(So, I wrote this a week ago but have only now got chance to upload it...sorry it's now a little out of date!)
This place is dusty! Within a few minutes of leaving the house you can guarantee you’re feet will feel filthy, your clothes will look filthy and you’ll want a shower all over again. The local roads are very sandy (so fun to drive along) and as it’s the dry and windy season, the dust does not settle. It’s also beginning to get hotter although our house remains lovely and cool under the thick thatched roof.
It’s a Wednesday afternoon and I’m having a midweek day off after an exhausting weekend. In fact, it’s been a pretty crazy couple of weeks again. We’re getting stuck into the work here properly now and it’s great to be doing so. It feels like ages since I last wrote, although for once, it actually is only two weeks. I think it feels like such a long time because a lot has happened...
So, what’s happened since we got settled in Mkushi...well, we have met with a group of pastors from the local area who are interested in the “Life!” initiative that we are proposing to get underway here. We spent an afternoon talking with them and sharing our vision and finding out what they are up to. Following on from that we have been out to their villages and spent the afternoons running a session before showing the Jesus film (in their local language, Bemba) in the evenings.
It’s just occurred to me that not all of you will know what the “Life!” project entails - if you followed my blog last year you probably do, but if you didn’t you’ll be at a loss. So, let me take a few minutes here to try and give you an overview. It’s a fairly simple idea really but it’s quite different to the way things happen in the rural church in Zambia and a foreign concept to many. Therefore it has to be slowly introduced and explained to help people buy into the vision and understand the impact we believe it could have. Basically, the idea is to begin a number of small Bible study groups, like a home or cell group in England, who meet regularly to learn together.
The majority of the resources that the church in Zambia does have are focused on city and town churches where there is more money. Those who have qualified as pastors tend to seek work in these areas rather than out in the villages where pay would be much lower. This means that many rural churches have leaders who have not had the opportunity to train. In fact, I have met church leaders who don’t even have a Bible. This isn’t to say that rural church leaders are not sincere or hard working, rather that they have very little support or resources available to them.
We have found a year long study course, written specifically for rural africa and translated into Bemba, that works through the basic foundations of the Christian faith and helps people to begin to study the Bible together as a group. The idea is not that these groups should become their own church, rather that those who attend the groups can become stronger in their faith and in turn more active in the own churches. The groups are open to people from all denominations and it is hoped that through them relationships between different churches will be strengthened and unity will increase. As the people and churches become stronger and less divided I believe that they will be able to make a greater impact in their communities both spiritually and practically.
So, our work entails meeting folks and deciding who it is right to work with, helping them understand the benefit of meeting together, particularly in cross-denominational groups, introducing them to the study materials, encouraging them to begin to work together for the good of their community and generally helping them through any hiccups they may encounter as they get going. That’s a very condensed version of it all as each time we meet with people we never quite know what we will find!
This year we are at the very beginning of the process here in Mkushi where we are based. We have met with a number of people and have begun to introduce our idea to them while getting to know them and their current work as well. One way of doing this is to actually go and do it in the villages which is what I was telling you about before taking a slight detour to explain the “Life!” initiative. So, last week we were out in a number of villages (my favourite village name so far being Milangalanga!) where we spent the afternoon running a short bible study which was looking at prayer. About 20 or 30 people were invited to the sessions but of course extras joined in as they wandered by so we ended up with nearer 40 people joining the fun. We finished by praying together for the village and then called it quits for the afternoon.
We gathered again at dusk (about 6.30) to watch the Jesus film, dubbed in Bemba! It’s very frustrating to watch a film dubbed into a language you don’t understand then watch the actor’s lips moving and think...hmm...I could understand it before they dubbed it...if only I could lip read! We have to take all the equipment along with us of course, including a generator we’ve managed to borrow as there’s no electricity in the villages. We’ve got a projector and a big speaker that means we can rig up a make-shift cinema pretty much anywhere...we’ve used various walls as screens! There is something quite amazing about being sat somewhere that feels a long way from anywhere (apologies to all those for whom these villages are home!), in the half-light turning to dark with about 100 people all transfixed by what they are watching. Sadly, the first night we watched the film the projector wouldn’t work so we had to make do with a laptop screen...it was quite the sight...about 100 people huddled round the computer, all still absorbed by what they were watching. It amazes me how still everyone sits, especially when you consider that they are sitting on sacks on the floor, or bits of rock or a tree stump! As the light fades, the crowd begins to disappear into the darkness (obviously everyone is black so there is only us that glow in the dark, everyone else merges into it) and you are only really aware that they are still there when something happens in the film that makes them all gasp or laugh together. I feel a bit like I’m short changing you as I really can’t describe the atmosphere adequately. As work goes, I really can’t complain...it sure does beat sitting at a desk in an office!
