Day 4 - Graduation Festivities

The graduates in their matching shirts and skirts

Thursday morning came quickly, and the Lord gave us a beautiful day to celebrate the graduation.  There were several last minute details that needed to be addressed before making the 90 minute drive back out to the church.  At daybreak, Jan remembered she was supposed to bring cookies for the reception that would take place after the ceremony.  In the states, a quick stop at the grocery store to purchase an already-made sweet treat would solve the dilemma.  That solution is unheard of in Chipata, so I woke to the smell of chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven.  Jan had gotten up early and thawed out some dough that she had prepared on a previous occasion.  We also discovered that we were short two chitenge skirts for the female graduates.  As a result, we needed to stop at the Down Shops (individual retail shops/stalls located in “downtown” Chipata) to purchase a couple more chitenges so Doreen Zulu would be appropriately dressed for the occasion. 

Lil’ Savannah and I laughed and talked in the backseat of Kevin’s vehicle on the drive to the bush.  We finally arrived and took our seats on the front row of the church.  Everything was ready – the certificates had been printed, gift bags for the graduates had been filled, the front of the church had been decorated, the reception meal had been prepared, the guests had arrived, and all that was left to do was wait for the arrival of Honorable Chief Mnukwa.  I would have my formal introduction meeting with him the next day, but he was going to be part of the entourage of officials that had come to take part in the ceremony.   I would finally get to see him face to face.  The program was wonderful.  Dan and Kevin both addressed the congregation and the graduating class.  Chief Mnukwa addressed many of his remarks to the village headmen in attendance. The area counselor and education officials praised the work that Doreen Zulu had done with the class and encouraged her and the students to continue with their progress.

15 year old Dani Zulu, class valedictorian

I can’t even begin to describe how proud I felt watching these adults walk across the stage to receive their certificates.  Please take a moment to watch the video of the ceremony even though the footage is a little rough.  Two of the students are husband and wife.  Their names are Bernard and Joyce Zulu.  Both are in their fifties, and neither knew how to read OR write before attending the literacy class.  Bernard shared his testimony last summer stating that his goal was to someday be able to stand up in church and read a passage of scripture from the Bible.  Joyce had to endure the mocking and ridicule of friends every time she prepared to come to class (peer pressure isn’t felt by the younger generation, only).  They thought she was too old to learn and was just wasting her time.  I am pleased to report that those same friends who were mocking are now showing interest in attending class themselves.  God is good! ☺

Click the link below to watch a portion of the graduation ceremony

http://youtu.be/tb0V1G4-u64

Toward the end of the ceremony I had the opportunity to address the congregation, the graduates, the village officials, and Chief Mnukwa.  All of the speakers that had gone before me began their remarks with the greeting, “Yomashopa” which is the English equivalent to “Your royal highness.” This is what I said:

“Yomashopa Chief (and I courtsied).  I am so glad to be here today to witness this occasion and play a small part in helping the literacy class.  I am motivated by a love for God and a heart of compassion for al of you.  The people of this village are part of my new family and Chief Mnukwa is my chief.”  

Everybody started laughing right away.  In my mind I thought, “Oh no!  What did I say that was so funny?”  I found out later from Justinah, my translator, that everyone was laughing at what I said because Chief Mnukwa CAN’T be my chief since I don’t live in the village.  I thought I was being respectful; they thought I was talking crazy!  Oh well, another mzungu mistake.   I sure am glad I can laugh at myself! ☺

The Chief (in the middle w/ red and white shirt), 
village officials, and entire graduating class

5 hours had passed from the time Savannah and I took our seats until the final song was sung and closing remarks were made.  Sitting that long on a hard, mud pew really takes its toll.  My tailbone was ready for a change in seating, and my stomach was ready for lunch.  The reception meal was very special.  In addition to the customary Nshima (corn that is ground into a rough meal and cooked like grits) and relish (cooked cabbage/greens in tomato broth) that is eaten most every day by the nationals, white rice had also been prepared along with a really tasty beef stew.  Our hostess even brought out the silverware, and we all ate with forks instead of our fingers.   I enjoyed my food and sat with the Chief and his advisors for just a while, listening to their conversation and laughter as the reminisced about growing up in the village together.  I went outside and walked around with Jan and Savannah as Jan passed out her chocolate chip cookies.  They were a big hit.  After more visiting and picture taking, we left.  The evening was still young, and I had less than an hour and a half to prepare for the next big event of the day:  my first board meeting with the Zambia Sisterhood Of Servants Board of Directors (ZSOS).

