Last week was one fraught with many details, entanglements, and revisions. The days were very long, and the most challenging we have experienced yet. We felt bombarded with unsettling requests and failed plans. We learned to expect the unexpected, and be surprised by nothing. We were reminded to rely totally on God. Only He knows the plans He has for us. The first upset was Monday morning when my phone was lifted from my waist pack while I was wearing it. Ron and Philemon picked up more blocks this week, and transported them as they always have – the truck loaded and two men sitting against the back window of the cab, on top of the blocks. But Wednesday morning it was straight to jail for Ron which Godfridah (one of our school teachers) summed up this way: “They saw the white face, and just thought, how can he contribute today?” The fine was K54,000 (about $13) and they were told the men’s feet must be on the floor of the truck. They can sit on the blocks, but their feet must be on the floor. We won’t mention the logging trucks with the flimsy chains and six men sitting on top of the logs, or the trucks overloaded with men sitting on the side rails which just pass through the check points. Thursday they made sure the men’s feet were on the floor of the truck but it was off to jail again. This time Foster and I and Brown Banda met Ron and Philemon at the police station. Everyone was really upset because they had done what the previous officer instructed, and still they were impounded. Ron was very upset; Foster even noted that his walk was different. He was storming! Ron saw the officer from the day before and immediately approached her about what was happening. She tried to quickly exit, but Foster and Ron stopped her. So, after some time of all the men arguing the officer in charge released Ron and the truck with no fine. And he did it with a smile. And that is how the week went. Every day, all day long, it seemed nothing went smoothly. If it could go wrong, it did! It seemed we couldn’t find the comfort or solace we so desperately needed. By Saturday night we were totally exhausted – mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Then this morning, still feeling discouraged and overwrought, we made our way to the Twapia Church of Christ which meets at Twapia Basic School at 10 am on Sundays – or whenever the members in charge are able to make their way across the compound, walking to the service. There are many schoolrooms at Twapia Basic School, all holding church services. So, we made our way around the school complex, looking for William and the church service. As we walked past each schoolroom, someone would pop out, greet us, give a puzzled look when we asked for the Church of Christ, then direct us to an empty schoolroom. After about twenty minutes, one man said most definitely they meet over there – William is his friend and he sees him there every Sunday. So, we went back and now there were a few people inside. As we were talking, an elderly gentlemen walking down the dusty path greeted us and said “You must be our visitors. Welcome!” William was in Kitwe at a church conference, but had made arrangements with Elder Ndhlovu to welcome us. And we were definitely welcome here. We sat at school desks which are more like benches, two to a seat. As families arrived, the men separated from their wives and children. All the men were on one side of the room, and the women and children on the other. We were given two hymnals today, the pages worn and tattered, one covered in red velvet, the other in brown wrapping paper – one in Bemba and one in Tonga. Mr. Ndhlovu explained they sing in both languages because their members are not all from the same tribe. So, the service began as they all have, with a few voices, raised in glorious song, praising God. I wish you could hear the music and the resonating voices of this small gathering, and experience the feeling of complete joy and satisfaction that is so evident. Their voices are their only instruments. Everyone sings. Everyone sings out. There is what seems to be a natural, effortless harmony. There is no worry or reluctance. They are praising God. Their music is their gift to God. A young woman with an infant on her back and a toddler at her side, stepped over to make sure we were able to follow in the hymnals. And we were able to follow along, even join in singing. Although we didn’t know the words we were able to fumble through phonetically, and happy to join in their joyous celebration. Elder Ndhlovu graciously preached in English today, and invited an interpreter to translate for the congregation. Today’s lesson was spiritual growth – just as a child does not remain stagnant but grows, so must we who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We can only grow and understand what the Lord wants us to do by reading the scripture. The first reading was Ephesians 4:15. We were reminded that we can’t speak the truth in love if we don’t know the word of God. Everything we need is in the Bible. Whatever we do, love should come first – always. Pray to God for wisdom to understand His word. If you want to eat you must first go to the fields and cultivate, plant and harvest. It is the same with God’s Word – cultivate – plant – harvest. “May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow…” 1Thessalonians 3:12. But it was the reading from Isaiah 40:31 when I knew that God was speaking directly to us: “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.” And Isaiah 41: 10 “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my righteous right hand.” And Elder Ndhlovu told us that while there may be every type of affliction imaginable here on earth, when we stand firm in the Lord, we need fear nothing – where we go He is with us – He will indeed hold us in the palm of His hand – and as He promises we will soar high above. This was the Word we needed to hear. The earth and heavens may pass away but the Lord will hold us up in His victorious right hand. The Lord has invited us to walk forward with Him. Don’t go backward. Be ready whenever He comes. Preaching was followed by singing in Tonga “Sena Ndililembedwe Mo?” (Is My Name Written There?) Next was sharing in the Lord’s Supper. First we read from Luke 22:29-30, John 3:3-5 and Matthew 26:26-28. We then prayed for the bread, we stood and received the Body of Christ from a shiny silver tray which was brought around the room to each person. We prayed for the wine, and received it in the same manner – from tiny plastic cups held on a silver tray. This was followed by Acts 20:35 and the offering, while singing “Bakaleta Zipego” (Something for Jesus). There was a prayer of thanksgiving, and a prayer of blessing. Then we were invited to speak what was on our hearts, and we attempted to convey our gratitude for their warm welcome into their church family, the gracious blessings, and the honor of sharing worship and fellowship with them. We were officially welcomed with a resounding AMEN! Once again, we were invited to be first in the receiving line after the service, and were blessed with the generous smiles and warm, solid handshakes of every person. There was a time of fellowship and gathering, and we were treated like old friends and asked to return. We are so privileged to be here. God is truly leading us where we need to be, where He wants us – every day, but I think most especially on Sundays. We needed to be at Twapia Church of Christ today. We needed to hear the words spoken today, and share in the welcoming fellowship of this Christian community. We are grateful for God’s faithfulness. He is our cornerstone, our comforter, and He stands before us each day with gifts of love. Today was a tremendous gift.
