Christmas In Zambia

December 25, 2010

Sitting in the yard under the trees watching a blue jay sized bird with an iridescent blue green back and a red cap enter a knot hole in a tree to feed its young.  (No pictures because the camera was dropped and is quite dead.)

Glad tidings of great joy to all peoples from Zambia where it doesn't look anything like Christmas as we know it in North America.

Our Christmas Day began at 5:30 AM as we joined our family and friends at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church via Skype for their 11:00 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion Service. We were able to sit out under the trees, serenaded by birds, as a clear African morning dawned while they were concluding their day in darkness lit by candlelight. It was wonderful to almost be there in person as we experienced the service and greeted lots of friends afterwards who were quite surprised to realize that we were communicating "live."

While we were on line, we downloaded a Christmas album via Itunes - a gift from Sam Kibler - and brought it home to play.  Somehow we had missed loading this album into our Ipod in the States but now we could play our traditional Christmas morning rendering of "Joy to the World."

Then we had just enough time to get ready for the Christmas service here at the Nahumba BIC church.  It began with singing a bit after 9:30 AM and continued until 12:30 when a sumptuous meal of rice, mixed vegetables, chicken and broth was served followed by a variety of cake and cookies, most of which were baked by Darlene and Emma - a project which consumed all of yesterday. Seems there is a tradition here of a Christmas Day meal and collections of money are made to buy provisions which various people then prepare for the meal. Imagine our surprise when 14 pounds of flour,10 pounds of sugar, plus margarine, eggs, milk and baking powder were delivered to our house with the instructions simply, "Bake cake."  So she and Emma dug up some recipes and spent the entire day baking cake and cookies.  By evening they had still not used up all the supplies but had plenty of baking done.

The service was indeed "Christmas" with several songs of the season mixed in with others which were definitely appropriate to the message of the coming of our Savior. A drama was presented by the young children which touched on all they key elements of the Christmas story including Mary giving birth to the baby Jesus - a teddy bear for this purpose. The pre-teen choir, led by a dynamic member of the group who faithfully mimicked the enthusiastic directing of Zambian men, did a rousing version of "Joy to the World" followed later by an encore in which the congregation was also invited to sing.  Overall, we sang this piece 5 times.  Then there were several music groups which comprise the bulk of the services here.  Pastor Konayuma preached an excellent message from the Luke 2 text of the angels appearance to the shepherds developing these points -

-       Christ's coming is good news of great joy bringing love, joy, peace and unity

-       Christ's coming was as a Savior to all peoples

-       Christ was not born in a respectable place.  He is not born in respectable people but in needy people and He changes them.

-       Christ receives glory when we receive Him and tell the good news by living the new life.  Then there is glory to God in the highest.

We returned home mid-afternoon, rejoicing in the glory of the day but wiped out and took a great nap!

In other news:

We're in what is known as the "rainy season" in contrast to the "dry season."  When we were in Zambia in 2008 in September, we never saw a drop of rain, just one small cloud in the sky and everything, except the Jacaranda trees, was brown. Now we have clouds every day.  Sometimes just passing cumulous and other times, heavy overcast and rain punctuated by heavy thundershowers.  This Christmas Day is sunny and warm.  Everything is green and growing very fast. Several times now there have been beautiful evenings as the sun breaks through the clouds in the west and just lights up everything with a soft glow.

Last week Gene offered storage space to BIC Compassion Ministries for some corn meal which needed to be stored until distribution could be made.  What he didn't realize at the time was that "some cornmeal" was a whole truck load of 50 pound sacks and that they would need help unloading it.  So he spent the better part of an hour helping to carry sacks of breakfast meal into the store room. Quite a work out.

Last week we picked 2 dozen lemons from the tree in our yard which will be turned into juice and frozen.  We're also watching mangoes and avocados  ripen, and bananas growing.  From time to time we get a few strawberries from the patch in the garden.  Yesterday Gene planted some green beans, carrots and soybeans.  We'll see how gardening goes here.  The soil requires a lot of enrichment and we've begun composting everything we can. 

We're having quite an adventure receiving phone calls and visits from people we don't know seeking information regarding things about which we know nothing.  So we ask our own questions, usually of others, and gradually we begin to put the pieces of the puzzle together. There are a lot different "projects" (i.e., western assistance) going through this office. Some are designed by the Zambian church and assistance is requested, some are long-standing subsidies that come from BIC missions, some are the result of a pastor making a plea to an individual in America and receiving assistance.  Some come into being because an American visiting here perceived a particular need and desired to help.  We then become the channel for this aid.  Some goes to individuals, some goes to churches, some goes to Zambian BIC ministries.  So, it's a challenge to learn all the nuances of these and to keep track of them.  We can see the day coming when we'll have more of a handle on this and we can turn our attention to other ministry.

