Zambia 1977 (2)

I ought to have been very much 'at home' in the small church in Luanshya - indeed I was made most welcome by all; they were very hospitable. Yet, the very fact that this African church was so much like my 'home' UK church troubled me. It so happened that my church were discussing the public role of women (a thorny issue during the 1970's!); as I saw the very gifted missionary lady sidelined by the 'system', I became even more convinced that we had got it all wrong.

Another bone of contention in UK churches (within our 'narrower' group) was the subject of ladies' hair and head covering. I saw immediately that many African women could never grow long hair (as mentioned in 1Cor 11) so the admonition of St Paul had only a limited, cultural application.

Although the church situation caused me to 'think again' about things that were 'cast iron' beliefs in some UK churches, my faith in Christ remained unshaken. I enjoyed the Zambian countryside and wildlife: I was very privileged to see a Cardinal bird, and also a chameleon, and many amazing striped and spotted frogs. I was not so keen to face a small cobra a yard from me in a friend's back garden! I think that my sprint would have at least equalled an Olympic record! I think that the snake was probably just as afraid as I was.                                                                      

All in all I enjoyed my visit to Zambia, a country with immense potential for agriculture and copper production. I left with the realisation that God had used the visit to stir me up to think again about numerous traditions and beliefs that I had really taken for granted. It was good for me in my Christian pilgrimage.