United Church of Zambia Mindolo Congregation

Well, it seems that I now have a Zambian Congregation. Just about a 2 minute walk from my rooms. I get pulled to church by the singing that I can hear through the window several times a week. The UC Zed (as they say it here) Mindolo Congregation has embraced me warmly and it feels like a home away from home. I've preached and served Communion on Sunday morning, led Bible Study for the Women's Christian Fellowship, attended the second Sunday service in the Bemba language and gone visiting to the elderly and to a little baby. And they have invited me back to spend more time with the women. It has helped me quite a bit to have this base. And it also has kept me feeling close to my church in Bloomfield, as I compare the two and think how much our FCCB members would love the people here. When I began to preach on Sunday, I brought greetings from Global Ministries, and also from my church --- and that was when I teared up and needed a moment to keep going. It's very emotional to feel so connected to Bloomfield, and to pray for my congregation, even while I'm so far away. Must be time to go back.......

I've taken lots of video on my camera, which I hope will come out well, but the internet connection here is too weak to allow video to upload. So for now, it's just stills. The pictures above are (from bottom to top, since they uploaded in the opposite order from what I wanted): the Choir at the 8:30am English language service [at 10:00, there are THREE choirs!]; me serving Communion at the 8:30 service; ****three little boys, one of whom has a little baby on his back, who greeted me before the Bemba service; ****the banner for their capital campaign to continue work on the new building that they have started, NOTE: that the requested individual contribution is 10,000 kwacha (about $$2.00) and the contribution from each section (fellowship group) is K1,000,000 (about $200.00). This is not a wealthy congregation. They need some extra support just like every other institution here; ****then there's the enchanting little girl who sat across the aisle from me at the Bemba service and was just like any other toddler in worship --- squirmy --- but she stayed quiet nonetheless; ****next is me with Rev. Kondolo and his wife Margaret. They have been WONDERFUL to me. Kondolo is also Dean of Students at the Theological College as well as part-time pastor of the Mindolo Church. Margaret heads the Women's Christian Fellowship and is very involved with the women. I have eaten at their home and can count on them if I have questions or concerns.; ****Then there are the women who came for Bible Study on Thursday. I was asked to preach on The Importance of Prayer, but turned it into a very engaged and interesting dialogue about the various ways we pray and reasons we pray, and then taught them breathing prayer, and also a form of Confession that is done only with gestures. They LOVED it, as they had no idea that you could pray other than with words. I've been invited back for more discussion and more thinking about how we pray. We will also talk about praying together as a family. And we did all this while I spoke in English and Margaret Kondolo translated into Bemba; ****the last picture is me in my new chitinge, which is the word for women's clothing made out of Zambian traditional fabric. Margaret Kondolo surprised me with it. She even estimated my measurements extremely well. The women cheered and clapped! Just loved seeing me in Zambian garb.
The Mindolo Congregation is growing by leaps and bounds, as is the entire United Church of Zambia. It is the largest Protestant denomination in Zambia, and is instrumental in helping to maintain the social fabric of this challenged country. Kondolo is somewhat unusual for a UCZ Pastor as he only has two jobs. Many of them serve multiple congregations over large geographic areas, especially in rural areas. There are some very wealthy congregations, but also many that are terribly poor. Mindolo isn't the poorest, but is definitely struggling.

That is my church home away from home. The music is great, and much more varied than I expected. The people are warm, and the challenges are great. I look forward to the next two weeks with them!

Trust Community School

Well, we are back on line! The Theological College (where I'm staying) was unable to pay the internet bill this month, because the donor that supports that expense didn't send the money as they promised. I realize once again that what might seem like something is just a little bit late to Northern/Western people can make a huge difference to our partners. So, I paid for this month's bill as my contribution to the College. I wish it could have gone toward scholarships, but this was a clear and immediate need. Much of the work of the school came to a halt, just as it would anywhere in this internet age. It's unclear when the expected funding might arrive, so if anyone wants to contribute, it would be greatly appreciated. Here is the link to Global Ministries, where you can see where to send money. www.globalministries.org/give/ Clearly mark it to go to The United Church of Zambia Theological College, Kitwe, Zambia. The College can use money no matter what, as this is the time of year when they begin to feel the crunch as donations run out and school fees from students have already been paid. They are working hard to become self-sufficient, and have made great progress, but they are still finding challenges to overcome.

