No Man [Or Woman] Is An Island

Mrs. Christine Mumbi and I

Have you ever been invited to be the guest speaker at a function and not realized it until several days before? Such was the case this past week. I had been invited to a fund raiser by Christine Mumbi, the wife of one of Tracy’s former students. The women of seven churches were raising money for the purchase of chairs for True Worshippers Church, pastored by Christine's husband. Thankfully, I examined the official invitation a bit more closely, and sure enough, I was "it!"

More thankfully, God gave me a four-point message from Exodus 35, the raising of the funds for the tabernacle and its furnishings. There was a specific need, there were givers, there were gifts, and there was a problem. What I want to focus on in this blog, however, is how Zambians view helping one another.

The women of these congregations work together to provide for one another. As Mrs. Mumbi explained, at this time True Worshippers has a need~one for chairs. Her church, or mpingo, had been borrowing seats from various people in order to make their congregants and visitors comfortable. Late arrivals at worship take their seats in the back on benches or the floor. Up until several months ago, dirt was the flooring. In the future, when one of the other churches need help, then it will be their turn for the ladies to respond. 

Because people are so poor here, they rely on each other in ways I wouldn’t have dreamed of in the States. My neighbor, Mr. Zulu, reminds me from time to time that we are neighbors and it is natural to help one another. A month ago we ran out of paper, and he gladly provided a ream for us.

The giving goal for each women's group was 400,000 kwacha, or about $80. What was fascinating was the manner in which they presented their gifts. Lining up at the door, each group took their turn and entered dancing and singing a song they’d prepared. When I asked Mrs. Mumbi if it was True Worshippers’ turn, she said she hadn’t been keeping track “because of joy.”

There truly is great joy when Zambians give and help one another. I liken their gladness to the joy I felt each year at our home church’s Festival of Praise. People gave towards several projects for the church, giving sacrificially to an inside and outside need. My favorite part of the FOP was the announcement by our church’s chairman, Chester Hilty, of the total amount given. Did we reach our goal? Did we go over it?

I asked Mrs. Mumbi to text me when she knew the final amount. Instead, she called. They had raised 3.8 million kwacha, roughly $760, or $200 over their goal! Banding together, they more than accomplished their goal. Not only that, they achieved a gratifying sense of community. 

The church is on the move in Zambia, becoming self-sufficient. But, they work together, not as seven little islands. They are indeed teaching this indepen- dent, “hog-on-ice” missionary a thing or two.