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!