Another reason I haven't posted in a while is that there is ALWAYS something to do. Whenever I think I might have some free time, it seems that someone comes with an idea of what to do. My rule in life, and definitely here, is to always say YES when a new opportunity presents itself. Like this morning --- I received an invitation during Chapel that was too good to refuse. The Chaplain for the Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation (MEF) (a close partner located on the same campus as the Theological College) asked if I would like to go visit a nearby school with him and a group of Social Work students from MEF. It is called Trust Community School and is located in a "compound" (like a neighborhood) called Racecourse (no idea where the name came from). This is one of the very poorest areas in this community with great poverty.

We walked about 2 miles each way on dusty roads --- since it is the dry season here --- to reach Racecourse. Along the way we passed a saw mill and some brickmaking efforts. The grasses were tall on either side, and we were with many other people making their way on the day's business. This is an urban area, so we crossed the paved road twice, almost taking our lives in our hands, since it seems that cars, not pedestrians, have the right-of-way. And it was pretty hot. Although it gets quite cool at night, the days are starting to get warmer as we move toward the hot season of September and October. The rains start in November and it gets cooler again.

This school is a remarkable effort on the part of this desperately poor community. When the government schools pulled out, the community pulled together and started their own school. There are 5 teachers who are certified, but who are paid only 150,000 kwacha a month (about $30). Even in this economy, that is no where near enough to live on. There are several hundred children who come to school in one space with benches to sit on. They have two shifts, morning and afternoon, so that all can have a chance.

They have been trying to get their own space, instead of the makeshift building they had on borrowed land. Someone agreed to sell them land, and they started raising funds, and even put a building on it (with permission) to show their commitment. Then the seller decided not to sell. And they are now meeting in rented space ($20/month) that seems like an old warehouse, with a roof full of holes that will definitely leak in a big way once the rains start. That is the space we visited today. The children were crammed onto benches, grades 1-7 all together. It was the last day of school until they start again in September, and so they seemed extremely well behaved as they greeted us and stared at us. Our group were all Zambians, except for me and Adrian, the Chaplain. [He's from the UK and is a dairy farmer by trade, and also a Lay Preacher in the United Methodist Church, who decided to see some of the world while trying to make a difference. --- There are some really great personal stories among the people here!]

This school is EXTREMELY unusual, in that the community is supporting it and managing to create at least something for the children out of absolutely nothing. With unemployment at 75% (that's not a typo) and the poverty level sky high, it is hard for people to hope, and yet they do. This community could have given up as almost all the others have in a similar situation, and yet they have not. The moment that really moved me to tears was when the children came out of school (imagine any school on the last day of classes) and gathered around Adrian as he videoed them --- they were making the peace sign and chanting peace, peace, peace, peace, peace, peace, peace and on and on --- it started as something fun, I think, but really became a plea. And peace won't come until they have enough to eat, clothes to wear, a roof over their head, clean water, education ...... As I looked at these children, it was obvious that they have great intelligence, and great gifts and great potential, just like any group of children you would meet. And yet, they can't even get a reasonable education. Most of them don't have enough to eat on a regular basis.

This situation is both heartbreaking and hope-filled. An authentic tribute to the strength and depth of the human spirit. As always, I am humbled. In our too-well-fed world, I hear so many people whine about inconvenience, when these people are making a better future for their children out of absolutely nothing.

So here's another place that could use support. They need to fix the roof before the rains start in November, and they really need to pay the teachers more. If your heart is tugged, just let me know and I can help you send a donation. This is not a Global Ministries project, but the spirit here demands some attention!!! It is supported through the MEF, which is itself supported primarily by the World Council of Churches and Mennonite Central Committee.

This was worth walking a dusty 3 or 4 miles (I can certainly stand more exercise...).

Creating a "New Normal"

These are my bathing place, bedroom, and kitchen.

I've been here in the Mindolo section of Kitwe, at the United Church of Zambia Theological College, for a week now. The jetlag has worn off and I'm feeling like mind and body are together in the same place. I'm learning to live without some of the modern conveniences I'm used to (like hot running water, and a stove with multiple heat settings), but enjoying having cleaning and laundry help and wireless internet in my apartment, since I am right next to the Library. I can only get to the market once a week on Saturdays when a colleague takes some of us to town in her truck (ah, the joy of riding in the back of a pickup truck --- not something we get to do at home any more). And I have to cook all my own food. No pizza, or chinese, or being able to stop by Geissler's for soup if I don't feel like cooking.

