Zambia 2009

I'm sitting in the Kilimanjaro Cafe in the Manda Hill Shopping Center in Lusaka, Zambia. The Kilimanjaro has a good, solid internet connection, and a decent cappuccino.

Life is good!

I've just completed a 7-day intensive Apologetics course at the Trans-Africa Theological College in Kitwe, Zambia. We had 31 students this year. For pre-work, I had them read and review The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith, two excellent apologetical books by Lee Strobel. For the exam, I asked them to write on African Apologetics, and an African Response to a Rival Religion On the Ground in Africa.

I got some very thoughtful responses.

Here's a photo I took on the bus trip down to Lusaka this morning. The bus was packed! (They always are -- they don't leave until they are full!).

Update -- can't upload the photo... life IS good; but it's not THAT good!

Oxford, UK

I visited Oxford on the way down to Zambia.

For more pictures of my Oxford, trip, check out my MobileMe Gallery:

http://gallery.me.com/rkball/100286

While America Sleeps...

An Illinois high school has made a novel featuring explicit homosexual sex required reading for its students.

This is the response of the media, so far:






Nothing.

Increasingly, the US is breaking away from its judeo-christian foundation, and an understanding of human sexuality rooted in intentional creation rather than darwinian evolution.

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/warner-todd-huston/2008/03/12/gay-porn-required-reading-ill-high-school-media-silent

This just in...

One in four American teenage girls have a sexually transmitted disease.

The cause?

According to Good Morning America, I just learned the cause of these sexually transmitted diseases is "Abstinence-Only Education". I almost spilled my coffee.

I thought the cause might be sexual promiscuity.

Enabled by a permissive, amoral society that shows utter distain for abstinence and fidelity to one's marriage partner.

And that's the way the Ball bounces.

2008: It's A Wrap

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

I'm back in Charlottetown.

Saturday - Lusaka, Zambia
Sunday - London, UK
Monday - Toronto, Ontario
Tuesday - Charlottetown, PEI

On this, my fifth, missions trip I taught two one-week Intensives at Trans-Africa Theological College in Kitwe, Zambia. The first was Apologetics, the second, New Testament Theology. The classes were composed of fourth-year and degree-completion students. The degree-completion students were pastors and bishops of the PAOZ and also of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

These people are doing a fine work for God in Zambia.

As they go forth to serve, may God's grace and glory go with them.

In addition to teaching, I was able to bring 20 French-language Bibles compliments of friends of ours in Charlottetown. I also brought some theological books that were sold to the students and donated to the library. I also brought some food for missionaries John and Ruth Kerr as well as some "sweets" for the students -- which were enthusiastically received!

I thank God for this opportunity as well as for my safe return.

Over and out.

For now.

Life and Death in Zambia

Death is never too far away in Zambia.

Today, there were two deaths that hit close to home.

The first: on the way into school this morning, we noticed a car overturned at the side of the road, with a crowd looking on. We found out a bit later that the car was taking a couple of elders from one of the local PAOZ churches who were on their way home after visiting their Pastor, Cephas Musolo, who is ill. We received a report that one of the elders died.

Zambian roads are generally unsafe due to either road conditions, people walking at the side of (or on) the road, the condition of vehicles, or the recklessness of drivers. It's a toxic combination.

The second: at TTC, one of Canadian Frank Bonazzo's construction crew, Boyd, was uncharacteristically late for work. His son had died. Of malaria.

During classes these past two weeks, at least one pastor was late for classes because he was busy conducting funerals.

And I was ready to chew out one student for missing classes when I learned he had gone down to Lusaka because his wife had given birth. He was back in class the next dry.

People being born, living, and dying. In Zambia, you are just one accident or illness away from death.

It is in this light that Zambians embrace the kingdom of God and the promise of eternal life graciously offered and provided by God in Jesus Christ.

Tomorrow Steve Kemp and I are hitching a ride with Simon and Luce down to Lusaka.

We're heading home.

This week

We attended a three-hour service at Acts Community Church in Kitwe. A great, great service. God was powerfully present in the service.

The power was out all day. We went for lunch at Mona Lisa's pizza -- Mona sure knows how to make a good pizza - who knew?!

Then stir-fry dinner at Simon and Luce's by candlelight.

Next week, I'll be marking papers and finishing up Monday - Wednesday, and then begin a journey that will, D.V., bring me back to Canada. The journey begins on Thursday, when we travel by car down to Lusaka. Steve Kemp's flight leaves Friday; mine, Saturday.

