“Hear the word of the Lord…” Hosea 4:1

Today we were invited to the United Church of Christ in Twapia by their chairman, and our favorite welder, William. But a funny thing happened on the way…we got a little lost in Twapia. William told us the service was held in the school, but we didn’t know which school. So we stopped and asked, several times, and the directions were always the same – just go this way – and a crooked hand pointing to the right. Finally one man said, “In fact I am going there, and I will take you.” So he hopped in the back seat and led us down one of the worst paths we have traveled on yet. The dirt road was extremely narrow and had deep, deep ruts. We passed churches and homes, and people everywhere. Everyone dressed in their best – many of the men in suits or dress shirts with ties, and the women in beautiful shetanges with matching headdresses. All of this on a very windy day, with the copper colored dust swirling around everyone as they walked to church. But they didn’t seem to notice. Thankfully it wasn’t long before our guide said, “Turn just this way” with another curved hand pointing to the right. And so we had arrived – at the United Church of Zambia. Since we couldn’t call William, and we had no idea how else to find his church, we stayed. Before we could even get out of the car, two young boys were at our side, huge smiles and hands outstretched, greeting us with “mulishani” which means how are you. We responded “bwino, bwino” which means very well, and they giggled, running off into the crowd. As we rounded the corner to enter the church, we saw a procession entering the far left of the church. It was a long line, rounding the opposite corner, softly singing and dancing in a sort of rhythmic rocking motion as they entered the church. We were escorted to our seats by a lovely young woman who greeted us warmly and welcomed us to worship. The procession continued to the front of the church, until all forty members of the choir were in place in front of the congregation. Then they erupted into song. The walls shook, as the leader sang the first words, and the choir echoed in response. I looked around the church, noticing the decorative streamers hanging from the rafters, the smooth concrete floor, and the poster of a white Jesus behind the minister’s lectern. Then it happened. A man knelt beside Ron, and escorted him outside, motioning for me to stay. Very soon he returned to escort me outside. Now we were in trouble, they had asked us to leave the church! They explained this was only to welcome us, and so the secretary could record our names and where we are from, and also to provide an interpreter for us since the entire service is in Bemba. We followed Abraham, a very nice young man back to our seats, where we literally sat shoulder to shoulder for the remaining 2-1/2 hours. The church was filled to capacity. We learned later there were 365 in attendance today. The first part of the service concentrated on songs of praise, and prayers. During the prayers, which lasted quite some time, everyone slipped from their seat to their knees on the concrete floor. Once again I was reminded of the incredible strength we witness each and every day, and the great faith that exists in the communities we visit. In addition to the forty member choir, there were two sub choirs. Each of the smaller choirs had approximately ten members, one comprised entirely of the elderly, who formed a circle in front of the church each time they sang, and the other was young people who raised their hands and voices in worship. The secretary came forward to make the daily announcements, and we were officially welcomed to the service, as she asked us to stand, and the congregation clapped three times, each clap loud and distinct, welcoming us in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Then the main choir began singing again – glorious, strong, harmony. And then the drums came. They brought three huge drums forward, the traditional kind hewn from trees and the tops covered with goat skin, and soon a flat straw shaker filled with seeds joined in. And the choir began dancing – purposefully, each step and hand motion with a meaning. Abraham said they were telling the story of Ezekiel. It was powerful – the beat of the drums, the deep harmony of all those strong voices, the dance, the expressions on their faces, their respect – it was truly Spirit-filled. Then the choir members turned one to face the other, continuing to sing and dance, and then looking to either side, front and behind. Now they were looking for their shepherd. They know he is always near. Then we heard the lessons for the day: Hosea 4:1-7 and James 2:1-13. The offering was of course accompanied by music, and ushers led each row forward to place their offering in a basket, or some who had envelopes placed them in a wooden structure with numbers on the front. This is when we saw our friend Peter Zimba, the chairman from Mansansa. He stopped to greet us briefly as he returned to his seat. How remarkable that we would see him today, at a church so far from his home. Following the offering was the gospel reading of Luke 4:14-21. During all of the readings, the ushers moved throughout the church, holding T-shaped wooden signs with “silent” printed in large red letters on one side and “tondola” on the other, just as a reminder to the congregation to be still and listen to the word of God. The gospel was followed by the sermon. Today’s message was social responsibility, and sharing our gifts. While each man is blessed with a gift, no matter what it is, God has given it to him to share. If his gift is education, then he must share what he has learned. If his gift is wealth, then he must share with those who are suffering in the depths of poverty. If his gift is joy, then he must share with those who are unhappy. The service ended with more tremendous music, the choirs and congregation singing together. Abraham led us outside, immediately following the minister, secretary and those assisting with the service. Once again, we were honored to stand in line with the minister and greet each person as they left the church. The girls curtseyed, and everyone shook our hand in the usual manner – with their left hand under their right arm, one more demonstration of respect. Some spoke English, some Bemba, but they all smiled. We are so blessed in our time here. Although the path may not always be smooth, and the journey may take a detour here and there, we are so richly blessed wherever we go.

We did see William later, explained our dilemma in finding the church, and with his usual huge smile, he said he’ll make sure we find him next Sunday.