Mom and Dad have landed in Zambia and we've had a great 3 days so far. I finished my class, including being initiated into the Bemba tradition for young women just before they get married.
Had a good time showing my parents the Ministry Center yesterday with all my flowers and gardens. They got to meet Redson, Isaac, and Mr. Daka. Today was lovely at the Saturday Craft Fair. Made a number of merchants happy with our purchases. Dad even got a great deal bargaining by himself. At lunch caught up with Christine. They have learned what "load-shedding" is and met a few of my neighbors.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
It was a great day at church Sunday. The process to really getting to know people takes time. So grateful Zambians are friendly by nature and don't mind spending time.
I love how God brings certain messages at certain times. This week I've been reading a book by Ted Dekker called "The Slumber of Christianity." It's about how many in the church have stopped looking forward with passion to the wonders of heaven trying to be satisfied with the pleasures of earth. This leads to disappointment and apathy when life on earth doesn't produce the desired happiness. He posits we need to be hoping (in the New Testament sense) for heaven while on earth which makes life on earth available for more true happiness but the best is yet to come! The sermon was on heaven and Christ's return. Not being caught unaware b/c He's coming as a thief in the night to take us to where there will be no sickness or death or stealing or pain. We will all have perfect bodies and no sin and know even as we are known. Ended with the hymn that has been in my head all week, Blessed Assurance. Praising my Saviour all the day long!
Learning great amounts every day in class! Yesterday was a very balanced presentation by a super intelligent man on pre-colonial Zambia. Bottom line: colonialism weeded out some bad things in the tribal culture while bringing some promotion but also caused harms in other areas. My take away: Sin and redemption whispers are in every culture. Highlights: Positive things the colonialists brought included abolishment of slavery (stronger tribes sold weaker tribes to the Arab slavetraders), help in creating a nationhood feeling amongst so many different tribal groups, helped bring new modern things (first farming of oranges, rice, wheat for example). The negatives take a little more explanation, but I found them fascinating so hope you don't mind a lengthier post then normal. First macrotribalism. This stems from 70 different tribes being in the area of what was then Northern Rhodesia. The British couldn't learn all those languages etc so looked at which tribes were strongest/biggest. They picked a few to focus on, knowing they could transmit info to the rest. This results in the marginalization of smaller, less powerful tribes. Along with that the histories of the strongest four tribes were written down. In one sense this makes the other ones not exist, leading to oppression and levels of ethnicity. Third, the British introduced a "hut tax" to be paid in cash. In an agrarian culture, that led to urbanization as people went to the cities to get jobs that paid cash instead of farming. The British made the local chiefs collect it though. It came to the coffers of the British. They left chiefs in charge of some local decisions but then also had govt courts. To this day Zambia has two different courts and centers of power. It gets confusing when the chiefs and the govt leaders don't agree. Lastly they looked to see what word the locals used for "God" and transplanted the more male dominated idea of God for the genderless concept that was prevalent in the African traditional religion. This brought in a depreciation of women not as present before. Several of the main tribes here are matriarchal instead of patriarchal. Not sure I fully agree or understand his last point. But he feels Zambia will not be able to progress until the more nuturing or mothering aspects become more prominent in society instead of just strength and power. He was also very fair to bring out that the missionaries and colonialists were two separate group of people. Missionaries stood against the apartheid policies and had the interest of the local people in mind instead of just making money from the land. But they depended on a number of things from the colonialist hence had some level of association. So much to think about.
Other topics included HIV/AIDS and how the epidemic has affected the fabric of society here. This morning was on the history of the churches of Zambia. Second was on homeless "street" kids in Zambia. Huge lesson there was "Don't give away money or food or anything to begging kids." It only increases that child's draw into an unhealthy lifestyle and draws in more children. In Zambia (it's different in every country) the main reason kids run away from home and end up on the streets is because of family neglect and divorce. The majority of street children have at least one parent who is living. What happens is they run away from a bad situation at home to the streets. Within 2-3 days they are introduced to a lifestyle that includes easy money (begging), unprecidented freedom, and drug highs from sniffing. If they aren't found by someone who will help them, they get sucked into this and don't want to leave the streets. The freedom and high of the drugs and money in the pocket has a hard time competing with a family where the child felt unloved (perceived or real) and maybe abused. The man presenting works with a ministry that are daily on the streets. They work to catch the kids 2-3 days into coming to the streets and working on reuniting them with their families with healing and learning on both ends.
