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.

Zambia 1977

My very first passport, and my first trip outside of the UK. My employers sent me off to Zambia for a month; what a culture shock for me! We flew in to Lusaka by a large jet, and then by a smaller plane to Ndola, and on by road to Luanshya, where I was to spend one month working at the Baluba Copper Processing Plant. The town was well laid out, with avenues named after exotic plants - I stayed in a villa in 'Jacaranda' road.

The manager of the project turned out to be from the same part of UK as I was, so I had a good welcome. I also discovered that an English family at the church in Luanshya were not only from my birthplace but had been members at my childhood church, and were well-known to me: they were flabbergasted when I turned up on their doorstep! They introduced me to a church in Luanshya that had been founded by missionaries from the same church background as myself. All very cosy, you might say, but I soon found myself asking questions about my own beliefs and understanding of Christianity.

As I was staying for a month I was allocated a roomy villa which I shared with a colleague who returned to UK after about 10 days. To my surprise, I was allocated a 'boy' (older than I was!) to look after my laundry and keep the place tidy. I did feel somewhat uncomfortable about the arrangement - especially when I found out that he lived in a small 2-room hut with his wife and 7 children, whilst I had the sole occupancy of the villa for another three weeks.

I attended the church with my friends and immediately was struck by the way in which we had 'angliicised' the African church. The hymns were in English (16th c variety!) as were the prayers - Africans using 'Thee and Thou' while addressing God. The congregation was approx 80 people, 90% of whom were Zambians. The leadership was all male - and all white. There was one Scottish lady missionary who was probably the most knowledgeable and talented Bible teacher, but she was not allowed to preach in the presence of men! I found myself thinking more about the ways in which we 'do church.' ................ to be continued.