Summer in Zambia: Homeland

In July, we went to Zambia to celebrate our engagement with my family there.

It was my fiancé's first trip to Africa so we were both excited for the adventure that lay ahead of us. After flying and transiting for almost a day, we finally landed at Lusaka International Airport; where we were picked up by my parents.

Since our engagement party was within 5 days of our arrival, we went into the city center the next day to buy some African print material for our outfits; it took as a long while to find something good. Mainly because the vendors at the market kept increasing the price when they saw that we were together (smh). So sometimes, I asked him to walk behind me with my cousin; while I went ahead to check the materials and ask about the price. We eventually found a lovely print that suited us both; and our outfits were made by one of my childhood friend's. She did such an amazing job in such a short time.

We spent day two to three in Livingstone. We traveled to visit the famous Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya’ – ‘The Smoke that Thunders) and to link up with my bestie, who I hadn't seen for 9 whole years! I repeat, NINE WHOLE YEARS! Gosh, God is so faithful. I had tried previous years to link up with her in South Africa but it wasn't possible and we were both so grateful that we could finally meet! Especially that she'd be there for the engagement party! We went to Victoria Falls together, we had so much fun...we got pretty drenched from the Falls showers, admired the rainbows which were popping up everywhere and crossed the extremely slippery bridge scared for our lives but super happy still. Livingstone was amazing expect for the mosquitoes, my fiancé was literally scared for his life but we survived. No one got Malaria.

After Livingstone, we headed back to Lusaka and left for Kitwe. Kitwe is my hometown and that was where we celebrated the engagement party. A day before the party, my fiancé and I, were separately taught about my tribe's marital traditional practices and he asked my hand-in marriage the traditional way.  Before the engagement party, my girls and I had worship and prayer session; then we got ready. Although, our engagement party started late (African timing), we had such a great time. Our guests enjoyed ourselves and it was a joyous occasion. I got to see family members and family friends that I hadn't seen in a LONG while! And I was proposed to a 2nd time lol 😁

We traveled back to Lusaka the next day. Two days later, my fiancé went back to Germany (work duties). I stayed in Zambia for another week or so. I got to hang out with my sisters from Pinky Promise Zambia. I was blessed by the preaching about the Recovery Process. This is something that I really miss in Belgium; seeing young women on fire for Christ. We also had a picnic at the university campus, we were shared our thoughts and opinions and ate some good food! I was recharged and refilled spiritually.

Overall, we had such a great trip. My fiancé experienced Zambia for himself. He now knows where I come from, he got to meet my extended family. He also knows my friends personally. We were truly blessed.



If you want someone to sew you some amazing clothes, here is the link to my friend's Facebook page: Tangible Fashions.

Made A Way

This is my testimony.

On 07 July 2017, I graduated with a great distinction from my Master's in Biomedical Sciences. A Dutch 5 year degree program.

I was not born clever.
God made this possible. He made a way for me.

This is my story.

My early primary years were a struggle, I often came 2nd or 3rd from last in a class of about 30 pupils. I even had to repeat one year. However, my breakthrough came 2 years after we had moved to Zimbabwe, when I was promoted to the faster stream in grade 7. And in high school, I became one of the top students in my class. And when I finished high school in Suriname on 25 May 2011, I was the best in my class.

A month later, I went to Belgium to study at university. Well I actually like to say that I was sent by my parents lol. Belgium was the best option for me to study except for one thing, I couldn't  speak , Dutch,the language I would be studying in. I knew how to greet people but beyond that I didn't understand a thing. Having studied in English all my life this was quite a disappointment and at the same time a horrifying thing. However, my parents were confident that a one year advanced Dutch-as -a-second-language course would remove the language barrier.

So on 11 June 2011, I landed in Belgium and started my new student life with my sister. During the summer, in preparation for a placement test, I did some Dutch self study with a language book I got from a friend. I was motivated to learn Dutch since my higher education depended on it. I came back from the placement test with a headache...convinced that I would probably start in level A1 but God being so good I started in level B1 (the 3rd level) in September. I didn't expect it at all. About 6 months later, I had obtained the necessary certificate to prove that I was proficient enough to study in Dutch at university.

I started studying Biomedical Sciences in September 2012. My first year was nothing but hectic. I didn't know anyone for the first few weeks and spent most lectures seated at the very back of the auditorium. I would get back home after classes very dejected...I didn't understand my courses so well...I doubted I would make it beyond 1st semester. But God being good and gracious, I had my sister who encouraged me and He gave me friends that helped me through my 1st year in so many ways. Some gave me notes or summaries,  others were willing to sit down with me until I understood the topic and even others studied with me in the library till it closed. God also gave me professors that were understanding...who didn't mark me based on my language but on my knowledge. I made it through first year, I had average grades and only had to resit one course.

In 2nd year, I became friend's with someone without whom the rest of  my uni years would have been very difficult and  very different. We became each others go to person when we needed further explanations or needed to discuss certain topics. We made a good team academically and socially.

When I finished my Bacherlor's degree in August 2015, my grades had improved over the years from my initial 52% overal grade to 62%. I had had 2 resits in total.
In September 2015, I started my Master's degree. Before I started, I asked God for one thing...that I would have no resists, I didn't want to spend my last summer vacations studying for exams and He answered my prayers and more! I had no resists and I graduated with a great distinction (73%).

Though my beginning was small, God made my ending big.

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." - Ephesians 3:20

God did it for me, He will surely do it for you!