“Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” Psalm 100:2

Sunday 3 August 2008

Thomas Bwalya was one of the brick layers working at the OMNI project site last year, and we are blessed to now call him our friend. He stopped last week to welcome us back, and brought the latest addition to his family, Mabel. She was born last October shortly after we left and she is one of the happiest babies I have ever seen. When Thomas stopped to visit he also invited us to attend his church, and so today was our first church service since arriving in Zambia. Thomas and the minister of the church, Pastor Steve Makhoti, arrived at 8am to escort us to their church. A most welcoming gesture, and one of true friendship. The church is at Dag Hammarskjöld, a neighboring community to George. As we drove we talked of many things. We talked about the difficulties of sustaining a church in the bush of Zambia where total weekly donations average 10,000 kwacha (roughly $3). We talked about blessings – that the truest blessing is having Jesus in your heart and walking in His ways. We talked about the differences of living in the United States and Zambia. We talked about strength. The strength of the people of Zambia. The physical strength and the spiritual strength that is so evident here. I said I wished I could have even a fraction of the strength we have witnessed here, both spiritually and physically. Pastor Makhoti responded with “You are a white woman living in the bush of Zambia. You are stronger than you think. And remember Philippians 4:13 – You can do all things through Christ. Your strength, as our strength, comes through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Those wise and kind words were what I needed to hear today, and I thank God for that reminder – that we can do all things through Him.

Then we began the long drive into Dag Hammarskjöld. Now a familiar place, we first drove down the deeply pitted asphalt road, more dirt than asphalt now, lined with tall, tall pines as far as the eye can see. Then onto a dirt road, barren on each side except for the high tension wires and one small stream where a few children were gathered washing. And then onto the dirt path, mostly used as a foot path, with deep ruts and many washed out areas. Homes are few and isolated. They are the typical homes of the villages here – small mud brick homes, one or two rooms, with a thatched roof. As we drove, the path narrowed with each turn, and we made our way past tall elephant grass, winding around trees and huge ant hills (most about 20 feet high). Then we turned onto church “road”. We drove in and around and through church yards until we finally reached Deliverance Everngelist Pentecost Church. As we made the long, difficult drive we discussed with Pastor Makhoti his weekly journey to preach at this church and minister to this congregation. He lives in Masala and takes the bus to the roadside of Dag Hammerskojld. When I say bus, I don’t mean a city bus like we are used to in the United States. This is a mini-bus, overcrowded with people sitting shoulder-to-shoulder, a driver who may or may not have a license, and the bus may or may not have enough fuel, and it very likely might break down on the way to your destination. Once the pastor makes it to the entrance of Dag Hammarskjöld he walks over 15 kilometers to reach his congregation, dressed in a suit and tie, and carrying a case with his Bible and notes. And I am reminded once again that we can do all things through Christ.

When we arrived there was no one else at church. But as I said, homes are far and walks are long. Thomas also explained that many of the women from the congregation were across the river at a coming of age camp for one of the girls in the community. As we entered the church we saw the familiar split log benches, close to the ground and supported by short round stumps. I sat in what I thought to be a sturdy looking bench, the end of the bench embedded into the wall. The roof is constructed of timbers which form cross-supports, then covered with plastic, and finally topped with elephant grass thatching. The sun was hot, and shone through spots where the plastic had been torn away by the wind and weather. The main support for the roof is a tree, a bit off-center, which has been cut into a “Y” shape and holds the cross beam securely in place.

After some time, Pastor Makhoti decided to begin the service even though there were only eight of us present. As honored guests we were invited to sit at the front of the church, sharing a bench with the pastor and one of the church elders. The service, of course, began with singing – Pastor began singing a song of praise and the others joined in. As the song continued, people entered the church. One by one, two by two, adults and children alike walked through the door singing as they entered. Before the song ended those rough benches were full, almost overfull, as our number grew from eight to eighty-eight, and the walls very nearly shook with the power of that song. We were reminded of one of our favorite movies, “The Bishop’s Wife”. In the movie a boy’s choir has been called for practice, but only two boys have come. As they begin singing, an angel in their midst calls in the remaining children with a wave of his hand until all the seats are full and the choir is glorious in its strength and harmony.

Today is a national day of prayer for the President of Zambia, Levy Mwanawasa, as he continues recovering from a stroke in a French hospital. There were many prayers for the return of his good health and a full and speedy recovery, as his death or continuing disability could prove disastrous to the nation, many fearing attempted takeovers by rebels and dissident factions. Prayers that God’s favor may embrace the people of Zambia. Our lesson today was Acts 2:42-47 – the fellowship of believers and the favor of God. We implore God that His favor may grace our lives, and thank God for the favor He has bestowed upon us in so many ways.

Many come forward to offer their testimony of thanksgiving for the gifts and favor God has shown them the past week. We hear thanks for healing, thanks for safe journey, and thanks for the visitors from America who have come to worship with them and share in their joy of the Lord. Members of the congregation also came forward, kneeling on the hard dirt floor, asking for prayers of healing. The congregation was singing in beautiful harmony and the quiet, slow beat of a drum in the background, as Pastor Makhoti laid hands on each person, praying for each according to their need. One young woman went into seizures as demons were exercised from her. Two other women came forward and gently held her arms and tied her chitenge around her feet so she would not hurt herself as she writhed on the dirt floor of the church, shaking violently. When the seizure ended, she was carried from the church unconscious, and the two women cared for her until she was able to return.

There are many, many songs – songs of praise and thanksgiving, songs which tell a Bible story (Moses and the parting of the Red Sea), songs of deliverance, songs begging forgiveness of our sins, songs of salvation and redemption, and songs of the power of faith and God’s grace. The women of the church exit the building, and reenter dancing and singing. They form a circle at the front of the church where they continue singing and dancing, using hand motions to tell a story. The youth of the church form a line, keeping step with their song, and carry the drums and tambourines forward. They form a circle around the drums, singing and marching and asking for God’s guidance. All the while the congregation is singing along in unbelievable harmony, some with hands raised in praise, others clapping in joy. Even Thomas’ nine month old daughter, tied on the back of his older daughter with a chitenge, is laughing and clapping her hands. There is a song about taking the gospel out into the world, sharing the love of Jesus, and making Him known to all. Pastor Makhoti is very animated. With his contagious smile, and holding his Bible high above his head, marches throughout the church singing, demonstrating the way we can bring God’s Word to all the world – walk – march – sing – and proclaim the glory of God to all the nations.

We arrived home again around 2:30 in the afternoon accompanied by Thomas. Worship in Zambia is not an hour long service. It is a day truly dedicated to the Lord. It is joy – it is celebration – it is a lesson in humility – it is a lesson in worship – worshipping with all our hearts, all that we have and all that we are.

(The entire congregation is not pictured, as children scattered to play, and many women were busy preparing food. Pastor Makhoti is next to me, and that’s Thomas next to him, holding his Bible high.)