That's it for now. Africa was really jumping with praise today, I hope it reverberates and jump-starts your week.

May you have a week that is blessed in Jesus.

Two Down, Now What?!

It's Saturday morning in Kitwe. Yesterday there was a thunderous thunder storm that only people who have been here can understand (that's you, Celia!). I mean, the thunder was thunderously thunderous.

We got through the New Testament Theology course. It was peppered with lively discussions. Although it was New Testament Theology (which is primarily descriptive), and not Systematic Theology (which is more prescriptive), we got into debates on doctrinal schools of thought -- what about dispensationalism?; what about calvinism vs. arminianism?, etc. etc. The joint was jumping!

And the Spirit of God was with us!

I received a tripartite award at chapel on Friday. An engraved plaque with a horned animal on it; a plaque in the shape of Zambia; and a scarf with the colours of Zambia. The plaques are nice; the scarf, awesome!

Now what will I do for the next week?

Well, I have to mark the exams from the NT students. That'll take a day. And I have some clean-up to do on both courses. John Kerr said we will look and see if there are some short-trip opportunities at Global Travel. If not, I plan to just hang-out at the college next week and perhaps see if I can help build some distance-learning modules.

That may not be as hard as it sounds. Before I left, Jack Whytock of Haddington House in Charlottetown told me of Covenant Seminary in St. Louis -- they have over 20 online courses available for free.

That's right, folks. You could take a course in NT Theology, for free, in the privacy of your own home. How good is that!

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

I preached Sunday at Mufika's church on "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize".

The message was about how the saints of old endured, as seeing him who is invisible, and how Jesus for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and how He is our example. We need to regulate our lives by the assurance we have of Christ's coming kingdom.

The worship, as usual, was great. I told the church that the Lord, who by covenant, promise, and immanence attends every church service on the planet each Sunday, gets himself ready for the sometimes staid and dreary worship of North America by the exuberant, lively worship of Africa. The scene of 30-40 worshippers in the school room of Mufika's church is multiplied by the thousands all across Africa -- it is as if all of Africa is aglow and throbbing with all-out worship of the living God.

As usual, God condescended in his mercy and grace to visit us, and the presence of God filled the room. The treasure indeed is found to occupy earthen vessels.

I think that God perhaps dwells more in the heart and in the feet and hands than merely in the head.

Having said that, it is my task in Africa to help fill the minds of pastors and leaders with the truth of the gospel.

One down, one to go.

There were 29 students in the Apologetics class this week. About 19 regular 4th-year students, and about 10 more who are mature, degree-completion students. The degree-completion students are pastors and bishops from the PAOZ -- Pentecostal Assemblies of Zambia.

Saturday I was busy marking papers. Then, Saturday evening, it was Hockey Night in Kitwe! We watched an NHL hockey game on DVD -- an Edmonton Oilers -- Montreal Canadiens MegaStars game that was played outdoors in Edmonton back in November 2003. We got a new sound-system working, and we projected the DVD onto the wall, so it was a blow-out event!

Next week I begin the New Testament Theology class. I've spent many hours in preparation and am (nearly) ready to go. There will be about 20 students in this one, pastors and bishops.

Thank you for your prayers as we continue to seek to be of service to God in Zambia.

It's 4 O'Clock in the Morning!

4:39 am, actually, but I've been up since 4.

The power was off yesterday morning, but it came on before we left for the school, and we managed to make some coffee. The power was back off again during they day, and then again in the evening, so I went to bed early.

The Apologetics Class is going well. We have close to 30 students. The students love the Lee Strobel books -- The Case for Christ, and The Case for Faith. If you haven't read them, I would highly recommend them!

I think I should go back to bed...

Zambian Dirt - Heaven's Air

A typcial Zambian church is much closer to the earth, and dirt, than a typical church in Canada/US. Often, in fact the floor, is made of dirt. With far simpler facilities, and with much closer proximity to nature and the open air around you, and with the presence of people simply dressed and without much by way of any material goods, you are much more reminded that you are a son of Adam, crafted from the dirt and formed by God -- a creature of this Earth.

How is it then, that when I attend a Zambian church service, I rather feel that I am breathing the air of heaven, and have entered through the portals of the Kingdom of God?

We attended Acts Church in Kitwe on Sunday. The presence of the transcendent One, the Almighty, was palpable.

Shall the King of heaven
Descend to live in earth's dust?
Shall He condescend to live with us?

Shall the God who rules high above
Reach down with human hands of love?

And shall those hands, once crucified
Yet hold us, hold us, in his love?

