 |
| Conversation with the Chief's wife |
Before
leaving the palace compound to go on the tour of Mnukwa village, we had a brief
photo session, and pictures were taken of our group with the Chief. During that time, I was able to speak briefly
with his wife (I don’t think I ever asked for her name). Our conversation revolved around the needs of
her people and young women, in particular.
She assured me that the work we hoped to accomplish in the village
through the MVEVI would be most welcome, much needed, and greatly appreciated. She encouraged me to stay in touch with the
Chief and even gave me his cell phone number!
I gave her my pledge that I would be diligent to attend to the details
of our project to be sure that we accomplished our goals. As we were traveling back to the palace having
completed the tour of the Resource Center, Kevin stopped to pick up a large
bundle of malasha (charcoal) for Robert and Doreen. He’s become more fluent in Chichewa and was
able to converse with ease with one of the village women while the transaction
for the charcoal was being completed. I
could only smile and wave and say, "Muli bwanji (how are you?)" I made a mental note to myself: “Phylicia, you have got to get a phrase book
and practice learning more of the language between your visits to the country.”
 |
| The Meeting Tree |
Once
we arrived at the palace, we all resumed our seats under the meeting tree. Out of the corner of my eye I saw two of the
Chief’s advisors walking toward us, and they were carrying something really
special. A goat had been tied by its
hooves with rope, and it was bleating in protest. Robert Zulu was sitting in one of the chairs
positioned in a circle around the tree, and the men placed the goat near his
feet. Praise the Lord the goat stopped
crying. Chief Mnukwa’s senior advisor
came forward. He sat down on the ground
in front of the Chief with his legs crossed and addressed him respectfully with
a bow from the waist. I was so impressed
with this man. I don’t remember his
name, but I’ll never forget him. He is
several inches shorter than I am, has all of his original teeth and an
infectious smile, is well into his 80s, and has the mobility of a teenage boy! I love the fact that his posture is always one
of gracious humility when he addresses the Chief in a formal setting. He spoke briefly to the Chief then he rose,
walked a few feet, and sat down in front of Robert. This dear man began explaining the purpose of
the goat. I found it a little difficult
to hear the translation of the conversation, but this is the gist of what was
said: every time that Robert and Dan
made an appointment to meet the Chief to discuss ZSOS business or Big Tree
Baptist Church business, they never asked for anything in return, not even a
drink of water. Because of their
testimony of selflessness and desire to minister to the people of Malongwe
Village, the Chief wanted to present our group with a gift. Hence, the goat. I was astonished and speechless.
 |
| Can't you just hear him crying? |
As if on cue, the goat bleated again, and I
suddenly felt a little squeamish. It
took me just a minute, but I realized that the poor little guy (I’ve since
named him Billy) was being given as an ‘offering of thanks.' I silently prayed that
he would be kept as a ceremonial pet by someone in Chipata. My hopes were dashed when the Chief began to
describe the delicacy of roasted goat meat. He
spoke very graphically about how the belly meat was prepared and wrapped in a
casing of the small intestine. I felt
like I would throw up, but I kept smiling.
I didn’t want to offend the Chief in any way, and I tried to engage in
the conversation as he and his advisors joked about eating the freshly cooked
goat sausage only to discover an unexpected ‘gift’ in the meat because the
intestines weren’t cleaned well. Oh my
word! The thought of eating goat poop really
made me a little sick to my stomach. We prepared to leave, and Billy was loaded into the back of Kevin’s truck. Billy cried and cried. I thanked the Chief and his wife, and they both encouraged me to stay in close contact. I shook hands with everyone in the Chief’s entourage, and his senior advisor approached me. He looked me in the eye and said that he would be praying for God’s blessings on me, Sisterhood Of Servants, and the projects we hoped to accomplish. I could only offer my heartfelt thanks; it was an overwhelming moment.
 |
| Saying my goodbyes and apologizing to poor Billy |
I walked to the back of the truck. Billy had quieted down. I patted his little head, and my motherly
instincts kicked in. I apologized to him
(really) and told him how sorry I was about what would be happening to him in
just a couple of days. Kevin laughed as
he rearranged the cargo in the back of the truck. Plans were made to have a feast after church
on Sunday for the members at Big Tree, and Billy would be the main course. I had to keep telling myself that his
sacrifice would bring joy to many. Later
that night Dan joked with me about how I was going to carry Billy home in my
carry-on bag. If only I could. ☺
No comments:
Post a Comment