I remember being in 4th grade and the teacher asked who here is from a different country? I don’t know if it was just embarrassment or no wanting to feel different or weird but I never wanted to tell anyone that I wasn’t from America. Not that my last name doesn’t give it away. I always thought people would treat me differently or look at me strange. Hey it’s 4th grade kids were awkward and strange enough as it was, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.

For those of you who don’t know my story I was born in a city called Lusaka which is in the country of Zambia in Africa. A little while after I was born my parents came to the states. Being the first immigrants from my whole family to come here. Everyday I am so proud of my parents for the strength it took to leave my whole family for a better life for us. What started out at being only a few years being here turned into over 20 and now a place we call home. Now a days I am not ashamed or embarrassed at all to be a Zambia. I try to embrace it the best I can, I love it! And I don’t quite understand it but it seems that people actually think it’s pretty awesome to be from a different country. I wouldn’t change it for the world but being a first generation immigrants does have it’s downsides.

Which brings me to this trip. One thing that I have missed out on is family. I have only met my grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles once when I was around 1 years old or never at all.  I don’t have a clue of really who they are. The older I get the more I envy my friends that get to see their extended family during the holidays or just during the year. It’s just something I have never had and I always hope and pray that they appreciate that time they have. I’ve never known the crazy uncle or the say anything that comes to mind Grandma. It’s always been just me and my 5 other family members. I guess that’s what has brought us closer. But I am so ready and eager to meet the rest of my family. So I am planning to go to Zambia for the first time since I was born this coming February. I’m not quite sure how I’ll pay to get there but I am clinging to hope and prayer that I get there! This is not a missions trip or some type of charity project. Although I do plan on doing some of that while I’m there. This is just a chance for me to experience where I came from so I can further appreciate where I’m going.