We are flesh, dirt of Earth. He is the Lord God Almighty -- and we were reminded of this on Sunday.

Sunday afternoon the power went out. It got dark. We went over to Simon and Luce's. They've got satellite TV!

This morning, Monday, the birds are chirping, the rooster's crowing, and the neighborhood pack of dogs are exercising their lungs.

Morning has broken.

Arrival Zambia

I took the 10-hour flight down to Lusaka and was met by John and Ruth Kerr, and, as a bonus, Jim Cantelon.

Jim is a leader in the evangelical church. He established King of Kings Church in Jerusalem. He is the author of several books, including his latest When God Stood Up: A Christian Response to AIDS. He is over here in Africa conducting conferences, seminars, with the aim of building up church and society.

This morning we have water, electricity, and 3-light high-speed internet service. Thank you, God. (Isn't it interesting how we don't even bother to give thanks for the basics in North America!)

Next week I'll be starting the Apologetics class at TTC.

London Heathrow

I found a "Quiet Room" at Terminal 4 at London Heathrow. Rested up during my 10-hour lay-over.

I'm on my way down to Lusaka now.

It's a 10-hour flight.

I will be met by the Kerrs.

At least, that's the plan.

Plans in Africa are always subject to change!

Zambia, February 2008

It's official.

I'll be going back to Zambia in February of 2008.

I'm scheduled to teach Apologetics and, a new course for me this year, New Testament Theology.

In order to prepare for the NT course, I'm currently attending a New Testament Theology and History course at Tyndale Seminary in Toronto.

Zambia : "E" for effort

Zambia is trying to build a middle-class economy.

The Kariba Dam is a hydroelectric dam in the Kariba Gorge of the Zambezi river basin bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe. At 128-meter high and 579-meter long, it is one of the largest dams in the world and controls 40 percent of the total runoff of the Zambezi River. (Source: Xinhua)

It was built by the Italians in the early 1950s.

On the road from Lusaka to the Kariba Dam, there are some Zambian attempts at a fledgling motel system. We stopped for a bite to eat at one of them, and I asked to see some rooms. The rooms went for something like $25 a night and were rough attempts to mimic a western-style Motel 6 grade of accommodation. A bedroom area, with a couple of beds, maybe a mirror, a bit of a light of some kind. A bathroom with a shower, a sink, and a toilet.

As the manager showed me the rooms, I noted the features and suggested that he might want to consider adding toilet seats to the toilets. He appeared to make note of this.

The point is, they're trying. But they still fall short of what a westerner expects, and they probably charge too much for a typical African to pay, so who's going to stay there? Maybe they had toilet seats when they first opened and they were opportunistically stolen by the first guests; I don't know. The whole place has a half-finished feel to it, and I was told that this is typical; they plan, they start, and their plan is to finish things off with the money that will start rolling in.

Except, very often it doesn't.

Time and Money

I realize the dangers of generalization, but it seems to me that, culturally, Africans have a different sense of both time and money. When you've got them, you spend them, and then you run out.

Let me explain. Rev. Mufika had an important essay that had to be typed and emailed on the Monday we arrived in Kolwezi. As he put it, he would be in trouble if he didn't get it in that day. Instead of going directly to the guest house from the airport so I could type the essay (and have lots of time to do so), we swung by Pastor Jean Louis' house for a meal. We waited 3 1/2 hours while the meal was prepared -- it was about 1:15pm before we finally ate, and this was our first meal of the day!

Meanwhile, the evening classes were starting at 5pm, and I had an essay to type! We arrived at the guest house and I literally sat in the chair at the desk and typed until the essay was finished.

It seems to the African mind, there is "now", and there is "then (or, perhaps, "later"). Rev. Mufika didn't seem to appreciate the fact that I needed several hours to type his essay; there was a meal pending, this was "now", and the essay would be "then", or later.

The same seems to go for money. When you've got it, you spend it, and then it's gone. There seems to be little planning for the future, or rationing to make something last. A good example is "talk time". Instead of having a monthly account, which wouldn't work because Africans typically would run up a bill in the month that they would have no ability to pay, Africans buy "talk time" which they load into their cell phone accounts. I recall one time there were at least four Africans and me and I was the only one who had "talk time" on his cell phone. Everyone else was talked out.

The solution to poverty is not money. Let me say that again in case you missed it. The solution to poverty is not money. It is attitude change, or attitude development. It is acquiring the western ideas of planning for the future and its corrollary, deferred gratitude in the present.

My luggage felt like it weighed a ton...

