October 16

On the 11the we visited the Kasamba congregation at Lumbembe. The congregation has done well since it was first planted a few years ago. Even though Charles was back from Central Province he wanted me to go with several others. He has not been in Siavonga for several weeks so he said he would stay. So I went with a brother named Michael Hamunjo as the translator. Also, Benjamin Mvula came along. Michael’s story is an interesting one. I do not have all of it so I will relate it another time.

Lumbembe is about 50 km from Siavonga right along the paved road. When we arrived the group had mostly gathered and was singing. It was pretty full when we came in.

I was surprised at the number of children present. They were made to sit during Bible class. There was not class for them. Children’s classes are something that we need to address in the future. Siavonga will have one class for the children but often the villages do not have any as far as I know.

Bible class was on the Parable of the Sower. Just now I am speaking on basic subjects, especially the church and our part in it. As time goes on I am certain that this will change and expand. But for now we are just settling in together.

The lessons seem to be well received. I do not know the nature of the usual preaching here but I would assume it is fairly basic and not too much depth. The speakers are mostly the men or the church leader and I do not know their range of knowledge about Scripture but I would surmise it very rudimentary.

I taught Bible class and then after a couple of songs I preached. When services were finished we were informed that there would be gifts and a welcoming after the meal. There would also be the normal meeting with the church leaders who would have a request or two.

At Mapoto I was given the gift of two village chickens. At Kasamba I walked away with a goat, three chickens, two pigeons and a duck. It was quite a menagerie and I was surprised at their generosity. I was told who the gifts were from but since I did not write it down it escapes me at this point.

The question…what am I going to do with a goat? Charles has goats on his property along the Chirundu road so I guess I will add it to his (I have done that before). But when we talked and he thought about it he suggested we see if we could get another goat and I have goats on my property along the Chirundu road. I have a young man watching it and it would give him more to do. Charles knows a man who raised goats and he wants to see if he will sell me one. Might be interesting in the long run…

This was a single chicken and grown. But then I was given a pair of young ones, male and female, to keep (I assume with the same idea as Mapoto).

This is certainly more livestock than I have ever had to handle in my life. So it is a new experience. I am not sure about the pigeons. I know that people keep them and even eat them. Mvula and his wife have kept them in the past so I will trust them to them and see where it goes.

The duck I received as we were departing so there is no photo. Mvula and his wife want to get a second one and keep ducks as well.

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