A Tale of Two Cities

Lusaka is a city of contrasts without a doubt. This morning, after reaching our work site in the Cabanana compound (neighborhood) we picked up about 25 5/6th grad students from Balm of Gilead and took them to an athletic tournament. To get there we drove through the most severe poverty conditions we have seen to date. Garbage burning in the same streets where women were washing and cooking, children were playing and all sorts of produce, goods, and necessities were being sold.

Within blocks however, we were driving through tree-lined, upper middle class neighborhoods where the privileged live behind garrisoned walls, sheilded from the realities of the millions who live in poverty and need.

I have said several times during the past few days that "poverty looks the same the world over." Everywhere we have gone, I have been reminded of Juarez Mexico, one difference being the color of skin, the other being the presence of many, evangelical and protestant churches. Many of those churches have built schools similar to the one we are workig on. One of the great needs in Zambia is education. The average person has less than high school education. The unemployment rate is over 70% and the GDP is @ $900.00US per houselhold per year. What a privilege to be able to work towards making a productive difference in the lives of the some 200 children who attend Balm of Gilead.

Speaking of the work we are doing, it is going slower than we would have liked. In large part that is due to the frustrating problem of product delivery. To date, the foundation has been completed and plastered. The site has been backfilled and the floors leveld and poured with concrete. All this work has been done manually, This morning we are actually beginning to lay block for the walls and even though we will not have finished all we wanted to, there will be a couple of special celebrations today. The first is to award gift prizes to the children for the pictures they have drawn during the week. Following that - around 16:00 hrs. - there will be a formal dedication and prayer service. I am told that several dignitaries and politicians will be there (photo ops) to share in this service.

We plan on doing something special at some point today to celebrate the marvelous freedoms that we as Americans have and, sadly, take for granted. This mornings devotions were on humility and I have been constantly reminded that living and working here, I must recognize that it is only GOd's grace that has allowed us to enjoy all we do. But it is also God's grace that makes these people and this country such a special place. in spite of the needs, people live with much more contentment, values and simplicity than I do.

The most evident news around us here is that the President was attending meetings of the African Union in Egypt when he had a stroke. He is in critical condition and is in a hospital in France now. People are concerned and praying for him.

By and large, our health has been good. We are grateful there have been no serious illnesses - just some minor aches and pains, sore throats and a couple of cases of travelers stomach. (Is that a nice way of putting it?)

A Divine Appointment

Since Enumclaw Rotary had played such a key role in supporting this trip financially, I decided to go to Lusaka Central Club yesterday. At first I was discouraged because there was only one other person when I got there, Hoever, it turned out he is the incoming chairperson of the projects committee and was very interested in how their club could link with Enumclaw's club in sponsoring this project. It turned out that God meant for just the two of us to spend a few moments together before others arrived. It was a very multi=nationalm multi-ethnic club even though it was small, it was an interesting meeting with a royal toast to the at the beginning, an invocation, a time of silent prayer for the health of the president, and then fines like you wouldn't believe. I have a really cool flag to bring back and, I hope the mutual sponsorship of their club which will enable us to seek matching funds from our local district and from Rotary International.

I think we will all be very sad to say good bye to the staff, faculty and children at Balm of Gilead when we pull away tonight. These memories will not fade for us and we hope that we will be able to ignite further interest and support when we come back and tell the stories.

I read a quote from Frederick Neitcthze to the effect that the only thing that matters in life is a long obedience in the same direction. Our hearts and our lives will be forever touched by this experience. I pray that we can be ever obedient in following Christ by ministering to poor and needy; widows and orphans; homeless and hungry whether it is in Zambia, Mexico, New Orleans, Enumclaw. We are called to proclaim, worship, serve and transform in Jesus' name. Thanks for teaming with the 27 of us who are here. Your prayers make all the difference.

Grace and Peace to you in Jesus' name.

Fred

7/4/2008 : view on map : permalink : add a comment