They have a center where the kids can stay. They track down families and have the kids meet with their families. Over time they work with the kids and parents/families with the goal of the child returning home. The children may spend 3 months to 5 years at the center depending on the situation. The goal is to make sure help in parenting skills is given to the family. They work with teaching the children to not just run away from problems but work through them.
In other exciting news, my parents will have enjoyed a day in Amsterdam by now and are heading to my continent as we speak!
I love how God brings certain messages at certain times. This week I've been reading a book by Ted Dekker called "The Slumber of Christianity." It's about how many in the church have stopped looking forward with passion to the wonders of heaven trying to be satisfied with the pleasures of earth. This leads to disappointment and apathy when life on earth doesn't produce the desired happiness. He posits we need to be hoping (in the New Testament sense) for heaven while on earth which makes life on earth available for more true happiness but the best is yet to come! The sermon was on heaven and Christ's return. Not being caught unaware b/c He's coming as a thief in the night to take us to where there will be no sickness or death or stealing or pain. We will all have perfect bodies and no sin and know even as we are known. Ended with the hymn that has been in my head all week, Blessed Assurance. Praising my Saviour all the day long!
Learning great amounts every day in class! Yesterday was a very balanced presentation by a super intelligent man on pre-colonial Zambia. Bottom line: colonialism weeded out some bad things in the tribal culture while bringing some promotion but also caused harms in other areas. My take away: Sin and redemption whispers are in every culture. Highlights: Positive things the colonialists brought included abolishment of slavery (stronger tribes sold weaker tribes to the Arab slavetraders), help in creating a nationhood feeling amongst so many different tribal groups, helped bring new modern things (first farming of oranges, rice, wheat for example). The negatives take a little more explanation, but I found them fascinating so hope you don't mind a lengthier post then normal. First macrotribalism. This stems from 70 different tribes being in the area of what was then Northern Rhodesia. The British couldn't learn all those languages etc so looked at which tribes were strongest/biggest. They picked a few to focus on, knowing they could transmit info to the rest. This results in the marginalization of smaller, less powerful tribes. Along with that the histories of the strongest four tribes were written down. In one sense this makes the other ones not exist, leading to oppression and levels of ethnicity. Third, the British introduced a "hut tax" to be paid in cash. In an agrarian culture, that led to urbanization as people went to the cities to get jobs that paid cash instead of farming. The British made the local chiefs collect it though. It came to the coffers of the British. They left chiefs in charge of some local decisions but then also had govt courts. To this day Zambia has two different courts and centers of power. It gets confusing when the chiefs and the govt leaders don't agree. Lastly they looked to see what word the locals used for "God" and transplanted the more male dominated idea of God for the genderless concept that was prevalent in the African traditional religion. This brought in a depreciation of women not as present before. Several of the main tribes here are matriarchal instead of patriarchal. Not sure I fully agree or understand his last point. But he feels Zambia will not be able to progress until the more nuturing or mothering aspects become more prominent in society instead of just strength and power. He was also very fair to bring out that the missionaries and colonialists were two separate group of people. Missionaries stood against the apartheid policies and had the interest of the local people in mind instead of just making money from the land. But they depended on a number of things from the colonialist hence had some level of association. So much to think about.