One of the people we're handling sponsorship money for is a lady who teaches in a school for children with disabilities.  She is continuing her education in this area with a vision and deep passion for helping the Zambian BIC church give greater attention to this particular "vulnerable population."  We're excited about our growing relationship with her and the vision she has.

We're trying to really cut back on the 2K  trips into town, not just to save Kwacha but to save the vehicle and ourselves.  It is extremely rough, filled with serious potholes and several gullies across the road. With the rains here now, the road is steadily being taken apart.  One of these days we won't be able to get out.

Well, we do wish you a very blessed Christmas and may Christ be born anew in your lives as you remember His  coming among us in the form of a servant.

Mweende kabotu (Travel well)

Gene and Darlene
eugene.wingert@gmail.com

A Sign in the Sky

Why do we never cease to become excited when we see a rainbow?

Mweende Kabotu
Gene and Darlene Wingert
eugene.wingert@gmail.com

Settling In

Our new "home in the rain"

When the rains come, plowing begins

We're now into the second phase of our Journey here as we begin to put down roots. On 16 November we took Marian to the Livingstone Airport for her departure with Gene doing his first driving here. The trip went fine and he managed to stay on the left side of the road. The only glitch was in Livingstone where he turned onto a one-way street and we were immediately met by a chorus of "One way!" from a group of taxi drivers. The situation was quickly remedied and we were back where we needed to be.

Upon arrival back home we began the process of moving from the Guest House into the main house which we anticipate will be our home for the next two years.

We've been settling in, learning the people in the neighborhood, getting acquainted with our domestic help and generally figuring out how to do life in this setting.  Gene has spent a lot of time putting the pieces of the Financial Secretary work together.  Marian's last days here were so filled with people stopping in to say "Farewell" that a considerable bit of anticipated orientation didn't occur.  So we're working through it now.  We're thankful for  for Marian's willingness to respond to our cries for help via email.  One of the issues left hanging was getting his signature on the bank account but that was finally resolved on Thursday.  He was also able to finally get his work permit the previous weekend.  The only item yet to do is get our ID card once the local officials return from registering people in the "bush" (remote villages) at year's end.

We're enjoying the enthusiastic and free-spirited atmosphere of the Sunday services here at the Nahumba BIC church where we will be attending.  There's just nothing like the solid sound of African voices lifted in praise to Jesus.  Perhaps we can attach a video or audio clip to this blog once we record some of the singing. Oh yes, yesterday Gene worshiped with a dog sleeping at his feet during the service.

Friday morning we learned that Bishop Hamukang'andu's wife's brother, Silas, had died.  We knew earlier in the week that this was expected.  Gene changed his plans for the day and drove several of the local women up to the compound of Zambia Sugar at Mazabuka, several hours away, for the funeral.  The day was long, there were people to care for and he ended up driving home into the setting sun and before long it was dark and he drove most of the way at night, arriving home around 8:30.  Gene: "I don't think I have ever prayed more or felt more vulnerable than in that setting.  The glare from oncoming traffic (there seemed to be an unusual amount of vehicles),  people, animals and vehicles immediately at road-side, partially on the road, or on the road, the absence of distinct lines on the left hand edge of the road all combined to make it the most horrendous driving experience I've ever had.  And get this - if you forget to lower your headlights and the oncoming vehicle blinks you, when you lower yours, they put theirs back on HIGH and blast you the whole way!  A great assurance during the journey was the specific prayer of the one who gave the closing prayer at the funeral for 'God's angels to surround all those who will be driving their vehicles back home.'  We arrived without incident and gave glory to God. I have decided that I will not drive beyond Choma at night.  There is just too much risk." 

The funeral itself was an amazing experience.  First of all there is a whole lot more vocal expression of grief than in our discreet American setting.  However, it was evident that the wailing was not of the desperate, hopeless variety that one hears from those who have no faith in Jesus Christ.  At the cemetery there was a large open pavilion next to the grave area and the THIRD service of the day was still being conducted there while the several hundred people of our group began to arrive for the service.  When they moved out, taking the casket to the grave, then our service began.  We knew that people were dying in large numbers here due to AIDS but to actually see the scale of it in this setting was striking.

There were four more open graves already dug even as we were burying.  Once the casket was in the ground, young men covered it with earth and the ladies choir surrounded the grave mound and sang while they gently patted it.  Then, in turn, various groups, family, co-workers, church members were called to place flowers on the grave. While all this was going on at the graveside, a lady moved among the crowd collecting money for the family.

And so it goes.  Much new to experience. Much to learn. Much to receive from the people of this land.

Mweende kabotu (Travel well)

Transition

November 10, 2010
Nahumba, Choma

Well here we are, settling in and working to absorb all of the things and all the people info we need to know to get started. Much more will follow. So far we’re doing well. Our trip from the US was uneventful and entry into the country went smoothly although Gene was not able to obtain his working papers.

