Over the past three months I have been blessed to learn from and to serve alongside various missionaries and residents of rural Africa. Our group visited three countries—Zambia, Kenya, and Uganda—and experienced the diversity of their cultures while observing God’s people in each place. We saw four major missions points—Namwianga, Mumena, the Mariann School in Kenya, and the Source Café in Uganda—as well as several minor ones—ZamBikes, Klaus Muller’s farm, etc.
We lived at Namwianga Mission for about ten weeks and served in the schools, orphanages, and clinic there. All of the above experiences taught me a lot about missions, a lot about myself, and a lot about working with others. The most important thing I learned, however, was not the result of work I did or tasks I performed. It came from the time I spent with the African people.
Because the majority of our time was spent in rural areas, I was blessed to experience untainted, purely authentic Africa. I ate the foods, shopped in the markets, used the latrines, worshipped in the churches, immunized the babies, swam in a country creek, and saw the living conditions in extremely remote villages. Through these experiences, I discovered that a unique spirit occupies the hearts of rural residents. I’ve been told I have a gift for using words to paint visual images in people’s minds. But even the best writer could not capture this spirit; it is impossible to confine to words or pictures.
My best attempt at a description of this spirit includes the words relational, generous, and genuine. The people of Africa have no sense of time, and are therefore extremely altruistic. Their schedules revolve purely around relationships with others, and their motives are based on others’ needs. Because a great amount of significance is associated with relationships, a great deal of care is invested in them. Whatever an African has he shares with his neighbor. Rarely does any amount of greed or selfishness exist in his heart. He is honest about what he has and constantly willing to share what he has with those around him.
The authenticity of these people is absolutely astounding; being able to see, hear, touch, smell, taste, and feel the spirit coming from within them has been incredible. The time I have spent with the Africans has shown me that I often have a distorted view of what is important, and that I must evaluate my tendency to prioritize tasks above relationships. I have also discovered a greater joy in the small things that make life so incredible.
I realize that because I have been given the incredible gift of experiencing Africa, God expects me apply what I have learned. Luke 12:48 says, “Much will be required of everyone who has been given much. And even more will be expected of the one who has been entrusted with more.” Obviously only God knows the doors he will open for me in the future. But he has given me great peace regarding His plan for my life and excitement for what is in store. I know that because he has blessed me so incredibly with the spirit of the African people, He will expect much out of me as I live my life in service for Him. I resolve to focus on living authentically. I am going to place greater importance on the relationships in my life and work hard at the tasks that are truly important. I must let go of my selfish ambitions and focus on the opportunities that arise for me to best serve God.
Thank you so much for following my adventures this fall. I hope you learned something along the way. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers and for your encouragement as I have journeyed through Africa; it is much appreciated!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
TIA!!
This Is Africa!
Namwianga was hit last weekend by one of the worst storms of the past 5 years; it tore off roofs, blew down fences, and damaged trees. We experienced straight-line winds, hail, thunder, and lightning! What made it most exciting was being caught out IN this storm! A few of us had walked to Kalomo that morning and the storm began while we were on our way home. We sought shelter at the Namwianga clinic, but not before we were soaked to the bone and shivering cold! We then watched and listened as the storm was loosed!
The recent increase in rain has plagued us with millions of insects! We first experienced an ant infestation in our house; they came in large numbers under our front and back doors and got into everything! Next came the flying termites; they’re a couple centimeters long and have wings similar to dragonflies’. They are attracted to light and come out only at night, so it’s best to leave porch lights off! Otherwise they will accumulate in layers, one on top of another, right outside the front door! These also crawl under the doors and get into our house! I feel as if we’re getting a taste of the Old Testament plagues!
And if the bugs’ just existing wasn’t enough, here they are also a snack. The Zambians catch the termites, roast or fry them, and eat them! They are called “nswa.” Soon after the termites’ appearance, Charity (one of our GBCC friends) brought us a bag of roasted nswa. They taste like burnt popcorn, but are small enough that it’s difficult to chew and swallow them – they just stick in your teeth!
I haven’t yet learned how to prepare nswa, but last night Falesi and Christine (GBCC girls) taught Katie and me to make nshima and several kinds of relish. Nshima is Zambia’s staple dish, made from ground maize. It’s eaten with “relish” which could be meat, vegetables, or broth. We had green beans fried with tomatoes, okra boiled in water and baking soda, and kapenta – baby fish!