Other topics included HIV/AIDS and how the epidemic has affected the fabric of society here. This morning was on the history of the churches of Zambia. Second was on homeless "street" kids in Zambia. Huge lesson there was "Don't give away money or food or anything to begging kids." It only increases that child's draw into an unhealthy lifestyle and draws in more children. In Zambia (it's different in every country) the main reason kids run away from home and end up on the streets is because of family neglect and divorce. The majority of street children have at least one parent who is living. What happens is they run away from a bad situation at home to the streets. Within 2-3 days they are introduced to a lifestyle that includes easy money (begging), unprecidented freedom, and drug highs from sniffing. If they aren't found by someone who will help them, they get sucked into this and don't want to leave the streets. The freedom and high of the drugs and money in the pocket has a hard time competing with a family where the child felt unloved (perceived or real) and maybe abused. The man presenting works with a ministry that are daily on the streets. They work to catch the kids 2-3 days into coming to the streets and working on reuniting them with their families with healing and learning on both ends.
They have a center where the kids can stay. They track down families and have the kids meet with their families. Over time they work with the kids and parents/families with the goal of the child returning home. The children may spend 3 months to 5 years at the center depending on the situation. The goal is to make sure help in parenting skills is given to the family. They work with teaching the children to not just run away from problems but work through them.
In other exciting news, my parents will have enjoyed a day in Amsterdam by now and are heading to my continent as we speak!
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
I started my 2-week long "Intro to Zambia" class at FENZA (a Catholic campus here in town) Monday. Great lessons on greetings and what to do and not do. Loved meeting all the different people in class too. Ten different countries represented. Today we had a lecture on African Traditional Religion. It is making me rethink how I explain my medical reasons for not giving antibiotics for a cold. The reason behind it is the same as in the States, but what I say may be different. Understanding the implications culturally for how I explain things...I will have better patient satisfaction and compliance if I state things coming from their point of view instead of mine. Looking forward to asking my Zambian doctor friends deeper questions to gain more understanding.
I've been here five months now and received my first snailmail letter! It's from a church friend and patient. Shout out to Caeleb Maynard. He wrote a nice note and notice the Zambian colors of the flag and fish eagle all in the shape of Zambia in this great drawing. Thanks Caeleb! You made my day. (warms my pediatrician heart that one of my "kids" is the first to write me:)
I've been here five months now and received my first snailmail letter! It's from a church friend and patient. Shout out to Caeleb Maynard. He wrote a nice note and notice the Zambian colors of the flag and fish eagle all in the shape of Zambia in this great drawing. Thanks Caeleb! You made my day. (warms my pediatrician heart that one of my "kids" is the first to write me:)
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Here are pictures from our Community Health Evangelism of Zambia Convention.
This is preconference training on a briquette making press. It takes local combustible materials to replace charcoal. Deforestation to make charcoal is a major problem. The mixture of sawdust, paper etc is mixed into a slurry and pressed into a disc and then dried in the sun.
My truck carrying firewood to heat water for bathing.
Me teaching on Moringa trees.
Frank teaching on gardening techniques.
Robin teaching how to make a solar oven.
Christine sharing on the power of the baptism in the Holy Spirit for evangelism.
Pastor Zulu exhorting us about how God has chosen each of us before we were born for a purpose.
Briefly sharing at church on Sunday.
Praise and worship time.
Bishop Mondu giving the opening address.
Mrs. Monde teaching on micro-enterprise.
Andy teaching how to make a chicken tractor. It's mobile so the chickens don't eat all the plants in one area and their droppings can be in different parts of your yard.
Me teaching on composting.
Robin showing the solar cooker and dehydrator working. She made yummy rice and banana bread.
Sending the CHEs out with prayer.
We are grateful to the Sustain Hope Team from the U.S. (Frank, Robin and Andy) for sharing so much of their practical knowledge and hearts with the people of Zambia. Many sustainable ideas were learned this past week and people were encouraged to share the Gospel in unique ways with their neighbors.
Elder Gibstar from Circle of Hope HIV clinic talking about HIV counseling.
Sending the CHEs out with prayer.