For now we are living in the Guest House next to our future residence until the current hostess, Marian Buckwalter, departs for the States, so it’s somewhat of a “suitcase” environment but it’s working fine.

Darlene spends time with Marian in the kitchen and around the house and Gene works some with Marian on the books and then does entries on his own and “looks over Marian’s shoulders” as she goes about meeting people and disbursing funds. We’ve also had splendid conversations with others who have given us critical information and perspective for our time here.

Yssterday we bid a tearful farewell to Esther Spurrier, Country Representative and the one to whom we report, who is leaving the country on a permanent basis. This will leave a big hole in our support/information system. Ron and Erma Herr, who live next door and have been in Zambia for many years are also leaving in the next week or two but will be returning in January. Marian leaves a week from today. Oh yes, today our housekeeper, Emma, learned that a relative has passed away and she will be off for the next three or four days.

On the “plus” side of the ledger, Mr. Mudenda and Mr. Mafelomale, who were with us at Sikalongo two years ago, are now here. We’ve also met a delightful SALTer (Serving and Learning Together), Stephanie who is living in our community here with one of the national families. And, through the kindness of Ron and Erma Herr, we’ve been able to connect with a Baptist couple who are running a 2000 acre farm next door.

On Sunday we participated in our first worship service in our new country. Wonderful, whole-hearted singing was followed by the message from the head teacher at the school on II Kings 6 and 7 reminding us that “lowly people have the privilege to feast on the abundance of God’s gifts and in their rejoicing to share those gifts with others, even to those who look down on them and scorn them.”

Weather-wise we are coming to the close of the dry season and rains have begun. In fact, we have had little bits of rain for the first three days we were here and saw some huge thunderstorms which missed us. Sikalongo has had roofs blown off. Sunday night there was a very strong wind, almost a gale, but very little rain fell. Monday afternoon and evening we had rain which lasted several hours and this morning people started to plow the soft earth. It’s hot but not unbearably so. However, full sun protection is needed when we’re outside for more than a few minutes. The Jacaranda trees have already lost their bloom but the Flamboyants are incredible.

The major challenge facing us right now is getting our work permit, identity card and authorization to do business and sign checks with the bank. Here’s our story. When we arrived in Lusaka we went straight to Immigration to see if our working papers were approved. They had been approved but were not yet ready for pick-up. So we left without them believing that the 30 days on our visa would give ample time to obtain them. However, when Marian and Gene went to the Bank to get his signature authorized we learned that working papers were required as well as the national ID card (which we were told was available here in Choma). So today we went to the local registration office, prepared with water and reading material to stand in line for hours, only to learn that they didn’t have any international ID cards and we would have to go to Lusaka or Livingstone to obtain them. So, now we wait for confirmation from Lusaka that our working papers are ready for pick up, then we make a trip ASAP and get our national ID card at the same time.

Please pray that these details will all come together so that our work here will not be hindered.

We are both healthy, well-fed and well-rested but we do get weary with the newness (every move is intentional), the amount of information to be absorbed and the emotional drain that goes with so many people in substantial transition, including ourselves.

Please pray that we will continue to be sustained in this transition.

Imminent Departure

We're packed and ready to go! Our flight leaves Dulles International at 7:30 AM on Tuesday morning arriving at Lusaka, Zambia at 12:30 on Wednesday. So we're spending some quality time with family and particularly with our new and first grandson, Kyden.

Be well; do God's work; keep in touch
Eugene Wingert
eugene.wingert@gmail.com

We're Grandparents!!

Not long after we had set our time for traveling to Zambia (September 21) we learned that we were to become grandparents for the first time a few weeks after our departure.  Our son Tim and Jess were expecting on October 24.  While we were prepared to stay with our original commitments, we immediately began explorations to see if it might be possible to delay the start of our service in Zambia. Through the generosity of Marian Buckwalter, who has been serving in the roles that we'll be assuming, we were able to move our start date to November 3 thus, hopefully, giving us the opportunity to be here at least for the arrival of the baby and have a few days to get acquainted before we leave.

On Sunday afternoon, October 10, we had just returned from a weekend visit to the Hollowell BIC church when the phone rang.  It was Tim and his first words were "Hi Grandpa!"  What a surprise since we weren't  expecting this news quite this soon.  Jess and baby Kyden were both doing well and we're all rejoicing in his safe arrival - well ahead of time.

Monday afternoon we were blessed to be with Tim, Jess and Kyden at the West Chester hospital, along with our daughter Sara.  We all had a great time holding and welcoming the newborn into our family.

Grandpa and Grandma

Aunt Sara and Grandma

Happy Parents

We're quite excited about beginning this new phase of life but it will be with some sense of reluctance that we leave for Zambia so soon.  Nevertheless, we're getting a lot of quality face time with them during our final days in the states.
 
See More of Kyden