A flashback to the day of my departure from Toronto to Africa:

I arrived at the Air Canada checkin at around 7 am., having packed my two cheap duffel bags the night before. I hoisted the two bags onto the Air Canada conveyor belt. The first bag weighed in at the limit -- 70 lbs; the second, 76 lbs.

I had just lifted 146 lbs. Let's round down for the sake of convenience -- 140 lbs.

Air Canada wasn't set-up to accept the British Airways re-booking caused by the pending BA cabin crew strike. An AC supervisor looked over my flight details, grimaced, and informed me, very officially, that I would have to remove my bags from the conveyor until they sorted the problem out. Problem was, the conveyer doesn't work in reverse, so there I was scrambling up the conveyor to fetch my bags and drag them off the conveyor belt.

That's 280 lbs; plus I had helped the limo driver put them into the limo and take them out at the airport, another 140 lbs (at half-weight), so I was up to 420 lbs.

Air Canada worked out the glitch and invited me to put my bags on the conveyor. I complied.

That's 560 lbs.

I arrived at Heathrow Terminal 3, but my flight the next evening was going out of Terminal 4. You have to take a train to get to Terminal 4 from Terminal 3, and you cannot take the luggage cart to the train platform area. You have to ditch the cart, and hand-carry your bags to the train. So I do.

That's 700 lbs.

Only problem was, there are two types of trains that stop at Terminal 3, the kind that actually goes to Terminal 4, and the kind that doesn't. The kind that is a "Heathrow Express" -- into London. Unfortunately for me, I found myself on the train into London.

The conductor scribbled a note to allow me to return back to Heathrow from London Picadilly at no cost. But, I would have to leave the train and board the train across the platform.

I arrive at Picadilly Station, and lug my bags out of the train and fetch a luggage cart to wheel them across the platform to the train opposite.

That's 840 lbs.

The train is virtually empty. I wait for about 5 minutes for the train doors to open. They don't open, and at some point the train just saunters away from the terminal. I cart my bags back to the other train where a young homeless man helps me load my bags on the train. He also knows enough to press a button to open the door to the train. Typical British way of doing things! You could stand forever outside the train and its doors wouldn't open -- and there was, of course, no sign near the doors saying "Press button to open door". You're just supposed to know these things. (Someone should do a book on "the things you're just supposed to know".)

I take the train I had been on back to Heathrow T4. I lug my bags off the train.

That's 980 lbs.

A staff person sees my dilemma and calls for a cart. I lug the bags onto the cart.

That's 1120 lbs.

I head for "Left Luggage" where I plan to store my two heavy bags for the night and lug them up onto their conveyor.

That's 1260 lbs.

The guy looks at the scanned image and asks me what food I have in the bags. I tell him -- cereals, trail-mix, dried-fruit; I'm heading for Africa. He informs me that the company does not permit food items in luggage left at Left Luggage.

I lug the bags off his conveyer and onto the cart.

That's 1400 lbs.

I go off to think. I decide to buy a smaller bag from Left Luggage, put all the food items into it, and lug them into London on the Underground.

I go back to Left Luggage to buy the bag and sort through the luggage for food items. He informs me that he is closing in two minutes. I look at him, stunned.

This is London.

This is Heathrow.

And they're closing?

Yup.

Heathrow basically shuts down by 11pm.

After mulling it over some more, I decide to take a London Cab. I help the taxi driver load the luggage.

That's 1470 lbs, at half-weight.

We have a black taxi ride into town. I get to see Picadilly. I get to see Harrod's. I get to pay 65 GBP for the trip (about $130 dollars -- as much as my hotel room).

We arrive at the hotel. I help the cab driver/porter lug my bags off the taxi and onto the luggage cart.

In Britain they have little elevators with little doors. So, of course, I had to lug the luggage off the cart into the elevator, then off the elevator and back onto the cart, and then, off the cart and into the room. At the half-weight rate, I figure that's another 140 lbs (1610 lbs).

And that's why my luggage felt like it weighed a ton.

And why it was a very tired and deflated Ball that bounced up into bed that night.

At the Manda Hill Mall

I'm at the Manda Hill Mall in Lusaka, Zambia. It's Thursday afternoon, and I'm here until my Saturday am. flight on British Airways out of Africa and into London.

When you go on a missions trip, your goal is to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and make a positive impact in the lives of those you meet.

Here's some of the things I was able to accomplish:

1. Brought two 32 kg (70 lb) bags full of supplies and books. My bag for the trip home is around 20 kg, for a next contribution of 44 kg (around 100 lbs)!.