This week we are studying for finals and spending as much time as we can with our GBCC friends and haven babies. Kiki is finally taking her first steps, and I’m hoping Bethany is close behind! It is my goal to have them both walking by the time we leave!
On Thursday, as our “final” for our Tonga class, we will be performing skits – in Tonga – during GBCC chapel. The President of Harding, Dr. Burks, arrives with his wife on Saturday and will be with us as we travel to Kenya and Uganda.
Please pray for us as we prepare for our trip to Kenya and Uganda and especially as we wrap up things here and get ready to leave Namwianga. We prefer to not talk about it, but as the time draws near we are faced with reality, and already we are experiencing the difficulties of saying goodbye.
Namwianga was hit last weekend by one of the worst storms of the past 5 years; it tore off roofs, blew down fences, and damaged trees. We experienced straight-line winds, hail, thunder, and lightning! What made it most exciting was being caught out IN this storm! A few of us had walked to Kalomo that morning and the storm began while we were on our way home. We sought shelter at the Namwianga clinic, but not before we were soaked to the bone and shivering cold! We then watched and listened as the storm was loosed!
The recent increase in rain has plagued us with millions of insects! We first experienced an ant infestation in our house; they came in large numbers under our front and back doors and got into everything! Next came the flying termites; they’re a couple centimeters long and have wings similar to dragonflies’. They are attracted to light and come out only at night, so it’s best to leave porch lights off! Otherwise they will accumulate in layers, one on top of another, right outside the front door! These also crawl under the doors and get into our house! I feel as if we’re getting a taste of the Old Testament plagues!
And if the bugs’ just existing wasn’t enough, here they are also a snack. The Zambians catch the termites, roast or fry them, and eat them! They are called “nswa.” Soon after the termites’ appearance, Charity (one of our GBCC friends) brought us a bag of roasted nswa. They taste like burnt popcorn, but are small enough that it’s difficult to chew and swallow them – they just stick in your teeth!
I haven’t yet learned how to prepare nswa, but last night Falesi and Christine (GBCC girls) taught Katie and me to make nshima and several kinds of relish. Nshima is Zambia’s staple dish, made from ground maize. It’s eaten with “relish” which could be meat, vegetables, or broth. We had green beans fried with tomatoes, okra boiled in water and baking soda, and kapenta – baby fish!
This week we are studying for finals and spending as much time as we can with our GBCC friends and haven babies. Kiki is finally taking her first steps, and I’m hoping Bethany is close behind! It is my goal to have them both walking by the time we leave!
On Thursday, as our “final” for our Tonga class, we will be performing skits – in Tonga – during GBCC chapel. The President of Harding, Dr. Burks, arrives with his wife on Saturday and will be with us as we travel to Kenya and Uganda.
Please pray for us as we prepare for our trip to Kenya and Uganda and especially as we wrap up things here and get ready to leave Namwianga. We prefer to not talk about it, but as the time draws near we are faced with reality, and already we are experiencing the difficulties of saying goodbye.
Monday, November 2, 2009
It's November already??
The month of October passed by so quickly! We spent the last several days around Livingstone. It was a nice break and a chance for us to do some fun African things!
Friday I went with 11 others to a bridge over the Zambezi River on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe and had an absolutely incredible "Big Air" experience!! I went bungee jumping, swung on the gorge swing, and ziplined across the gorge! The gorge swing was the scariest; once you're hooked up, you basically just step off a platform face forward and swing ~400 feet down into the gorge! Bungee jumping was also so intense, and was my favorite thing! You stand at the edge of the platform and a man calls "5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Bungee!" before pushing you off to dive into the gorge! And before you realize you're at the bottom, you start moving back up toward the bridge! Each time, once you've slowed down, a guy rapels down and brings you back up to the bridge. Ziplining was the last thing we did, and was fun, but after the first two activities seemed almost boring!
Saturday we crossed the border into Botswana and went on safari in Chobe! It was AMAZING! We first took a boat safari on the Chobe River (flows into the Zambezi) and saw hippos, crocodiles, impala, antelope, cape buffalo, water bucks, sable, kudu... and finally, toward the end, dozens of elephants started walking down to the river! We went right up to the edge and were within feet of lots of them as they bathed and drank. It was so much fun! After lunch, we went on a driving safari. We saw lots more of the same animals - including the elephants - up close! We also saw several giraffe; they were so beautiful! We were hoping to see lions, but didn't... however, we go on safari again at Masai Mara in Kenya in 2 weeks.
