Zambia 2014 - Diary 6

Zambia 2014 -Diary 6

Well, what a week; it’s been quite a stretch so the weekend has come as a breath of fresh air and a more relaxed slot to unwind a little. 

I had had a call from Josie earlier in the week to say my mum wasn't well but all was under control.  Lizzie and George kept me up to speed with things via Facebook messages, then Josh rang a day later to say Nan had gone in to hospital but I wasn't to worry but stay focussed on what I was doing because all was under control and, if need be, he would go to Brighton!  I thank God for blessing me with such amazing children!!!!

Friday, driving around Kitwe, I was very aware of how ‘red’ the soil is, and against the lush green of the grass and trees, it’s quite a picture.  I considered jarring some to take home, but my feeling is the sun here probably adds to the richness of it and it probably wouldn't look the same.  Some of the trees are in full blossom too (reds and yellows mainly) with people tending to sit beneath their shade. 

As we drove in to town, there were dozens of men digging the drainage along the new tarmacked road linking two provinces (districts).  There appears to be a lot of new developments popping up, but it all looks very hard, hot work compared to back home.  No big machines, just a shovel and sheer graft!

A young man came flying past on a small motorcycle and was actually wearing a helmet of sorts.  As he flew past and up a side road I noticed the large white box on the back which said ‘ZAMPOST’ – this was the local postman!  Great stuff!

As we turned a corner, on our way in to town, we ran straight in to a police traffic control spot and we were flagged down …. we were going to be late getting back to the church today :-/   George thought it was because he hadn't put his seatbelt on, but it turned out to be because they said he didn't stop sufficiently enough at the STOP sign (but they added the seatbelt issue in too).  A lady officer got in to our car and we had to drive, a long way in the opposite direction, to the police station.  Poor George; he’s had a long week looking after us and his sick wife, and now this!  He was fined (300 kwacha – about £30) but because he couldn't produce all the money on the spot, they withheld his licence until he could.  We will need to sort this later.

The drive back to town was another hot one, taking in the scenery as we went.  George wanted to drive us through as many provinces as possible so that we could get to see the extremes of wealth (relatively speaking).  The amazing range of plants and colour really stand out, and REAL palm trees; not like the plastic ones in Brighton Marina J

We drove past homes that were bricked, but barely 10’ square and a lot of people would be living in that small place.  Then, in the wealthier areas of Parklands, Riverside and Chimwemwe it was a different story.  We passed very large homes on large plots of land, with very high walls topped with curls of barbed wire and similar.  As comparatively splendid as they may seem, they still face the same issues of poor water and electricity supplies. 

We passed a very large secondary school which is apparently for the children of wealthier families in the city, for example, business men and politicians.  We also drove passed the Nkana College of Nursing, the lanes around streaming with young women in their peppermint green dresses with white waist belts and hats; pretty much how we used to dress as nurses in the UK back in the 80s – felt like stepping back in time.

Something which I have found surprising is the way people just throw rubbish on the ground, whether in the street, in the home or even in the church hall.  A few times, putting my rubbish in to my bag, I have been told to just drop it.  Can’t bring myself to do that … who picks it all up??  But I haven’t yet seen a general wastebin in the street, or the home … strange … I would have thought there would have been more of an attempt to keep on top of things like this with the vulnerability to sickness and disease that is around.  I remembered Sharon, the church secretary who oversees the running of the orphanage, saying that they put their rubbish in the tip, over the wall.  I found it today; it’s a big hole dug in the ground and yes, the rubbish is just thrown in it.  It’s rank; it smells, is fly infested, and is very near where the children play every day.

I had another little walk around the orphanage today whilst everyone was out.  The bunked bedrooms are pretty dirty and very basic; food and clothes and bits n bobs all over the floor, all attracting flies which we seem to have had in abundance the last couple of days.  The toilet areas are worse!  I hadn't seen these when we first looked round here, but the walls and floors are black with mould and, generally, are in quite a state of disrepair.  Oh, so much that needs to be done here, but no money, time or expertise to do it.  The whole place needs a thorough overhaul.  

Saturday: I was at our host family’s home this morning, fretting a little as we were going to be half hour late for the ladies meeting due to start at 10am.  Feeling a bit nervous about speaking, I wanted to make sure we were in time to be part of the opening worship time.

