The Humanitarian Aid Committee of the Board for World Missions is making a visit to Zambia and Malawi to assess the work of our committee. Our committee exists to help build bridges for the Gospel by providing points of contact with people through humanitarian aid.  It is funded solely through gifts of WELS members.

Our trip to Lusaka, Zambia, went well. The Lord blessed us (Prof. David Valleskey, Kent Raabe and Tom Hering) with safe travel, and on Saturday morning, Jason Paltzer, the Lutheran Health and Development Program Director, was at the airport to greet us. We are truly enjoying the hospitality of all we meet connected with our missions in Lusaka.

After settling in a bit, we traveled about 25 miles east to the town of Chongwe, where we visited members of Malembo Onse Lutheran Church. Malembo Onse means “All for God.”  Here we saw our first borehole (well), which was originally drilled in 2004 with the purpose of providing fresh water for the church’s study center where pre-Bible institute students can receive theological education. The Lord willing, these students can eventually enter the Seminary to become pastors.  Members of this congregation have also begun a self-help project of raising chickens.  Another interesting way that Malembo Onse members are building bridges is through the operation of a home-based care project.  Numerous members, mostly widows, have been trained in the area of basic health care and then find opportunities to provide in-home care for people in their church and in the community that suffer from chronic illnesses.  In addition, the care providers offer prayers and share the good news of Scripture with those they serve.  We are learning several other ways in which additional aid may be able to more effectively support their efforts.  Mr. Phili, the Church Council chairman, was very gracious in showing us their facility, explaining their work and answering our questions.

One of Professor Valleskey’s suitcases did not make the flight on Saturday, but a quick trip later in the day to a shopping area in Lusaka helped him secure a few needs prior to his suitcase arriving today, three days later. There are only three flights per week from London to Lusaka.

Our travels of the last two days took us toward the southern part of Zambia.  I can’t begin to describe the amazing sights, sounds and smells of this country.  Seeing “controlled” burns along the roadways to keep the vermin down. Why decrease the vermin population around their homes? To keep the snakes away. Lots of grass hut stands selling kindling, charcoal, chickens, fruit, (tons of bananas), and countless other goods.  Goats, pigs, cows and dogs roamed freely in the roads and fields. Termite mounds, Baobob trees, where it has been reported that some folks have made the hollow middle of the tree their place of residence! And lots of people simply walking along the sides of the roads where many women balance and carry unbelievable amounts of wares, young men sell whole fish holding them out to passing cars, women and children filling potholes with dirt or rock as you approach and then hold out their hand for money, hoping the speeding cars will stop. (Many of the roads need more than pails of dirt and some crushed rock!)  And folks line the roads in the city, in the villages, and in the middle of nowhere.

We observed “home” after “home” out in the bush country that really consist of separate small structures made of grass or mortar, that make up their individual bedrooms, kitchen, and other rooms. Each space is not much larger than the size of a US bathroom.

On Monday we visited our LCCA (Lutheran Church of Central Africa) congregation in the town of Choma.  Again we saw an HAC funded bore hole that was providing good water for members of the church as well as visitors from the community.  Even very young children were thrilled to be able to pump the well for the fresh water. Here we hope and pray that these visitors will also learn about the eternal life-giving water of Jesus, the Savior of the world, through one-on-one conversations and through weekly worship services.

While staying overnight far from Lusaka last night, Kent and I walked a ways from our lit tent area to view the stars, the many stars of God’s creation.  Kent commented, “Our God is in the heavens!” And a second later we saw a brilliant shooting star.  How often God reminds us of his handiwork and of his presence!

It’s the knowledge of God and the gift of his love and salvation that we pray many more people will learn to know, here in Africa and around the world, as the Holy Spirit touches the hearts of those who come in contact with his Word and creates in them the gift of faith.  Who are those you know with whom you too can build a bridge and share the Good News?

Go to Part 2

Tom Hering