AFRICA

SENT
TO

SERVE
ISA. 6:8 HERE AM I; SEND ME. VOL 1 NO. 7
REPORT OF DOUGLAS'MISSIONARY ACTIVITY IN ZAMBIA

fANUARY, 1976

Beginnings . . .
I've met four men with some preaching background who have expressed a desire to help establish churches here. Three are from various non-instrumental backgrounds. One has been with the African national Church . . . but has been reading his Bible. Am spending much time with each of these men to determine the position of their hearts as well as their heads. My study of Nyanja continues. Have already surpassed my knowledge of Bemba ... which ain't sayin' much. Due to lack of an interpreter, I was forced to give a short, spontaneous Bible would be best for me to begin our church planting in the study in Nyanja to a small group last week. Their various Chiparamba area. More than this, they have made all necessary responses told me I've got a long way to go ... but they did un accommodation for me to actually begin preaching in this area. derstand. It was very encouraging. Chiparamba is an Intensive Development Zone situated about 25 Gail and I just celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary. I miles from Chipata on the road to Luangwa Game Reserve. It is think this is a good time to speak briefly of the tremendous role one of the most densely populated rural areas in the District, and she has played in our ministry here. She has labored untiringly also one of the most unchurched. It lies on the border between for my physical and spiritual happiness. She has come through a the Ngoni and Chewa peoples. Thus far two preaching points multitude of trying experiences with a beautiful, positive spirit. have been established in the area: one in Chief Undi's village, Without her being the kind of person she is, I could not even be the other in Chief Chikuwe's village. Though very hopeful for in Zambia. I love her. I praise God for allowing me such a the future in this area, 1would emphasize that at present these wonderful gift. He seems to do everything just right. I'm going to are only preaching points. continue with her and Him for as long as I live. A third preaching point has been established near our home We are praying that each of you will receive every one of the in the town of Chipata. We are calling this the "Umodzi" area as blessings God wants to give during the coming year.
this is the name of the school where we've been allowed to have

Greetings from Chipata! We've been here since the middle of September. Gaii and 1 love this place. A lot of both encouraging and discouraging things have happened ... just like at the begin ning of any new work. But progress has been made. I've had meetings with three significant individuals: the District Secretary, Chief Mpezeni and Chief Undi. The District Secretary has provided a letter giving me freedom to preach throughout Chipata District. The meetings with the Chiefs Mpezeni and Undi were very cordial. They both agreed that it

meetings. When first starting in this area there were many who appeared interested. Time has proven that many of these were interested for wrong reasons. But there has been from the start a small core who by their actions have proven genuine interest. I've spent much time with some of these individuals trying to give them a vision of what God wants to do in their area. I think

this effort is just beginning to bear fruit. We're preparing some special evening meetings for this area in January. Gall has been conducting a regular Sunday School here with an average atten dance of seventy children. Three significant facts about this area: 1. It is already a highly populated part of town; 2. it is designated as the new site for future township development; 3. there are no
established churches in this area.

Last july a group of non-instrumental Church of Christ brethren began meeting in an old building erected by some
non-instrumentals from Malawi many years ago. This building is located in Kapata, the big township in Chipata. When these brothers found I was in Chipata, they came asking for my help in rebuilding their work in Kapata. I tried to be very honest about possible problems we might have in working together. Their response appeared to be very good. I've thought and prayed much about this matter. The result has been that I had to say yes to their request. Soooo Have found that a non-instrumental missionary in Malawi has recently started paying a preacher to start churches around Lundazi (in Zambia). Two of the Christians there came to Chipata also asking me to assist their churches. As a result I've made two trips to Lundazi. Again, I was very honest with them. My plans are to spend at least one week with them in January to deter mine what has actually been done and the feasibility of my being of any help to them.

XfKi;

Mr. Mbewe, a blind Christian (holding Braille Bible), desires to help John establish churches.

