Blessing of the pots and braziers

Click here to watch the videos of singers and actors.
 Muli shani!
Greetings from St John's Mtendere, United Church of Zambia!

'You are a blessing' = conference theme

Every local Women's Christian Fellowship group gathered to make preparations for the Annual Conference of the Lusaka Presbytery Women's Christian Fellowship (WCF) which was held the last Sunday of August.

The annual event involves two to three thousand delegates, as there are 8,000 WCF members in the Lusaka Presbytery WCF and all are invited.  

Additionally, 576 women had been prepared this year to be 'bloused' into membership during the Sunday worship service.  St John's sent 70 delegates and a sizable group of initiates (9 posing in photo including Miriam Siwale, wife of Ezekiel studying for ministry at the UCZ University; seated second from right).

The Thursday morning before groups traveled to the conference, I joined the St John's Mtendere WCF group to plan, discuss, prepare for the big event. We sing.  We worship.  

One group of WCF candidates (those to be bloused) prepared a dramatic sketch featuring a train scene.  

Supplies stood piled high near the doors of the church.  With 70+ women attending the four-day camp, there are lots of supplies --  tents, cookers, braziers, serving trays, food, fuel. I was asked to say a blessing for/over all the equipment.

Everything was loaded onto trucks, women riding along while others travel in vans and cars.

And as at all church gatherings, tithes and offerings are collected and counted.  The WCF Treasurer is holding a basket used when sorting and counting the money, which is all done in front of all eyes on the church premise.
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Ana's Zambia Journey blog link: https://zambiajourney.blogspot.com/

Greetings from St John's WCF to Salisbury URC

Muli shani! Greetings from Zambia!
Click here to watch the video of all the women of St John's UCZ greeting everyone in the linked Salisbury churches: United Reformed & Methodist.

I bring greetings from St John's Mtendere United Church of Zambia.  I met with the Women's Christian Fellowship for worship, singing, dancing and praying and sharing words of encouragement. 

 I had brought enough of the silver feet charms ('walking the way') and bookmarks we have received in the Wessex Synod of the United Reformed Church to share with the WCF members.  They joyfully hung them around their necks, celebrating the living links between the  congregations.

Mrs Ruth Gama, wife of Rev Godfrey Gama, and Mrs Miriam Siwali, wife of Student Minister Ezekial Siwali, both send their greetings. 

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Ana's Zambia Journey blog link: https://zambiajourney.blogspot.com/

Psalm 121 -- resurrected in Zambia

Muli shani! Greetings!

Psalm 121:  resurrected in Zambia

Written as a joint venture by second year Bachelor of Theology students at the United Church of Zambia University, Kitwe: Moses Sinuamba, Thomas Siwale, Cosmas Mwale, Samuel Simuchenje and Edward Chileshe

My heart is so much troubled

That when I ask for help from my trusted sources, 

none is able to assist.

But then, who is going to help me?

Then I realise that the Lord comes to my aid

And will not let me down, but watches over me.

The one who guards God’s own people is always available.

The Lord is all powerful to protect and sustain you.

Even when persecutions come along, the Lord will preserve you.

The, the Lord will protect and sustain you always.

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Ana's Zambia Journey blog link: https://zambiajourney.blogspot.com/

Lunch is ready!

Muli shani! Greetings!

Lunch is ready!

And it’s Nshima!

The staple here in Zambia is a thick corn cereal/paste called Nshima.  In Zimbabwe and South Africa we called it putu and sadza.
It's cooked over a coal fire, and stirred with a large flat wooden ladle (almost a paddle!).


Nshima reminds me of ‘Cream of Wheat,’ a hot
cereal I grew up on, but only after the Cream of Wheat has been left out and it thickens.  Nshima feels similar to the cornflour playdough one might use with children; it can be molded into shapes.

And that’s how it’s eaten – rolled into a ball or small scoop, using one’s right hand only.   The ball or scoop is then used to gather up some veg or scoop up some gravy/relish.  Then it’s popped into one’s mouth, all with the right hand.  The left hand is used only if the protein needs to be broken or torn into pieces.

