Why do we never cease to become excited when we see a rainbow?
Mweende Kabotu
Gene and Darlene Wingert
eugene.wingert@gmail.com
Gene and Darlene Wingert are serving as Hosts at the Nahumba Guest House in Choma, Zambia. Gene is the Financial Secretary for Brethren in Christ (BIC) World Missions in Zambia
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Settling In
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| Our new "home in the rain" |
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| When the rains come, plowing begins |
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)
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
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.
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.
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