Sunday we went to church in Livingstone and ate lunch there before driving the 3 hours back to Namwianga. I ate Subway in Africa-- not the same, of course, but surprisingly similar!
Last night we had an interesting experience just after arriving home; Patrick, a man from a neighboring village, brought a black mamba he had just killed! He had been walking through the village and heard a commotion in a tree; birds were attacking a snake that was in the tree. He took a slingshot and killed the snake, which turned out to be an 8 foot long black mamba! Black mambas are EXTREMELY poisonous, and probably my greatest fear in Africa! The Africans fondly refer to it as the "look at your house and die" snake, because once it bites you, you only have time to look back at your house before dying! That is obviously an exaggeration, but their bites can certainly be fatal. Luckily this was the first one we have seen or heard about since coming to Zambia!
We have two more weeks here at Namwianga; unfortunately, much of that time will be spent finishing up our projects for our classes and taking tests/finals. We will also be hanging out with our Zambian friends and our haven babies as much as possible! And we're looking forward to our two week tour of Kenya and Uganda before returning home November 28.
Friday I went with 11 others to a bridge over the Zambezi River on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe and had an absolutely incredible "Big Air" experience!! I went bungee jumping, swung on the gorge swing, and ziplined across the gorge! The gorge swing was the scariest; once you're hooked up, you basically just step off a platform face forward and swing ~400 feet down into the gorge! Bungee jumping was also so intense, and was my favorite thing! You stand at the edge of the platform and a man calls "5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Bungee!" before pushing you off to dive into the gorge! And before you realize you're at the bottom, you start moving back up toward the bridge! Each time, once you've slowed down, a guy rapels down and brings you back up to the bridge. Ziplining was the last thing we did, and was fun, but after the first two activities seemed almost boring!
Saturday we crossed the border into Botswana and went on safari in Chobe! It was AMAZING! We first took a boat safari on the Chobe River (flows into the Zambezi) and saw hippos, crocodiles, impala, antelope, cape buffalo, water bucks, sable, kudu... and finally, toward the end, dozens of elephants started walking down to the river! We went right up to the edge and were within feet of lots of them as they bathed and drank. It was so much fun! After lunch, we went on a driving safari. We saw lots more of the same animals - including the elephants - up close! We also saw several giraffe; they were so beautiful! We were hoping to see lions, but didn't... however, we go on safari again at Masai Mara in Kenya in 2 weeks.
Sunday we went to church in Livingstone and ate lunch there before driving the 3 hours back to Namwianga. I ate Subway in Africa-- not the same, of course, but surprisingly similar!
Last night we had an interesting experience just after arriving home; Patrick, a man from a neighboring village, brought a black mamba he had just killed! He had been walking through the village and heard a commotion in a tree; birds were attacking a snake that was in the tree. He took a slingshot and killed the snake, which turned out to be an 8 foot long black mamba! Black mambas are EXTREMELY poisonous, and probably my greatest fear in Africa! The Africans fondly refer to it as the "look at your house and die" snake, because once it bites you, you only have time to look back at your house before dying! That is obviously an exaggeration, but their bites can certainly be fatal. Luckily this was the first one we have seen or heard about since coming to Zambia!
We have two more weeks here at Namwianga; unfortunately, much of that time will be spent finishing up our projects for our classes and taking tests/finals. We will also be hanging out with our Zambian friends and our haven babies as much as possible! And we're looking forward to our two week tour of Kenya and Uganda before returning home November 28.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Loving Africa... Big Time
One of our Zambian friends, Prince, loves saying "big time." The Africans love learning and using American phrases, and we get a big kick out of it!
Many people have asked what the weather is like here. We arrived in early September, just after their “winter.” Because we are in the southern hemisphere, June and July are their coldest months; sometimes it gets down into the 30s and frost appears on the ground, but mostly the temps remain in the 40s and 50s. In August and September it starts heating up. And believe me it heats up! The good news is that the heat here is completely dry—nothing like St. Louis humidity for sure! So even when it’s 100 degrees outside, if you can find some shade, it won’t be too bad. Also, the breezes here are fairly constant, which helps. October is called “suicide month.” Until the heavy rains come, the heat is just miserable! We use our fans when the electricity is on and stay out of the sun for the early afternoon, but with no AC anywhere, it’s a very sticky life! We are ready for the rains, and the Zambians are telling us “any day!”
