Life in Zambia:Questions and Answers

Questions and Answers
(This was an e-mail reply to a Sunday School student who goes to Airway Heights Baptist Church in Spokane, WA.)

1. You’ve asked if our work is hard. Well, we do love our work. It can be hard, but since we enjoy it so much, we really don’t think it is hard work.

My favorite part is to tell the good news to people here.

Our Zambian people are very sweet and they love to hear the Gospel, so it isn’t very hard work at all!

Sometimes we don’t have power (electricity) or water, and that can be hard. But so many people here live where there isn’t any power nor water…so we are so much better off then those people.

Sometimes we go where there are bad roads and far from our home. We usually camp out with our tents, use long drops for toilets, and take a bucket bath. It isn’t so fun, but being with people always makes all these trouble worth.

2. You’ve asked us if the weather here is hot. Well, I must say that it isn’t very hot. It is cooler than the Summer I had in Spokane!

It goes up to about 90 degrees in summer (August to November) and in the 50’s in the winter season here. (June and July) The rest of time, we have pleasant days with cool nights. Surprised? When we got here, it surprised us very much!

3. What kind food do we eat? We eat American, Korean, and Zambian food. Of course we do not eat all those fast foods! We cook all the meals ourselves at home, so it takes longer than in America. I took a picture of a typical Zambian dish.

The white food is called Nshima and it is like rice to them. Small dishes are called Umunani, and they are side dishes. They are really yummy! We love Zambian food!

4. If we had a different occupation, what would it be? And why? Well, did you know that we had different occupation before we became missionary? Daniel was a pastor, and I was working in a County Library as Library Technician. We loved our jobs, but God called us to here and we love it even more!

5. How is life different in Zambia than the US? Great question!

a. It is much slower than the one in the USA. People say that Americans have watches but don’t have time, but Zambians don’t have watches, but have plenty time! Well said! We only plan one activity for each day.

b. It is much simpler than the USA. People are so much happier here, and I can see that they find joy in small things!

c. Children of Zambian know how to cook from early age! Many of them cook, wash, carry water, care for siblings, and do so much more work than I do! Ha!

d. Children of Zambian don’t complain! I’ve never heard any complaints from anyone! Remarkable, isn’t it?

e. People in church sing beautifully without any musical instruments! They are great singers and dancers.

I can go on and on! There are so many differences. If you have a chance, you can come over and find out for yourself!