40/40 Training in Zambia - Part 2 (Lusaka)

Each day as we went out into the city for our DFAs, we would meet new people and continue relationships with others made earlier in the week. Each day Jeff and his partner Grant, would go into the compound of Kalikiliki to work among the people.

One of his adventures came early one morning at the bus stop when a young lady began to scream. It turns out there was a green momba. There was also a brave soul there who killed it and then showed it off for the camera.

Jeff and Grant met a man who told them his name was Jacob. Unfortunately, Jacob was an unemployed drunk man, but he was willing to listen to what the guys had to share with him. Each day Jacob would meet with the guys and they would share more. By the end of the week, Jacob had stopped drinking and had found a job. Another interesting point, after telling them his name was Jacob for the first three days on the fourth day, he confessed his name was really Isaac!

Jeff and Grant, along with their helper Austin, had many other opportunities to share with the people of Kalikiliki. On the day our assignment was death and illnesses, Jeff and Grant visited a woman who was dying with AIDS. It was a very tough and sad assignment and the next day the woman died.

Jeff and Grant praying with a family in Kalikiliki.

One day our DFA included eating lunch in the market. The little shops were very small and very hot and the food was very interesting but also very good. Jan’s team had beans, pumpkin leaves cooked with ground peanuts which tasted like creamed spinach. We also had the Zambian staple that they eat at each meal, nshema, ground maize meal cooked in water until stiff. The total cost for all three of us was $15,500 Kwacha or about $4.

Fish cooking in the market.

Nshema

Jan’s partner was Deb and their Zambian helper was Luta Nsofua from the Lamba tribe. They would go each day into the compound of Mutendera to share. Before going out, we were taught some Chechawa greetings.
Muli Bwanji - How are you
Ndili Bwino - I am good
Zikomo Kwambili - Thank you very much
Mwachoma Bwanji - How have you passed the day?
Nachoma Bwino - I have risen well.
Abambo - Sir
Amai - Mama
Papani - Sorry
Lesa - God

One day Jan’s team met a sweet young lady named Carol Kanyemba. She was 20 years old and very pretty. She had been attending the Business College but was now waiting to save enough money to take more classes. Another day, Jan was not feeling well and Carol invited her into her home to rest and visit while the rest of the team continued the assignment. She asked many questions about America and religion while Jan watched her iron her clothes on the table.

On Sunday we divided up into groups and visited different churches throughout the city. Our church was Venture Baptist Fellowship Church, a small church of about 50 people. The church was a block building with a tin roof and very hot. We sat on cement blocks with no backs, men on the left and women on the right. As customary, we as visitors were asked to stand and were greeted with a three clap greeting. There were a few announcements, some hymns, some special music and an offering. This was followed by more songs, scripture reading and a sermon giving by one of the church deacons.

Austin reading the scripture

After the service, everyone exited the church forming a circle and proceeded around the circle shaking the hands of every church member. It is a great tradition.

All the children love to have their picture taken. This is Sarah Maddox showing the children their picture.

After church, we walked to the home of one of the deacons where several ladies had prepared a wonderful lunch for us. We were served chicken, okra, nshema, tomato sauce, pumpkin leaves and eggplant. It was very tasty but the small room was crowded with 12 people and very hot.

Since all eating is done with your fingers, before and after you eat the host will bring around a pitcher of water for each person to rinse off their hands.