Well, because I've been here for twice as long as the last time we spoke; or rather, the last time I wrote and you read, I feel like so much has happened. And it has. While the western media said the Zambian presedential elections went off without a hitch, this is not quite true. The incumbent, Levi Mwanawasa was sworn in on Thursday, but his his name right now in Lusaka is something of a curse word. His chief opponent, Michael Sata, won the votes of Lusaka and the Copper Belt, the capitol and the center of industry, respectively; the heart and hands of the nation. But the presidency was won in the outer provinces, the farm lands. Sound familiar? And while I'm not sure about Sata, or Wato, meaning paddle, as he is affectionately refered to here (he openingly hates foreigners and praises Robert Mugabe often), I was also not so sure of the riots that went on last week throughout Lusaka. Or, for that matter, the fact that there were I think seven million registered voters, and closer to nine millions ballots cast. Very shady happenings indeed.

Everything has calmed down now. Yesterday I went to go watch the Chipolopolo Boys, the Zambian national team, play Bafana Bafana, the South African national team, in a qualifier for the African Cup. On a side note, why can't the U.S. men's soccer team have a cool name like that? While South Africa beat up on Zambia, the most exciting part of the match happened prior to the opening kickoff. After the Zambian National Anthem, the entire stadium raised their fists in the air a la the '68 olympics, a silent salute to their nonpresident, Michael Sata. Everywhere I go you can hear people chant Wato, Wato and many still consider him their leader.

Yesterday was also a momentuous day for another reason. It was the first game for the Manda Hill Rangers, the team for which I am now the player-coach. The Rangers are a team made up of street kids(ie orphans) who were taken in by this amazing Scottish family, the MacDonalds. Christine and Don now house and clothe twenty-five street kids that they have adopted. They are truly miracle workers. Just a few years or even months ago these children were homeless, sleeping in the street and begging for food. For many, sniffing glue is the way they survive in a haze of forgetfulness. Now some of them, through the kindness of the MacDonalds, have the opportunity to go to school and play football with me.

The age range of the team is 17-22. We have practice three times a week, Tuesday-Thursday, and a game every weekend. Games are actually five-a-side on a turf pitch. We play in the premier division and its pretty competitive. I have some really talented players and it's exciting to coach my own team. Yesterday, we tied Africa Sportsworks 5-5. In the last minute of play we scored an amazing goal to make it 5-4. But instead of holding our ground for another thirty seconds, all my players forgot how to play defense and the other team tied it up. I was furious. In general, these kids don't really know how to play defense to begin with. But that's where I come in. I'm going to work them into shape hardcore.

Besides coaching the Rangers, I've also been put in charge of all IOM affairs. IOM (International Organization of Migration) is the group that runs the refugee camps. This job basically means that I'll be the one making trips to Miyukwayukwa, probably monthly. I'm quite excited about this opportunity to continue training our facilitators at the refugee camp. While last trip there were nine of us, this time it'll just be Lumbiwe, Peter, and me. Our next trip is October 25-28 and when we go, we'll have the camp's first graduation from the GRS program. This graduation is going to mean a lot to these kids and I am truly happy to be a part of it. The planning and budgeting of these trips takes a lot of effort, and even though it's two weeks away, I've already begun thinking about it.

In general, I'm still adjusting to being here. It's not always easy. In fact, it's often not that easy, and I still haven't gotten used to all the stares. I miss my family and Elizabeth dearly. Also, Heinz Ketchup. And of course, I think about all my people a lot. But there's nowhere to turn towards except the road ahead.