My apartment is simple, but very adequate. The bed is comfortable and the place is very clean. I take sponge baths from a large basin after boiling successive tea kettles of water to fill it. I feel grateful all my camping and boating experiences, which have mostly prepared me for this. After some initial feelings of dislocation, I seem to be adapting quite well.

Going to market on Saturday was fun. We started with the open air market for vegetables and fruit. No bargaining. The prices were clearly marked. But it was also a big help that I went with Ann, a long term volunteer missionary with Global Ministries and Margaret, a new friend from Kenya who is studying at the Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation. I got green beans, carrots, onions, garlic, apples, oranges, bananas, potatos, sweet potatoes among other things.

Then on to Shoprite (yes, Shoprite), a large grocery store with just about anything you could want. I was able to find lots of good food, and even Heineken beer brewed in Namibia. I'm also adding some items to the inventory in my apartment, since it was only recently converted from offices to living space. Adding some hangers, a sharp knife and a large pot, among other things, made a lot of difference.

This is all good, but to create context, I also need to say that when we took all our stuff to the truck there were children begging (politely) for food. We gave them a little something. And I also had to be living in the reality of my relative wealth compared to just about everyone around. More about this later, but part of the "new normal" is living right in the midst of deep poverty. While I am comfortable and safe, I also have been visiting people who don't have enough to eat, less than a mile away, and really right next door.

I am also making friends both among the ex-patriates here, and the staff and students at the Theological College. I have several invitations to dinner coming up, and had a lovely dinner with the Principal of the College and some faculty when I arrived. He had deliberately chosen to have local foods, so I have had my first taste of Zambian cuisine, which is tasty and good. Chicken, fish, nshima (a maize paste made into thick pancakes and dipped in various gravies), pumpkin leaves chopped up and boiled with a little seasoning, leaves from bean plants chopped and cooked in a peanut sauce [reminded me of especially delicious creamed spinach] and rice with vegetables and potatoes. I couldn't eat it all! But tasted everything. And we spent time watching CNN and BBC on TV. Lots of people have satellite dishes, and they are very aware of what's going on in the world --- and have some pointed questions about the US.....The people are lovely and welcoming. I have met with students several times this week to speak on the topics of Global Christianity and Interfaith Dialogue. We have also touched on life in the church in the US, ways that churches interact with the political system to advocate for justice, ecumenism. And general discussion of our lives. The students are bright and curious, an dare receiving excellent education, judging by the classes I have sat in on as well.

As I write this on Thursday afternoon, I can hear a choir practicing nearby. Sometimes it's a brass band. In the morning there's at least one rooster crowing, although happily not too close. I can hear children playing, and often the sound of the horns at the copper mine nearby. It sounds like the train whistle that blows about block from my house in Bloomfield. The sounds are not that different here, except maybe for the rooster....... and much less traffic. Contrary to stereotype, there are fewer bugs in my house than at home (except for the teeny tiny ants that are the cleanup crew in the kitchen). It is the cool, dry season, (winter) so the weather is very comfortable. 50's at night and 70's during the day.

I have been welcomed into the morning chapel services (6:45am!!!) and have preached twice and taught some new songs. Attended Sunday worship at the Mindolo United Church of Zambia Congregation, and will be preaching there and serving Communion this Sunday Aug 1. And am invited to preach at the church of another faculty member on August 8. In some ways, my sabbatical is over --- all of my pastoral i nstincts are coming back --- and I'm functioning as a Pastor/Reverend here.

The women of the Mindolo church are embracing me, which I will post about next, along with more detail on the Theological College. And people keep calling me "Mother", since the role of the Pastor here is very parental. What do you think the First Congregational Church in Bloomfield will think about that????

So, this is some of my new normal. A warm and interesting community. Lots to adjust to, and also much Grace! One week down, and three to go. I'm sure they will fly!

