Rebecca's Joy

How do I begin a post where I attempt to feebly explain the plethora of astounding revelations, hard realities, and life-giving moments wrapped up in a seven-week overseas journey? I simply can’t! Hearing about epic vacations other people experience has always captivated my attention. However, the simplest day-to-day life in a foreign country might not intrigue people beyond a few fun facts or anecdotal stories. Disclaimer: I have no earth-shattering revelation or mountaintop story, but I think that’s where I believe most people perceive romantic, thrilling, and adventuresome stories will pull them in, yet I am here to shatter this. If you have ever read Elizabeth Elliot’s book, “A Chance to Die,” detailing the life and legacy of Amy Carmichael, you too, will quickly realize that missionary work is not a glamorous never-ending adventure filled with the most epic conversions, near death encounters, radical conversions, or enraptured people groups vying for a seat in a perfectly coiffed pew. Rather, it is a daily battle, similar to the ones you and I experience, with a twist: you are committing to live a life set apart, perhaps one filled with loneliness and misunderstanding, battles of reaching then engaging locals in the same spiritual war encountered by all believers, and engaged in the vision of work beyond a savior complex, but rather one in which churches are being reproduced, people become disciples of Christ, and the church is synchronous with the great commission of going out, and producing followers of Christ, who continue this cycle in healthy Bible-believing churches. Simply put, Missionaries are normal people. There is nothing special or unique other than God’s calling on their lives. Yet, being in their sweet company, I have realized that to pray for and encourage them is vital. If we are called to encourage others in our church, may we tangibly encourage Christians locally and afar. 

First off, living abroad in a different culture means embracing individuals and social norms, customs, and culture, while carefully dissecting Biblical truth from traditional practices or religious beliefs. First and foremost, there must be respect for the way other people live and go about daily living, regardless of your standards of living. Ministry means engaging locals with respect, dignity, and appreciation for how God made them. It is not forceful or deluded by American culture, rather it is at its core gospel-centered relationship-building. Many people think of mission work as charity to orphans, clean water, or provision of basic needs, but it stems much deeper into impacting both individuals and society, which is complex because it is not simply donations or material goods mixed with the gospel. These things can have their place, when appropriate measures are applied, but ultimately one needs to get to know the people and from their vantage point, what their greatest needs are, while recognizing the ultimate greatest need is that of knowing Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior, while also engaging in the sanctifying work of discipleship. 

The work of helping others can be overwhelming, especially when you see many benefactors desperate for aid. I have observed street children begging for money or bread, students at Bible college praying for financial help, families torn apart by sinful consequences, women washing clothing in the rivers, and single or double orphans (one or both parents have died) being educated and fed in a community school program. In many ways, I look at James 1:27 where the compelling message is to care for distressed widows and orphans, yet feel helpless in determining who to help. To answer these quandaries, I recommend you read “The Insanity of God” and “When Helping Hurts.” Food programs, clean water, adoption, and educational grants are all good considerations, but the fundamental question must always go back to, “Am I alleviating a momentary need or am I equipping a lifelong change?” This change, I argue, must begin with the compelling news of the gospel. Then, as the seed grows (Matthew 16), and takes root, we address the needs of a particular society within the context of a Biblical local church. We can intentionally fund churches, missionaries, and programs that align with lasting eternal change, which stems from societal and individual change, starting with the spiritual. Another key is removing our American beliefs of what help looks like, and being intentional in involving and understanding what underlying values need to be reformed, what people utilize and have available, and instead of pushing our agenda, empowering the locals to be part of change. Empowerment is key. 

With this in mind, I would like to shift to the valuable cultural and distinct lessons learned while away for seven weeks. Arriving in Zambia, I was hit with a heat wave. October is the warmest month, and November begins the rainy season. Some main roads are paved but are often bumpy and filled with potholes. Many side roads are unpaved, and one drives on the opposite side of the road. People yield to vehicles, and everyone is out walking. Roadside huts dot the landscape, and roadside vendors sell roasted corn, fruits and vegetables, brooms, and puppies! Children are carried on the women’s backs in a chitenge and seem quite content. School children get out around 1 PM, and every child wears a school uniform. Buses and trucks transport people or goods to distribute, and owning a car is a privilege most people don’t have. 

