January 14, 2008

Christmas presence and New Year revolutions

Do you go to church on Christmas Day? For our African friends it’s the norm. For us, it’s becoming a habit now to preach. This was Sue’s year. She did it all sitting down. 

Sue “unwrapped” the gifts of Jesus to the world through a series of object lessons. Young and old took part in the story. Wonderful way to begin!

Sue Wright helping to bring the story of Jesus down to earth.

Next we took gifts to our housekeeper’s family in a crowded section called Ng’ombe. Weaving a path among tiny concrete houses, we could feel the curious stare of many eyes. A man came out to greet us. He led us to the place where Amai was sitting in the dark. She asked Sue to name the baby. Sue had chosen Madaliso, which means “Blessings” in Chichewa, quite appropriate for a girl. Looking quite warm in the blanket Sue had knitted, plus another heavy blanket and a hat, Madaliso accepted this foreigner’s love, making hardly a peep while Ted read aloud from Luke.

Our second stop was the language tutor’s house. Amai (one title here fits all adult women) is a widow caring for six, only three of whom she bore. Pleased that we would visit, she insisted on making the traditional welcoming meal of nshima and chicken. She even delayed going to a wedding that afternoon. Later she confided that her neighbors couldn’t believe that we azungu (white people) would actually come to visit.

We left our car and continued on foot to the gardener’s house, guided by his oldest. It was like “over the river and through the woods,” except that first we had to cross a hilltop meadow, then descend through a gully, and then finally ford a rain-swollen stream with the help of stepping stones. Amai and three young ones were wearing their finest, but no invitation to come in. So we sat and basked in a rare sunny day, enjoying little Abigail—another child we’ve been asked to name. Again, Ted read from the Christmas story. Mother and children walked us halfway back.

We are happy to celebrate the birthday of Jesus with these people we have grown to love and respect. Thankful we can help three families cope with poverty, we remember that Jesus too was born among the poor.

Zambian mother and children cross through the field to Ng'ombe.

This year 2008 is starting out sort of upside-down. Last year the rains were rather late in arriving. This year they are early and heavy. Last year we took many trips across the border. This year, visitors are coming to us in droves.

We plan a couple trips to Zimbabwe very soon. People there are suffering through shortages of food, motor fuel, electric power, candles, even currency. (Can’t the bank print it fast enough?) We hear that churches are full on Sundays, but pastors must be careful about criticizing the government. Pray that Christians will be encouraged by our presence. We are certainly encouraged—indeed, downright humbled—by their faith, patience, and perseverance.

Those rains we spoke about: 2008 is breaking records. In a region where people depend heavily on maize, and maize depends on water, the prayer is usually for abundant rainfall. This year instead there has been serious flooding.

But we remain ever grateful for the ways you support us—financially, and through your prayer, emails, and cards. It means so much. Though we are far from the United States, technology helps us feel close, for which we thank you.

May God bless you in surprising ways in weeks and months to come.

Faithfully in Christ,

Ted and Sue

The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 22