Some things are so different here than in the U.S. Intermittent power, clean water, lots of bugs and big snakes. Deadly snakes. Fences made from elephant grass which grows taller than most people, laundry done by hand in a bucket on the back porch in cold water. But there is also so much we have in common that it reminds me of the Church today. I see mothers playing kissy face with their babies, reaching out eagerly for children vitamins for their toddlers. I see girls having their hair braided and combed by older sisters and mothers, boys kicking a soccer ball around the field and I know this isn't different from back home. Zambians have a different culture, but their innate sense of loving their children and wanting what is best for them is universal.
So it is with the Church. Here a church service is so different than back home. Different language, different seating arrangements with the women on the right and the men on the left. Communion bread is anything from baked hard flat bread bits, to store bought crackers. Communion wine is usually just that,wine, diluted with water that may or may not be from a clean bore hole. Sometimes we only have one cup for the whole church. Not because of some theological interpretation but rather because that is all they have. There is always a "program " that is announced at the beginning of the service including those who will be participating in the worship. Zambians love order and announced programs for any event,even church. So would you feel at home in this Church service as you do at home? Should you? Is the intent of worship to feel at home? Is the worship meant to make us feel comfortable ? I would rather suggest that it is to see how glorious is the variety of God. How we can be different in the manner of worship and still be brothers and sisters. In this 200th anniversary of Campbell's Declaration the one thing I remember reading is the statement" Christians only, but not the only Christians". He said that the test of fellowship was belief in Jesus as God's son and our savior. That we should embrace and accept each other as Jesus accepted and embraced us. So as we worship in village churches, school classrooms, and open fields let us model the similarities not the differences. This will allow God to have what he desired most of all.....one in Jesus.
In Him we still live
Don and Laura
Monday, January 26, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
God always goes before us
In Exodus Moses says to God: " If your presence will not go , do not carry us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us. In this way we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth"
Don and I are once again in Zambia at Namwianga Mission. Truly we are so blessed by God because He has gone before us through this entire last year. The last blog was my frantic voice to God to once again save us. He did that in more than one way. Yes, all of the biopsy was negative for cancer. It was scar tissue from the radiation. So we proceeded to really enjoy the Christmas holiday with our family and friends. Once again the body of Christ reached out to us and shared their homes with us. One of our daughters, Kierstyn, has a friend who was going to be out of town during the holiday, visiting family. She and her husband graciously offered their home for the week of Christmas. This wonderful gift allowed us to have all of our daughters and their families together in one place. This was the first time in 13 years that this has happened. It was great. Hectic, busy and wonderful. Thanks Lora and Dave Hutson. But we have been the recipient of so many of these gifts. Ronnie McQueen and Ellie Hamby in Abilene loaned us cars, and places to stay while Don was going through the tests. Isn't God great as he draws all the believers together to help each other.
So now we are here, right where God wants us to be. It is warm and rainy and there is much to do. The hospital proceeds toward becoming inpatient. Right now we are asking for prayers for God to raise up a doctor. We really need one to come, American, Zambian or whoever God will send. Please lift this up . We have opened the mother's shelter for all who live to far to come once they go into labor. I have had one almost delivery with the Mom arriving in an oxcart. That ended well, but we don't want any more of that. Just last month we had a mom deliver triplets on the side of the road on her way her. G0d protected them all, and they made it here. But that sort of thing would happen less and more babies and Mom's would have healthy, clean deliveries if they are staying in our shelter as they near the date of delivery and could then just walk across the yard to the labor and delivery ward.
Don is so busy with the business office as Namwianga school year begins. He is working with tow great Zambians, Peter and Davies. He is teaching them management skills and priority setting. We love the people here and look forward to interacting as we all serve Jesus. Please keep us in your prayers.
In Him
\ Don and Laura
Don and I are once again in Zambia at Namwianga Mission. Truly we are so blessed by God because He has gone before us through this entire last year. The last blog was my frantic voice to God to once again save us. He did that in more than one way. Yes, all of the biopsy was negative for cancer. It was scar tissue from the radiation. So we proceeded to really enjoy the Christmas holiday with our family and friends. Once again the body of Christ reached out to us and shared their homes with us. One of our daughters, Kierstyn, has a friend who was going to be out of town during the holiday, visiting family. She and her husband graciously offered their home for the week of Christmas. This wonderful gift allowed us to have all of our daughters and their families together in one place. This was the first time in 13 years that this has happened. It was great. Hectic, busy and wonderful. Thanks Lora and Dave Hutson. But we have been the recipient of so many of these gifts. Ronnie McQueen and Ellie Hamby in Abilene loaned us cars, and places to stay while Don was going through the tests. Isn't God great as he draws all the believers together to help each other.
So now we are here, right where God wants us to be. It is warm and rainy and there is much to do. The hospital proceeds toward becoming inpatient. Right now we are asking for prayers for God to raise up a doctor. We really need one to come, American, Zambian or whoever God will send. Please lift this up . We have opened the mother's shelter for all who live to far to come once they go into labor. I have had one almost delivery with the Mom arriving in an oxcart. That ended well, but we don't want any more of that. Just last month we had a mom deliver triplets on the side of the road on her way her. G0d protected them all, and they made it here. But that sort of thing would happen less and more babies and Mom's would have healthy, clean deliveries if they are staying in our shelter as they near the date of delivery and could then just walk across the yard to the labor and delivery ward.
Don is so busy with the business office as Namwianga school year begins. He is working with tow great Zambians, Peter and Davies. He is teaching them management skills and priority setting. We love the people here and look forward to interacting as we all serve Jesus. Please keep us in your prayers.
In Him
\ Don and Laura
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