton, New Jersey; Chicago, etc) but always found it to be tremendously joyful experience. Thank you for sharing with us, keep well, and someone PLEASE bring back a written account in addition to this blog. |
| 20th June 2009 CootieSan & Lin | - From: Hidden Voice and Saint Patrick´s Schools Hey Mwabombeni! Happy Birthday!!!! Thinking of you all. Mwabombeni, please dont try to fix anything :) |
| 20th June 2009 CootieSan & Lin | Great Photos - From: Kalundu for reviving after morning work! Awesome seeing everyone. I am sorry to see Matt & Mercks heads where elongated in the flight over though. |
| 20th June 2009 Kristie and Jim | With you in spirit - From: Hidden Voice and Saint Patrick´s Schools We are loving reading about your experience. The pictures tell it all with the smiles on your faces. We almost feel like we are there with you all. Mass was offered for you all today and the prayers keep coming! |
| 20th June 2009 Pal | Wonderful! - From: Hidden Voice and Saint Patrick´s Schools What a delight to read of the adventures - so proud (and jealous) of you all! God Bless! |
| 19th June 2009 Chris Evenson | Happy Days! - From: Hidden Voice and Saint Patrick´s Schools Happy Birthday, Matt! What a memorable one for you! And for all of you....what a blessing to find such joy in such work! |
| 19th June 2009 Chris Evenson | Happy Days! - From: Hidden Voice and Saint Patrick´s Schools Happy Birthday, Matt! What a memorable one for you! And for all of you....what a blessing to find such joy in such work! |
| 19th June 2009 Walter Weinig | Happy Birthday Matt! - From: Hidden Voice and Saint Patrick´s Schools Happy 50th! You'll certainly travel far and work hard to avoid wearing the birthday hat back at the office. Sounds like all is going well. The blog is great, thanks for keeping us all up to speed on the OLP team's activities. Stay safe, travel well. Hi to Mary Ellen, Artie, & Andy. ----- Walter, Dorrie & Blaise |
| 19th June 2009 Denis & Mary | Love the updates - From: Kalundu for reviving after morning work! It is great to see everyone and wonderful to be updated. The broad, beaming smiles are telling a tale of their own. We are waiting for the pictures of Monica dancing :@). |
| 19th June 2009 Laura Ware | Love the photos! - From: Kalundu for reviving after morning work! The photos are wonderful - keep them coming! Glad to see you all are working hard! Give my best to the all wonderful people you meet along the way! |
| 19th June 2009 Grace | Not surprised! - From: Kalundu for reviving after morning work! Why am I not surprised to see Anna first in the food line!! Loving the blogs and pictures. Love to all. :-) |
| 19th June 2009 Laura Ware | Pretty amazing! - From: Our First Full Day Thanks for the first entry! Perhaps it was the longest day/night of your lives, but it is fantastic to think of you all being there! All is fine here in the Rockies and I love thinking about you all sleeping under giant netting! Enjoy - Laura |
| 18th June 2009 Chris Evenson | WOO HOO! - From: Our First Full Day You made it, and how wonderful that all of your boxes arrived as well.It must feel good to know that all your hard work before the trip was worthwhile. Many times during the day I stop and wonder what new, amazing experiences you are encountering. Rest assured that all is well here - I think the critters still miss you, but we are walking, playing, and sleeping together. Love to you all. Chris |
| 17th June 2009 Marge Harmeyer | - From: Loading the Airplane We are thrilled that you have all arrived safely in Zambia. Really marvelous to follow you via this site. Look forward to hearing about ALL of your adventures and experiences. Stay safe and healthy! Harmeyer Grandparents of Sarah Patzner |
| 17th June 2009 Denis Murray | Great to see/hear - From: St Bonaventure College Sandy, Thanks for the update and particularly the pictures. Thanks for all of your work preparing the way and helping the group prepare for their experience. Zambia 14, I cannot tell you how much you are in our thoughts throughout the day...thinking where you are over the ocean, wondering if you had trouble with the boxes in Lusaka, imagining what your accomodations are like, picturing the excitement as people meet you and as you meet your hosts.... we think about you constantly. My co-workers here at Regis all ask how the trip is going and I keep showing them the blog. I hope the blessings and grace you have experienced during your first few days continues. |
| 17th June 2009 Grace Linn | Thank you! - From: Loading the Airplane Thanks so much for posting the notes on the blog to tell us what is happening! It is so exciting to know the OLP travelers have arrived. |