I take my midday and evening meals with the students.  Thanks to MaLunga and the other two cooks, I don't have to cook! With an overflow of students, many eat outside.

Several students have commented how meals are created around nshima.  Our lunches are nshima + protein (1 piece of chicken, 1 piece of beef on the bone, or 1 bream fish) + green veg (rape or pumpkin leaves with a bit of onion, maybe some okra).  Usually there is a gravy or relish. Our dinners are the same but without any protein.

One of the greatest concerns of several students I’ve spoken with, who consider the possibility of world travel, is not being able to have nshima every day.

There is a cold tap for washing hands before eating and afterwards. No cutlery is served.  I think how proud my father was to give us a set of sterling silver cutlery for our wedding, and the elaborate ritual of laying out the silver as portrayed in Downton Abbey.  How different cultures are.  But in the end we all enjoy our meals, gathered together for nourishment of the body and the soul.
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 Ana's Zambia Journey blog link: https://zambiajourney.blogspot.com/

Psalm 121 1-4, 7-8 … new voices from Zambia

Muli shani! Greetings!

Psalm 121  1-4, 7-8 … 

New voices from Zambia 

In times of despair

I look to Victoria Falls 

and the mighty Zambezi river,

Where does my help come from?

My help and comfort come from you, 

Creator of all things.

You protect me from any form of accident.

You are ever alert, watching over me.

I will never be harmed by day or night.

The Lord protects me from all danger

And guides my coming in and my going out

For ever more.

Written cooperatively by second year Bachelor of Theology students at the United Church of Zambia University, Kitwe: Danniel Kabolwe, Kelvin Nyimbili, John Chitimbwa, Alinani Mutambo and Simon Bweupe.

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Ana's Zambia Journey blog link: https://zambiajourney.blogspot.com/

Zambia’s Voice -- Psalm 46:1-7 for today

Muli shani! Greetings!

In God we find security and courage

Though the mighty Mosi-O-Tunya Falls* [ceases to] thunder and flow,

I will still see the beauty of God’s creation. 

God’s love and peace surround the city of Kitwe

Where God dwells.

The Lord is ever present with us in our dwelling places.

* Mosi-O-Tunya, the Smoke that Thunders, original name of Victoria Falls

Zambia’s Voice -- Psalm 46:1-7 
re-written cooperatively by a group of First Year Bachelor of Theology students (BTH 1) at the United Church of Zambia University, Kitwe: Winniefrida Makungu, Jonathan Simwaka, Thomas Bwalya, Prince Simwanza and Anita Musonda.   


I have held three workshops on ‘Words in Worship: the power of language’ to which all students have been invited/instructed to attend.  Consequently, I had approximately 120 enthusiastic mature ministry students crammed into the University Chapel.

In the first session we explored (actually, I lectured interactively) five biases we hold that impact our understanding and perception of reality: social & political (cultural), gender, racial, geographical, ‘blinder bias’ in which a person denies holding biases.

In the second session, I sent the students out in groups with the task of re-writing a Psalm for Zambia today, being aware and trying to temper the biases of the original text and their own biases.  (How to get students actively exegeting Biblical texts without mentioning the word!)


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Click here to enjoy more photos and the videos I'm posting. Ana's Zambia Journey blog link: https://zambiajourney.blogspot.com/

Best Practice Money Matters

Muli shani! Greetings!
Click here to see the collection video.

As a minister, it always pleases me to see Best Practices being followed when it comes to handling money in the church.  With 2000 worshippers attending a single service, strategies promoting care, honesty and efficiency need to be in place…and they are here in the United Church of Zambia!

In the churches I've attended, all welcoming 1500-2000 worshippers on a Sunday morning, the Sunday collection is brought forward by each person giving and placed in the collection box or compartment matching their Section of the church (the geographic area where members live is divided into Sections or areas).

The boxes remain at the front of the church until at some point during the service the Section Leaders and/or Treasurers (I don’t know all the details, just that many people are involved!) come forward and process out carrying their boxes to a ‘counting room.’

