Africa Diary: Inbound

Two months ago, Abe and I traveled to Zambia and South Africa on a 10-day adventure that changed our lives. A combination of taking this long to process what we experienced and getting swept up in daily life when we regained our footing on U.S. soil explains this delayed account. Our story is now ready to unfold.

In March 2013, we had the privilege of spending time with the staff of Hands at Work, a Christ-centered organization of international and local volunteers committed to serving the most vulnerable in sub-Saharan Africa: the dying, the widows, and the orphans among the poorest of the poor.

Leaving Johannesburg, South Africa

Our inbound journey took us from San Francisco, to New York City, to Johannesburg, and ultimately to the first destination of our trip, Ndola in the Copperbelt province of northern Zambia. I can still vividly recall the stark change in scenery as we peered out our Airlink plane window on that third flight, going from waving good bye to the smooth runway and suburban neighborhoods of Joburg to, two hours later, saying hello to the pot-holed airstrip and tin roofed houses of Ndola.

Arriving in Ndola, Zambia

Landing in Ndola felt a little like going back in time as we descended the rickety stairs from the plane onto the tarmac and rode a bus 100 yards to the immigration office, a single storied building with unrushed and meandering lines. We waited patiently for an hour until our turn finally came, and we paid the $50 each to get visas into Zambia.

A half hour drive from the Ndola Airport brought us to Kachele Farm, a serene retreat located off several dirt roads from the main highway. This would be our home for the next 4 days. And we immediately felt welcomed.