All last week, we were on our first of three expeditions into the bush. Now having two under my personal belt, it’s interesting to contrast the experiences, as well as the subtle differences in different areas of Zambia.
This time, we were in east central Zambia near Chirundu, about an hour inland from Lake Kariba and the northernmost border with Zimbabwe. The chief of the region (Chief Chipepo) is a strong Christian, and we actually got to meet with him and another chief (Chief Kaputa), and they gave us a word of encouragement and prayed over us. (Which is a HUGE deal, by the way. That’d be like the president inviting you to a private dinner with him in the White House).
On my expedition last year, the people we met were very similar faith-wise. They all went to the same church, which was about a block away, and they seemed to largely be at similar faith levels. This time, however, there was a lot of diversity in churches and beliefs. At one household we visited, there were 4 different church denominations represented. We met people who had heard of Jesus, but didn’t know anything about Him, and we met people who were very strong in their faith and theology, as well as everything in between.
The biggest question we were posed (which is not uncommon throughout Zambia) is what church denomination we were representing, to which we explained that we were there not representing a particular church, but just representing Jesus. It’s a fair question, though, considering there have been missionary groups come to Zambia in the past that were only interested in converting the people to another denomination. However, it’s interesting because although the question is coming from a different perspective half-way across the globe, there is a similar divide amongst denominations in the US. Often times, we act as though we do not even worship the same God.
Zambians (and most Africans in general) are very spiritual, and therefore, they are going to have some type of spirit in them, whether it is the Holy Spirit or an evil spirit. Witchcraft is also widely spread, and many Zambians get what they call charms (jewelry) from the witch doctors, which they believe will ward off evil spirits and disease. We even met one woman who had marks from the witch doctor tattooed on her chest and forehead. Because of this strong spirituality, many Zambians unknowingly invite Satan to have free-reign in their lives and their bodies. We encountered two different men on two different days that reported having bad dreams, and the descriptions of their dreams were identical. We also encountered a few demonic manifestations. In America, our most common identification with Satan is simply temptation, which of course is a huge issue, and certainly not limited to the Western world. However, it’s completely different witnessing that kind of darkness, and it gives new meaning to being the light of the world.
At one hut on one day, we met an older blind couple, and a man at a different hut on a different day that were strong in their faith. The latter man even told us that he had invested in a Bible so that he could share with his village. We encouraged and prayed over them to be bold in their faith.
I think one of my favorite things that we repeatedly did was to explain that there’s nothing special about us. The same power that lives in us, lives in them, too, and so they are just as capable to pray for healing and salvation, and the casting out of demons. Because God is not far away, but He is just as near to them as He is to us. We are all His children, and He is a good Father.
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 1:19
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