Getting Acclimated

Well, I'm here. The travel itself was easy --- 15 hours on the plane JFK to Johannesburg, with an empty seat beside me. In less than a day, I changed continents and seasons. A far cry from our ancestors who would have taken months. The connection to Ndola, Zambia, was too close to our arrival time, so I stayed at a hotel near the airport (booked at a discount through Expedia.com) that had a free shuttle from the airport and huge free breakfast. I think this was a good thing, as it gave me a day to regroup and still feel like I was in the West. Also took the opportunity for a tour of Soweto and Johannesburg arranged through the hotel. Two other guests, Polish men going on safari, also came, so it was me, our Zulu guide named Elias and these two very pleasant guys, one of whom spoke very good English.



Soweto is huge and has everything from Shantytowns to very nice homes, lots of history of the fight to end apartheid. We went to a Shantytown, and Elias told us that guides used to just drive through the towns talking to their guests as they went. But then some of the people of the community started insisting that they wanted to be the ones to lead the tours (seems like great self-empowerment to me). So we were met at the outskirts by a young man names Cat, who lead us down the dirt road while telling us about life there. The people have all come from other parts of the country seeking a better life. And of course it's not better. They live in tiny shacks with no running water, sanitation or electricity. There are spigots at intervals throughout the area with potable water, and the government built outhouses with underground tanks, but then didn't come to pump them out. So those people who have jobs pay to have them pumped when they can. All the children go to school. Soweto seems filled with schools of one kind and another, and Cat reported and our guide affirmed that education is viewed as the way out.



I was having powerful flashbacks to time spent in Soacha, one of the shantytowns of Bogota, Colombia. Same story, same reality, although we weren't told of the kind of organized violence in Soweto that was so great a force in Soacha. I was very conscious of how different it was to visit this place as just a regular tourist. Not part of an organized delegation, not visiting a paartner NGO or church organization. And these folks were not very organized --- just commuity people doing the start of community organizing. I found myself encouraging Cat to continue to take power of his life and help his people claim power over their own lives. They need to get organized. My sense was that he had not heard that message from visitors before. He also claimed that there were not NGO's or church groups working is his area. The woman whose house we visited, when I asked what I should tell my friends, family and church, couldn't think of anything. This is a big contrast to the organized advocacy I've experienced before.



And this is the real world. They made it plain that no money was required, but that they would accept any free offerings. Of course we each contributed something. It was about consciousness raising, but on some level was really about the money. And that seemed OK to me. They need it, I have it and we made a trade.



We also went to "the Top of Africa", which is the tallest building on the continent at 50 stories tall. While riding up in the elevator, I was able to hear simultanous conversations in Polish and Zulu --- not something that happens every day!

Thursday morning I boarded plane for Ndola, Zambia and arrived at dusty little airport to find that my ride hadn't arrived. A very nice man in the airport office let me use his cell phone to call the school Principal, who I reached to find that he was running late. He told me to wait in the little restaurant, which I did. What a remarkable variety of people coming through this place. It was an upgraded quonset hut and I had a cup pf tea while I waited. (I wasn't hungry because, unlike the US, we were served as very nice lunch on the plane. This seems to be true everywhere but the US. Indian airlines did the same thing.)

So, I was picked up by Musonda Bwalya, who is the(very impressive) principal of the College, got Kwachas from the ATM, arrived at the United Church of Zambia Theological College safe and sound. And so far am getting settled in a very different environment than I am used to. But more about that later.

Going to Africa to beat the Heat!

We always hold stereotypes of places and people that are unfamiliar, so my friends and family have been surprised to hear that the weather in Zambia will be cooler than here right now. It's winter south of the equator, and Kitwe is about 4,000 feet above sea level. So during the day it will be in the 70's and at night in the 50's. With the weather we've been having in New England, I'm ready to cool down, although traveling thousands of miles away seems a bit extreme. ....



The real reason for going to Zambia is to serve as short term volunteer mission personnel at the
United Church of Zambia Theological College in Kitwe, Zambia, which is in the Northern part of Zambia. I will be teaching two courses, one on Global Christianity from an American perspective, and one on Interfaith Dialogue. Since I only found out what I'd be teaching a few days ago,I'm really scrambling to put materials together. Thanks to the internet, that's not as hard as it used to be. And I can carry information on a thumb drive or my laptop rather than lugging piles of books along.



I'll also have the chance to travel some and to meet many people and experience African Christianity by immersion. I'm excited! Will write more later, but wanted to get this started before I go.



More later! Deb