22 May 2011

A Look at Village Life... Part 6

May 5

Last full day. Bittersweet really. We are definitely looking forward to being home with a double bed and indoor toilet and fat, healthy dog, but will also definitely miss the joy and love and selflessness and peace here… sitting and reading and writing and praying and resting; going to be when we’re tired and getting up when we wake up; having nothing on the schedule other than casual visits to new friends; having fresh water from a deep bore hole; helping with simple tasks like sorting beans and preparing vegetables; listening to Mrs. Yanjisha as she sings and hums her way through her daysl and seeing a seemingly new desire they have to read the Buku wa Lesa (Bible) after seeing us do the same.

We could never repay the community here for their generosity and hospitality, yet they seem to be the grateful ones – simply because we’re here. We went to visit the Yanjishas’ daughter this morning, and snacked on freshly steamed pumpkin. Apparently people don’t sell pumpkin in Lubofo. If they have it they share it. It seems that way with a lot of things. Money is rarely exchanged – it is much more efficient to trade a chicken for a puppy or groundnuts for maize. They care for the community, like giving half a cabbage to an older woman who stopped by or the awesome way they support so many children through school. And when someone has a visitor (like us), all their friends give gifts of food in appreciation and to help. The Yanjishas have a lot of friends. And every time we go to visit the friends to thank them for a chicken or beans or vegetables, they send us home with more.

These people are missionaries, sharing God’s love and goodness. I’m afraid to see what happens as this area becomes more “developed.” Some might say the people here are living in poverty, but I think they’re the richest people I’ve met… and they’re so self-sustaining in their work, rarely needing to go to town for food or other things we would call “necessities.” They grow everything they need and if they don’t, one of the neighbors does. It’s beautiful really: this place, the people, the joyous contentment. If only we could all be so lucky.

20 May 2011

A Look at Village Life... Part 5

May 4

So I just “preached” for the Lubofu church’s women’s meeting. I told Mrs. Yanjisha that I don’t preach – I just talk and share. Anyway, it was interesting because Mrs. Berendsen was interpreting for me. Seems like that went okay. I found myself analyzing my talk afterward – was there enough about Christ? Did I connect everything? Did they get it? Did I use too many verses? But that’s just the me coming out. I spoke about God’s beauty in creation – the promises he makes in scripture that are shown in the sky (Abram – in the multitude of stars; Noah – the rainbow) and how those proimises were for us as well. I shared from Psalm 19 and encouraged them that no matter what developments and man-made treasures are available, to keep their focus on Heavenly treasure. I also encouraged them to gaze upon God’s beauty in the stars and the sun and the rainbows and in each other. He created us women as beautiful creations. He also created us as Christians to shine more and more brightly until the SON shines in full glory at His return.

Afterward I realized that this is ministry – sharing our hearts, helping chop vegetables and sweep floors; taking chairs when offered and allowing people to serve us; sorting beans; visiting; and sharing the Word of God in the midst of it all.

A Look at Village Life... Part 4

May 3

Apparently rats don’t bite here. I hardly believe it, but it still would have been good to hear at midnight when I heard a noise, turned on my flashlight, and saw one scurry across the room. It also would have been good a little while later when I saw the second one. I definitely did not sleep well last night – and because I didn’t, Luke didn’t either. The Yanjishas tried to reassure me that the rats won’t bother me, but only want bread and maize. Yeah right. Even so, they said we can keep the cat inside tonight so if there are any rats, she can take care of them. I was seriously ready to pack my bag and go somewhere… somehow. I counted down the hours until the sun would come up and the days until we would leave. Around 2:30, I lay there praying, asking God why in the world he created rats, and begging Him to keep the rats away until this stay is over. Apparently that was what I needed to do, because sometime after that I fell asleep and slept fairly soundly the rest of the night. I’m still considering sleeping with a candle lit tonight.

So I’ve been reading through Proverbs on the corresponding day of the week. Today I was reading Proverbs 3 and 21-26 are about having sound judgment and having no fear when you lie down – that when you lie down your sleep will be sweet and you can have confidence in the Lord with no fear of sudden disaster. I guess that worked. :)

A Look at Village Life... Part 3

May 2

One week done. I’m not dying to leave, but definitely look forward to getting home… not sharing a single bed; not going out in the dark to use the bathroom; not worried about rats eating my bread… not having to eat bread every morning; washing my hair well and plucking my eyebrows. I’m so American it’s pathetic.

This morning Mrs. Yanjisha said something about how it would be great if we stayed six months. At least we’re not a burden, but I feel bad and ungrateful wanting to be back to the creature comforts most of the people here have never seen or tasted. The fresh air, the simplicity, the time to read and listen and learn… Most of all, the humility here is humbling – almost embarrassing because I know we don’t know how to give like people here do. We don’t know how to show our gratitude and appreciation. We don’t know the sacrifice others are making for us, and selfishly we’re talking of what we will do/eat/etc when we get home. We’ve had three different people bring us chickens! And we’ve hardly lifted a finger. It’s humbling. We’ve also learned so much.

This morning we watched people make bricks from the soil. I’ve learned to de-string and cut pumpkin leaves without a cutting board (and learned to like them). I’ve learned about milling and harvest and washing. I’ve made Avanti’s style bread three times now despite the rats chewing through the flour bag. I’ve taught my methods for cooking okra and rape and learned how to cook in an “oven” that is really a metal bucket in which you put charcoal and then cover with a metal slab with more charcoal on top of it. I’ve practiced the art of visiting and helped others with their English as they’ve helped us with our Kikaonde.

