C.R.O.S.S. Graduation

Tracy and I worshipped at the Emmasdale Church of God yesterday where Mark Mwali is pastor. It was a red letter day for about 41 people from various churches who were graduating from the C.R.O.S.S. training they’d received. The acronym stands for Churches Read to Overcome Silence and Stigma in regards to HIV/AIDS. To challenge the students to risk their lives for the sake of others Tracy preached on the “Hope of Glory” from Colossians 3:1-4. A very poignant illustration he used was the true story of a parachutist (see previous blog) who jumped out of a plane (with a parachute) to rescue a man who had fallen out of it without a parachute. His point was that if we have the “Hope of Glory” (a ‘parachute’) then we will put ourselves at risk to help the suffering and
the dying.

Most of the graduates wore caps and gowns, so this was a significant event in their lives. John Chitambo, Etta Imasiku and Anne Musukwa, AZ team members, taught this intensive training during the past five months. It became very clear that the students greatly appreciated their teaching. The day was truly a time of celebration, complete with dancing and several choirs. One song brought people into the aisles who had purses, notebooks, and other bundles on their heads. When I asked what this was about, Anne said the song was expressing that life was a journey. Women in the choir carried their babies on their backs, wrapped in chitenges, brightly colored fabric. It’s amazing to me how the babies stay there in place. God knew what He was doing when our children were born in the states. Had they been wrapped in chitenges they would’ve fallen out on their heads!

Tracy also assisted the C.R.O.S.S. team in handing out diplomas. At one point I began taking pictures while John’s son reloaded his camera. Each graduate received a certificate as well as a new Bible. At the conclusion of the service, the “mamas” were asked to come to the platform. That meant Anne, Etta and I. As the choir sang, three women approached us bearing new chitenges with which they wrapped us. This was a pleasant, unexpected surprise. Afterwards several students asked the “azungu” (white people) to join them in having their picture taken.

For Tracy yesterday was the most fulfilling time of preaching he’s experienced here yet. But he also continues to feel deeply that his main calling here in Zambia is not to preach but to train and teach Zambian pastors how to minister God’s Word. Properly taught, they will always be able to minister more powerfully and effectively to their people.

(at left~Anne, Etta, and John)