My haven babies (the two I have signed up to specifically care for) are doing very well! Both are on the verge of walking. Kiki (Kim) is 15 months old and Bethany is 10 months. They love to play outside and to be tossed in the air or held upside down. Kiki especially is very ticklish!
One of our new favorite things to do here is play Frisbee; the Zambians had never seen one before and enjoy trying to play with us! They also really enjoy playing soccer… rather, they enjoy just watching us play and laughing at our “talent.”
We continue to attend choir practice with the George Benson students, and are learning many Tonga songs! Learning the songs is quite challenging for us “makuas” (white people), as neither music nor lyrics is written down. The Africans’ talent for just listening to a song or tune and repeating it is amazing! After awhile we get the hang of things though! And singing with the Africans is unlike any other experience—I know that their voices will be one of the things I miss most after we leave.
Thank you so much for your interest in this trip and your prayers for us while we are here. It is so encouraging to know that we are supported by our friends and family at home!
Many people have asked what the weather is like here. We arrived in early September, just after their “winter.” Because we are in the southern hemisphere, June and July are their coldest months; sometimes it gets down into the 30s and frost appears on the ground, but mostly the temps remain in the 40s and 50s. In August and September it starts heating up. And believe me it heats up! The good news is that the heat here is completely dry—nothing like St. Louis humidity for sure! So even when it’s 100 degrees outside, if you can find some shade, it won’t be too bad. Also, the breezes here are fairly constant, which helps. October is called “suicide month.” Until the heavy rains come, the heat is just miserable! We use our fans when the electricity is on and stay out of the sun for the early afternoon, but with no AC anywhere, it’s a very sticky life! We are ready for the rains, and the Zambians are telling us “any day!”
My haven babies (the two I have signed up to specifically care for) are doing very well! Both are on the verge of walking. Kiki (Kim) is 15 months old and Bethany is 10 months. They love to play outside and to be tossed in the air or held upside down. Kiki especially is very ticklish!
One of our new favorite things to do here is play Frisbee; the Zambians had never seen one before and enjoy trying to play with us! They also really enjoy playing soccer… rather, they enjoy just watching us play and laughing at our “talent.”
We continue to attend choir practice with the George Benson students, and are learning many Tonga songs! Learning the songs is quite challenging for us “makuas” (white people), as neither music nor lyrics is written down. The Africans’ talent for just listening to a song or tune and repeating it is amazing! After awhile we get the hang of things though! And singing with the Africans is unlike any other experience—I know that their voices will be one of the things I miss most after we leave.
Thank you so much for your interest in this trip and your prayers for us while we are here. It is so encouraging to know that we are supported by our friends and family at home!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
"Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances" - 1 Thes 5:16-18
Time here continues to fly by! We spent a little over a week traveling in northern Zambia; the trip was characterized by our two flat tires, ongoing problems with the bus, visiting a refugee camp, swimming in an African creek, learning from some awesome missionary families, sleeping on concrete floors, taking bucket baths, using bat-infested latrines, playing with vervet monkeys, trick-or-treating with missionary kids, and eating lots and lots of peanut butter! We had a lot of fun and had so many amazing and unique experiences, but we were all glad to be back “home” and are looking forward to our last 3 and ½ weeks here at Namwianga.
I spent the weekend after we got back in bed with another fever. I was SO grateful to be back here, though, and not on the concrete floor! Everyone else spent the weekend catching up on lost time with their haven babies and studying for a missionary anthropology exam we had on Tuesday.
I spent Monday at the clinic, working with the clinical officer (a mid-level healthcare provider; equivalent of a Physician’s Assistant or Nurse Practitioner in the US). The most unusual thing we saw was a case of ingrown sutures-- a woman hadn’t come in to have them removed on time. The clinical officer let me take the histories of and attempt to diagnose the patients who could speak English. It wasn’t too difficult, as we see a lot of the same cases over and over again: TB, asthma, urinary tract infections, malaria, fungal infections, and skin rashes.
