We got to United Church of Zambia at 8:00 and were ushered into the front rows. Looking around at the steel roof and large building, it didn't seem very full. Shortly into the service, after the congregation confessed their sins in a cacophony of angry voices and 4 choirs had sung 2 songs each, we were invited to intersperse into the congregation to buddy up with someone who could translate the portions that were in the local Bemba language and explain what was happening.
I was directed to the front row of the Bethel Women's Choir, red jackets and white turbans, between Lizzie and Ireen. They encouraged me to stand and do the 2 or 3 step with them. I really got off on la, la, la-ing along with them and dancing. Lizzie had a hymnal for the Zambian words, and a Bible on her phone to read along the lessons for the day. I really loved singing with the choir!
The service continued and the church was packed with people sitting on the edge of the stage, standing all around the edges. The minister introduced our group and invited Dick up to the podium to say something. Dick smiled at being introduced as Grandfather and quoted Desmond Tutu and explained a little about Communities Without Borders.
Halfway through the long sermon (45min?) a squad of people showed up with movie/tv cameras and reporters. Edith Nawakwi, one of Zambia's presidential candidates (the first woman to run) was introduced and she spoke briefly about peace. Their election will be in August. She introduced herself to Dick, who was sitting next to her on the stage (with the VIPs), as the "Zambian Hillary Clinton". He reports that she is very progressive and visiting all sorts of compounds during the campaign.
After four hours (!), the service ended, and there was jamming with singing and drums and greeting everyone with the three-step handshake. I felt like a movie star with such a warm welcome. Following the service, we were guided to a back room where the minister greeted us and introduced us to the 30 or so elders. We broke up and were then overwhelmed with many people asking us individually to help with money or sponsoring a trip to America.
We had lunch at the mall and then stopped at the craft market. I spent my 700 kwacha on 4 baskets, 2 cloth patchwork bags, a chitenge (cloth used as long skirt) and 6 meters of a black, yellow and orange fabric. I spoke with several vendors and enjoyed a long conversation with Zambiana Jones about his paper-making enterprise, his 13-year-old niece with some recent behavior concerns, and de-forestation.
Busy days, lovely group, perfect weather and starting to catch the Zambian bug.
-- Kate Mason
PS Kate was sitting in the front row with the choir, and our local friends report that she was seen on the evening news!
Thanks for this post. It was great to get a taste of what you are all experiencing.
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