A
DAY IN THE LIFE
You awake in the morning as the sky brightens… no cell phone
or watch or technology except for a camera and flashlight (though some
team-mates use watches and cell phones)… Chickens wander freely throughout the
land during the day before returning to their abode at night… Groups of a few
thatched-roof, mud-brick homes are spread out several hundred to thousand
meters apart from each other in the African nature of tall grass, of mango trees
and of Zambian foliage… the sun warms you as the day grows to a high of 70
degrees… enjoyable Zambian food and conversations cooked over camp fires… walks
to a well a few minutes away to retrieve water… interesting times communicating
with the locals whose main language is Nyanja… times with team-mates and with
village people and with your heavenly Father… times of fellowship and outreach
and reflection… when the stars shine brightly in the sky and you grow sleepy,
you depart for sleep on the hard, uneven ground of the tent … a day in the life
of our group this week at Chibombo, Zambia…
This past week Nathan, Todd, Silas,
Wiseman, Sam, Abel, Betty, Yanang, Salome, Petronella and I journeyed to
Chibombo, a rural village in Zambia.
It was an awesome experience. It was cool to experience the Zambian village culture.
We had teams (of pairs mostly) for work (such as cooking meals, cleaning
dishes, and fetching water) and outreach. We left someone / a pair back at camp
to protect the stuff always, just in case. We were able to enjoy team time
together in camping and cooking and discussions over 1 John and “The Master
Plan of Evangelism,” as well as times of outreach.
OUTREACH
God blessed
us with opportunities to share and reach out to those around us, which was
great. We visited Chibombo high school to join the Scripture Union’s (a Christian
organization) event / service and share with them. At Church on Sunday, before
the main service, Sam and Wiseman and I led a bible study on love, while Nathan
led a bible study on discipleship with Abel and Salome, and Todd led the
children’s learning with Pastor Kalimina. Todd spoke at Chibombo high school and
at church for the main service. We brought clothes and other material things
that were donated to the trip, which we were then able to give to the church
and those we met.
The day after we arrived, we went
in our teams in different directions to evangelize, meet with, talk with, and
love the village people. After lunch we went out two by two by three…
Petronella and I went off starting North/West. It was cool to meet, encourage,
get to know, and hear the stories (translated) of three families. The three
families we got to know went to church and had different stories and struggles.
The next day all our teams returned and visited the same people again. We were then
able to give to them materially, according to the needs we saw from the first
day, which was quite nice.
We met Modester, her two grandkids, and her friend Karen. Modester has a problem with here legs making walking difficult, so
her friend Karen helps her out; she walked up with water from the well as we
were talking. Modester’s daughter, Ester, got pregnant in high school with two
kids and thus had to drop out of school in 11th grade. The husband
abandoned her to take care of the kids. Now Ester works at a store to support
her two kids and her mom (which is why she was gone when we were there). They
live in such a small house with so little… Tis sad… It was cool
to be able to encourage Modester, pray for her, and give them some
clothes.
We met a young man Misheck and his family. Misheck lives with his wife Rachel
and his 5 young children. Mischeck dropped out of school in 4th
grade so he can’t read and knew little English. It was cool, interesting, and
encouraging to hear of his walk with God, regardless of his inability to read.
It adds a unique complexity to his walk. He strives to follow Jesus pursuing
prayer, fellowship, worship, and hearing the word at church.
Interacting
with the kids was a joy and highlight. Kids are kids and love to have fun and
play. Kids often hung around our camp site most of the day. We played with them
such as with Frisbee and football (soccer) and tick-tack-toe; we gave them food
for meals and an article of clothing each, and were able to share the gospel at
the end of the week, which was awesome.
CULTURE
The language barrier had a
significant impact on the week. It made things different, interesting,
challenging… It was a good thing to experience; communication is a blessing. Nyanja
is the main language in Chibombo. The people knew English to varying degrees
from fluent to none / very little. The average person I would say could
understand a some basic English and say just a few things in English. Nathan,
Silas, and I communicated with the kids much with body language. We relied on
the help of our Zambian teammates often when interacting with others. Most of
my communication with locals was done with the help of a Zambian teammate
translating / interpreting, and in those interactions, my teammate would do the
vast majority of the speaking.
I enjoyed the food. It was cool to
be able to try new meats. We bought a live goat and two live chickens. Nathan
and I each killed one of the chickens, which was an interesting experience. We
had tiny fish called Kapenta, another type of fish, and mice.
The people at Chibombo (as well as Zambia
in general) are so friendly. Grandma and grandpa were correct therein. One
example of this is once I went to fetch water from the well. The kids were
hanging around by our camp, and they saw me and joined me. They drew the water
from the well and helped me carry it back. Quite neat…
LIFE ADMIST LITTLE
At
Chibombo, I saw life. Life in the midst of the lives of those who materially
have so little… Many are more content and happy than so many spoiled kids and
people of America…
“and you have been given fullness in Christ who is the head over every power
and authority” (Colossians 2:10). In Christ I have fullness, all I need. Just like
at Chibombo… where many people have life and find all they need in Christ as
well. Yet still, I feel the pity and conviction of 1st John 3:17 for
the people of Chibombo, “If anyone has material possessions and sees his
brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” It
makes me reflect on how I live materially.
Thank you for your prayers and support! God
answered our prayers, blessing our journeys to Chibombo and Mumbwa. It was cool
hear some of the others’ experiences at Mumbwa talking to Aaron and others. Seeing
and hearing the stories / testimonies of team-mates and Zambians has been a
highlight for me on this trip. A specific prayer request for us would be for
team unity and fruitful fellowship, as our team journeys to Livingstone for
Thursday and Friday (for team time together visiting Victoria falls and the Safari)
and beyond: “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that
you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (Jesus’ prayer in John
17:23) Personally for prayer, I struggle with worries and fearing failure often.
I desire to learn how to fix my eyes on Jesus, to “set your minds on things
above, not on earthly things,” (Colossians 3:2) praising him forevermore for he
is worthy of endless praise. He is such a loving, awesome God, as He loves me
each day with renewed blessings. Praise the LORD!
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