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 September 8, 2010 |
Update for February 27, 2005For an hour this morning I was in shock, total disbelief, and denial. An early morning phone call had put me in this state. The phone call said that the wife of a young fellow who has worked for me in the past and is planning to come work for me again, had died and that Mutemwa didn't even know yet. No, I just couldn't believe it! What would Mutemwa do? Just three days ago he had sat with me, sharing with such longing, his desire to go get Bridget and their small baby from her parents' place where she had been for some time and had no money to come home. In my state of shock, I was getting ready to do anything necessary to help out...even a possible 5 hour trip to the family home in Mufilira. I was walking around like a zombie with such a heavy heart...thinking, "If I feel this bad, how is Mutemwa going to manage?" During the hour there were a few phone calls, none with good news. Yes, it seemed the news was true and I was on my way out the door to go see Mutemwa when the last phone call came. "There has been a terrible misunderstanding. It is not Mutemwa's wife who died, it is Mutemwa's wife's aunt." Wow! It was like a resurrection! Still sad to hear the aunt had died but so relieved it was not Bridget! Thank you Lord! Throughout the day much has been going through my mind as a result of this experience. First there is the fact that this is reality for so many people living in Zambia today. Young people are dying every day and the loved ones must face it and get on with life. God, please be a comfort to those people and help me to be able to reach out with your love to so many hurting people! It is URGENT that we reach out with the Gospel, giving people hope in life and death! Second thing that has strongly impressed me is the miscommunication and lack of communication that does often face Zambians. Yes, you can see hundreds of cellphones walking around Zambia but still it is often very difficult for family messages to reach rural areas. Zambia is struggling to embrace technology but the rural areas are totally left out and people struggle in very poor and primitive conditions. God, for those caught in situations as this one this morning, or in situations where they are not able to hear from loved ones in rural areas, give grace.
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