This was just delivered to my Inbox ... and it made me smile so much! I miss it there ...

a week of lasts

it seemed like this day would never arrive. but 3.5 years later, and here i am. i have entered my very final week of life in waterloo. on friday the 28th, i'll finish up my last day in the waterloo clinic. then, i'll drive to the KW airport, where i'll pick up my dad, who will join me once again for the long drive home.

my room is partly packed up right now. i can't believe how much stuff i've accumulated since being here. kind of makes me uncomfortable actually.

of course, i'm a little bit sentimental. this place, these people have helped shape who i have become over the past 4 years. and i think it would be safe to say that my time here has been some of the most defining years of my life thus far. to say that i've learned stuff would be a huge understatement. aside from all the obvious book stuff, i've also learned a lot of big stuff.

here's just a few of the things i've learned (in no particular order):
-how to be independent, confident, and trust in myself and my capabilities
-who my truest friends are
-that i love what i've chosen to do for the rest of my life, but that i don't want it to define who i am
-that regina will always feel like home (at least at this point in my life), but that i can feel at 'home' in any city, province or country
-that sometimes the best thing about home, is being able to come home to it
-that i have big goals and dreams, and that i shouldn't be scared to tell people them, no matter how ridiculous they may sound (i'm still learning on this one)
-that it's okay to be single and love it, but still look forward to the 'perfect' guy coming into my life
-that i don't think i'll ever fully satisfy my travel bug and desire to see the world
-that my biggest weakness when it comes to spending money is books
-that you can't spend your life worrying about money, but at the same time, that money can complicate things so much
-that i don't see my future in optometry taking place in a nice office in canada; rather i see myself providing eye care to those who have little access to it, whether that be in zambia, india, el salvador, or any other country in the world
-that i've learned the most about myself, while i am busy giving of myself to others
-that sometimes i think i would be happiest if i could travel the world for the rest of my life, with just the backpack on my back, and meeting all sorts of interesting people along the way

my heart is in a million places right now. not really sure what to think, what to expect. not really sure where i'll end up in the future - and too tired/scared to give it too much thought yet. so for now, i'll just continue taking things one day at a time. it's gotten me this far already.

One of my very favourite families (and the only Zambian/Peruvian family I know!) - the Mbumwaes - are coming to visit Regina from December 31st to January 3rd! I am so excited to see Ruhtt, Shepherd, Miguel, Melina and Manuel again! It has been over a year since I spent two weeks living with Ruhtt, Shepherd and Manuel in the summer of 2007, and tagging along with them in all of the work that they do. In short, it was an awesome experience, and I realized even more fully just how amazing this family is! There is nobody quite like them! They've been in the US for the past year as Shepherd furthers his education, and they are heading up to Canada for Christmas and New Year's. It will be such a pleasure to see them again!

The following are a couple of excerpts from blogs that I wrote in 2006 and 2007 about the Mbumwae's (or just Ruhtt).

From 2006 (after returning back to Canada):
Definitely one of the most amazing families that I know. The amount of work that this one family has done is incredible. They've started community schools, community churches, run the Canadian sponsorship program - and that is really only the beginning. And on the side, they have found time to open up El Pantano, a internet place/restaurant/take-out/book store/gym in Kalomo since we were last there in 2003. Ruhtt - appropriately nicknamed "Ninja Mother Teresa" by Matt Goud - is constantly on the go. She is such an amazing woman, and has such a heart for the people that she works for and with. She is a real example and encouragement to me. Besides doing amazing work in Zambia, she also is the person you want to take along when buying things at the market - she can barter like no one that I have ever seen. Shepherd is definitely one of nicest guys that I know. And their kids are a blast - full of energy (sometimes too much), and always able to make us smile.

From 2007 (written after a long day of doing many, many things with Ruhtt):
I don't know how Ruhtt does this every single day! What a woman! I am in awe of what she does! Kathleen and I were saying that she is the only person capable of doing what she does, as nobody else would be able to do everything, let alone keep track of it all. It kind of makes me smile, as we drive through Kalomo, she is constantly honking at people and calling them over to talk to her - her sign painter, a brick layer, an electrician. Somehow she keeps them all straight - and keeps track of the work that they have done, and what they have been paid so far. She is truly an example of a servant - and if I could accomplish 1/4 of what she does, I would be happy. I know that many, many lives have been touched/changed because of her hard work and big heart.

A few more gift ideas ...

Since my last post, I've remembered a few more organizations that I wanted to mention.

Stephen Lewis Foundation - This would make a great gift for a grandma (or grandparents), as the SLF has a campaign called the 'Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign'. What better way to show your love and appreciation to your grandparents, than by making a donation that will go to help grandmothers in Africa who are raising their grandchildren?



