It hardly seems possible that we have been here five weeks and tomorrow we will begin making our way back to the U.S. On the other hand, it seems so long ago that we were in America and it all feels very far away - almost non-existent.
[Grocery Store Security]Life here has been totally consuming with the details of daily living, interactions with the people, visiting places of mission significance in the surrounding area and fulfilling our responsibilities at the schools.
[Remembering to keep left]And it has been good. We’ve been encouraged, inspired and challenged by the lives of many people here. Last week we went to Macha. When we return you will want to see the short video of the journey in the van on that road. It rivals anything at Hershey Park and goes on and on for two hours. But the ride was worth it.
[Macha Road]We were warmly welcomed and hosted by John and Esther Spurrier who have fully immersed themselves in the culture and lives of the people here for the sake of Christ in a way that is challenging and inspiring to those of us who are privileged to experience them in action.
Macha was a joy and inspiration. This is the mission station started by Gene’s Grandmother, Adda Engle and Francis Davidson in 1906 and where Myron Taylor and Adda were married in 1909. From its very humble beginnings Macha now hosts a
world class Malaria research station developed and led by Phil Thuma, a large secondary school, a substantial BIC congregation, a major hospital where John Spurrier is the lead physician, Experimental School and a recently built airstrip.
[All the TV Dishes at Macha caught our attention]
[Macha International Airport]
Last Sunday Gene preached at both the Secondary School service and later for the Sikalongo BIC Church. At the first service he spoke about “Trusting Our Guide” using our experience on the Zambezi River with our guide as an extended illustration. For the second service he challenged people to not just sing the praises of Myron Taylor (which everyone here does) but to live their lives for Jesus in the same way that Myron did. This message was “inspired” by a remark made by someone that a monument should be built for Myron Taylor, to which Gene responded, “You are the monument to Myron Taylor, seen by everyone.” During the service we sang “Bringing in the Sheaves” which was emotional for us in this setting, realizing that we were sitting among “sheaves” which were the planting of Myron Taylor and the early missionaries.
Gene completed his classes at SBI on Tuesday but still has one final examination to administer on Friday. Darlene had her last day with the pre-school on Wednesday.
Over the past weekend and for the first part of the week, we experienced a major “first” for our time here. The electricity was on for 4 days straight wiithout any interruption, but on Wednesday it went back to its old habits, though only briefly. It’s nice to be able to leave on a good note in this department. Today we have had power all day.
As we conclude our time in Zambia, we express our deep gratitude to many people who have provided counsel, perspective and assistance for our time here, and so this special thanks to:
Dwight and Carol Thomas & Bryan and Karah Leaman for much needed perpectives prior to coming to Zambia.
Esther and John Spurrier for wise counsel prior to our coming, facilitating in-country travel and for being wonderful hosts for our brief stay at Macha.
Marian Buckwalter - always available for counsel, assistance and fabulous meals.
Dennis and Jane Mweetwa for making all the necessary connections for us here at Sikalongo and guiding our work with SBI.
Peter Pwetenge - trail guide, interpreter, expediter, jack-of-all-trades, and ever-present help in time of need
Rosa Muleya - our housekeeper, cook, purchasing agent, companion, and never to be forgotten friend.
And to all of you who have prayed for us and encouraged us on our way.
Each of you, in your own special way, has greatly enriched our time with the people of Zambia. May you all be blessed in your endeavors in the Lord’s service.
[Myron Taylor Grave]We will be flying out of Lusaka on Monday, arriving at JFK in New York on Tuesday morning. Our month will be spent wrapping up readings, writings and reflections from our entire sabbatical experience at an ocean-front hideout on the Outer Banks.
5 comments:
I'm so glad you were able to be at Sikalongo. I'm a physician anesthesiologist. I have speculated about Myron Taylor's death while receiving an anesthetic. In those days the inhalational anesthetics included ether and chloroform. Each had its disadvantages: ether had a slow onset and was explosive. chloroform had a rapid onset and was dangerous. In fact, at one point the Brits commissioned a study of deaths associated with chloroform.
By the time Dr. Taylor received the anesthetic he likely was dehydrated and toxic from infection. Without a doubt he was in the high risk category.
Although I cannot be sure which anesthetic was given, I know chloroform was extensively used by the British, and likely may have been the anesthetic he received.
David E. Byer
Sorry, I intended to type Rev. Taylor.
Thank you for your posts, Gene and Darlene. It is a privilege to travel in the footsteps of Frances Davidson, Adda Engle Taylor, and Myron Taylor. I know well that the people of the Brethren in Christ Church in Zambia remember these Christian sisters and brothers warmly, and to have their descendants join them for several months is indeed a good thing.
I found your blog on Dwight's Facebook account. I sounds as though you had a wonderful experience in Africa. Mom and Dad have been there twice. Perhaps the Lord will make a way for me to go someday. Blessings to you.
This comes way after the fact (because I found the link through FaceBook, which I just joined)...but I want to thank you for sharing this journey through a place where I spent some of my happiest days while in Zambia 1976-1984. The lives and work of Anna Engle and Myron Taylor have been an inspiration to me for many years!
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