Day 3 - Back to the Bush

In January 2013, the first literacy class was held for 18 adults who are members of Big Tree Baptist Church.  Click this link from my blog post last year that describes in greater detail how the class was started: http://www.sisterhoodspeaking.blogspot.com/2013/09/day-four-sweet-sound-of-literacy.html

Savannah Jalowiec and me as we left the airport

Just a few days before I was to leave for Chipata, I received an email message from Jan Jalowiec.  Jan said that Kevin, Dan, Robert and Doreen Zulu were planning to have a graduation ceremony to celebrate the milestone of the students from Big Tree Baptist Church’s literacy program.  The students would be receiving a certificate of achievement for completing the Breakthrough to Literacy curriculum, and a big, village-wide celebration was planned.  The Chief, village headmen, and other government dignitaries had been invited.    I was overjoyed by the news!   Just nine months prior, the majority of these dear folk were learning to write for the first time.  I was actually going to witness them receiving their first grade diplomas.  God is incredibly gracious to me.

The Jalowiec’s were so hospitable.  Savannah, Dan and Jan’s 12 year old daughter, had given up her bedroom so that I could have comfort and privacy during my stay.  I enjoyed her company so much, and I’m thankful for her spirit and spunk!  In truth, she confessed that I was a little overwhelming when I greeted her at the airport with my very best ‘mama bear hug.’  The laughter, conversation and fellowship that I experienced with Savannah and her older brother, Micah made me feel right at home.  They are great kids – wonderfully respectful and fun to be around.  Ben and Eddie could learn a lot from them! 

I slept like a dead woman that first night but managed to resurrect myself bright and early on Wednesday morning.  Dan was instrumental in coordinating the logistics of my itinerary for this trip.  On Wednesdays, he and Kevin teach an afternoon bible study for the members at Big Tree.  I would accompany them and have the opportunity to visit Chinunda Rural Health Clinic, see the progress that had been made since the renovations of the past summer, visit with Mable Phiri (the head nurse/midwife), deliver the baby layette items that I brought with me, and attend bible study at Big Tree.  It would be so wonderful to see everyone again. 

Jan was busy all morning cutting out and sewing matching shirts that would be worn by the men as part of the bush-style graduation regalia; the women would be adorned in matching chitenge skirts.  One of the male graduates was a 15 year old boy named Dani Zulu.  He is small for his age, and Jan wanted his shirt to be distinctive from the men.  She asked if I would help her create a shirt pattern for Dani and cut it out.  I was delighted with my morning task and went to work visualizing, marking, and cutting out a pattern.  Jan stayed home to spend the afternoon sewing, and Savannah and Micah stayed home to do schoolwork and participate in a homeschool co-op activity later that day with the Tsoukalas family.

Jan, hard at work on the shirts

Dani's shirt pattern in the making

 I rode with Dan, and we stopped to pick up Kevin on our way to the Bush.  It was wonderful to see him, his wife Savannah and their daughters, Analiese and Gabriella.  Savannah is expecting their third child, so little Gabriella is going to be a big sister.  The last time I saw her she wasn’t yet walking, so it was a treat for me to see her run and play.  We stopped at the Zulu’s house to get Robert and Doreen.  Again my heart leaped as I greeted Doreen, Robert, and their children.  My goodness, how I have grown to love these people, and I am smiling as I type. 

drawing water at the clinic.  Praise the Lord!

