Its true what the Bembas say: “Babies don’t take long to grow, its only the pregnancy which takes long”. Bodhi is now 9 months old – meaning he has been in this world as long as he was growing in Claire’s belly. It’s hard to believe how fast he is growing and becoming accustomed to… Continue reading Makin’ Moves
Life with the Little One
There is no way to describe what a life-changing miracle this little soul is. As a father, the change is both subtle and profound. For the most part, my life continues as it was. In fact, I have had much more work to help out Claire, who is now employed full-time in her life’s most… Continue reading Life with the Little One
Baby Bo
As the months passed, Claire’s belly kept growing. It was really an amazing thing to see. Of course every mother’s belly grows, but it was indescribable when Claire – the person whose size and curves and figure I’ve known relatively unchanged for the last 9 years – started radically changing. She handled the pregnancy so… Continue reading Baby Bo
Presents of the Present
The New Year has brought with it new hopes, new fears, new trials, and new successes. It’s like the backlog of rain prayers piling up in Zambia has finally been cleared, and the skies have opened. Usually the rain starts in late October, is good for a few storms in November, and comes in full-force… Continue reading Presents of the Present
Passing Possessions
Claire and I were preparing for a camping trip with some friends. I found myself increasingly frustrated when packing my bike. All these things! Two tents, two ground pads, two yoga mats, a flute, a headlamp, and some food – all strapped to my bike. On my way to town, I left my bike at… Continue reading Passing Possessions
Nshiku Shilebutuka (The Days Are Running)
I have been meaning to write a blog for some time now about a not-so-recent new addition to our Lukupa Family, our new brother,Samuel (Chipasha in Bemba), who has been living with us since November of last year. We met Samuel last year at Ukusefya Pa’Ngwena (The Bemba cultural ceremony which translated directly means ‘to… Continue reading Nshiku Shilebutuka (The Days Are Running)
Ancestral Auras
A Beautiful song from the choir at Bana Nsenga’s Funeral They say “When it rains, it pours.” I have never seen this cliché ring more true than here in Zambia. I returned from the US to find that our beautiful little farm had become a jungle, overgrown with head-high grasses and trees which seemed to… Continue reading Ancestral Auras
For the Love of Sri
Sri Flowers Sometimes we meet people who are exceptional. Even within a short period of time spent with such a person, he/she may impact our lives in momentous ways – both perceptible and imperceptible. Sri Shim was one such person in my life. Sri is Claire’s stepfather, although such a term falls short of describing… Continue reading For the Love of Sri
Free Flowing
Adam Melin, one of my closest and oldest friends, came to visit us recently. His visit was a blessing in many senses, as Adam is one of the few people I know who is arduously and persistently questioning his culture, his upbringing, the very roots of his foundation, so that the light of inner truth… Continue reading Free Flowing
Banakulu Mpundu
After some weeks of anticipation and preparation, my mother arrived in the Kasama Airport on time and in good spirits. The journey had taken her more than 48 hours, and despite her four-plane, transatlantic journey, she was full of energy and happy to see Claire and me. It was wonderful to receive my mom and… Continue reading Banakulu Mpundu