A Bit About Church

Now that we have been here for a while and have visited many churches I thought I might condense what church has been like for us. We have been going to very poor churches out in the compounds, which are poor communities around the city. This involves driving on some pretty bumpy roads, are they roads?... yes, but we wonder what they will be like during rainy season. Most of the time we sit in with the congregation but a few times we have been seated in the front. Several of the churches have men sit on one side and women on the other. A bit strange not to sit as a family but otherwise fine. The services usually begin with song, if they haven't been singing already. Often a praise team begins with a few songs, followed by a women's choir, maybe a men's choir and then a few more songs by a youth choir. They sway, move their feet and clap in a way that I cannot imitate. I have to concentrate just to make sure I'm still on beat! Mother's have their babies on their backs tied with a piece of fabric. Toddlers wander around the aisles. The tiny cinder block building fills with rich rythym and voices. I've been surprised that they don't use drums or other instruments, though the voices are music enough. If you look up the roof is corrigated sheet metal, usually with some small holes, the wooden rafters are exposed and crude windows with rebar across them let in a breeze. Benches are generally wooden with no backs however, one church has brick benches cemented to the floor. The pulpit is made out of who knows what but is always covered by a nice white piece of lace or fabric with crocheting on it. People pack in as the service continues. Only a few have bibles, partly because there isn't a translation of the type of Nyanja spoken in Lusaka. There are a few hymnals but not even enough for all to share. The people know the words and songs well without them.
The singing and worship lasts the first hour. Then a sermon of about 40 minutes to an hour and then more worship music. Two to two and a half hours is typical. The sermons are often translated using both English and Nyanja. Often a large portion of Scripture is read aloud to help those without bibles. The songs are mostly in Nyanja or Bemba but sometimes they may do one in English. At times they sing in the local language but we can recognise the hymn or chorus. Each church has visitors stand up to be recognised and they present the visitors with another song. These people love to sing! With praise and song they can focus on God and be comforted from their hardships. They have a good time. Our children have liked the churches because you can really sense the Zambians joy and celebration.
Many times we are not the only visitors. We see Zambian visitors as well which we are glad to see the church growing. After the service usually a reception-type line forms and the entire congregation files out to shake hands and greet the visitors. Sometimes the visitors have been given a treat and something to drink. Today, I , Linda was given a chitenge (like a wrap skirt) and a matching head scarf. The ladies put it on me and warmly welcomed our family. At the end of the service someone had a camera so we posed for several people to have their photo taken with us. It feels a bit foolish to have so much attention but they are so happy to have muzungu's (whites) worship with them. We want to build relationships so we can learn the language and culture and to know how they desire to have us assist them in reaching out to their community. ACTION has a core group of churches with whom they work so we try to visit them. We would like to find a good fit and call one home.