There all money is counted with many hands and eyes.  The offering tickets, which a member keeps as a record of their giving, are completed and signed to be returned to the members. No money leaves the premises uncounted and unaccounted for.

Being a Section Treasurer or Leader is a commitment.  The counting takes time.  When I popped my head in, everyone greeted me with joy and thanksgiving.  No one suggested this might be a drudgery or burden.  All were busy thanking God for the generosity of the givers and the possibilities these gifts represent.  And they were also enjoying fellowship and a cuppa.

Indeed, God loves a cheerful giver, and probably a cheerful counter, too.  (I’m sure the Minister does.)
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 Ana's Zambia Journey blog link: https://zambiajourney.blogspot.com/

Even if Black Mountain collapses -- Psalm 46 through Zambian eyes

You are our shelter,

our protector and defender, O God. 

You always intervene whenever challenges arise.

Thus, we will not be afraid

Despite the climate change,

Even if cyclone or floods occur

And Black Mountain* collapses.

You are the source of hope and grace

Which every creature depends upon.

We, your church, because of your presence

Shall not be moved.

Your word O God ceases confusion.

You dwell with us, God of our ancestors.

Perceive how terrifying the acts of God are.

Amen.

*Black Mountain:  the enormous piles of  waste from the deep mines,called slug dump sites or 'black mountains'.  This photo is of the Black Mountain on the edge of Kitwe, Zambia. (Scroll down to read more about economics, unemployment, schemes and dangers regarding Black Mountains.)

This interpretation of Psalm 46 was written cooperatively by a group of First Year Bachelor of Theology students (BTH 1) at the United Church of Zambia University, Kitwe: Abraham Chishimba, Dean Mulenga, Danny Mbangweta, Ian Kapembwa and Joseph Chimba.

Black Mountain, Lusaka Times photo

Black Mountains...

June 2018, reported by the Zambia Daily Mail, Fatal climb at Black Mountain  http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/fatal-climb-at-black-mountain/:  The county’s spotlight turned on Kitwe’s most visible structure – the copper slug dump famously known as the ‘Black Mountain’.  Part of the mineral-rich ‘rubbish’ collapsed on several men who were hand-picking the chrome, leaving 11 dead while eight are still battling for lives in hospital....

The disaster has sparked a fresh debate on the safety or lack of it during the operations at the copper and cobalt rich dump site. There seems to be unanimous consensus by stakeholders on serious safety flaws at the site.

Safety alarm bells were first rung last month when a blasting operation at the Black Mountain by the small-scale miners went wrong, leaving shattered windows and cracked walls in some nearby houses.

Weeks later, an amateur video was circulated on social media where part of the slag dump was crumbling down while hand-pickers were rushing to the scene to pick the chrome.

Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Richard Musukwa assured the nation that the Black Mountain was safe for people operating there, but his assurance failed the reality test....

27 Sept 2018, reported by Lusaka Times,  Disaster looming as illegal Miners invade two Black Mountains in Luanshya  
  https://www.lusakatimes.com/2018/09/27/disaster-looming-as-illegal-miners-invade-two-black-mountains-in-luanshya/

A disaster is looming at the Luanshya Copper Mines where hundreds of illegal miners armed with picks and steel rods are risking their lives by digging for copper and chrome at one of the mine’s two Black Mountains.

The illegal miners, who are mostly youths, have over the past months dug several underground caves in search for copper and chrome in unsafe conditions.

One of the leaders of the illegal miners’ Bernard Mulenga, who is commonly known as PISTO, says the small-scale miners risk their lives in search of a living.
Mr. Mulenga says through illegal mining, they make money to feed their families and take children to school. He told ZNBC News that despite the dangers of being buried alive, poverty forces them to do illegal work to raise money.

Another illegal miner Evans Kabanda has asked President Edgar Lungu to consider giving the copper rich slug dump in Luanshya to the youths. Mr. Kabanda said just like he did to the youths of Kitwe, President LUNGU should consider empowering youths in Luanshya with the two Black Mountains to reduce unemployment in the mining town.