Trade As One - Another site selling fair trade items. They have everything from jewellery to stationary to housewares for sale. There is also some good information on fair trade on the site as well.

Lastly, this video sums up everything from these last couple posts. It just says it better than I can, and looks nicer too!

Christmas is coming...

It's about 5 weeks until Christmas! Crazy, I know! I'm a sucker for the season - the time together with family, the food, the music, the smells, and all the memories. I am so excited to be at home for most of the month leading up to Christmas, so that I can actually be involved in the decorating, baking, and all the other fun stuff!

While I love finding the perfect gift for those closest to me, I don't love fighting the crowds at the malls. Also, as I've gotten older and expanded my view of the world, Christmas has become less and less about myself, and more and more about all the beautiful faces around the world that I have come to know and love (and those I don't know, but still love!). At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and what better way to celebrate his birth than to give of ourselves to others. I firmly believe that we have been blessed so that we can be a blessing to others. So, instead of searching for the perfect gift, and fighting all the crowds, why not decide to do Christmas a bit different this year? Choose to spend the money that would have been spent on gifts, and donate it instead to a worthwhile cause in someone's name. You'll still have the joy of giving a gift, but you'll also have the joy of knowing that you've done something to make someone's life a little bit better. I've included a list below of a few of the sites that I've come across recently.

Zambia Mission Fund - Canada - An organization that is near and dear to my heart. They run some great programs, including a student sponsorship program, HIV/AIDS patient sponsorship program, running community schools, orphan care and providing seeds and fertilizers to surrounding communities. A donation can be made to any of these areas. As I've seen all of the work of ZMF-C firsthand, I know that all of the money gets put to good use!

Me and my sponsor student, Brivery

African Children's Choir - I've always thought that this organization is fantastic, but even more so after this past year when I got to know and love some of the boys from the choir! Anyone who follows this blog will know that I blogged about them several times! They really are doing amazing work, and the kids are some of the greatest that you will ever meet. One-time donations can be made, or if you are interested you can also sponsor a choir member or a child in one of the African countries that they work in. All of their CDs are fantastic as well - and would also make great gifts! More information on all of this can be found on their website.

Water for Christmas - I wrote about this organization back in September, when they were running their 'Born in September' campaign. And for those of you that missed out because you weren't born in September, you can now be a part of their 'Water for Christmas' campaign.

World Vision - World Vision is one of the best-known organizations around. They have all sorts of neat gifts available in their gift catalogue, such as hens, roosters, goats, a medical clinic full of supplies, Moringa and fruit trees, warm clothes, and mosquito nets - just to name a few!
Christian Blind Mission International - Another gift catalogue full of great gift ideas. Some of the gift ideas here are particularly close to my heart, as they involve giving the gift of sight to someone!
Unicef Canada - Another gift catalogue with gifts specifically targeting kids. They also have cards and gifts available here.
Oxfam Canada - Another gift catologue, with everything from seeds to a donkey to community health training to bicycles!
Samaritan's Purse - This is also the organzation that runs Operation Christmas Child (which has its collection week from November 24-29).
CARE International - While they don't have a specific gift catalogue, donations of any amount can be made. Also, until November 30th, all donations will be matched dollar for dollar by CARE supporters (I'm assuming corporate sponsors).
Compassion Canada - Donations of any amount can be made to any of their funds, which include AIDS initiative, Child Survival, Global Food Crisis, and a Street Kids Fund.
Kiva - This organization allows you to make a loan to a specific entrepreneur in another country. The money assists them in starting their business, and over time, they pay the money back to you, at which point you can loan it to another person!
Heifer International - Yet another gift catalogue, with this one specializing in animal gifts!
Mennonite Central Committee - The organization behind 'Ten Thousand Villages'. They also have a gift catalogue with several ways that you can give to others around the world.

If you'd still like to give an actual gift, here are some unique ideas that are still making a difference to people around the world:
Ten Thousand Villages - Full of all kind of unique, fair trade items. Starting on November 29th, they will also have their 'Living Gifts' available (with options in the past being things such as animals, seed kits and school supplies)
Suubi Africa - A project of 'Light Gives Heat'. They have t-shirts and beautiful necklaces available for sale here. The necklaces have been hand-made by women in Uganda. I just recently ordered one of these necklaces, and it came in the mail today! It is beautiful!

TOMS Shoes - For every pair of TOMS shoes purchased, a pair will be given to a child in need! I have a couple pairs of these shoes, and they are super cute and comfortable!