When I last visited Chipata in July/August 2013, the landscape was completely brown, winter was in full swing, and there hadn’t been any rain in the forecast for months.  On this last day in April 2014, I was so pleased to see so much green still remaining on the horizon from all the foliage and grass that had yet to die.  I had arrived at the end of rainy season.  The heavy rainfall brings everything to life (including the termites and mosquitos), but it really takes a toll on the bush roads that Dan usually drives to get to Big Tree.  We took a different route.  The view was definitely more picturesque, and I just gazed out the window at the mountains in the distance and talked with Doreen about harvesting the fields of maize and sunflowers that we passed.  We arrived at Chinunda clinic, and the scene before me was familiar.  Dozens of men, women, and children were lined up on the back porch of the general medical building waiting to see Mable, hoping she would provide some relief for their ailment and some reassurance that all would be well.  The one scene that wasn’t familiar but that caused my heart to swell inside me was seeing the women and their children pumping water right on the clinic property.  Last summer I was blessed by the generosity of many Sisterhood Of Servants donors and was able to bring a large monetary gift with me to support the work that Kevin and Dan are doing in Malongwe Village.  A portion of the money that we received was used to provide layette items for the babies that are born at the clinic.  The bulk of the funds were used to install solar lighting in the clinic buildings, pay for contract labor to dig a bore hole, and have a solar well pump installed on the property.  S.O.S. along with two other private donors provided the bulk of the funding for the project.   Complications with the contractor had delayed the installation of the well last Fall, but finally the patients had easy access to fresh water.  No longer would clinic patients have to walk a mile and half to the nearest available bore hole to draw water for their needs.  I was so happy for them and for Mable, especially.   Dan told me that most of the water that comes from the bore holes in the area contain a bit of salt.  Our well had been dug deep enough so that the water the comes forth is really clean and sweet.  Dan called it “holy water.”  I just laughed and smiled at God’s gift to us. 

(click this link to see the pictures of Chinunda Clinic before the renovations: http://www.sisterhoodspeaking.blogspot.com/2013/09/day-five-painting-singing-and-solar.html

Mable Phiri, angel of mercy

Mable exited the building that we had refurbished last summer; it was now being put to full use as a maternity/recovery ward (click this link to see the before pictures: We greeted each other warmly.  It was WONDERFUL to lay eyes on here once again.  We chatted for a few minutes, and she escorted me inside.  Two women lay on recovery beds having just given birth the day before.  I smiled at them and offered a simple greeting, feeling the need to be discreet and not intrude on their privacy.  I walked into each room thinking about the transformation that had taken place just a few months earlier, and thanked the Lord again for the opportunity to minister in such a practical way.   I spoke privately with Mable about her needs, her family, and asked if she had any prayer requests.  I would have loved to stay and visit, but the bible study participants at Big Tree were waiting for Dan and Kevin to arrive.  I gave her a warm goodbye hug and told her I would be praying for her.  Thank you God for that woman and her unselfish, servant’s heart!  

There was much excitement in the air around Big Tree Baptist Church.  Everyone was anticipating the graduation ceremony that would take place the next day.  It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and step foot on that property once again.  I even commented to Kevin just how nice and “modern’ the bush potty was (I know that is a relative term ☺).   Atnes and Irene greeted me warmly.  They kept looking me over up and down and made an African motion with their hands.  They were indicating that I had gotten fat and stout in 9 months!  I could only laugh while my heart sank!  I think they were telling me in their own cultural way that I looked well (at least that’s what I’m going to keep telling myself…wink. Wink.)  So much planning had gone into having a successful graduation celebration, and Doreen was the foreman.  She was going to stay in the village overnight to make sure every detail was addressed properly. 

We left later than usual and nightfall was quickly upon us.  Dan had the unenviable task of trying to maneuver through the dark, twisty, pot holed, people and animal filled bush roads.  This was the first time I had been driving in the bush at night, and it was a REAL experience.  The night sky is black as pitch, but somehow Zambian eyes can see well enough to walk the roads and not fall in a ditch.  Without the headlights on Dan’s vehicle I wouldn’t have been able to see two feet in front of me.  Dan was doing an expert job of avoiding the obstacles along the way:  ox carts, goats, pigs, and people.  There would be a slight turn in the road, and before he knew it, an ox cart would be right in front, and we would have to swerve to miss it.  No one who walks the bush roads at night wears reflector clothing.   The only advance warning we could give to the people on the roads was the sound of our engine coming straight toward them.  Praise the Lord we didn’t hit anything or anyone or wind up in a ditch.  As we drove back toward town that night, the loveliest sight to me was driving past Chinunda clinic and seeing the flicker of lights inside the buildings.  Perhaps Mable was in the process of delivering another baby.  I didn’t know.  I was just glad that there were solar lights available to help illuminate the rooms so that the work of ministering to the sick could take place in a more hospitable setting.  I said a prayer of thanksgiving in my mind, thanking the Lord once again for allowing to have a little part in ministering to the people.