PERSONAL LETTERS:

KUCEZA NDI CAIL

M/M John Douglas

P.O. Box 399

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ADDRESS CHANCES:

John Douglas
c/o W. T. Pierce 101-A Byrnes China Lake, Calif. 93555

John Douglas
c/o LCC Press

(Chatting with Gail)

1976! We've been in Zambia for almost two years now, and it is becom ing very evident to us that we could live in this country for twenty years. . . and still be learning new things about the customs, culture and language. Since our arrival to Chipata we have had many opportunities to learn about the Ngoni and Chewa peoples. We have the neatest neighbors (of both tribes) who very patiently try to explain their ways to us, and in turn, they are always interested in knowing our ideas and
customs as wellso we have a lot of fun. Also, we've had some beautiful opportunities to share with them the One who crosses all cultural barriers, the One who is the "Way, Truth, and Life" for all the world. One neighbor whom I'm especially fond of is Mrs. Zulu, an educated woman who is also very honest and genuineI just really love her and

Chipata, Zambia
Africa

Box 178 Lincoln, IN. 62656

we've had so many interesting discussions. She always lets me know too when I've said or done something not very Ngoni-like! So slowly but surely, I'm learning! For instance: many of our neighbors bring us Zambian dishes to try; when we lived in Kasama and according to Bemba custom it would be very rude not to put something back in the bowl or basket when returning it to the owner; well, lo and behold, according to Ngoni custom, I just found out (after filling bowls for several months), that it is very rude if you do fill the bowl or basketas this means that you can't accept a gift graciously, but feel that you must pay that person back. More and more John and I are becoming aware of the sincere kindness of these peopleso many that we have become acquainted with express kindness with no ulterior motives (well, hardly any!).
Along this same line, I have learned that it is an insult to ask someone if

they'd like some refreshments. .. you just go to the kitchen with no ex-Planation, prepare and bring out the food. If you ask, it means that you really don't want to give them anything, but you'll do it because it's ex pected of you. Also you don't hand them a glass or plate (that's how you treat children)just leave the eats on a tray where everyone can help
themselves.

Mrs. Zulu explains Ngoni customs.

Along the family lines, Zambian and American culture differs greatly. The women's libbers would absolutely flip out here in Africa! For the most part, the woman is a work-horse and bearer of children (and she bears as many as possible, so that she and her husband will be well taken care of in their later years). The husband's job is to earn the living . . . period! He does nothing to help at home or look after the children; in fact, in Ngoni culture a father does not play with his childrenthis would be considered undignified {however a grandfather can play with his grandchildren). A son-in-law or daughter-in-law cannot speak to their parents-in-law, except in greeting ... a daughter-in-law cannot even stay or pass through the same room that her father-in-law is in. If a Grandma is lonely and wants a child around the place, she asks for and receives a grandchild or some other relative's child to bring up. Very rarely are children ever spankedit is just something that is not done, no matter how bratty the kid (Ido have one neighbor who spanksshe was brought up by Europeansand her relativesand some neighbors call her "a devil.") . . . however, a spoiled child usually straightens out, as younger brothers and sisters come along to share the limelight. One main segment of Ngoni and Chewa culture that we're just now learning about is "Mdulo"a disease that will strike your children if sexual taboos are ignored. It is interesting for us to learn that no matter how educated or intellectual a Zambian might be, still underneath it all, his culture and superstitions are still very much with him. And 1 must add here, that as missionaries we cannot impose our American culture on these peoplenor do we want to. We just want to present Christ and His love and if there's any changing to be doneHe will do it through His power and love working in their individual lives. As John mentioned, I have a Sunday School going in our neighborhood with about seventy kids attending. We meet in the primary school across the street from our house, which is ideal, for we have enough room plus the children have desks for drawing. They dramatized the G-hristmas Story one Sunday during December and really did an excellent jobI could tell they truly enjoyed it too. Wish you could have seen baby jesus with tennis shoes on, and the "littlest angel" who would have melted your heart! For the first time since coming to Zambia, John and I have been able to be "just tourists" several times in '75. It was great fun and very refreshing. In September we went on a "Walking Safari" for three days in Luangwa Valley Game Reserveit was really exciting to see the animals up so close and completely naturll. And then for our tenth anniversary in December, John took me for four days to Victoria Falls, one of the seven
natural wonders of the world. The falls have been known for centuries as

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Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus pose after play.

"Musi-O-Tunya" ("The Smoke That Thunders") because of the clouds of vapor that rise from so much falling water. It was a truly fantastic sight. And I can still say after ten years that I have a truly fantastic husband! "I bless the holy name of God with all my heart" (Psalms103:1) for giving me this very precious person, and then for the work that He has called us
to do together.

Looking out over breathtaking Victoria Falls.

John Douglas
%LCC Press
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