The city is divided into neighborhoods, Nkana East, Riverside, and Parkside, to name a few. Because of British Colonial Rule, many homes were built by the British. As you enter the neighborhood, houses have a stone marker as the address. Houses are gated with tall walls with barbed wire or shards of glass to keep robbers out. Oftentimes, you honk your horn to let someone know to open the gate (usually the gardener’s job). The landscape is filled with palms, mango trees, avocado trees, and lush grass. Trees blossom with brilliant red, purple, white, and yellow flowers. A pool often greets you at the entrance and is a welcome refreshment from the scorching heat. Homes have iron bars on the windows and doors. Entering a home, you will find tiled floors, large windows flooded with sunshine, and mosquito nets draping beds. Most homes are on one level. Many homes employ local Zambians to work for them and the employees are like family. Maids, gardeners, drivers, and guards benefit from a stable income, while families benefit from their help. 

Out and about for groceries? Stop at a nearby mall for groceries and goods. With the Chinese people’s heavy influence and popularity, many stores carry Chinese goods (including a Chinese mall). Woolworths and Pep carry clothing, while ShopRite and Food Savers carry groceries. If you are hungry, stop by Nando’s for a delicious chicken meal with roasted veggies or chips (french fries). Coke, Fanta, or various juices are offered as refreshments. If your preference is water, it must be bought filtered as either still or sparkling. 

Restaurants are often covered buildings open to the outside. You will find a variety of international and local delicacies. Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern, Italian, American, and African cuisine offers mouth-watering options. I have tried authentic Chinese Sweet Chicken, Indian Paneer, Chicken Kebabs, Pizza (with avocado, mushrooms, & ham), Asian Pork Burger, Kentucky Fried Chicken (fan favorite in Lusaka), crocodile, and N’shima (ground corn mixed with hot water-national Zambian dish) and relish (what goes over N’shima). Restaurants offer Virgin Mojitos, Malawi Shandis, Shirley Temples, or freshly squeezed juices on the menu.

Mail is not delivered here, and Amazon does not exist. You can order goods from China or utilize a shipping service from South Africa or the UK. Website shopping from the United States is restricted so websites like Costco do not function here. 

Zambian society functions on an interconnected community where the phrase, “It’s not what you know, but who you know,” rings clearly. Whether you are sick in the hospital, going to immigration, passing a security checkpoint, going to a police station, or doing business, you will suffer consequentially if you do not have connections. Time is made for other people, and individualism is not a societal norm (although younger generations are being influenced by the individualism of Western society). If children become single or double orphans (one or both parents die), then they are automatically absorbed into the extended family. Very rarely are children truly orphaned. Oftentimes, AIDs or living in a shame-based society will perpetuate such a decision. Abandoning a child is considered illegal and includes jail time. 

Authority is key in this culture. Men are respected in this culture, and thus reverence and deference to men is common. Older men and women are referred to as “Ba” [name]. It is respectful to do a slight bow accompanying a handshake when meeting an older male in the community. 

Marriages are conducted so long as the groom pays the dowry settled on with the bride’s family. Instead of a bridal shower, most women opt for a kitchen party where they are given cooking items and lessons on being a good wife. Receptions are a huge part of the celebration. The top of the wedding cake is saved for the first child to taste. 

With a heavy British influence, English terms are slightly different. Here are a few examples:

Schools run year-round with three terms, separated by large breaks. Students attend from 8 AM to 13 hours (1 PM) and wear school uniforms. Kindergarten is known as reception. Other grades are known as Level 1, and onward. Students take national exams in 7th, 9th, and 12th levels. If they do not pass the exam, they must repeat that level. The model relies heavily on memorization, and classrooms hold a large number of students. Respect is taught from a young age, so children are often well-behaved. Boarding schools are common, especially among families who desire a better education for their children.

