Pete's Zambia Blog
Since coming home from Zambia, I have tried and failed on
numerous occasions to use my limited vocabulary to talk about our experiences.
I feel frustrated that no matter who or what I talk about, or how long I talk
for, words do not explain quite how incredible this place and its people are.
I'm finding it hard to come to terms with the fact that I'll probably never be
able to explain it in a way that does the people justice. And as much as its
true that I have a limited vocabulary, I believe it is also true that it
wouldn't matter if I were an incredibly talented wordsmith. These spectacular people
really do have to been seen to be believed.
The images that we see on our TV screens every
time 'Children In Need' or 'Comic Relief' comes around depict a level of
suffering and hardship that just seems so unlikely. Like it couldn't possibly
be real. But as much as we would try to rationalize these things and pretend its
not that bad, it is, and there is no other term than heart wrenching to
describe how it feels to see it first hand. To come face to face with the most
beautiful little girl you've ever seen and know that statistically she has more
chance of being raped than she has of getting an education cuts through your
soul in a way you can't possibly prepare yourself for. Let me tell you that
seeing it first hand only makes it harder to believe.
However if I'm honest the thing I
felt most unprepared for was the faith of this small community (Maposa). How on
earth could these same people who suffer such hardships and tragedies greet the
morning sun with such joy? I went expecting to see people defined by grief,
controlled by fear and despair. And please understand I'm not saying they don't
suffer these emotions, but they aren't defined by them. In Maposa we were not
greeted with hearts defined by sadness, we were greeted with open arms and the widest
smiles you've ever seen, with singing and dancing, with children who don't care
if you can do anything for them, but just want to spend time with you because
they can.
These people might not understand
the riches of our culture, but why I ask myself would they waste their time
trying, when their riches are so much more than silver and gold. Relationships,
faith & true community have nurtured indomitable mentalities and hearts of
grace and compassion. The true joy that our culture can only provide in starts
and stops, that is so often dependant on our circumstances is provided here in
Maposa by their faith and their accurate understanding of what it really means
to live in relationship with God and with each other. These people have given
me no choice but to reconsider what it really means to have much or to have
little.
To see a small child willingly share the only hot
meal she would receive for two days with another child who had nothing to eat
tells you everything you need to know about the spirits of the people we met. I
felt ashamed to stand and watch knowing that in less than a week I'd fly home
to a place where too often sharing is considered an inconvenience or a hassle.
To quote the 'Mocha Club' Maposa
and its people have taught me that "the possessions in my hand will never
be as valuable as peace in my heart. They've taught me that I don't need what I
have and that I have what I need."
I went to Zambia in ignorance thinking that I
could actually do something for these people. Instead I found that Maposa
taught me more in 2 weeks than any of our countries most expensive learning
institutions ever could.
I come from a non Christian background, I found
faith by the grace of God when I was 20. Obviously I still have a lot of non
Christian friends, and often when things go sour they'll ask "Where was
God when this happened?" That can be hard to explain sometimes and I don't
have all the answers. But I know that I've never felt closer or seen God's work
so near as when I was in Zambia.
And it gives me tremendous happiness to know that this is the heart of God, the
God of peace who draws near and cares for people who are in need, people who
are alone, people who are earnestly crying out for his grace. This is where the
people of Maposa find their peace.
In the UK we have this clouded image of
Christianity were tradition and religion meet together and get in the way of
what its really all about. Religion writes unnecessary rules on top of
unnecessary rules and tradition makes the madness of yesteryear the confusion
of today.
In Zambia they understand that God is
not about religion. They don't know the Jesus that is taught in religious
churches in this country. They see the Jesus who cared enough about his friends
to give his life to save them on the cross. They see the Jesus who cares more
about the motives of the heart than the outward appearance of the hypocrite in
his Sunday best. They see the Jesus of faithfulness, peace, love, kindness and
humility. They know the real Jesus. And because of him, they are defined by joy
and peace in an area of the world where rightfully there should be none.
Finally I'd like to just take a
moment to say thank you to anyone that donated towards this trip, whether that
be in terms of finance, sponsorship, encouragement, prayer or anything else you
have done. I appreciate everyone's contributions so much. And on behalf of
everyone in Maposa, THANK YOU! Please keep this community in your thoughts and
prayers. God bless
Pete
