Our first week in Lusaka

Mulu bwanje! It is a beautiful day in Lusaka. It is sunny, as usual, and the clear blue sky is wide above green trees with orange and pink blossoms. I am sitting on the patio in our front yard, and as I glance over to my shoulder, I can see one of our three mango trees. The fruit is not yet ripe, but I can’t wait to pick mangos from our yard! I think in a couple of weeks they will be ready.

The boys are at the playground right across from our house, playing with their many new friends. Frankie is especially loving the soccer games, and is learning some good moves from his Zambian friends. Johnny has met a little boy named Alec, and they walk around the seminary campus holding hands and giggling at just about everything. Alec is only three years old and he has an enormous smile and mischievous eyes. Yesterday, Joel taught all the children how to do thumb wars. It was a hit!

On Monday, we were able to visit one of the community schools in Mandevu, run by CCAP-Zambia. While there, we saw almost 200 children in school, who would otherwise not be able to have an education. Rev. Kondwani Nkhoma, who runs the community school program for the synod, explained that the children are able to stay at the school until 4pm, so that they can have a good education, and more than one nutritious meal. It was pure joy to see this excellent school, to meet the dedicated teachers, and to speak with the gifted administrators. Rev. Nkhoma is a committed servant of God, sharing Christ’s love with many children and families. She radiates love, joy, and hope, and it was a great pleasure to spend the day with her. There are twenty-two community schools run by CCAP-Zambia, and there are plans to start more in the upcoming year. 

Yesterday, we traveled to Chumba, where the offices of CCAP-Zambia are located. They run an organic farm outside the offices and it was really fun to take a tour of this project. They have wonderful plans to expand this farm, as a way to generate income to fund their many ministries. They are also in the process of building a school for ex-prisoners on the grounds, where they can learn agricultural skills and experience the love of Christ in a community of faithful, caring people. While we were there, we ate the most delicious meal! We are really enjoying Zambian food and hospitality!

Joel and I are excited about the work we are going to do; we have been asked to develop videos, highlighting the Community Schools program, the HIV/AIDS department, the Evangelism department, Community Health Evangelism, and the remaining CCAP-Zambia departments. Joel will add these to the website, and help update CCAP’s web presence. We will also create evangelism and discipleship curriculum, as we partner with CCAP-Zambia to deepen the faith of this vibrant Christian community. In addition, Joel will do video and technology training, and I will help with evaluating on-going Community Health Evangelism programs. In a couple weeks, I will start doing home visits to people in the HIV/AIDS home care program. Right now, I am in the midst of language learning, and look forward to the time when I can preach, teach and converse in Chichewa!

Thank you, again, for your prayers and partnership. Zikomo kwambiri!

May God bless you,
Kari

The boys picking mulberries on campus

Our home

We're here!

We have arrived in Lusaka! After a long wait in London, (Joel is actually sleeping here, whereas Frankie and Johnny are just pretending!) we arrived yesterday morning in Zambia. We are delighted to be here and our first few days have been full of happy surprises!

Our home is on the seminary campus at Justo Mwale Theological College, and Frankie and Johnny have already been playing with the children here, enjoying footraces with other kids, climbing in one boy's tree house, and discovering mulberry bushes on campus. They came home with stained faces, but very big smiles!

When we arrived at the airport, my colleagues from Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Synod of Zambia, were there to welcome us, and they are remarkably kind. I am very excited to work with a group of gifted, faithful Christians, and I am so grateful for their warm welcome. They even stocked our kitchen with food in advance of our arrival!

Today, we went to Lusaka International Community School, where Frankie and Johnny will be attending. They had their Zambian Independence Day celebration, and the former First Lady of Zambia, Dr. Maureen Mwanawasa, was the honored guest and speaker. It was great to hear her reflections on independence and the future of Zambia. It was the 48th anniversary of independence, and she spoke about the freedom from colonial oppression that was gained when the country achieved independence. But then she also reflected on the oppression of poverty and disease, and how Zambia must continue to move forward towards freedom from those things, as well. She spoke of how those who worked for independence had to struggle and fight, and how this generation needs to struggle against the forces that oppress Zambia today. It was so nice to be able to hear her thoughts on our very first full day here!

The children also did traditional songs and dances. It was incredibly fun. The 3-5 year olds were especially amusing, and very into their dancing! The school is 50% Zambian, and the other half represent 37 different countries. So, it was a wonderful demonstration of unity and diversity, and we really enjoyed it!

This is a photo of Dr. Mwanawasa at the school assembly. We are now ready for some rest, as we are still adjusting to the time change.

