On Thursday morning, we had our 6:30 a.m. sit and left for the bus station after breakfast. We got on a bus around 9:00 a.m. and arrived in Lusaka around 1:30, with Brother John waiting for us at the crowded station. We went back to the Assisi House for lunch. Sandy went to bed since she wasn’t feeling very well, while the others had their final excursion into town with Father Don. We had some time Thursday afternoon once we arrived in Lusaka which we spent exploring parts of the city we had not yet seen. At a local market, we purchased some final items to be featured in our silent auction to raise money for Living Compassion. We were treated to a lovely dinner at the Assisi House, including a Zambian version of apple crisp for dessert. We had our final group and organized our belongings for a morning departure to the airport.
Jen in the tailor shop trying on some
our new Living Compassion trousers.
As we departed the Friary, we picked
up our 130 pairs that they produced
for us. Keep your eye out on the
Keep It Simple website for colors,
sizes and order information.
John picked us up at 7:45 a.m. We were concerned that the South African Airways strike would affect our travel as it had been stranding people for several previous days, however we were fortunate that the conflict was settled before we left. There was one unforeseen delay with our flight from Lusaka to Johannesburg when the ceremonial arrival of the president of Namibia shut down the entire airport while his plane landed. We watched the military procession as we sat in the plane on the runway area.
Waiting at the Lusaka Airport
We arrived in Johannesburg, anticipating our scheduled parting of ways, however Sue and Sandy’s flight was cancelled and they were rerouted on to the same flight as the monks back to the States. The 18-hour flight was long, but we all made it safely (except for Sue and Sandy’s luggage). We said our final goodbyes in the international terminal at Dulles Airport as we were scheduled for different flights back to California.
As we look back, we find ourselves filled with a great deal of gratitude for this three-week journey. The success of the venture was made possible by countless numbers of people from at least two continents. As we look at all that was accomplished in the various projects in Zambia during our stay, we are awed by what is possible when people join to work together and especially when a practice of awareness is the base from which all of that work happens. It truly is an experience of living compassion.