Staff Blog

About 6 years ago, on the night that I set foot in this country for the first time, I had to have Jacob talk to my parents and assure them of our safe arrival. I couldn’t talk to them myself because I was in such dismay by the lizard poop in our apartment that I was afraid I would burst into tears on the phone and that my parents would say, “WE TOLD YOU SO!”

I shook out my towels, shoes, and clothing with VIOLENCE anytime they were going to touch my body. WHAT IF AN ANT CRAWLED ON ME? I specifically remember a time when I stood sobbing in the middle of our apartment, transfixed by a SINGLE BEE resting on my bed pillow. Surely, this bee was an Africanized killer bee. If I attempted to smash it, it would emit scents that would call the rest of his buddies to his rescue. If I missed and he stung me, his friends would also come to his rescue, and...sniffle...and…I was TOO YOUNG TO DIE.

Yes, my fellow missionaries and short term team members…I WAS THAT GIRL.

And for those of you that don’t believe in miracles, believe this: I GOT OVER IT. Quickly.

I have killed about 4 poisonous snakes during my time in Africa. I have witnessed the killing of about 30 more. I have smashed a handful of tarantulas and a few handfuls of scorpions. I have picked stinkbugs off of my toothbrush and ants out of my tea. I have eaten dinner with 50 large moths swarming my head and been caught almost in the middle of a swarm of bees. On a regular basis I find ticks, beetles, and grasshoppers anywhere in my house or on my clothes. I have yelled at a huge male baboon who sat blocking my path and chased large bulls with a broom. I have driven past elephants and hippos, and most recently, have hung laundry in the yard as a rogue lion was on the loose. There have been frogs that lived under my bed and lizards that lived in my clothes cupboard. Huge spiders on the wall and swarms of mosquitoes in the living room. I visited a home in the village once where rats where running around (but NOT ON!) my bed.

Often, people ask this: “Are there lots of critters in Zambia? I don’t think I could take it!”

When people ask that question, I remember the girl that was afraid to get her hands dirty, afraid of what was behind the bed, and fearful of what was in the tall grass. And I remember that fear being replaced with liberty. With an understanding that I was strong enough and brave enough to deal with ANYTHING that came my way, through the Grace of God.

So, I usually respond like this, “NAH! They’re not that bad. You’ll get over it.”

P.S. I still don’t like praying mantises.
P.S.S. If Jake’s home, he kills the spiders.