 
That night I lay awake thinking about the events of the day and how exciting graduation would be on the morrow.  I couldn’t wait.

 

Day Four - The Sweet Sound of Literacy

students in the literacy class

Can you imagine hearing people talk about the wonders of reading the written word while having no ability to experience that wonder for yourself? This is the circumstance in which about 51% of the population of Chipata finds itself.  In the summer of 2011 Kevin Pestke and I had our first email dialogue about the problem of illiteracy among the people that live in the rural bush region.   Using research data compiled by Kimberly as one of my information sources, I began to make plans to help alleviate the issue through the Sisterhood Of Servants outreach ministry called the Global Sisterhood Initiative™ (GSI).  The GSI is a practical "helps" ministry to missionaries, national pastors, and long term aid workers serving on the foreign field.  The goal of the GSI is to provide practical resources to women abroad (primarily in third world countries) who seek to make a positive contribution to their community yet have been limited in their opportunities to provide for themselves and their families as a result of widowhood, human trafficking, cultural traditions, and civil unrest.  One of the primary components of the program is literacy training.   

Big Tree Baptist Church, today

Original church meeting place

No one can imagine the flip-flops my heart was experiencing my first Sunday morning in Chipata as we drove more than 18 miles deep into the bush to attend the worship service at Big Tree Baptist Church in Milongwe village.   The SUV ‘bus’ ministry was functioning to full capacity, and we picked up several church members along the way.  The Jalowiecs drove in one vehicle, and I rode with the Pestkes in the other.  Let me just say, KEVIN DRIVES FAST! The dirt road was dotted with cows, pigs, chickens, goats, and people.  Somehow they all managed to get themselves to the side of the road without Kevin having to decelerate; all that was required was a brief honk from the truck horn.  I was thankful I didn’t have to witness any animal or human sacrifice on my way to church! 

When the Pestkes founded Big Tree Baptist Church about 11 months ago, there were 18 -25 members that attended faithfully, and the meeting place was a huge African tree that holds its color even when the rest of the landscape has turned brown.  A thatch roof structure has since been constructed, and as I waited for all of the members to arrive (30+), I was treated to a mini-concert by the young people’s choir.  Their musical blend of melody and harmony was beautiful and served as a kind of call to worship for all the villagers.   I used the hymnbook that Kevin had given me and sang in my best Chichewa accent.  Jan Jalowiec gave me a great tip on remembering the words to the songs.  She ‘modified’ the lyrics with American phrases that were close in sound to the Chichewa language.  I mean absolutely no disrespect, but at various times during the song services I found myself repeating phrases that sounded like ‘chuck-e-cheese’ and ‘baloney- blessing’  over and over again!  Dan Jalowiec preached a great message on commitment to the cause of Christ, and at the end of the service all the members, both old and young, lined up and greeted each other with a holy handshake while singing a closing hymn.  I envisioned the day when the church membership would grow to the point that folks were wrapped around the building for the benediction.  Won’t that be a blessed sight?

Atnes (r) saved me from scandal ☺ 

Before lunch was served I excused myself to use the facilities.  With t.p. in hand, I tried to act nonchalant as I walked toward what I thought was the Bush potty.  I stepped inside and noticed that there was water everywhere.   I was completely confused because there wasn’t the customary hole dug into the ground.  I didn’t know what to do, and I had to ‘go.’   I walked out of the ‘facility’ and discovered a small group of onlookers had gathered.  I was approached by a very kind, very wise, and very patient woman named Atnes who lived in the village.  We didn’t speak a word to each other, but she had that knowing look in her eye.  She smiled sweetly at me and pointed in the direction of the REAL Bush potty which was just a few feet from where I was standing.  I hadn’t noticed it.  Apparently I had wandered into the community shower and was prepared to use it for a purpose CLEARLY UNINTENDED by the villagers who'd built it.   I smiled back, grabbed her hand and said, “Zikomo, Zikomo.” (thank you, thank you).  I was incredibly grateful for that little bit of intervention.  Can you imagine the village talk if I had followed through on my original instincts? 