Unfortunately, we had some sad news this week. About a month ago, 19-month-old Grant was brought to Haven 1, malnourished and fighting TB. He was brought here because his mother is blind and epileptic and was unable to care for him; she was a victim of rape, so Grant’s father is not in the picture. Initially, Grant was given medication and tried to get him to eat. While we were on our trip, his condition worsened. He developed a fever, was extremely dehydrated, and was refusing food and drink altogether. His muscles were just wasting away; he was limp and was whimpering constantly. Eventually, Ms. Bingham (a member of Harding’s nursing faculty who is with us) brought Grant here to stay with her, and we all took turns holding him and trying to get him to take a bottle. On Monday, after no improvement, Ms. Bingham decided it would be best to transport Grant to Macha, a hospital 3 hours from here that is one of the best medical facilities in Zambia. They did so, but it was too late; on Tuesday Grant died. The more I learn about his situation the more I am convinced God knew what he was doing in taking baby Grant. He was suffering so much, and would have had a difficult life had he made it. Now he’s in heaven and is, I’m sure, happy and healthy!
The heavy rains haven’t come yet (we've had just a few showers here and there), but we are anxiously awaiting them! The jacaranda trees are purple, the flamboyant trees are orange, and the rest of the plants are bright green…. And in Africa this means rain is coming! Meanwhile we are trying to survive suicide month; the hottest month of the year here! I think most of us are really looking forward to the cold weather that will greet us in Searcy!
I spent the weekend after we got back in bed with another fever. I was SO grateful to be back here, though, and not on the concrete floor! Everyone else spent the weekend catching up on lost time with their haven babies and studying for a missionary anthropology exam we had on Tuesday.
I spent Monday at the clinic, working with the clinical officer (a mid-level healthcare provider; equivalent of a Physician’s Assistant or Nurse Practitioner in the US). The most unusual thing we saw was a case of ingrown sutures-- a woman hadn’t come in to have them removed on time. The clinical officer let me take the histories of and attempt to diagnose the patients who could speak English. It wasn’t too difficult, as we see a lot of the same cases over and over again: TB, asthma, urinary tract infections, malaria, fungal infections, and skin rashes.
Unfortunately, we had some sad news this week. About a month ago, 19-month-old Grant was brought to Haven 1, malnourished and fighting TB. He was brought here because his mother is blind and epileptic and was unable to care for him; she was a victim of rape, so Grant’s father is not in the picture. Initially, Grant was given medication and tried to get him to eat. While we were on our trip, his condition worsened. He developed a fever, was extremely dehydrated, and was refusing food and drink altogether. His muscles were just wasting away; he was limp and was whimpering constantly. Eventually, Ms. Bingham (a member of Harding’s nursing faculty who is with us) brought Grant here to stay with her, and we all took turns holding him and trying to get him to take a bottle. On Monday, after no improvement, Ms. Bingham decided it would be best to transport Grant to Macha, a hospital 3 hours from here that is one of the best medical facilities in Zambia. They did so, but it was too late; on Tuesday Grant died. The more I learn about his situation the more I am convinced God knew what he was doing in taking baby Grant. He was suffering so much, and would have had a difficult life had he made it. Now he’s in heaven and is, I’m sure, happy and healthy!
The heavy rains haven’t come yet (we've had just a few showers here and there), but we are anxiously awaiting them! The jacaranda trees are purple, the flamboyant trees are orange, and the rest of the plants are bright green…. And in Africa this means rain is coming! Meanwhile we are trying to survive suicide month; the hottest month of the year here! I think most of us are really looking forward to the cold weather that will greet us in Searcy!
Monday, October 5, 2009
John 13:35 “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
I’m sorry about the long delay in posting… in true African style, our internet server was down for a week! Here’s some of what’s been going on around Namwianga:
Saturday we were visited by the Honorable Chief of Kalomo. These days, the title of “chief” is purely traditional. The man who fills this position is chosen through a democratic election and holds the title until death, or as long as he so chooses. His opinion is heard in the local government, although he does not have any defined political authority. The chief interacts with the people and works to promote the common good.