It rained this afternoon – the first rain since we have been here. It was a long, steady, hard rain. It was a cleansing rain. Now it is cooler and the air is clean and fresh.
Then this morning, still feeling discouraged and overwrought, we made our way to the Twapia Church of Christ which meets at Twapia Basic School at 10 am on Sundays – or whenever the members in charge are able to make their way across the compound, walking to the service. There are many schoolrooms at Twapia Basic School, all holding church services. So, we made our way around the school complex, looking for William and the church service. As we walked past each schoolroom, someone would pop out, greet us, give a puzzled look when we asked for the Church of Christ, then direct us to an empty schoolroom. After about twenty minutes, one man said most definitely they meet over there – William is his friend and he sees him there every Sunday. So, we went back and now there were a few people inside. As we were talking, an elderly gentlemen walking down the dusty path greeted us and said “You must be our visitors. Welcome!” William was in Kitwe at a church conference, but had made arrangements with Elder Ndhlovu to welcome us. And we were definitely welcome here. We sat at school desks which are more like benches, two to a seat. As families arrived, the men separated from their wives and children. All the men were on one side of the room, and the women and children on the other. We were given two hymnals today, the pages worn and tattered, one covered in red velvet, the other in brown wrapping paper – one in Bemba and one in Tonga. Mr. Ndhlovu explained they sing in both languages because their members are not all from the same tribe. So, the service began as they all have, with a few voices, raised in glorious song, praising God. I wish you could hear the music and the resonating voices of this small gathering, and experience the feeling of complete joy and satisfaction that is so evident. Their voices are their only instruments. Everyone sings. Everyone sings out. There is what seems to be a natural, effortless harmony. There is no worry or reluctance. They are praising God. Their music is their gift to God. A young woman with an infant on her back and a toddler at her side, stepped over to make sure we were able to follow in the hymnals. And we were able to follow along, even join in singing. Although we didn’t know the words we were able to fumble through phonetically, and happy to join in their joyous celebration. Elder Ndhlovu graciously preached in English today, and invited an interpreter to translate for the congregation. Today’s lesson was spiritual growth – just as a child does not remain stagnant but grows, so must we who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We can only grow and understand what the Lord wants us to do by reading the scripture. The first reading was Ephesians 4:15. We were reminded that we can’t speak the truth in love if we don’t know the word of God. Everything we need is in the Bible. Whatever we do, love should come first – always. Pray to God for wisdom to understand His word. If you want to eat you must first go to the fields and cultivate, plant and harvest. It is the same with God’s Word – cultivate – plant – harvest. “May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow…” 1Thessalonians 3:12. But it was the reading from Isaiah 40:31 when I knew that God was speaking directly to us: “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.” And Isaiah 41: 10 “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my righteous right hand.” And Elder Ndhlovu told us that while there may be every type of affliction imaginable here on earth, when we stand firm in the Lord, we need fear nothing – where we go He is with us – He will indeed hold us in the palm of His hand – and as He promises we will soar high above. This was the Word we needed to hear. The earth and heavens may pass away but the Lord will hold us up in His victorious right hand. The Lord has invited us to walk forward with Him. Don’t go backward. Be ready whenever He comes. Preaching was followed by singing in Tonga “Sena Ndililembedwe Mo?” (Is My Name Written There?) Next was sharing in the Lord’s Supper. First we read from Luke 22:29-30, John 3:3-5 and Matthew 26:26-28. We then prayed for the bread, we stood and received the Body of Christ from a shiny silver tray which was brought around the room to each person. We prayed for the wine, and received it in the same manner – from tiny plastic cups held on a silver tray. This was followed by Acts 20:35 and the offering, while singing “Bakaleta Zipego” (Something for Jesus). There was a prayer of thanksgiving, and a prayer of blessing. Then we were invited to speak what was on our hearts, and we attempted to convey our gratitude for their warm welcome into their church family, the gracious blessings, and the honor of sharing worship and fellowship with them. We were officially welcomed with a resounding AMEN! Once again, we were invited to be first in the receiving line after the service, and were blessed with the generous smiles and warm, solid handshakes of every person. There was a time of fellowship and gathering, and we were treated like old friends and asked to return. We are so privileged to be here. God is truly leading us where we need to be, where He wants us – every day, but I think most especially on Sundays. We needed to be at Twapia Church of Christ today. We needed to hear the words spoken today, and share in the welcoming fellowship of this Christian community. We are grateful for God’s faithfulness. He is our cornerstone, our comforter, and He stands before us each day with gifts of love. Today was a tremendous gift.
It rained this afternoon – the first rain since we have been here. It was a long, steady, hard rain. It was a cleansing rain. Now it is cooler and the air is clean and fresh.
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