Days 1-4 Review

Karen Baumberger

There is little in comparison to the amazing feeling you get when you hear the beautiful Zambian voices singing in perfect harmony and having the sounds resonate throughout a small cinderblock room.  The singing comes right from the soul with no inhibition.   I feel so free when I am here in Zambia which makes me wonder what inhibits me at home.  I realize here how reserved we are in the U.S. 

The second day here Paul and I facilitated a workshop.  Our trip is unique because our group from CPC consists of 4 mothers and their daughters as well as Paul with his daughter.  We thought we would have Zambian mothers with their daughters in the workshop along with us.  It was a bit of a surprise when we got to the room to find pastors, pastor’s wives and their sons!   When here, you never really know what is going to happen.  A day can be planned, but could easily do a 360 on you.  The saying of  ‘we are on African time’ is very true.   Things just seem to start when they start even if it was supposed to start an hour earlier.  I wonder if this way of life runs into business?

The workshop was a nice way to start the week.  We gained a perspective of societal challenges and family challenges that we most likely would not have gained had we not had the discussions.  We heard feedback such as “This day has changed my life”, “I realize I need to spend more time with my daughter”  The hopes and dreams of the Zambian and American parents for the children were basically the same; have a good education, be healthy, happy, God loving,  and to give back to the community (Zambians said, “Be a blessing to the community and family”) .    Both Zambian and American children found that their interests for their parents were similar – happy, long life, and to be secure.   The workshop was the beginning of a relationship that would continue into another day where we spent the entire day together.  Overall it was a great day of sharing and an opportunity to learn more about each other. 

The third day we visited schools which are run by the churches.  The government run schools can have 80-100 children in a classroom!  The private church-run schools have 20-25 students.   The churches here do so much to help the community.  They not only minister, but they run schools,  find vulnerable children (double orphan, HIV+, or just not being cared for properly) and ensure they are well fed and go to school.  Zambia is a Christian nation and it is actually written in the constitution.  This fact enables churches to be change agents.   The pastors are leaders in the community and have the opportunity to help.

Sustainability is critical towards success.  Though the poor give a financial offering in church (which is quite amazing), the church cannot do all of the great things they do unless they identify a way to be self sustaining.  The Jubilee Center provided the funds (through CPC) to build a store.  The profits of the store have enabled the feeding program (huge lunch of nshima, chicken and vegetables) to operate 3 days a week and feed 120 children.  As our Zambian friends would say, “AMEN!”

Later in the day I was able to meet Enoch for the third time (3 separate visits over 4 years).  It was quite disappointing to see what a difficult time he is having.  He became a double orphan at age 10 and life has been incredibly tough.  He cares for his 3 sisters, 2 brothers and now his grandfather.  He makes furniture which brings an income of $2000/year which calculates out to .91/day/person.  Enoch’s big brown eyes tell the story of his life and his future.   Leah and I left quite sad.  

The next day was amazing!  After a tough day with Enoch, we saw Pastor Banda, (Enoch’s pastor) and he told me that he realized that he was buying his furniture needs from other people outside his church.  He told me that he is now going to buy his furniture from Enoch and that he will introduce Enoch to other churches and schools for their furniture needs!  This is a phenomenal blessing and God at work!  

Today we were able to spend a day with the pastor we were partnered with during the workshop.  It was so wonderful to be with our partners from the workshop; to be a part of their family for the day was quite an honor.  I just love how the relationships with each other transcends the poverty and hardship.   Sharing our lives and seeing how God gives them strength is quite eye-opening.  It is wonderful to see that even through the most severe life situations there is great compassion, love, and hope for the future.

This trip has been quite interesting for me.  Past trips to Zambia had me leaving sad and torn about not only their life, but my life as well.  During this trip I am able to see past the poverty and into the souls of the Zambians.  I am able to see the work the churches are doing and the progress made to make the communities healthy and I am able to see the work being done to ensure dignity.  Witnessing their amazing love of God, the hard work to help those in need and seeing how God is core to all they do is a wonderful peaceful feeling for me and has transformed my faith and the way I view life.

People often ask, “What are you going to do in Zambia?” expecting an answer which describes a specific activity.  I realize that the sharing of our lives is a far greater gift than building a home and leaving.  Being able to talk about how God works in our lives, being able to share stories, laugh, sing, and just be with each other is inspiring!  I am truly going to miss Zambia!