Day 2: Table Talk

People who know me know that I love to have deep and intentional conversations around the dinner table (thank you, Jeff Dodd). That being said I was very excited tonight when, at our first dinner, I had a long conversation with the friends sitting by me about how we were feeling about this trip.

Tired. Thankful. Anxious. Intrigued. Peaceful.

These were several of the answers given tonight at dinner when asked, “what is one word that describes how you’re feeling right now?” Each of these answers were given by a different student who has embarked on this journey with me, and each time one of my friends elaborated on their choice of word I was inspired and excited about the journey that lies ahead of us.

Tired.

We made it. After a long two-day journey, our group has finally settled into the hostel that we will call home for the next five days before moving on to our next adventure. As I sit in the yellow common room writing this post, I hear nothing but the sounds of nature outside and the typing of computers from Nick, myself, and another backpacker that has chosen this hostel as his temporary home. Three students remain awake while the rest of our group has been sound asleep since we arrived home after dinner. We are very tired, but even our exhaustion hasn’t silenced our excited conversations and our curious minds.

Intrigued.

As soon as we stepped foot in Zambia, we were intrigued. I saw the curiosity as members of Sacred Heart, a local choir, greeted us at the airport and we had our first interaction with people we will be spending the next several days with. I saw the curiosity as everyone excitedly looked out the window of the bus and tried to take in everything about our first sights of Zambia during a twenty-minute commute from the airport to our hostel. I saw the curiosity as we explored our new home and as we introduced ourselves to the employees. We are intrigued and excited to ask questions, listen to stories, share music, and develop relationships.

Thankful.

As I sat around the dinner table sharing food and conversation, it was difficult to not be incredibly thankful for where life has brought me. During the summer of 2016, I spent one month studying abroad in Zambezi, a small village in the Northwestern Province of Zambia. One year ago I did not know that I would be returning to Zambia today. I am so incredibly thankful to have returned to a place that has brought me so much joy and love.

Anxious.

With travelling to new areas of the world comes inevitable anxiety about not knowing what to expect—a fear of venturing into the unknown. The unknown can be an incredibly exciting concept, too. As we went around the table sharing what we are nervous about, everything that was shared also served as an opportunity for growth. Throughout the next two weeks there is a lot we can be nervous about, but there is equally much to be excited about.

Peaceful.

Above all, I feel at peace being back in Zambia, a country that absolutely captured my heart last summer. I feel at peace knowing that I get to share this special experience with so many of my close friends. I feel at peace when I imagine the relationships that will develop, the music that will be shared, and the laughter and joy that we will experience in the next two weeks. I feel at peace knowing that Zambia and Zimbabwe will take good care of us, and I have no doubt that we will feel at home very quickly.

Hopes and Dreams

As we waited for our dinner, my side of the table continued our conversation by talking about hopes and dreams we have for our futures. During this conversation, I couldn’t help but think about the hopes and dreams that I have for this trip.

I hope that we will be willing to let Zambia and Zimbabwe break our hearts open so we can better love others.

I hope that we don’t shy away from difficult experiences, and instead see them as opportunities for growth.

I hope we leave Zambia and Zimbabwe with open eyes, full hearts, and with more questions than answers.

And above all, I hope that we continue feeling tired, anxious, thankful, intrigued, and peaceful.

Much love and many blessings,

Katie Kenkel

Class of 2017