Jimmy just text to say that the Victoria Falls were amazing but he’s going to try and head back to Kitwe sooner than planned as he’s really missing everyone.  The feeling is mutual; a lot of people have been asking when he will be returning so, no doubt, there will be smiles and hugs all round!

Well, it’s now 10:50am and we are sitting in the rest room at the church as there is a team of people still preparing the church hall for a wedding that was due to start at 9am!!  Not sure when/where this ladies meeting will take place then.  Been here 10 days now and don’t quite get it …this Zambian time thing J … how on earth does anything happen lol … how very funny.  They even announced both events in church last Sunday.  Well, whatever happens, it will be great to experience a Zambian wedding!

..… Gladys came to find us (an hour later than planned).  The ladies were waiting for us in one of the classrooms in the school part of the building.  There were about 20+ ladies gathered, many of whom I had met already through the literacy class, and we were ushered in to sit behind a desk at the front.  A very friendly and bubbly sister, Chanda, was in place to translate for us.  The worship time was very short and, as it was International Women's Day, Prisca led everyone in a passionate prayer for all women around the world living in difficult situations.  She then introduced Hannah and myself and then I was asked to share.

I related much of what I said to Pastor Nyirongo’s ministry the previous weekend, on relationships and unity, talking about commitment and devotion to Jesus and His body.  I shared some of my own testimony in this, bringing in themes of community, common purse living, celibacy and serving in the body of Christ. They seemed to really appreciate it.

It was a very strange experience though because, once I had shared, they all applauded and we were then led (round the back of the marriage ceremony) to the rest room, served with Fanta and biscuits and then left alone, the ladies returning to the room.  Hannah and I just looked at each other :-/ … what are we supposed to do now?  Sit here til our lift arrives in 2-3hours time?  We would like to have spent some time with the ladies and had time to talk to them and pray, but that didn't seem to be the plan …  we decided to go and track-down some of the young people.  The orphanage was surprisingly deserted.  There were one or two children around, but not many.  After some time a few more appeared so we decided to all go to the IT suite and make use of the quieter time to get some practice in.  They are all becoming much more confident with the equipment already which is really encouraging to see.  Some were creating pictures and their names on ‘paint’, others browsing the sample videos and pictures, whilst others were accessing the Mavis Beacon programme we had installed to develop typing skills.  This has been a very successful project which will continue once we have gone home.  I plan to take the Literacy class to the suite on Monday and Tuesday to introduce them to websites which will help them with their future studies.

Back home, we had a fairly chilled remainder of the day, which was very welcome.

It's now Sunday afternoon and, again, it has been a time to chill and unwind.  We went with Pastor George Banda to his pioneering church  plant in town (they are a daughter congregation to All Nations Harvest Church).  A great bunch of enthusiastic people 9about 10 adults and 3 or 4 children) who want to see their congregation grow.  It is difficult because most of them don't live in the area, and they don't have funds for literature/banners etc to show that they are meeting in this community centre, so do pray for them.  Sanchie, a young single mum, led a very enthusiastic intercession time, followed by Yvonne leading us in worship (just voices and clapping - no instruments here).  George had asked if I would speak with them, so I was able to share my testimony about pioneering a new congregation.  They were very encouraged. George went on to minister on how they need to work together as a team.

On the way home, we stopped up outside 'The Hungry Lion' for a take-away chicken and chips.  A day off for the ladies cooking today!  We sat with the doors open whilst we waited for George and Yvonne to return, not just for the fact that it is again incredibly hot, but because there were 9 of us squashed in the back of the car  :D  

The only other thing with this is you end up with salesmen at your door; we had someone trying to sell us car phone chargers, perfume, brooms and one young lad who even produced an invoice for his college fees and asked if I could contribute anything toward them ..... oh this is sooo tough!

It's been impossible to sit outside today with the heat, so have caught up with some washing and begun to sort my cases for the return journey as Monday and Tuesday are likely to be very busy so don't want to leave it all to the last minute.  This last part of the visit seems to have flown by!  Time to knuckle down now and prepare for the last two teaching sessions xx