It's rainy season here in Zambia.
This year we've gotten more rain than usual and this past week has been one of
the rainiest I've seen in my 20 years here in Zambia.
Rainy season means growing season for Zambians in the rural areas. Even the
employees on large farms keep a small field of maize during the rains in
addition to their regular jobs. For example Pastor Muchinga is the head butcher
at Chabwino farm, but he along with his wife and children have a one acre maize
field. Employees working for large farms work 6 days a week making Sunday their
only day off and in rainy season they have to use that day to care for their
fields.
I had never been to Fairford Farm before Sunday. All I
knew about it was that there were no churches on the farm and ours was the
closest being only about 3 kilometers away. We pulled up to find a large area
of dirt that had been swept clean of all leaves, sticks, etc by Pastor Kaomba
who had arrived early to get things ready. The entire pastoral staff including
myself had been fasting and praying for this meeting and hoping not to be
rained out as the dark clouds lurked above us. As we began singing the people
began to trickle in. They kept coming until we numbered more than one hundred
people.
As the service began so did the rains. Thankfully it wasn't
hard rains just a steady constant drizzle but enough to make you wet and cold.
I looked out at all the people sitting on the dirt ground and wondered if they
would retreat to their homes to avoid the rain. To my amazement the people
refused to leave. They found umbrellas and huddled together to try to avoid getting
soaked, but no one left. I could see how hungry they were for the things of God
in their eyes. It was obvious how much they were enjoying the opportunity to
worship together.
After the service was over people came up to us one by one
and thanked us profusely for coming and giving them the opportunity to go to
church. They begged us to not forget about them. Their words hit me straight in
the heart. There are so many places in rural Africa were
there are no churches. I was amazed by their excitement and hunger for church
as it should be. Not a building, we were after all meeting outside in the rain,
but a community of people who can worship and grow together while supporting
one another.
As soon as we started off in the vehicle to return home it
began to down pour. If the downpour had come earlier I doubt anyone would have
even been able to hear what was going on even if they had decided to stay.
God's grace, faithfulness, and timing are more wonderful than words can
describe.
We've invited everyone at Fairford Farm to take the walk
and meet at our church on Sunday mornings. It will be a sacrifice for any who
choose to do so since it will be giving up half of their only day off when their
fields are crying out for cultivation, but I know many will make that sacrifice
because they understand the parable of the pearl of great price.