Sunday we traveled out to the bush to worship at Sichikwalula Church of Christ. This was the third such trip we have made. As an outreach, we visit congregations in remote areas and direct church services for them to encourage the people and their communities. Because most of their church members do not speak English, interpreters accompany us to translate our words into Tonga, Zambia’s native language. The church buildings are small mud huts without much ventilation. Inside are two rows of benches made from logs; ladies sit on one side and men on the other. Services typically begin with singing. One of our interpreters leads songs in Tonga and we sing along as best we can! Members of our group are responsible for leading the opening prayer and offering and for serving the Lord’s Supper. After Communion, children are dismissed for Sunday school, which is held outside under shade trees (if there are any available). Once the sermon is over, everyone parades back into the main building for more singing. The congregation sings some together, and then specific groups of people are asked to perform. “The group from Harding University” is, without fail, always asked to sing! After church, the village women serve food that they had spent all morning preparing. This usually consists of nshima (a corn porridge similar to grits; it is Zambia’s staple food), mpongo (goat), and kokoo (chicken).
Monday I spent the afternoon at Haven 1. They recently received two new babies: Grant, who is about a year old, and 1-week-old Amanda. (All babies are given new names upon entering a haven, symbolic of a new beginning). Both seem to be doing well, after treatment for various ailments.
Tuesday our group went to Choma (the next town east of Kalomo; it’s about an hour drive on paved road). We visited St. Malumba’s school for the blind, deaf, and mentally handicapped. Established in the 1980s by an Irish nun, the school currently has 210 students who board there year-round. It is an exceptional opportunity for these kids; the government schools in Zambia do not have special programs for the handicapped. The kids here are very intelligent and talented; they participate and often medal in competitions of all kinds: athletic, academic, musical, etc. We also visited the Choma Museum, which tells the story of Zambia’s southern province (where we’re at) and a local market.
Wednesday several members of our group went to Zimba Missionary Hospital, a service of the Wesleyan church. Zimba is the next town west of Kalomo (about 40 minutes on paved road). Because this hospital is run by missionaries rather than the Zambian government, it is far nicer than Kalomo hospital. It is still filthy, understaffed, and inadequate by American standards, but after seeing Kalomo hospital it seemed like a state-of-the-art facility! Patients were being cared for by nurses, and all services were performed in a fairly timely and accurate manner. In the morning I worked in the pharmacy; I labeled containers, counted pills, and organized medicines. In the afternoon I worked in the lab, where we drew blood from patients and performed various tests on blood and urine samples.
Thursday I worked at the Namwianga clinic. I sat in with Mr. Sikaleti, the clinical officer (similar to a Physician Assistant; currently he is the highest authority in the clinic, as no medical doctor is currently employed by Namwianga clinic). We saw several pregnant women, so I got to listen to babies’ heartbeats and feel their positions. I saw my first ear infection, heard a malfunctioning lung, and removed a splinter from a lady’s eye!
Friday, sickness caught up with me! Until then, I had managed to avoid every virus that affected our group! Luckily the only thing I dealt with was a fever, and it was gone in 48 hours!
Our daily life is also full of new and exciting activities. I joined the choir at George Benson, and we have practice three times a week. Many of the songs are in Tonga, which is challenging! Also, each member of the HIZ group has been assigned a “Tonga tutor” (a student from the college for us to befriend and through which learn more Tonga), so I’ve been spending quite a bit of time in the girls’ dorms! My friend’s name is Felica, and she is a “first year” student studying to become a secondary school (high school) history teacher.
On October 7 our group leaves for an 8 day tour of Northern Zambia. We will be visiting various missions and churches, and will see a refugee camp and a chimpanzee orphanage! Please pray for our safety and health while we travel.
Saturday we were visited by the Honorable Chief of Kalomo. These days, the title of “chief” is purely traditional. The man who fills this position is chosen through a democratic election and holds the title until death, or as long as he so chooses. His opinion is heard in the local government, although he does not have any defined political authority. The chief interacts with the people and works to promote the common good.
Sunday we traveled out to the bush to worship at Sichikwalula Church of Christ. This was the third such trip we have made. As an outreach, we visit congregations in remote areas and direct church services for them to encourage the people and their communities. Because most of their church members do not speak English, interpreters accompany us to translate our words into Tonga, Zambia’s native language. The church buildings are small mud huts without much ventilation. Inside are two rows of benches made from logs; ladies sit on one side and men on the other. Services typically begin with singing. One of our interpreters leads songs in Tonga and we sing along as best we can! Members of our group are responsible for leading the opening prayer and offering and for serving the Lord’s Supper. After Communion, children are dismissed for Sunday school, which is held outside under shade trees (if there are any available). Once the sermon is over, everyone parades back into the main building for more singing. The congregation sings some together, and then specific groups of people are asked to perform. “The group from Harding University” is, without fail, always asked to sing! After church, the village women serve food that they had spent all morning preparing. This usually consists of nshima (a corn porridge similar to grits; it is Zambia’s staple food), mpongo (goat), and kokoo (chicken).
Monday I spent the afternoon at Haven 1. They recently received two new babies: Grant, who is about a year old, and 1-week-old Amanda. (All babies are given new names upon entering a haven, symbolic of a new beginning). Both seem to be doing well, after treatment for various ailments.
Tuesday our group went to Choma (the next town east of Kalomo; it’s about an hour drive on paved road). We visited St. Malumba’s school for the blind, deaf, and mentally handicapped. Established in the 1980s by an Irish nun, the school currently has 210 students who board there year-round. It is an exceptional opportunity for these kids; the government schools in Zambia do not have special programs for the handicapped. The kids here are very intelligent and talented; they participate and often medal in competitions of all kinds: athletic, academic, musical, etc. We also visited the Choma Museum, which tells the story of Zambia’s southern province (where we’re at) and a local market.
Wednesday several members of our group went to Zimba Missionary Hospital, a service of the Wesleyan church. Zimba is the next town west of Kalomo (about 40 minutes on paved road). Because this hospital is run by missionaries rather than the Zambian government, it is far nicer than Kalomo hospital. It is still filthy, understaffed, and inadequate by American standards, but after seeing Kalomo hospital it seemed like a state-of-the-art facility! Patients were being cared for by nurses, and all services were performed in a fairly timely and accurate manner. In the morning I worked in the pharmacy; I labeled containers, counted pills, and organized medicines. In the afternoon I worked in the lab, where we drew blood from patients and performed various tests on blood and urine samples.
Thursday I worked at the Namwianga clinic. I sat in with Mr. Sikaleti, the clinical officer (similar to a Physician Assistant; currently he is the highest authority in the clinic, as no medical doctor is currently employed by Namwianga clinic). We saw several pregnant women, so I got to listen to babies’ heartbeats and feel their positions. I saw my first ear infection, heard a malfunctioning lung, and removed a splinter from a lady’s eye!
Friday, sickness caught up with me! Until then, I had managed to avoid every virus that affected our group! Luckily the only thing I dealt with was a fever, and it was gone in 48 hours!
Our daily life is also full of new and exciting activities. I joined the choir at George Benson, and we have practice three times a week. Many of the songs are in Tonga, which is challenging! Also, each member of the HIZ group has been assigned a “Tonga tutor” (a student from the college for us to befriend and through which learn more Tonga), so I’ve been spending quite a bit of time in the girls’ dorms! My friend’s name is Felica, and she is a “first year” student studying to become a secondary school (high school) history teacher.
On October 7 our group leaves for an 8 day tour of Northern Zambia. We will be visiting various missions and churches, and will see a refugee camp and a chimpanzee orphanage! Please pray for our safety and health while we travel.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Bring on the Rain
Signs that the dry season is ending are beginning to appear! The first couple of weeks we were here, seeing clouds in the sky was uncommon. Over the past several days, however, we have been seeing more and more of them! They aren’t white and puffy, nor are they dark storm clouds. They mostly just cause the sky to look grey and hazy. Apparently this indicates that the atmosphere is filling with water. Also, many of the plants here turn bright green when they expect rain—and we sure have seen that happening! There is a small tree in my front yard that looked dead when we got here. It’s prickly (we nicknamed it the Jesus tree because of its crown of thorns!) and was very brown. Recently, though, its color has changed significantly; it now has lime greenish leaves!
Yesterday, Mr. Gregersen, a missionary living here at Namwianga, gave a devo comparing the dry seasons in Africa to the dry seasons – times of hopelessness and apathy – in our lives. He took a few of us to visit the hospital in Kalomo, and the patients there have definitely experienced their fair share of dry seasons.
Kalomo District Hospital is a very sad place. If the sign out front hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t have recognized it as a healthcare facility. It is small, and there is no form of security and no apparent organization. Patients lay on thin mattresses amongst rotting food and dirty bedpans. On good days a doctor is present to oversee their treatment and care, which generally falls to a family member instead of a trained nurse. Rather than being a haven of hope and healing, it is a place in which death and pain are rampant.
We visited four wards: men’s, women’s, children’s, and maternity. We saw patients with burns, broken limbs, and TB. We saw a woman likely suffering from a bad reaction to her AIDS medication. She was moaning in pain and probably will not live much longer. We saw a newborn baby whose spinal fluid and part of the cord had accumulated in a sac at the base of her backbone and was therefore suffering from paralysis in the lower half of her body. She did not appear to be in pain but will probably die within the next few days as well. It was agonizing to know that many of these people could be helped if they only had transportation to a more advanced medical facility. Instead, they lay in a stinking pit of filth and misery, waiting for whatever treatment is available.
Those who are at the hospital caring for their loved ones stay in a shelter out back. We visited these caregivers and had a short worship service with them. It was evident that they are eagerly awaiting both the rains in Africa and healing rain from God.
In these situations it’s easy to question God. Why doesn’t he prevent such circumstances? What have these people done to deserve so much pain? Why has he chosen to bless Americans with superior healthcare, education, etc.?
The Old Testament author Habakkuk asks, “How long, Lord, must I call for help and You do not listen, or cry out to You about violence and You do not save? Why do You force me to look at injustice? …the wicked restrict the righteous; therefore, justice comes out perverted.” God replies, “Look at the nations and observe—be utterly astounded! For something is taking place in your days that you will not believe when you hear about it.” My thoughts align with Habakkuk’s: “Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will triumph in the Lord; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! Yahweh my Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer and enables me to walk on mountain heights!” (Habakkuk 1:2-5, 3:17-19)
Edit: The rainy season has arrived as of a few hours ago! We had a nice thunderstorm this evening and haven’t had power since. It was a big surprise because usually rain doesn’t come until late October or early November…
Yesterday, Mr. Gregersen, a missionary living here at Namwianga, gave a devo comparing the dry seasons in Africa to the dry seasons – times of hopelessness and apathy – in our lives. He took a few of us to visit the hospital in Kalomo, and the patients there have definitely experienced their fair share of dry seasons.
Kalomo District Hospital is a very sad place. If the sign out front hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t have recognized it as a healthcare facility. It is small, and there is no form of security and no apparent organization. Patients lay on thin mattresses amongst rotting food and dirty bedpans. On good days a doctor is present to oversee their treatment and care, which generally falls to a family member instead of a trained nurse. Rather than being a haven of hope and healing, it is a place in which death and pain are rampant.
We visited four wards: men’s, women’s, children’s, and maternity. We saw patients with burns, broken limbs, and TB. We saw a woman likely suffering from a bad reaction to her AIDS medication. She was moaning in pain and probably will not live much longer. We saw a newborn baby whose spinal fluid and part of the cord had accumulated in a sac at the base of her backbone and was therefore suffering from paralysis in the lower half of her body. She did not appear to be in pain but will probably die within the next few days as well. It was agonizing to know that many of these people could be helped if they only had transportation to a more advanced medical facility. Instead, they lay in a stinking pit of filth and misery, waiting for whatever treatment is available.
Those who are at the hospital caring for their loved ones stay in a shelter out back. We visited these caregivers and had a short worship service with them. It was evident that they are eagerly awaiting both the rains in Africa and healing rain from God.
In these situations it’s easy to question God. Why doesn’t he prevent such circumstances? What have these people done to deserve so much pain? Why has he chosen to bless Americans with superior healthcare, education, etc.?
The Old Testament author Habakkuk asks, “How long, Lord, must I call for help and You do not listen, or cry out to You about violence and You do not save? Why do You force me to look at injustice? …the wicked restrict the righteous; therefore, justice comes out perverted.” God replies, “Look at the nations and observe—be utterly astounded! For something is taking place in your days that you will not believe when you hear about it.” My thoughts align with Habakkuk’s: “Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will triumph in the Lord; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! Yahweh my Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer and enables me to walk on mountain heights!” (Habakkuk 1:2-5, 3:17-19)
Edit: The rainy season has arrived as of a few hours ago! We had a nice thunderstorm this evening and haven’t had power since. It was a big surprise because usually rain doesn’t come until late October or early November…
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