A Bit of Heaven

Last week Humphrey, a 28-year-old Zambian who works as a clerk in OPD (outpatients) and often translates for us, invited us to his church on Sunday. I quickly agreed. As the week drew to a close I was trying to get details. It was a little unclear what time exactly we were expected and where exactly his church was located – “the main service is at 1015 but Sunday school is at 8 and I usually go at 9”….”it is down the path by the Hard Lucky shop”. We ended up texting each other Sunday morning at 8:30 not really knowing what we had signed up for. It felt like a bit of a scavenger hunt but we eventually met up with him and he guided us for the 20-minute walk through the woods on a small path to his village church arriving at 9 am.

It seems these churches all had the same designer – they are basically 1 room, 30x60 ft, open raftered, metal-sheeting roofed boxes with a podium at the front, “choir seats” facing each other on either side at the front (takes up half the seating) and the rest of the seating is oriented toward the front in 3 sections with 2 aisles. The seats are wood benches, not exactly the most comfortable.

When we arrived, there were only 2 other people there and it became clear that we were to sit in on a private showing of a choir rehearsal before the main service. Humphrey is involved in one of the choirs (there are 5 in this church of 100-150 people!) and plays guitar for worship – (that’s why he arrives early). What a treat, though, to sit in on this rehearsal! One thing I love about Zambia is the music – specifically the singing (their other instruments are not a strong point). Wonderful rich full harmonies and rhythms. I was in heaven (other than the sore butt from the hard bench which I’m sure will not be part of the heavenly package).

During the actual service, we were treated to another 4 choirs and some wonderful congregational singing. Singing is such a part of their lives here. It is rare to hear a bad vocal note hit. You often hear people singing as you pass them on the path or road. Humphrey tells me that each of the choirs in his church practices 3 times a week.

After church we went to Humphrey's village nearby and had lunch (eaten with fingers only) of nshima and salted fish and kale in his small house. His wife Joyce served us but did not eat with us. He proudly talked about his house which he built himself out of bricks (self manufactured) and a thatched roof. He has a solar panel which is on the blink right now so they have no electricity, which must be a challenge (no lights in a place where the sun goes down at 6 pm, no fridge). He introduced us to his parents who live in an adjacent house and to 2 of his 6 siblings (average sized family by Zambian standards). All in all a very enjoyable day. It was wonderful to partake in some real Zambian life. They were incredibly gracious and pleased to have us at their house. I felt incredibly honored.