It’s been a great opportunity to meet people and help explain what we are hoping to get up and running here - the mobile cinema being an added extra! We had a meeting the other day with about 20 people who are interested in what we have been saying and doing. We talked them through our vision in more detail and began to put in place a few plans to help look towards getting some small groups up and running. One of the hardest (but also best) things about working in Zambia is that everything happens very slowly. People are all about relationships rather than targets, something that I think we have lost back home. To do anything, you have to spend time with people, you have to walk alongside them and learn about their life and their way of doing things. This means that nothing can happen fast, but it also means that when things do get underway you have a better understanding of each other.
I spent last weekend in Chingola meeting with the five pastors we were working with last year; Joel, Vincent, Ponde, Capsa and Ranger. Caspa and Ranger came back to Mkushi with me so they could join us in the meeting with the Mkushi gang and it was great to hear them talking about the work they have been doing in their own villages and the impact it is beginning to have. I think it was also really great for the people in Mkushi to hear about the work from fellow Zambians whose circumstances are much closer to their own than ours are! I also think it was an encouragement to Capsa and Ranger to see another group of people who are interested in what they are doing.
I’ve sort of told you that bit back to front as it fitted in with what I was saying about the work in Mkushi...so now I’ll jump back a few days and tell you about my time in Chingola. Generally, it was a pretty tiring weekend...mainly because the place I was staying was over the road to a night club that plays music till 4am. I felt like quite the old lady lying in bed wishing these young folks would stop partying and go home for the night! (Sound proofing of buildings in Zambia is pretty much non-existent!) I was promised that Sunday night would be quiet as the club was shut but the hotel staff forgot to mention the kitchen party that was taking place in the hotel garden on Sunday. I’m not quite sure what a kitchen party is, but I think it’s like a tupperware party on a grand scale and a good excuse to get dressed up (everyone looked fantastic in bright coloured outfits) and catch up with old friends. Obviously you had to shout to be heard above the ridiculously loud music and the overall effect was that I was wishing for the night club again which was quiet in comparison!
Apart from the lack of sleep, it was a really encouraging weekend. We are starting from the beginning again in Mkushi so it was fab to have a chance to meet with the guys in Chingola who have been carrying on with the work for a year and see how things have progressed since we were last here. The first wonderful thing is that the work has actually continued without us. This may seem like a strange thing to say, but so many projects and initiatives seem to get started here by NGOs and outsiders only to grind to a halt when the founders leave. The fact that the work has continued without us is in itself a great encouragement.
On Monday I spent the day with the guys catching up with the highs and lows of the last year, finding out where they are up to and discussing where they see the work going over the next year or so. It was a mix of encouragement and challenges but I left definitely felt like there was reason to rejoice and thank God for all he has been doing in the lives of those involved in the small groups. All the same issues arose as last year, a lack of Bibles, difficulties with transport, no resources to support the work and what not. However, alongside this was the news that new groups are beginning in different villages, one group is wanting to start a joint kitchen garden that they can use to help their community, unity is beginning to grow amongst different churches who previously would not work together in any way, people are loving learning memory verses each week and now they know them God is helping them apply these verses to their everyday lives.