When planning on what to wear, most anything works. A majority of women wear skirts or dresses, but pants or modest shorts are fine. Many women wear a chitenge, which can be wrapped around the waist as a skirt, converted to a baby sling or blanket, or can be worn as a head scarf. Men wear slacks often with a nice shirt. Clean shoes are very important, so some people will wipe them off when they reach their destination or bring a pair of shoes to change into.

Christianity is a national norm in Zambia. Although interpretation varies, there are a variety of religions and religious groups in the country. Many churches are available, and because of society’s authority structure, one must be careful about what is being taught. Some things are taught in error, because the pastor is an authority figure, and not because it is Biblical. As Christians discover the truth of the Bible, confronting or doing something different from authority is extremely challenging. Having seen the impact of Central African Baptist University in the local area, I am encouraged and excited to see men and women being trained to stand for Biblical truth, plant churches, and minister to their culture. 

Although there is much more to learning a culture, I will say that in Zambia, there is sweet simplicity in this society. While a third-world nation with load shedding (electricity is limited to a few hours a day), political challenges, and daily economic needs such as the effects of the drought, poverty, and medical issues, there is also beauty, joy, and freedom found in the corners of this charming culture. 

Here are a few lessons I have learned: 

• God is enough. Period. He is all-sufficient and sovereign. One cannot rely on himself to fulfill his identity. Identity in Christ is key to contentment, peace, and service for others. To look introspectively and try to cultivate self-love destroys true abiding joy in Christ. Envy of what others have does no good, and to be aware of how it eats away at us through comparison, wanting what others have, or feeling the urge to keep up with trends. Truly, the only need is Christ. 
• The church is one body and one family. Being involved with other believers has been one of the sweetest and most fulfilling parts of being in Zambia. Learning from and building relationships in the church abroad, has abundantly blessed me. I love having family across the globe from me, who I can pray for, minister to, and disciple or be discipled by. By involving myself in Bible studies, discipleship, church services, fellowship, and so much more, I have been blessed beyond all measure to be a part of God’s family. We are all one, struggling together, and by learning how to pray for and minister to one another, there is so much joy to be found. 
• It is hard to leave. I had so many rich and wonderful experiences that it was incredibly hard to leave. I know that God has designed this opportunity for me to be in Zambia to teach me how to love where He has me and to have a place to return. 
• God writes our stories. There is freedom in letting go of what I hold onto, which is plans for how my life should look and be. I have learned that God is the author of my life, so rather than hold onto what I think my life will pan out to be, I must surrender to what God has for me. Does God have Frank and I ministering overseas, someday? Perhaps! I am open to whatever He chooses for me, no matter my age, excuses, or plans. 
• Minister to others because I have time, I just make excuses. My phone and time are traps. Granted, seasons sometimes dictate what I have or don’t have time for. Ultimately, I must sacrifice time, convenience, and money for others. How? By inviting others into my chaos, but reaching out, and by intentionally saying no to being so busy that I don’t have time for people. 
• Priorities mean saying yes to one thing and saying no to another. I trust God will give wisdom when I ask for it, and ultimately, it is ok to be flexible and to decide what is most important. 
• Meet the needs of others, even when it is painful for me to use my time and money. I say this rather embarrassed because I struggle to give up control of resources, but I also have seen the blessing of giving to others. Oftentimes, I miss out on true joy in serving, because I fail to be intentionally involved in the lives of other believers. Also, I realize that I cannot use all my resources foolishly, but I can sacrifice with joy for the needs of those around me. Asking and learning about what the needs of another culture are means reevaluating my American mindset, and going about meeting those needs in a way that benefits others. Learning how to empower and give in a way that is helpful means reframing my understanding.