Thank you for the prayers. We feel so blessed to be here, and excited to start our ministry in Zambia, as we are ministered to, as well!

(We will post more photos soon!)

Language learning is for children

I studied Spanish at the University of Michigan. I studied Greek at Harvard. I studied Mandarin in China. In Nicaragua, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, I preached in Spanish, translated for mission teams, and sang songs in Mayan. I am not unfamiliar with the joys and challenges of language learning. However, over the years, the only language that really stuck with me is Spanish. Mandarin and Greek are still Greek to me...

But here, in Colorado Springs, I am learning not just a new language, but a new way of learning language, based on the idea that language learning is for children. It seeks to explore language acquisition: methods for "acquiring" a language more naturally, rather than "learning" a language in a classroom.

As a child, language learning is all input. Babies hear and learn the meaning of words, as well as the ways in which syllables are shaped and formed. They do not speak it, read it, or write it, until they have absorbed it through listening. For children, language acquisition is done in a multi-generational setting, usually in a safe, family environment, not among strangers in a classroom. Language is learned relationally, and ideally includes encouragement from loved ones. It is learned in context, in the process of daily living, not in a secluded environment. It does not have a specific time frame, but comes as the child is ready. When a baby is learning a language, she does not ask to "see it in writing."  

PILAT (Program in Language Acquisition Techniques) is based upon these theories. Listening is of primary importance. Today, I learned no grammar, no vocabulary, not even basic greetings. Instead, we are immersed in phonetics, hearing new sounds, listening to syllables, paying attention to tones I have never noticed before. I get to watch people move their mouths and tongues at very close range. In fact, our instructor encouraged us to hear, see, and even smell his pronunciation! It is remarkably interesting, and it is a good thing I don't have huge issues with personal space.

The main idea here is that I am not learning to speak Chichewa; I am learning to listen to Chichewa. And while I hope that this is an effective language acquisition technique, it seems like a very good way to approach our upcoming journey. A lot more listening than speaking. Using my ears and my eyes, instead of my mouth. Children learn so much by listening; certainly, we adults could benefit from listening a lot more.

So, hopefully, I can learn like a ten month old baby, really hearing and listening and looking for awhile. And possibly crying like a baby every once in awhile, too! But mostly, this is great fun, and very interesting. Full of joy, expectation, and excitement. I am so grateful for the opportunity to listen and learn.

We leave exactly two weeks from today for Zambia, and I have eleven days left of language acquisition training here in Colorado Springs. While I am here, Joel, Frankie, and Johnny are in Michigan, and we do appreciate prayers for the family as we are separated during these last, hectic weeks. As I spend time listening and learning, Joel has his hands full with the children, and a lot of packing! So, thanks for the prayers, and for journeying with us!

Growing

My current title is Discipleship and Church Growth Specialist for the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP), Synod of Zambia. And it is particularly interesting for me to go into a growing, vibrant, remarkably healthy denomination, and serve as a church growth specialist. They are already growing in tremendous ways, and while I believe that the churches I have served have grown during my ministry, I am not sure they have grown in the way that CCAP Zambia has. And so I wonder, looking at CCAP Zambia, why I would be called in as a church growth specialist? Reading their Strategic Plan was certainly a humbling experience!

CCAP-Zambia grew from 16 congregations in 1984 to 67 in 2010; from 16,000 members in 1984 to 63,450 in 2010. In 1984, there were only 4 ministers in CCAP Zambia and now there are 57, with more in seminary. They are an energized, vibrant church. And this is reflected not only in numbers. Here is what they are doing in regard to mission work, from their recent strategic plan:

"We will preach the word of God, and provide education, health, and agriculture services to the church and society."

In those areas, these are their accomplishments, as of 2011:

• Education: 14 mission schools and 21 community schools
• Health: 1 rural health Center, 1 under construction, implementing new CHE programs
• Water and Sanitation: 434 shallow wells as of Feb 2010
• HIV/AIDS Department: 17 Day Care Centers and 22 Home Based Care Centers
• Agriculture: Hiring staff to help families become self sustainable in terms of food security

In their HIV/AIDS Department, they are addressing the following goals:

• Conducting regular workshops to raise awareness, training medical staff on HIV/AIDS
• Developing educational materials on HIV/AIDS in the 7 major languages of Zambia
• Providing equipment for HIV testing
• Training personnel in counseling skills
• Ensuring supplies of ARV drugs at clinics
• Educating pastors on HIV/AIDS; requesting that clergy preach 2-3 times a year on HIV
• Encouraging people living with HIV and AIDS to experience the love of community and the joy of Christ, as well as medical treatment 

I feel incredibly blessed to be working with this denomination; still relatively small, but growing by leaps and bounds. Only 67 churches, and yet they are doing all this wonderful work for God? That is amazing, exhilarating growth and energy!