What it most interesting is watching (and hearing about) the interaction with kids. Yesterday, some people came from Mukinge looking to pick up an extremely bright young lady (about 12 years old) and put her back in school and give her a future. Apparently she was married off – secretly – in the past week or so, so they couldn’t take her back to the school. The “husband” is only 14 or 15. Apparently, the laws here say a girl must be 16 and a guy 18, but in the village, sometimes anything goes. I can’t fathom being married at 12. I was so scared of my own changing body – to share that with a man at that age is unimaginable, and to think of setting up a home and caring for a family is just crazy to me! Really, it’s sad, because there were other Zambians who wanted to invest in her future and see her escape the grasps of poverty and oppression that traps so many.

14 May 2011

A Look at Village Life... Part 2

April 29
…Even though it’s peaceful and fun in many ways, I still find myself counting down the days until we return to Solwezi. There’s just something about being in your own bed and own kitchen and somewhat in control of your own schedule and not worried about miscommunicating or offending. There’s also something wonderful about a shower. Heck, even a bathtub would be great. I washed my hair again by dunking my head completely in a bucket of water. Fun stuff. In a week I’ll be a pro.

Luke’s stomach is bothering him today. It worries me a bit because at lunch yesterday they served us meat from the night before – which they had just left in the pot in a cabinet without re-heating. We did have beans last night, though, so it may just be gas…

… People here are definitely showing appreciation – bringing chickens and okra and bananas and all sorts of stuff to welcome us as visitors. We have no idea what we should do to show our gratitude. The sacrifices people here are making for us are incredible and really humbling. I am too selfish to be so selfless! But, as Proverbs 28:27 says, “He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.” Lord, help me to have a giving heart and to be able to discern how much to give, how much to do, who to help, and most of all, how to glorify and amplify you in the process.

April 30
Last night we woke up to a rat in the room. I jumped back and all night found myself turning a flash light on and looking around…

But there are really good things too. Last night all the kids actually came inside with us after dinner and we played UNO. Surprisingly that is one game that does not require everyone to speak the same language. It was fun to see the kids so excited and Mrs. Yanjisha has an awesome laugh and smile. She is always singing and humming. Life is so simple, yet so incredibly happy.

The kids are creating new toys, like a full oxen and cart set from clay and twigs. They also shoot homemade pellets with slingshots. Yesterday, one of the kids hit a pretty tropical bird and the Yanjishas asked me if I ate that kind of bird and if I wanted them to cook it. Eeeek! I said I don’t know and I think they could tell by my face it wasn’t a good idea.

Today we helped crush stones for their church’s new foundation (talk about humbling!). This afternoon we went and watched a couple of village “futbol” games. It was a nice mix up from just sitting at the house. Some of the Yanjisha grandkids have really taken to Luke and he had one on his shoulders the whole time.

It rained a bit and afterward there was a great rainbow. I may never get used to the incredible skies here – rainbows, sunsets, and the most amazing star-filled nights. In the book I’m reading (Lover of My Soul), it talks of how God often communicates to us as his bride – with sweet whispers to draw us close, not loud shouts or giant storms. We have to listen for those whispers and gaze upon His splendor. We can’t always look for the “use” of something, trying to capture the stars in a photo for others or find purpose other than taking in God’s beauty and goodness.

A Look at Village Life... part 1

There is so much to say after spending two weeks in the village, and yet so much of it would seem frivolous or dramatized. So rather than try to summarize or explain or anything of the sort, I’m going to just go straight from the heart, including excerpts from journal entries written during our time in Lubofu. As it was holiday time there – just before the harvest started – there was a lot of time to sit and think and write. Some of it is silly, and some a little more serious. I’ll give you a little glimpse of our thoughts…

April 26
… We pee into a hole in the ground. Granted, I’ve gotten used to this at Lusa and elsewhere, but I just went into the little house that surrounds said hole, and the flies were crazy. We’re talking you start to go, and all the flies fly out and up. Yeah. Awesome. Think horror movie – I thought they might eat me. I may cut back on my water intake, or start going to the bathroom in the bushes…

April 27
Mrs. Yanjisha asked me what I am writing, and we tried to explain about journaling and how our culture is a written culture whereas theirs’ is oral. She has asked me about recipes for this and that, and I don’t have a clue without being able to look them up! They seem to remember so much more and memorize songs and verses more easily. I think what really continues to amaze me is how innovative people – especially kids – are here. They were filling a battery with acid and one of the kids made a funnel from a leaf. They are constantly creating toys and tools from scraps of this and that and things from nature. It is also amazing how young the children are when they start working and helping at home. The kids are fetching water and cleaning and cooking and farming and caring for (and killing) animals. They sleep in a small house separate from the adults and never eat with the adults.

Typically in the village the kids live in a small house by the grandparents’ house once they are 7 or 8 years old; the Yanjishas have 5-9 kids living “with” them at any given time – all grandkids, and kids of their nephews and nieces. The kids have an incredible respect for elders and seem so easily satisfied and entertained.

It’s very different from the kids – and especially teens – in town. Those teens in town have been exposed to western thought and dress and rebellion has really taken its hold. That and they’re not busy working in the fields. We worry about seeing this culture disappear as Zambia becomes more developed. A mine is being built nearby here. It will change everything. The road won’t be safe to walk down freely as it is now, and it will be so much louder and easier. It might bring jobs, but is it a good thing? Are we destroying a lifestyle of peace and contentment by bringing more, bigger, “better?”

The Yanjisha’s farm is amazing. The work ethic and love of God is incredible. Yes, we (westerners) needed to bring the gospel, but it seems we’ve brought so much rubbish along with it. How much is helpful? How much is needed? At what point are we polluting (or crippling from giving handouts) a beautiful, peaceful, happy culture? Perhaps we should have Zambians come to the US to teach people like us how to work hard, love life and want less. If only…