But Luanshya District Commissioner Joel Chibuye, who recently visited the site, expressed concern that the continued illegal mining at Luanshya Copper Mines may be fatal.  Mr. Chibuye said government is now working out plans to find ways in which the youths can be helped to avoid illegally digging minerals in unsafe caves.

23 April 2019,  reported in Lusaka Times, More Black Mountains to be given to Youths      https://www.lusakatimes.com/2019/04/23/more-black-mountains-to-be-given-to-youths-mines-minister/

Mines Minister Richard Musukwa says the ministry is in the process of identifying more slug dump sites also known as Black Mountains in a bid to empower youths for them to generate income.

Hon. Musukwa says the ministry is currently in discussion with various mining companies over the same matter.  He says modalities are being worked on to ensure youths access all the slug dump sites in the country.  He has since called on youths to exercise patience as Government negotiates for them to occupy some slug dump sites.

And the Small-Scale Miners Association of Zambia is pleased with Government and President Edgar Lungu’s desire to empower young people.  Association Spokesperson Samson Mpembwe says government gave youths a percentage at the black mountain in Kitwe which has since been exhausted.

Mr. Mpembwe has since urged Government to give young people another percentage at the Black Mountain.

Prayers for today...
Please pray for the youth of Zambia, especially those unable to find lucrative and safe employment.


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Ana's Zambia Journey blog link: https://zambiajourney.blogspot.com/

Sing for joy! -- Jerusalem Choir

Muli shani!
Click here to watch the videos of the Jerusalem Choir.

Come, let us sing for joy to God; 

let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.  

Let us come with thanksgiving and music and song.   

 Psalm 95.1-2 (adapted)

May the voices of the Jerusalem Choir, lift your spirits as they almost lifted the roof of the new church building!   Aleluya!  Praise the Lord!

This animated choir is a true crowd pleaser, raising songs of praise to God! This is the main choir of the Mindolo Congregation UCZ, our local congregation here at the University.

This next English hymn was sung by every one of the 17 church choirs at this competition, but I can't identify it.  Anyone recognize it?  This is just a short bit...to name that tune!

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Be sure to Click here to watch the videos. I'm posting. Be patient, as the videos may take a moment. But the bird songs and singing are worth it! Ana's Zambia Journey blog link: https://zambiajourney.blogspot.com/

Morning prayers with Wellingtone Bawalya

Muli shani! Greetings!
Click here to watch the two videos.

I invite you to share in the morning chapel service at the United Church of Zambia University.  The prayer was composed by Wellingtone Bawalya, a Bachelor of Theology student who spent 3 years in New Zealand. The morning singing that rises with the sun always inspires!

Gracious God, our Creator, redeemer, and sustainer of our lives, you have gathered us here from many parts of the country and you have made us one loving community. We have come to offer you our praise and thanksgiving, to confess our need for each other, to affirm our common faith and to seek your guidance as we work towards a community that is accepting, supporting, reconciling and healing.

Forgive us for our ecological sins we have committed.  There is a loud cry from mother earth crying for help because we have plundered nature in the name of development and civilization. Mainly when we destroy what is made by humanity, we call it vandalism and yet when we destroy what you created, God, we call it civilization.*   Due to our selfishness, have mercy upon us.

Give us love that we may protect nature--the world, and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty not pollution and destruction. Teach us to recognise that we are profoundly united with the creation as we journey towards your infinite light.

We pray for the UCZ University community that you may grant us good health and lead us to commune with you so that our faith and trust be deepened.

We thank you for being with us each day.  Encourage us, as we pray for justice and peace. To you, O God, be honour and glory forevermore, Amen.

For the assurance of pardon parents, sisters and brothers, listen to these comforting words:
If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, seek my face and turn away from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7.14)
These are the words we may trust that our sins are forgiven, Amen.

*Inclusive Paraphrase from Ed Begley, Jr. 

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 Ana's Zambia Journey blog link: https://zambiajourney.blogspot.com/

Shout for joy! -- Grace Melody Choir

Click here to enjoy videos of the Grace Melody Choir.
Muli shani!