Doreen Zulu

I enjoyed lunch immensely even though I was still using my ‘two-handed’ technique.  At least I can say I cleaned my plate, and I tried not to lick my fingers this time.  While the missionaries and I were eating, students were gathering in the Big Tree church building for literacy class.   I was going to have my first opportunity to observe the class in action.  After two years of planning and praying, God was giving me the gift of seeing one component of the GSI come to life. The class meets 3 days a week, in 2 hour class sessions, and is taught by a wonderful woman named Doreen Zulu (click here to read more about Doreen’s life and ministry).   The students range in age from 15 to over 50.   I was overwhelmed when Amayi (mother) Zulu asked me to speak to the group before class started.  I stood before these adults and just beemed.  Their faces looked so beautiful to me.  Once the class got started, I sat on one of the mud pews near the back of the church and marveled as I listened to the recitation of vowel sounds.  I’m not exaggerating when I say that it sounded like a line of music in my ears.   Amayi Zulu continued to teach the lesson, and she asked several students to go up to the white board, one at a time.  It’s a small thing, I know, but I was so pleased to see that white board attached by reeds, of some sort, to the poles that made up the building frame.  The first humanitarian grant that Sisterhood Of Servants ever made was to Kevin’s ministry, and he had used the funds for school supplies and the purchase of the board. 

Bennett Zulu

School paper of 24 year old 8th grader

Irene, over 40, never written before

Amayi Zulu called one student to the board whose name is Bennett Zulu – no relation. The name Zulu in the Bush is a common name, much like Smith in the United States.  Bennett is 56 years old.  He stood before the class and wrote the date on the board.   After he wrote, Amayi Zulu acknowledged her approval and encouraged him.  She told me that before class started back in January, Bennett had never before picked up a writing instrument.    Now, he could write his name, the date, and he was learning the alphabet.  He had told Amayi Zulu on a previous occasion that he hoped to someday be able to stand up in church and read a passage of scripture to the congregation.  At that moment, I lost all my decorum and had to excuse myself from the class.  I was so overcome with emotion.  As I stood off by myself and wept, I thanked the Lord for allowing me to witness His good work in the lives of these dear people.  I thanked him for every dollar that was donated to help people like Bennett learn to read the word of God for themselves.  I thanked him for allowing me to be his child.  I just couldn’t thank him enough!  I returned to the class, and Amayi Zulu said that the students were going to work on the writing assignments she had given them.  When they finished, she wanted them to bring their school papers to Kevin and me so that we could look over them and see their progress. What a blessed privilege.  The handwriting and pace of learning was varied, as you would expect.  Amayi Zulu was truly implementing the one-room-schoolhouse model so prevalent in American pioneer days.  Her students were at all levels of comprehension.    

At one point during the class, Kevin brought in an encyclopedia of the world, complete with colorful pictures.  He showed these mostly adult students a map of Africa.  He asked them if they knew where Zambia was located.  No one knew.  You should have seen their eyes light up as Kevin showed them Zambia and the location of Chipata.   Amayi told me that illiteracy is such a problem, most villagers have never even seen a map before, let alone know the purpose of it.   Incredible! Near the end of my time observing the class, Amayi Zulu asked one of the women to stand up and share a word of testimony about why she was coming to school every week.  Her name is Aylid.  She is over 40 years old and had never even written anything before coming to the literacy class.  I wish I had recorded what she said, but I don’t think I’ll ever forget her words.  They are forever etched in my mind:

Aylid

“I started coming to school because I wanted to learn to read the bible.  I was so tired of people reading it to me.  I wanted to look up the scriptures for myself.  This is a good school.  So many times our children in the village don’t go to school because it is so far away.  They just stay at home.  But if I can learn to read, then perhaps my children will be able to learn also.”

I was speechless.  Kevin and I talked a little on the drive home from church, but I was preoccupied with my thoughts. I tried to put into perspective what had just transpired in that class and the impact it would have on the people of Milongwe Village.  My mind continued to race, and I willed my thoughts to slow down and be still.   Little did I know there was so much more coming. 

Next time: Paint, Singing, and Solar Lighting 

©2013 Phylicia Perry.  All rights reserved