Coming to America

Coming to America: A Dream Realized

As a little girl, I always wished and dreamed about what it would be like to live in America. From the shows and movies I grew up watching, the U.S. seemed like the place to be—cooler, more fun, and full of exciting possibilities. I wanted my teenage years to be just like the characters in High School Musical, Hannah Montana, or Suite Life on Deck. Those shows shaped my childhood dreams.

Fast forward to my high school years back home in Zambia—moving to the United States became much more than what I had seen on screen. Deep down, I still wished for that dreamy American teen life, but my desire to move became rooted in something even more personal: reuniting with my mother. I hadn’t seen or met her in person since I was just one year and six months old—a baby too young to remember what it felt like to have her around.

Over the years, my mom and I kept in touch through phone calls, letters, pictures, and emails. I also built a connection with my two siblings, who were born in the United States. The older I got, the more I longed to deepen those relationships. But time, distance, and being on two different continents made that connection harder to maintain.

For years, I prayed for the chance to move to the U.S.—and in 2021, after 20 years, that dream finally came true.

Leading up to the big move, I was filled with a mix of emotions: excitement, anxiety, joy, sadness, and even fear. Fear of leaving behind my home, my life, my friends, and everything I had ever known. But the joy of reuniting with my family, starting fresh, and stepping into a world of opportunity outweighed the fear.

In September 2021, I landed at Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) and whispered to myself, “I really am here.” Meeting my family for the first time was emotional—warm embraces, teary eyes, and overwhelming joy. I really am here. What a dream it had been.

Adjusting to life with my parents wasn't easy. I had my own worldview, routines, and lifestyle built over the years. At times, I felt like an outsider because my family had built their own rhythms too. But with time, patience, and love, we learned to merge our worlds. Since then, it’s been a beautiful experience—becoming part of the family I had wished and longed for since I was a little girl.

Getting to know my family and settling into life in the U.S. has been eye-opening. There were so many culture shocks—drive-throughs for almost everything, driving on the opposite side of the road, the weather, and just how different everyday life is here compared to Zambia. It’s been quite the adventure, this journey of Coming to America.

And in all of it, I’ve learned one powerful lesson: how to manage expectations, and how to navigate the space between dreams and reality.

Thank you for reading—see you in the next one!

With love,
Tina

The Gap Year

Navigating Life After High School: My Gap Year Journey

The bridge between high school and college or university is always such a confusing time—shifting from thinking you know what your future will or should look like to the deep uncertainty of not knowing what to do with the newfound freedom and responsibility that comes after finishing high school.

Right after high school, I experienced both ends of the spectrum. So what did I do? I took a gap year. Some might say that was a waste of time and that I should have just used the momentum from high school to continue studying. Others believe taking a gap year is a time to discover oneself, take a break, and figure out what you truly want to do in life.

I graduated from Amano Christian School towards the end of 2017 and started by volunteering at my high school. It literally felt like I never left because my grandmother worked at the school, and now I was staying on not just as a former student but also as a staff member’s kid. The expectations were, as always, high. As a volunteer, they placed me wherever they needed help. The students now had to address me as "Miss Tina"—so awkward, right?

I worked with the primary school, helping second and third graders with math and reading. Library time with the little ones was always fulfilling—their eager eyes, bright smiles, and goodbye hugs at the end of the day filled my heart with joy. Between classes, I sometimes helped in the main kitchen or cafeteria. In the evenings, I assisted in the girls’ dormitory with homework, fun activities, Bible study, and anything else I could help with. This was such a memorable time, as I got to work alongside people who had mentored me during my years as a student at Amano.

Fast forward to 2018—I signed up for a discipleship course at FCE (Foundation for Cross-Cultural Education). It was a three-month program where I learned about God, myself, and others, taking a deep dive into purpose and my role in the community. Spiritually, it was a challenging time for me, as I came face-to-face with hard truths about who I was and who I should be. After the three months, I decided to stay on for the mission training portion of the program, which lasted six months and focused on community outreach.

The first three months of mission training were dedicated to cultural and religious studies—learning how to live and serve within different communities and cultures. The final three months took us on a road trip through several African countries, including Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. I used my love and talent for music to serve the communities we visited, helping in any way I could.

Even though I am from Zambia, this experience was eye-opening. The cultures were so different, yet they all shared the same core values—love, kindness, and generosity. I sat with people who had endured unimaginable suffering and injustice, yet they still chose love. That opened my heart and strengthened my desire to serve my community. This experience deepened my love for people and shaped me in ways I never expected.

It marked a pivotal moment in my life. The lessons I learned and the people I met along the way encouraged me to always seek to love and serve others.

Thank you for reading.

Love, Tina.