And so, here is what I hope to offer. I hope that I can grow right along with the denomination, and as my faith deepens and expands, I can help other people deepen and expand their faith, as well. As I see the tremendous gifts of this church, I hope that I can help other people see these gifts, and invite them in. As we work together to serve God's people and create change in the world, I hope that I can call others to join with us, to be a part of this amazing body of Christ, in this particular location in the world. I hope that we will all grow, as we watch God perform miracles in Zambia.

I do trust that God can work through me, and that God is awesome enough to enable me to do the work that I am called to do in Zambia. One thing I am pretty sure of, though, is that I will be the one growing; blessed and grateful, as we all grow together.

Boom Bands are playing...

Praise God with trumpet sound;praise God with lute and harp! Praise God with tambourine and dance; praise God with strings and pipe! Praise God with clanging cymbals; praise God with loud crashing cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!" Psalm 150:3-6

It feels like the Boom Bands are playing; like we have left the waiting place, and we are now in a place of joy, gratitude and praise! We had great news about Johnny's new medicine; it looks like it may be even more effective than his previous prescription. His blood test came back better than before, and we are so very, very grateful. Now, we know that we can access all the meds he needs while we are in Zambia, and that these meds will keep him healthy and full of life!

We also have our tickets for Lusaka all set to go; we leave on October 16, and arrive on October 18, which makes it so real and so exciting. The boys are enrolled at a wonderful international school in Lusaka, all set to start on October 29; we have a home waiting for us, with a neighbor we already met in Pittsburgh; a very kind friend is in Lusaka, giving us all the info we need; and the wonderful people at Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Synod of Zambia, have already been warm and welcoming via Skype and phone conversations. It is so very real, and so very exciting!

As I look around, with gratitude so deep it almost overflows, I am reminded of one of my favorite prayers, that I thought I would share with you today:

"Days pass and the years vanish, and we walk sightless among miracles.  Lord, fill our eyes with seeing and our minds with knowing; let there be moments when Your Presence, like lightning, illumines the darkness in which we walk.  Help us to see, wherever we gaze, that the bush burns unconsumed. And we, clay touched by God, will reach out for holiness, and exclaim in wonder: How filled with awe is this place, and we did not know it!  Blessed is the Eternal One, the holy God!" (Gates of Prayer)

May we all see miracles today, God's light illuminating the darkness in which we walk, the bush burning unconsumed. Let us feel wonder and awe and blessing. Thanks for walking this journey with us.

The Waiting Place

Number of hours until we get Johnny's test results: 41 hours
Number of days until we leave for Zambia: 37 days

Yes, my world has revolved around waiting lately. I am counting the hours until we find out about Johnny's new medication. Is it effective? Is he healthy? Will this work for us in Zambia? 41 hours to go. I am in the Waiting Place.

I am counting the days until we leave for Zambia. Will we ever really go? Will we have everything ready? What is the best method for purifying water? Where can I get good solar lamps? 37 days to go. I am in the Waiting Place.

It would seem so much more appropriate if we were in Advent. I love that expectant wait: for the birth of the Holy Child, for Love to become Flesh, for God to be incarnate in the world. Preparing for the arrival of Jesus as I prepared for my son's birth. Make room for that which is new and exciting and holy and mysterious. Wait and wonder and prepare, knowing that a good thing, an amazing thing, transformation, new life....is on its way.

But now it feels like the end of my pregnancy, when I was two weeks overdue for my oldest child, and all I wanted was to go into labor. Get here, already! I am sick of waiting! I want to meet you! Get born, little boy; get born THIS SECOND!

Oh, Dr. Seuss, I know exactly what you are talking about, sitting here in the waiting place...
"…for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a
Yes or a No or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for
Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a Better Break or a sting of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.
NO! That’s not for you!
Somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying.
You’ll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.
With banner flip-flapping, once more you’ll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky."

When I combine Dr. Seuss logic, with my faith in Jesus Christ (which I tend to weigh much more heavily!), I can be pretty sure that those bright places are on the other side of this waiting, that once more I will ride high. The waiting will be over, and the day will come, when I will hear that Johnny's medication is effective, that my child is healthy and doing well, that it is time - time to go serve God in Zambia, time to experience God's love in Lusaka. In the midst of the waiting, I have the promise of a faithful God to see me though.