Shout for joy to the Great I Am, all the earth, 

burst into jubilant song with music; 

make music to God with the harp, 

with the harp and the sound of singing...

shout for joy before the Eternal One...!  Psalm 98.4-6

Be transported to Zambia by the singing of the Grace Melody Choir of Kawama Congregation UCZ!

And take a look at those trophies waiting to be presented to the three high-scoring choirs at the end of the competition. One of the judges can be seen in the bottom right of the photo on the right. This Choir Celebration Competitions being held as a fundraiser for the Kitwe North and Kitwe South Consistories.

The entries choreographed by the choirs are quite impressive.  Here are three short videos to give you a feel of the Grace Melody Choir processing from where they have gathered in the centre aisle to the front of the church.

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Click here to enjoy more photos and the videos I'm posting. Be patient, as the videos may take a moment. But the singing and dancing are worth it!
Ana's Zambia Journey blog link: https://zambiajourney.blogspot.com/

In my footsteps

Muli shani! Greetings from Mindolo, Zambia!
Click here to read the entire post and watch my Blair Witch Zambia video.

Come with me for a walk from my front door to the chapel of the United Church of Zambia University.
This is my home, the right hand side.  The deep trough in front of the house will serve as a moat when the torrential rains come.  You can see where the stone walkway crosses the trough.

That's where I am standing as I take the second photo, with the stone walk stretching out in front of me.

The compound wall rises to the left, as I step outside.  Two white rose bushes stand beside my verandah.  Those are banana trees at the end of the stone path.

Here's a video of half of my 2-minute walk to the road with the sounds of early morning birds and roosters. It's a bit reminiscent of the Blair Witch Project, and those are my flip flops providing the steady clicking sound.

My neighbour's home includes a poultry room, housing the rooster you hear as I pass.  Once at the road, I turn right and there on my left is the Chapel, gleaming in the morning sun.

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Ana's Zambia Journey blog link: https://zambiajourney.blogspot.com/

Sing all the earth! -- Chambeshi Choir

Click here to enjoy videos of the Chambeshi Choir.
Muli shani!

Sing to the Great I Am a new song; 

Sing to God, all the earth.  

Psalm 96.1

May the voices of the Chambeshi UCZ Choir

fill your heart and soul with singing!

Note the matching hair styles of several members of the choir in the pews waiting for their turn to sing.  More about hairstyles and the popularity of wigs later.

UCZ = United Church of Zambia
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Click here to enjoy more photos and the videos I'm posting. Be patient, as the videos may take a moment. But the singing is worth it! Ana's Zambia Journey blog link: https://zambiajourney.blogspot.com/

Blessing of the Harvest

Muli shani! Greetings!
Click here to enjoy the videos. (apologies: my camera overheated, so much of the colour washed out in the videos.

The land yields its harvest; the earth has yielded its produce,

God, our God, blesses us.  

Psalm 67.6

Everyone is excited about this special Harvest Celebration at St Margaret's UCZ in the Kitwe City Centre!

The empty shelves, the Minister and the Elders await the arrival of the gifts, processed in Section by Section.  (The congregation is divided into geographic Sections.)

Celebrate, therefore, the feast of harvest 

with the first fruit of the crops you sow in the field.

Exodus 23.16

Flour, green vegetables, fruits, and monetary gifts... all are brought forward in thanksgiving.

Even a...

From the order of worship at St Margaret's United Church of Zambia, Kitwe:

'Leader invites the Minister to stand at the Altar as the people present their harvest while the Choirs sing;  Blessing of the Harvest by the Minister'

The shelves, by the end of the service, have overflowed numerous times.  Stewards have been busy carrying gifts to a store room.  The Section Leaders have identified recipients for the food, and it will be delivered, in service to God and God's people.

As long as the earth endures, seed time and harvest, 

cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.

Genesis 8:22 

'...bring to the Priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest. to weave the sheaf before the LORD so that it will be accepted on your behalf.

Leviticus 23.10

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Click here to enjoy the videos. Be patient, as they may take a moment. But the singing is worth it!
 Ana's Zambia Journey blog link: https://zambiajourney.blogspot.com/