We began to learn about many interesting aspects of Malawian mission work.  There are approximately 135 churches, of which 80-90 are vacant.  There are about 15 national pastors serving selected missions throughout the country.

Our HAC (Humanitarian Aid Committee) met with members of the HAF (Humanitarian Aid Fund) committee of the LCCA, Malawi Synod, at the Lutheran Bible Institute (pre-seminary training) campus.  Missionary Paul Nitz (Field Coordinator for Malawi),  Missionary Steve Lawrenz, Pastor Chikwatu (synod president), Mr. Banda (medical assistant and presenter for the Mobile Medical Clinic), and Jennifer Lee (nurse in charge of the clinic) represented the HAF. 

This year the classes are being conducted at the LBI.  Almost 50 Zambian and Malawian pastors, together with about a half-dozen missionaries, have come together for a week of learning, discussion, and fellowship.

When Paul Nitz, field coordinator of the Lutheran Church of Central Africa—Malawi Synod, heard that I was coming to Africa with the Humanitarian Aid Committee, he asked if I could stay on an extra week to teach.  That is what I am doing right now.  I’ve just finished the second day of a week of teaching.

Africa also appears to be a land of interesting contrasts.  While a national pastor rides in our vehicle talking to or texting someone on a cell phone, a woman 100 yards away is washing clothes in the river. People walking, biking, and using an ox-cart contrast with an occasional motor bike. A family sits under a tree (which serves as their sitting or living room) next to a grass hut, while a short ways  down the road we see a mud hut with an attached satellite dish (although this is quite rare).

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They also gather in conditions that are not usually very comfortable.  The church in Ndola is bigger than most LCCA churches in Zambia so many women were able to sleep inside- but they slept on the floor.  The rest of the women slept outside on blankets, mats, and seed bags.  It also gets pretty chilly at night this time of year so they also deal with that.  They do not have nice camping mats or sleeping bags or tents.  All of this does not hamper their enthusiasm.  Every time there is a lull in activities the women start singing as they wait for the next presentation or item on the agenda.  It is uplifting to hear and to witness the excitement for the Lord these women have. 

This year I was privileged to give a health lesson about nutrition at the conference.  I brought Dee Mathiak, a WELS Kingdom worker in Zambia, and Audrey and Sullivan, the two nutrition student volunteers I have working with me for 4 weeks in Zambia.  Audrey, Sullivan, and I presented a nutrition skit that taught about Iron and Anemia.  Anemia is very prevalent in Zambia among women so the lesson was received well.  The women also enjoyed the drama very much and were laughing and listening attentively.  At the end of the skit we also did a short cooking demonstration with a recipe that contained iron-rich foods.  The women all wanted to try the finished recipe and those that did thought it tasted very good.  We left our posters at the church on signs and causes of anemia and iron-rich foods because some of the women came up to us afterwards and wanted to copy the posters down in their notes.  We were excited for the interest and pray the Lord uses this information to improve their health.  The experience was very enjoyable and we thank God for the women who gathered at this conference who are strong women of the LCCA.
 

On Tuesday afternoon we visited St. Peter Lutheran Church in Lusaka, where the youth group meets regularly for tailoring classes.  A youth group in Zambia consists of people ages 13 – 35.  The tailoring group meets Mondays and Tuesdays from noon to 4 pm and Wednesdays from noon to 5 pm. Each session begins with a devotion and prayer.  On Wednesdays they conclude with an hour Bible study.  A good percentage of the current attendees are community members who are learning about Jesus right along with the member youth.  A tailoring course will last from 4 to 6 months, and then another one begins.  The leaders of the youth group practice intentional evangelism with the guests from the local neighborhood.  A bore hole (well) also provides fresh water for both members and non-members of St. Peter’s.

Another very effective means of showing Christ’s love is through the Home Based Care ministry.  At St. Peter’s, five women and three men have been trained to provide care for both churched and unchurched people in their neighborhoods.  In addition to caring for their bodily needs, the HBC representatives also bring comfort to the sick and dying with the promises of God’s love and care.  Mrs. Josephine Daka, Mr. Chihana, and Mr. Samson provide dedicated leadership for these outreach efforts at St. Peter’s.  The gifts of American WELS members to the Humanitarian Aid Committee help support this kind of ministry throughout Africa.

Our trip to Lusaka, Zambia, went well. The Lord blessed us (Prof. David Valleskey, Kent Raabe and Tom Hering) with safe travel, and on Saturday morning, Jason Paltzer, the Lutheran Health and Development Program Director, was at the airport to greet us. We are truly enjoying the hospitality of all we meet connected with our missions in Lusaka.

After settling in a bit, we traveled about 25 miles east to the town of Chongwe, where we visited members of Malembo Onse Lutheran Church. Malembo Onse means “All for God.”  Here we saw our first borehole (well), which was originally drilled in 2004 with the purpose of providing fresh water for the church’s study center where pre-Bible institute students can receive theological education. The Lord willing, these students can eventually enter the Seminary to become pastors.  Members of this congregation have also begun a self-help project of raising chickens.  Another interesting way that Malembo Onse members are building bridges is through the operation of a home-based care project.  Numerous members, mostly widows, have been trained in the area of basic health care and then find opportunities to provide in-home care for people in their church and in the community that suffer from chronic illnesses.  In addition, the care providers offer prayers and share the good news of Scripture with those they serve.  We are learning several other ways in which additional aid may be able to more effectively support their efforts.  Mr. Phili, the Church Council chairman, was very gracious in showing us their facility, explaining their work and answering our questions. (more…)

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In Zambia, in the south-central region of the continent, WELS missionaries have been operating since the early 1950s. 7 expatriate missionaries and 19 national pastors serve 32 established congregations of the Lutheran Church of Central Africa (LCCA)—Zambia Synod, plus over 100 preaching stations numbering nearly 13,000 souls. A residential Seminary, located in the capital of (more…)

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Easter in Zambia is celebrated both religiously and secularly.  The grocery stores have chocolate eggs and the special cream-filled eggs, and there are a few stuffed bunnies for sale in pastel colors.  However, I feel that Easter here is mainly focused on Jesus’ resurrection.  Easter is an official holiday as well as Easter Monday.  At church the Sunday school is singing an Easter song from “Let All the People Praise You” songbook.  My husband and I are also planning to add to the worship service with a song.  The churches here don’t really put special flowers in the church like many churches in the states put lilies all over the front.  However, there is usually some arrangement of flowers at the front.

The church I go to in Lusaka has a little Easter breakfast after church each year.  The members bring a variety of foods from cakes and bars to sausages and hard-boiled eggs.  Coffee, tea, and juice are served and everyone gathers around outside in the shade to enjoy their food.

One special opportunity for fellowship and fun comes every year the week after Easter with the Easter Retreat.  The missionary families from Zambia and Malawi get together for Bible study, fellowship, eating, and playing.  The venue switches each year between Zambia and Malawi.  This is a great time for the mission families to strengthen each other and also get some time to relax in the beautiful creation that God has placed us in. 

Easter is a special time no matter where I am.  I thank the Lord his message has spread to so many people that the true meaning of Easter is celebrated all over the world!