The Waiting Place is not my favorite place. One thing that has helped, A LOT, is knowing that so many people are praying for our family. Thank you for praying for Johnny's test results. I carry those prayers, your presence, and the presence of our amazing God, into our doctor's appointment on Wednesday. Thank you for praying for our ministry in Zambia. I carry those prayers, your presence, and the presence of our amazing God, as we begin to pack up bins, sort through donations, and say our good-byes. Your prayers, and your presence, matter to me. And even though it is not very fun, they make The Waiting Place just a little bit more bearable!

I hope that if you are waiting for something right now, you can also hold onto the hope that something is coming, that God is being born, somewhere, in some way, for you, too!

God bless,
Kari

Dodgeball Camp

This was our third summer at Dodgeball Camp, and probably our last one for quite awhile, as I doubt there is Dodgeball Camp in Zambia. But, as our date for departure approaches, it felt important to have one last family time at our favorite campground, which offers not only Dodgeball, but Pudding Slip and Slides, Candy Cannons,  Dangling Donuts, Glowstick Parades, Wet and Wild Wagon Rides, Face Painting, Rock Painting, and all the normal fun camping stuff, like swimming, campfires, and s'mores. It is a crazy camp, with different fun and totally ridiculous children's activities every hour or so.

As I was enjoying Dodgeball Camp, watching candy literally rain from the sky during the Candy Canon, I was also reading The Unheard: A Memoir of Deafness and Africa by Josh Swiller, which takes place in the mid-90s in Zambia. Swiller was a Peace Corps volunteer in Mununga, a village on the shores of Lake Mweru. I am almost done with the book, and its images wreaked havoc with my mind, as I watched overfed children eat donuts off a dangling rope, faces covered in powdered sugar.

In Swiller's memoir, two-year old twins starve to death, as their mother watches helplessly. In Swiller's memoir, a ten year old boy lays on the floor of a hut, slowing dying from meningitis. In Swiller's memoir, three or four children die in the village every day during rainy season, victims of malaria. In Swiller's memoir, the clinic pharmacy is a "small, windowless room no bigger than a hot tub...There were three long shelves of drugs and vitamins, mostly aspirin, and a crate of condoms covered in dust - this was the total pharmaceutical supply for about fifty thousand people." And so, people die, because there is not enough food, there is not enough medicine, there is not enough clean water. Swiller tells the story of a strong, vibrant, loving people, for whom death, hunger, and disease are constant companions.

In many ways, there are reasons to be hopeful as we prepare to do health ministry in Zambia. This memoir reflects a Zambia that existed 18 years ago; since then there have been significant developments in health. According to the World Health Organization, the total expenditure on health in Zambia has more than doubled since 1995, the under-5 mortality rate has decreased significantly, and there is a slight improvement in the percentage of people accessing clean water. At the same time, the horrifying realities that Swiller describes are still lived, day-to-day realities for many people: disease, hunger, death. In the rainy season, children die of malaria; as a matter of fact, it causes more deaths that HIV. The probability of having your child die before the age of 5 years old is 141 in 1000.  And the life expectancy in Zambia is 39 years old. These realities are hard for us to imagine, and yet, they are inescapable for many people.

As I watched my children enjoy being very spoiled at an extravagant camp, I questioned my decision to bring them to this camp again. Why should they be allowed to slip and slide through chocolate pudding, while other children have to choose between stealing and starving? And then, I consider that pretty soon, they will move to a completely different country, where they will face significant challenges. They will have trouble understanding the culture, the language, their new friends. They are leaving their home, their grandparents, their cousins, their school, their dog, everything that is familiar to them. Should I let them have this one last weekend at a camp that they love?

I don't think there are clear answers for those of us who live lives of privilege. We do make choices that affect whether other people live and die; when we spend money on ourselves, it is money that we could invest in mosquito nets or HIV/AIDS programs. When we choose an expensive vacation, we are choosing not to send those funds to assist in maternal health. At the same time, God did not create us to live lives of guilt and self-loathing. God wants us all to experience joy and fun. And so, we are left with questions. How much should I spend on myself and my children, and how much should I give away? What do I do with my privilege, and how can God use me to transform the world?

I don't have good answers to the questions, and even as I prepare to move to Zambia, I still face a lot of guilt and confusion. Do I really need to buy a nice, new camera before we move? Do we truly need fancy pots and pans in our Lusaka kitchen? These are questions that will not leave us, and they are important questions to ask. What lines are we willing to draw? What are we willing to give up? Where can we give more, and take less?

We really did love Dodgeball Camp, and I am glad we went. But I will also take the money that we spent on that camp, and donate the same amount of money to an organization helping hungry children. That is one way that I can reconcile my spending; one answer that works for me. What answers work for you?