Warriors
GO! Stories Series – September 6, 2011
During my seventh trip to Zambia earlier this year, we were blessed to share the Jesus Film at a youth conference in the Malala area. This was the bush, but there were 300+ youth gathered to praise and worship the King. There were also others in attendance to see firsthand what this Jesus movement was all about. We showed the film outside and very modest surroundings. These youth were camping-out over the weekend as they shared in the weekend messages. I was honored to speak at the conclusion of their conference on Sunday morning, the day after the showing of the Jesus Film.
As might be expected, we arrived early Saturday evening to set-up the equipment to show the film while we still had light. Well before dark the youth began to gather to ensure that they had a good seat for the viewing. As light turned to dusk we were invited by the leadership of the conference under a covered area with chairs. Kiswell, the leader of the conference, opened us in prayer as the ladies began to serve us nshema and ‘bush’ chicken. This was quite an honor.
The ladies that served us first started with a pitcher and bowl so we could wash our hands. In addition, wet hands are better for handling hot nshema. They then brought the bowl of nshema where five evenly rolled balls or loafs were presented. We each, of course guest first, took our nshema and placed it on our plates. Then the chicken was served whereas there was at least one piece for each of us. This was all prepared on an open fire; there were no kitchen facilities available here. After we were finished the ladies came with water again for us to wash. This meal was served to us from their poverty. I was humbled to be in the presence of these men. Their courage and obedience was evident. These were not perfect men, but men who know that their Father is heaven is with them and not against them. I was also uncomfortable with the ladies serving us in this manner, but they seemed somehow blessed to serve us.
This was their tradition. This custom could date back centuries –or maybe even longer. Though these young men now donned western clothes, I sensed that we were with tribal warriors. Maybe these warriors are not in a physical fight, but they were in the spiritual fight of their lives. Their tribe was also not based on hereditary lines, but based on their love for the King. The older generation is losing their battle to HIV/AIDS, poverty, and whatever else the enemy is using (which includes witchcraft). This older generation is losing their fight and disappearing from the face of Zambia. Now these young men are backfilling the front lines. They seem up for the ensuing battle –I will pray for them as they advance.
FACT: 10%, or 1.2 million, of Zambia’s population are Orphaned children. An estimated 10%, or 120,000, of the Orphaned children of Zambia are HIV/AIDS positive. Of the 13+ million people of Zambia, it is estimated that nearly 1 million are HIV positive.
In the communities that we serve, GO! has a commitment to follow relief to Orphans with development in the community as a whole. This development includes education, health, and economic assistance.