Let’s see-Sunday at church. Brian said it went okay, really hard to tell for him. It’s hard to get into a rhythm when you can only say about one sentence at a time, and then have to wait for the interpreter; he said it was easy to lose his train of thought. Overall he guessed it wasn’t good by his standards (but he’s pretty hard on himself) but the nationals seemed to like it/enjoy it. He preached on being a living sacrifice, and how that means living a life of obedience. His text was Romans 12:1-2 and 1 John 4 (?). During the singing he had to sit up front, half facing people. One of the regular workers at the school led out a song of thanksgiving-first for all the kids, then for the provision of finances for them, then for Brother Brian (a little humbling, huh?). The headwoman who gave Gospelink the use of the land was at church Sunday as well. Brian has been able to get to know her assistant-He says he is a laughy/giggling type of guy but seems very nice and willing to help.
On Sunday, they met watermelon Mike, who is about 73. Mike’s brother, Witness, is one of the regular workers at the bible school. Witness is about 20. They are brothers through their dad-Witness is from the fourth wife I believe. Brian is finding that polygamy is a lot more common than he expected. We were told that adultery was illegal (and that very well could still be true-especially in the city. In fact, I do now remember reading a court proceeding out of Lusaka about an adultery case), so we didn’t expect to see it so much. So what do you do? It’s pretty easy to say its wrong, divorce all but one, etc. and then go home. But we are the ones who will be dealing with it. Back in late December I posted the story of Omodo). The question becomes, what do you do with the other wives? There has been lots of discussion I guess. Most of the Americans are pretty black and white about it, they look at it a little too simply, there is just so much more involved (and no, we don’t pertain to have the correct answer). Henry told Brian that if someone comes to church, they share their view of polygamy according to God’s word, but still allow all to come (husband and all wives) to church. The men can not be in leadership though. They turn the matter over to God to convict the man if he needs to do something different. There is so much culture involved.
Brian says to keep praying for Paul. He seems to be trying to figure out a “plan b” if this isn’t right. Brian’s told him that’s not how it works! He is still wrestling with God about this and we appreciate you praying for him too. Paul is only there 4 more weeks, as is Lewis. For the last two weeks of summer teams, Brian will be the one in charge at the school. You could also pray for Lewis, who doesn’t seem to be sleeping very well. He only sleeps at the college, and even then for not very long. Please pray for peace and for him to cease striving and to cast all his anxieties and cares onto the Lord.
Brian also did have a chance to talk to Lewis about some of his concerns with a few of the workers, so thank you for praying for that. He said it went okay, and once we are there, I am sure Brian will be able to assist in some of the training and discipleship that these guys need.
On Saturday he moved river sand with the backhoe, and Sunday he needed to do a little work, which he wasn’t really all too happy about, but he did it. The septic tank is all dug out, and there is one load of block by our place ready to be laid once the floor is in.
Not only do we need to get there to begin the development of the farming stuff, but just to help with overall maintenance. The backhoe needs regular stuff done like filters and there is just upkeep everywhere to keep an eye on.
Brian got all the window frames, and all but 3 door frames. The cement mixer was broke again, but Joel sent a part from the States that was needed, so that should (hopefully) be fixed soon. There are three main projects that Lewis would like to get done in the next two weeks, then he told the groups that are there this week, that our house is the priority! YEAH! Brian had the trench dug for our water line from the cistern. He needed to get the pipe and lay it. He was going to put a faucet in right away-that will make the cement mixing go even faster if they don’t have to haul water up there. He needs to go in and get a bunch of lumbar to start building the trusses for the roof.
He was supposed to check on his employment permit yesterday, but not much went as planned that day! Stewart needed to drive bus instead of take Brian where he needed to go and get supplies, so Brian ended up getting supplies by himself, and then driving home by himself, IN THE DARK. He got back to the school around 7:30 pm, but it gets dark at 6 pm, and there ain’t no street lights! The center line is faded, but if you find the shoulder, you will know! When the brights are on, you are okay, but the regular headlights weren’t very helpful. There are also a lot of people walking or riding bike on the road. As I am sure you can imagine, that’s pretty scary as you don’t see anyone until you are right on top of them! Oh yes, he was driving a seven ton 20 foot long truck! Somewhere along the way he got stopped and asked for his license. He gave them his international driver’s license, but they wanted his African one-he doesn’t have that yet. So he showed them his Minnesota one, and apparently that was fine. He was also stopped (flagged down?) by a national pastor that was on his way to the school for training this week, so Brian was able to give him a ride so the guy wouldn’t have to sleep on the side of the road that night. Did I also mention that Brian didn’t exactly know where he was going? He wasn’t 100% sure of the turn off, and as I said there is no street light, and he really can’t see or read signs very well at night. He was just praying for a beacon to know where to turn, I had also put this out on our prayer chain for people to be praying about. Brian missed the witch doctor’s sign, but the Kaziemba Basic School sign was lit up like a beacon. I’ve seen the sign-it’s nothing special, not bright or anything. This was a true miraculous sign from God in answer to everyone’s prayers!
A few more culture things-when you shake hands, you often hold for a long while during which you are talking. It is also very common to see the national pastors walking together holding hands. It is a sign of friendship. Things like this make us very happy that we read “African Money Matters and Friends”. This book is very eye opening to the general African culture. I read some of the stuff and said yeah right, but it is ringing pretty true! There is a lot of hugging for greetings, and even if you meet your worst enemy on the street, it would be considered very rude not to greet them and shake their hand. CRAZY! We are thinking we need to suggest to all the Gospelink reps who deal with Africans that they should read this book. It really explains a lot. Another thing-when they tell you they did something, but they really didn’t-it’s not lying. It is saving face. Brian told one guy that he needed him to leave the keys while this guy went into town. Three times he told him, and he said he would do it. Well, low and behold, the keys weren’t where they should be. So they tried to call this guy about three or four times. Finally he answered and said the keys are hanging up where he said he’d leave them, if not, go ask Witness. Well, they did all that. During this time, our friend called up Henry and said oh the keys are in my pocket. So why didn’t he just say that in the first place, to Brian? Because that’s not what you do-you have to save face-go through someone else, etc. Henrich was asking Brian the other day where his room was going to be in our house-Paul told him they had just dug it (the septic). They laughed and laughed. It’s like when they ask you for your shirt because they like it. It’s not necessarily that they really want your shirt-that’s just how they tell you they like it. A suggested response is simply, “well, what am I going to wear?”
Brian’s parents made it just fine. The flight wasn’t very good (poor service/food), apparently the hotel and food were horrible in Ethiopia too (they stayed somewhere different than Brian’s group). Lewis’s wife and two kids, and another Gospelink staff member were on this flight as well. I wonder if we will use that airline next year….
When I called to check that Brian made it back, he was eating cookies and having coffee with his folks around the fire. Lewis put his folks in the cabin next to Brian’s. They seem to be having a good time. Paul took Wendell and showed him around, Carole was working with Lucy. All the nationals were meeting his parents, and they will probably get the star treatment this week!
Cool thing-while Brian was standing waiting somewhere, a CASE IH service truck drove by. They flagged him down and got his business card. It’s definitely an answer to prayer as they were wondering where they were going to get filters and other parts when needed for the back hoe (and yes, there is a “green tractor” store in the area where we can get parts for the John Deere).
Okay, I did it! I will probably talk to Brian in another few days-maybe not until Saturday due to the garage sale. Good night!
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