We are grateful to the Sustain Hope Team from the U.S. (Frank, Robin and Andy) for sharing so much of their practical knowledge and hearts with the people of Zambia. Many sustainable ideas were learned this past week and people were encouraged to share the Gospel in unique ways with their neighbors.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Our Community Health Evangelism convention is now concluded. It went very well with just over 100 participants from about 6 different regions of the country. The Sustain Hope team from the United States did a great job teaching about appropriate technology. They taught about water sanitation, solar cooking and dehydration (yummy banana bread), efficient wood stoves, gardening techniques, natural insecticides and more. I had very good responses to my classes on Moringa trees and composting. I have about 40 people interested in learning the newborn resuscitation course for resource-limited areas called Helping Babies Breath. I am planning on going to each community to do a day long training later this year. We had good times of spiritual refreshment, encouragement, and challenge too. I look forward to hear how the groups are implementing the ideas they learned. I'll post some pictures when I collect them from Christine. Thanks for all the prayers.
Wonderful praise report. Amongst all our busyness, Christine told me last week the mobile clinic passed interpol paperwork! Next week we will get the rest of the paperwork done for the road license. So glad that hurdle is done!
Wonderful praise report. Amongst all our busyness, Christine told me last week the mobile clinic passed interpol paperwork! Next week we will get the rest of the paperwork done for the road license. So glad that hurdle is done!
Friday, August 2, 2013
It has been another busy week. Balm Clinic was quiet so I was able to work on my lectures for the upcoming CHE convention (community health evangelism). Very early Wednesday morning (1 am) we picked up the Sustain Hope team from Springfield at the airport. They are helping with some wonderful appropriate technology lessons for the convention. They are teaching about solar ovens, solar dehydration, liquid fertilizer, gardening techniques, rocket stoves (efficient stove with limited fuel), briquettes (from local materials that burn better then charcoal...helping prevent deforestation) and a few other things. I wish I could sit in their sessions too. I'm picking their brains as we prepare together.
Thursday I went to Fringilla farms again. Great day seeing patients and catching up with Mr. Mutale. Today I met with a pastor from Oasis of Love church. He wanted to know what I am doing this year and shared his heart for evangelism. It was a great time of making connections and sharing ideas. I stopped by to see how briquette making was going and then went to one of the Special Hope Network sites. I saw several of the special needs children I met last month. I was able to follow up with some of their medical needs. Hoping moringa powder helps some of them gain weight. There are some amazing dedicated parents, grandparents and workers helping these kids. Anyone who wants to invite a neurologist to help me with the medical problems is welcome to; they are stretching my clinical skills. The day ended with making supper for the team and enjoying time together.
I had two cool moments over the past two days. One was understanding the gist of a medical complaint before the translation. I hate to admit how many languages I can say "vomit" in. I learn how to say, "hello", "good-bye", "thank you" and then "vomit, diarrhea, fever". Helps in a clinical setting but not so much at church. Aaah, the foibles of medical missions:) Second moment was getting home from a newer spot because I knew where the roads went...not just guessing general directions. It's good to start feeling that at home.
Thursday I went to Fringilla farms again. Great day seeing patients and catching up with Mr. Mutale. Today I met with a pastor from Oasis of Love church. He wanted to know what I am doing this year and shared his heart for evangelism. It was a great time of making connections and sharing ideas. I stopped by to see how briquette making was going and then went to one of the Special Hope Network sites. I saw several of the special needs children I met last month. I was able to follow up with some of their medical needs. Hoping moringa powder helps some of them gain weight. There are some amazing dedicated parents, grandparents and workers helping these kids. Anyone who wants to invite a neurologist to help me with the medical problems is welcome to; they are stretching my clinical skills. The day ended with making supper for the team and enjoying time together.
I had two cool moments over the past two days. One was understanding the gist of a medical complaint before the translation. I hate to admit how many languages I can say "vomit" in. I learn how to say, "hello", "good-bye", "thank you" and then "vomit, diarrhea, fever". Helps in a clinical setting but not so much at church. Aaah, the foibles of medical missions:) Second moment was getting home from a newer spot because I knew where the roads went...not just guessing general directions. It's good to start feeling that at home.
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