| 17th June 2009 sandy | arrival in zambia - From: Loading the Airplane Yeah! The group has made it. They arrived on time but took forever getting through immigrations. Meanwhile unbeknownst to the group, our legendary Sr Josephine Mulenga (who has been to OLP twice) was already in full action with her own super story. Fr Clifford was her muscle man with the luggage. They were able to get into baggage (where I joined them later:)) and began finding all the boxes and boxes and bags and bags of the team. They hauled them to the buggy carts and began to put two boxes and one bag on each...so by the time the group finally made it through immigration, she already had their buggies set to go. Sr Josephine and Fr Clifford organized everything and made the first of many small miracles happen. Once Katie Joe looked everything over, only one bag was missing...it will probably arrive sometime today. It was a donation bag so no one is missing clothes, toothpaste or anything. A light dinner of soup and bread and cold water waited them at St Bonaventure College. After a quick meal and briefing about the next morning, all were shown their rooms. I think most were sleeping finally around 1 am! Today they are recovering from their trip and making one short visit to a new medical clinic operated by the Missionary Sisters of St Francis. |
| 16th June 2009 Sandy | Bring it on! - From: Loading the Airplane So glad to see pictures of what all the luggage looks like. We are ready with a 24 seater van and a 16 seater van and the Beast which holds at least 7 people! Water will be waiting the group and lots of smiling faces...an entourage really:) Keep checking back in to the blog and don't forget to add some of your own comments! |
| 16th June 2009 Chiti Lackson | Mwaiseni Mukwai! - From: Loading the Airplane Welcome to Zambia dear friends, We are anxiously waiting for you! We remain in prayer as we wait for your arrival in Sts. Michael and Noah Parsih, Chamboli. Mwaiseni Mukwai. |
| 15th June 2009 The CT Blaskowski\ | Stay Happy, Healthy & Safe! - From: Prep for Zambia service trip Just got off the phone with you Mike-you're about to take off from Dulles. We all wish each and every one of you a safe journey! As with Katie Joe's parents, you have triggered our first participation in a blog also! |
| 15th June 2009 meghanw | Zambia 13 - From: The Parish Send-Off I love the name "The Zambia 13," you all sound like superheroes. Which I guess is true with all you have managed to do in the past months. I can't wait for you all to get here and experience this wonderful place and its people! Safe travels, and don't forget to walk around on the plane so your lower half doesn't go numb :-) See you soon!! |
| 15th June 2009 Sandy | Luggage and such - From: We're Leaving Tomorrow!!! We are ready for the luggage and will have everything pre-cleared on this end. The Holy Spirit is definitely working hard on our behalf and all will be fine. Safe travels |
| 15th June 2009 Sandy | Safe travels - From: The Parish Send-Off Yea and pictures in church as well! You are indeed ready to go! The Franciscan frairs, sisters and people in Zambia are waiting for you with open arms. See you all so very soon. |
| 10th June 2009 Mary McDonough Clark | mysterious figure - From: Garage Sale Success KJ, I see you managed to stay out of nearly all of the pictures. Stephen, Sean, Evan: don't let us down. Take some pics of invisible Mom. |
| 8th June 2009 Katie and Joe McDonough | Watch out for lions - From: Prep for Zambia service trip As the acting Grandma and Grandpa (honorary) of the group, you have triggered our first participation in a blog. Your group is so impressive, and we are so proud of all of you. God bless you on your way. Love! |
| 8th June 2009 meghanw | Sandy SAYS - From: Garage Sale Success Okay you guys...great job on the garage sale. Sarah, your brother is way too cute...pack him in your suitcase please:) We are waiting for you all!!!!!!!!!!! |
| 8th June 2009 meghanw | Sandy SAYS yet again:) - From: Preliminary Discussion Great expectations and goals. Fr Patrick is going to be printing them out and handing them to all the people who will be in your lives for those 3.5 weeks. All is coming together on this side. The Franciscan Friars are working hard on logistics and I hope you will be as happy with your experiences as I am with what the friars and Meghan are putting together. There are so many people you will meet...I am trying my best to be sure you meet everyone I have met in the past three years...so hang on to your hats!! Oh and Anna, there is bug spray here...Meghan has only had to take the life of four spiders in the past 12 hours:) |
| 4th June 2009 sandy | getting ready - From: Preliminary Discussion Hi all, Monica, Evan and Sarah, great first entries. A number of the friars now have this website so they too will be checking in during the next 10 days to see what you are all up to. Trust that they are working hard to make your stay and your missions memorable for you. See you all really soon |
| 16th May 2009 sandy | OLP Youth group - From: Prep for Zambia service trip This is a very special group indeed. It all started when Artie called Sandy at about 2:30 am while she was in Zambia. He had met some of the Zambians that were in the States for leadership and Special Needs training. He wanted to complete his Eagle Scout ranking by implementing a global community project. This has now grown to include a cross section of youth from Crossroads Youth Group at Our Lady of the Pines. This group also includes some of the parents of the youth...all to make up this unique and amazing group who want to learn from the Zambians. This group is on a humanitarian journey and will visit schools, churches, health care clinics, nutrition centers and hospitals. I hope they will develop some long lasting friendships amoung the youth of Zambia and celebrate life together. I look forward to greeting you all at Lusaka airport. |