Given that all the challenges that arose are not new and were cited last year it seems to me that things can be achieved despite these. It is often that we need to think round things in a different manner to the one we are used to - last year we spent a lot of time discussing the difficulties with transport and helped the guys see that if there were people who lived in each village running the groups then they themselves would not have to travel there each week. In a similar manner they are now finding it difficult to travel to all the groups to support them as necessary as they groups are becoming more spread out. Again, I spent time asking whether the answer is not that each one of them should travel more miles, but rather that another one of two people should join them in the team to share the workload. I don’t think that they will ever be rid of the challenges they face and I don’t wish to make light of them in anyway - I know the guys work hard to achieve what they do and I’m not sure I would have to same determination as them if I were in their shoes. I have the utmost respect for them and the efforts they make, but sometimes we all need challenging on the way we see things and assume things must happen.
As well as meeting with the guys I joined one of the small groups for their weekly gathering. It was so good to see them all - a year ago everyone sat silently while the leader would talk to them, nobody would dare give an answer to a question or raise one of their own. It was totally different this time...everyone was joining in, the leader struggled to move on at points when people were discussing what one thing may mean , one lady had brought a verse that she had read and wanted help to understand and the whole meeting was punctuated with lots of laughter! The course they are following may not have all the answers (who does?!) but it has helped them begin to wrestle with things and ask questions about what bits of the bible may mean and what impact that may have on their day to day life. To me, this is such a vital part of being a Christian. I don’t know that I have the right understanding of all the bits of the bible, in fact, I reckon it’s safe to say I don’t! I don’t know whether my doctrines are right. I don’t know that I apply what I believe to my daily life very well. What I do know is that when I talk to friends about it and am challenged on what I believe, say and do, that’s when I learn and grow. In the same way, if the people in these small groups have a place where they can simply ask questions and challenge one another and spend time studying the bible together then there is opportunity for increased growth and learning together. When we are open to learning from God, often through his word in the bible, then we are letting him work in us and bring about amazing things in our hearts and also in the way we live our lives, the actions we take and the manner we relate to our friends, neighbours and even those we don’t like so much!
Oh, I mentioned last time I wrote that the cabbage growing, although self-sustaining, had not created enough revenue to be feasible as an on going support for the work the guys are doing. It is necessary to find a way of generating some income to help cover costs involved in the work such as photocopying materials, food for people at conferences, some travel and any support people may want to be able to give to their communities. Last year we spoke a lot about bee keeping as this is not highly labour intensive and once up and running can produce lots of yummy honey to sell to folks around and to larger companies if production is high enough. This idea has been simmering away on the back burner as we try to find out more and so we discussed it further while I was over in Chingola. After a few attempts to contact a possible lead haven’t seemed to yeild any fruit I think the guys were feeling a little disheartened. When Caspa and Ranger came to Mkushi with me though we met a guy called Liberty who works at the bible college we stayed at the first night we came to Mkushi. He is an electrician by training, but while he’s waiting for electricty to be brought out as far as the bible college he’s been busy setting up a training course for bee keeping and learning lots about bees himself! Caspa and he were very pleased to meet each other and we had a long discussion about it all before Caspa set off home. Who knows what possibilities may open up as they carry on talking to each other...I love the way God can bring people together...call it chance if you will, but I reckon its divine timing!!
On a random note, while in Chingola I was surprised by the number of people in shops, petrol stations and just wandering around town who stopped me and said “I haven’t seen you for a while madam”. It was lovely that people remembered me and I felt quite at home, although it also made me feel a little bad as I only recognised about half of them! I hate being called “Madam” though...it reminds me of being a stroppy five year old when my Dad used to call me a little madam!
Oh, one final even more random thought...at the moment the CYFA camp I normally help out on is taking place in Criccieth and it’s making me so sad I can’t be there. I love being here, but I wish I could be in two places at once! It’s definitely one of the down sides to working away from home...but I hear it’s going well and God is moving on the little field in Wales as well as in rural villages in Zambia. Yey Him!!
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Thank God for:
- the way he’s bringing things together in Chingola and Mkushi (and Criccieth!)
- safety as I’ve been driving around lots.
- that he’s giving me endurance and encouragement each day so that I can work to his glory (Romans 15 v 5 - 6).
Please pray for:
- continued safety on the roads - September and October are going to involve a LOT of travelling to the very top and bottom of Zambia and lots of places in between.
- wisdom as I take the lead on organsing a short-term team from home who are joining us here for a couple of weeks.
- God to reveal the next step for me as the time to come home is drawing nearer!