2. Taught a one-week intensive Apologetics course to the senior students of TTC (Trans-Africa Theological College - John and Ruth Kerr PAOC - you can look them up online!).

3. Hired and paid Gary Bufuku to function as a teaching assistant (TA). The money was a help to him, since he is currently without work.

4. Travelled to Lubumbashi, Congo and taught another one-week Apologetics class. My stomach was not happy, and it let me know in no uncertain terms. But I soldiered on, and the Lord blessed me with his presence and his anointing. We stayed at the Restawhile Guest House, run by the Brethren.

5. Flew to Kolwezi, Congo, where I continued my weight-loss regime and taught a one-week Christian Doctrine class, once again translated into French.

The Congo Christians deal with a lot of false doctrine, including those of the Jehovah's Witnesses, the Seventh Day Adventists, local African heresies (including one church which believes its leader is the Holy Spirit!) and "Branhamites" -- those who follow the teachings of American preacher William Branham, who denied the trinity (they believe the modalistic heresy that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are merely three "masks" or modes that God successively wears, a bit like how you could alternately act as a father, a brother, or a husband -- three roles, but only one you.

6. Typed two essays for the Rev. Mathieu Mufika.

7. Marked approx. 40 exam papers from the students of Lubumbashi. What made this interesting was they were written in French! I had Rev. Mufika translate a bunch of them until I caught on, and then did the rest myself.

8. Preached for about an hour at the Sunday 10 am. service at Rev. Mufika's Kolwezi Church. The fact that it is translated helps a bit -- you have time to think between sound bites. I preached on the importance of a) baptism, b) the Lord's Supper, and c) the anointing with oil for those who are sick -- three tangible aids to faith (and means of grace) that God has given us.

9. Sunday night I gave a quasi-impromptu 30-minute radio talk encouraging Kolwezi Christian married couples to keep their marriages strong.

10. Returned to Zambia in time to help the Kerrs purchase a (badly-needed) new washing machine. Their washing machine had totally conked out and was over 20 years old. As just one evidence of the way God watches over us, the new one they wanted went on sale today, down in Lusaka, where we are now, and we saved ONE MILLION KWATCHA (!!!) on the purchase price when we bought it this morning. When was the last time you saved one million anything?!

John Kerr has now headed back to Kitwe (about a 4 hour drive north); I'm relaxing and waiting until Saturday. I'm staying at the Baptist Guest House tonight; I've got the entire Lion guest house to myself; it's a one-bedroom cottage with a kitchen, dining/living area, and porch. All to myself. For $15 USD a night. The keepers of the BGH are from South Carolina.

Thank you for your prayers. I have prayed that they would rebound in providential care and blessing upon you.

Now, back to my coffee.

More later...

Hello from Zambia!

I arrived in Lusaka, Zambia eight days ago. Celia Anand (a fellow missions person from Canada on a five month mission) and I were met by John and Ruth Kerr, our hosts. We stayed at a Baptist Guest House run by some Americans from South Carolina the first night. Sunday we went to a church on the outskirts of Lusaka, and then headed north to the Copperbelt.

Monday through Friday I taught an intensive one-week Christian Apologetics class. The Rev. Gary Bufiku is assisting me this year with all the marking of papers and exams. The students are Spirit-filled men of God; when they pray, the heavens shake!

Today I preached at the Rev. Mathieu Mufika's church in rural Kitwe. I preached on the kingdom of God: a) distant, b) imminent, and c) within you. "The kingdom of God is at hand -- within our reach -- reach up and grab it!" We ate lunch at Rev. Mufika's.

Tomorrow, Monday Feb. 10th, we head up by car to the DR Congo border, then by taxi to Lubumbashi. I will be teaching another round of apologetics courses at the college there. It is French-speaking, so I will be translated. Rev. Mufika and I will be staying at a Guest House. Classes start at 5pm and run until about 9pm.

On Monday Feb. 17th, we'll be flying up to Kolwezi, where I will be teaching Christian Doctrine.

On Monday Feb 24th, we'll fly down to Lubumbashi and reverse our trip back to Kitwe.

Upon my return to Kitwe, I plan to finish up, and then hope to do some kind of R&R before my return to Canada via London the following Saturday.

Sorry I haven't posted sooner. The internet hasn't been working well.

Having said that, I look forward to reporting on my exploits upon my return from DR Congo, and seek your continued prayers on my behalf and on behalf of the mission.

May God bless you, and all who worship the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth.