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I have gotten to know many critters during my time here in Zambia. Some of them are familiar, others are new. For the most part I try to keep them out of my house, but I do like the geckos. In fact I had a three legged gecko that lived in my bathroom for quite a while – sometimes he would fall off the wall after taking a misstep but he would always scamper back up. There are also a pair in my living room that like to play tag with one another in the evenings. Below are pictures of a few of the critters I have been able to capture on camera. We even had a chameleon outside the office one day but unfortunately I did not have the camera with me. Right now the butterflies are everywhere, adding even more color and beauty to Zambia.
I snapped this one during our Thanksgiving celebration,
the gecko was having a feast too - flying termite, yum!
This cat visits my garden & looks very similar to my cat back in the States
Skink - I'm pretty sure he is smiling at you
The frogs often startle my dog Colby, he jumps as well as they do!
This grasshopper was GIANT
A fly enjoying a sprinkle from some of my cookies
Butterflies enjoying the marigolds in my garden
The group - Nancy, Libias, Grace, me, Pattison, Susan, Fred, Questa, Beth, Don, Kathy, & Lamiel
I spent last week in Zimbabwe with the Harare Synod of the Church of Central Africa, Presbyterian (CCAP) and a group from Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church (MAPC). The group from MAPC included Rev. Dr. Fred Anderson and his wife Questa, Rev. Don Wahlig and his wife Beth, Kathy Hoffman, Nancy Ost, and myself. We were accompanied by a group from CCAP: Rev. Libias Boloma and his wife Grace, Rev. Pattison Chirongo and his wife Susan, and Dr. Lamiel Phiri. We started our journey in Harare where we stayed with host families, conducted Bible studies in local congregations, and we each preached in a different church on Sunday – and all of this was done in two days! We arrived Friday, spending the weekend in Harare before hitting the road on Monday.
With my hostess in Harare, Stella Norton CCAP, where I preached on Sunday
Once we hit the road we were kept busy between the travel and conducting Bible studies in different congregations. Each day we would conduct one or two Bible studies in a congregation, depending on how much travel we had that day. We visited 4 congregations in Gweru, Bulawayo, and Hwange. For the Bible studies each of us would lead a group, with the help of a translator, in inductive Bible study. This was challenging to folks from MAPC, teaching something new and in such a different context. It was also challenging to the people in the churches, as most have never done a Bible study like this. Many are used to being told what the Bible means and we were asking them what they think. We struggled to get them to talk about their own understanding of the passage and often got canned responses. We also had some amazing moments as we experienced scripture coming to life in our midst. I wished we had more time at each place to get to know the people better, but at the same time I was glad to be able to visit many different congregations.
Nancy teaching at Mufakose CCAP
Beth leading a group at Hwange CCAP
As we arrived at each church we were greeted with singing, dancing, and a meal. I continue to be amazed by the hospitality and generosity of people here. Wherever we went we were received with open arms and open hearts. We also received many beautiful gifts which you will see around MAPC to remind us of our partners, our brothers and sisters in Christ, in Zimbabwe.
Kathy enjoying the welcome at Gweru CCAP
Questa joining in the celebration at Hwange CCAP
Fred presenting a Bible at Lobengula CCAP
Don presenting the psalter to Hwange CCAP
At the end of our week we spent a day in Victoria Falls, which is right across the border from Livingstone, Zambia. We could hear and see the spray from Victoria Falls right from our beautiful hotel! That last day we debriefed with the folks from CCAP at breakfast as they had to head back to Harare. Then we spent the day wandering through a curio market, visiting the falls, and enjoying the river by boat. It was great to have a day at the end to relax and enjoy the beauty of Zimbabwe. All in all it was a great trip and I was sad to have to say goodbye. It was wonderful to see the folks from MAPC and to get to know our partners in Zimbabwe. I am looking forward to returning to Zimbabwe in September and to MAPC in December!
MAPC group with mist of Victora Falls in the background
About a month ago I wrote about the situation in Zambia with Barotseland declaring its independence. The situation continues to be tense, but peaceful so far. The leaders of Barotseland are pressuring President Sata to do something but he is not saying much if anything on the subject. Last week there was an article in the paper in which the Vice President said the issue would have to be dealt with through the Zambian constitution. I am not sure what that means, but the constitution is currently under review. Please continue to pray for peace in Zambia and for a resolution which has the best interest of both parties in mind.
Also, I wanted to give you an update on my puppy, Colby. He is growing like a weed and we are having a lot of fun together. When I am away on trainings he stays with the Lunds where he gets to hang out with his mom and sister. The photos below will give you a good sense of his character – and he has a lot of it!
Colby at two months
With his bear-bear
Three months old
Colby is now four months old and growing up fast
What a handsome pup!
Starting the morning in song
This past week we were in Lundazi, which is 176 kilometers north of Chipata. It should only take an hour and a half to get there by car, but the road is only good for half of the way so it took us about three hours. However, this is an improvement over the last time TEEZ visited Lundazi. When Brent and Erin traveled there two years ago it took them almost five hours! The training was held at a congregation of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian. They have a small compound which included the church, some offices, houses, and a guesthouse where we stayed. Some of the training participants were also staying in the guesthouse, so we got to get to know them a bit which was fun.
Teaching
The week went by quickly and we had a good time together. We had 34 students who were very involved in the training. They even got together in the evenings to have review sessions on what they had learned that day. I really got the sense that they valued the training and I am hopeful that they will go on to lead TEEZ classes in their congregations.
Lundazi Tutor Group
We held the training in the church building and there was a beautiful big tree behind the church where we would take our tea and meal breaks. We had wonderful food over the week - sweet potatoes, cassava, nshima, beans, village chicken. I even ate my first Zambian caterpillars. Yes, caterpillars. They were fried and did not have very much taste, but they were a bit gritty. I managed to eat three, then passed the rest on to Rev. Banda.
Tea break
I bumped into my friend Nancy Collins out in Lundazi which was great fun. Nancy lives in Lusaka and is the PC(USA) Regional Liaison for East Africa, which includes the countries of Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, and Zambia. She had been in Malawi, then was having some meetings in Lundazi on her way back toward Lusaka. We only had a chance to say hello but it was wonderful to see her. The training finished on Friday and we traveled back to Kitwe over the weekend, staying a night in Lusaka on the way. I enjoyed the trip, but it is good to be home and have some time to relax after the long journey.
Enjoying a moment in the shade
View from my guesthouse window
I love Chipata! This is my favorite place we have visited in Zambia so far. I’m not sure if it is the landscape that reminds me of the Texas hill country, the cool breeze, or the tall palm trees but I am enjoying being in this place! It took us two days to get here from Kitwe via Lusaka as Chipata is in the Eastern Province of Zambia, almost on the border with Malawi. Not only is the place wonderful, but this week I also realized how much I have adjusted to life here. This week wasn’t without its challenges: a vehicle that has to be push started (resulting in a few flesh wounds and a good skinned knee after I fell on the morning we were leaving Lusaka), being without electricity for three days (which is normal in Chipata), and being out sick for a day (most likely food related). A few months ago even one of these events would have thrown me for a loop, but this week I took it in stride and I was able to enjoy the training and this beautiful part of Zambia.
Chipata training group
We were conducting a joint Tutors training and African Indigenous Christian Counselling (AICC) training. Since there are just two of us facilitating the trainings it was a busy week. Plus we had to work around the power situation as the AICC training is based on a DVD program. Fortunately the church was able to locate a generator so we were able to carry on the course. We had just under 30 students, most of whom were doing the AICC course. There were only three participants doing the Tutor training, which I really enjoyed. I worked mostly with this group and I was able to sit down with them as we went through the lessons together. It was nice to get to know them and be able to talk more deeply about the joys and challenges their churches face here.
Tutor group - Jabes, Nellie, me, & Josphat
One of the Tutor students, Nellie, is also Presbyterian and was very excited to meet a Presbyterian pastor from the US. She invited me to a lunch meeting she was having with her pastor one day during the training, which was a great outing for me. Not only was it good to meet the Zambian minister and a few other folks from Nellie’s church, but it was also fun to sit in on their meeting. They are planning to have a lunch for pastors in the Chipata area next month, a time for them to get together, socialize, and encourage one another in the ministry. Nothing like this has been done before here and I think it is a great idea. Please pray that their gathering would be blessed and a source of strength for the ministers.
Beautiful Zambian sunset!
