Christmas in Zambia

I’m (was) dreaming of a White Christmas….

Well, it wasn’t here in Zambia. It’s rainy season here and the only thing Christmassy about the weather is the cool evenings. If you close your eyes tight, go outside with a sleeveless top and shorts and imagine snow….. Nay!

God’s timing is perfect and I received the long awaited container 10 days before Christmas. This meant I could decorate with the few things I sent over… two small Christmas trees, a table runner, two throw pillows and a few candles. Since my furniture is red, green and gold that helped with the festive décor.

Christmas in Zambia is not celebrated from Thanksgiving to New Years like we do. It is focused on the actual reason for the holiday, Jesus and all the celebration takes place around the church and on the actual holiday, December 25. Now, if you go into the urban areas (Lusaka and Livingstone) you will see some decorations on the streets and seasonal items for sale in the stores but most Zambians don’t have the money to buy such “frivolous” things.

One day I was listening to Christmas music and one of the neighbor boys asked if I wasn’t a little early singing such songs. I explained that in the states we celebrate the entire month of December. Of course, most of what we do is secular and that was a little hard to explain. Oh, and one of my pillows has embroidered messages on each side… one is “HO HO HO” and the other is “Bah Humbug”. Try to explain that to someone who doesn’t know who Santa or Scrooge is!!

My first Christmas party was in Livingstone with the ladies from the Missionary Fellowship I attend each month. There are several missionaries in Livingstone and about 20 ladies got together the Friday afternoon before Christmas. We ate traditional party foods, swapped cookies and played “Dirty Santa.” You haven’t played “Dirty Santa” until you have played with good Christian missionary ladies. I must admit, I ended up with the “not so wanted prize” because I played so “dirty”.

On Saturday, Joan and I went to Jembo to have our American Christmas. Fred and Carol Cromer, along with their daughter Hannah, had invited us to spend a few days. Joan and I loaded up her vehicle with our bags, a few Christmas presents for everyone and headed out at 6am. We arrived at the Cromers around 10 and began preparing the traditional Christmas meal. We even waited while the “rest of the family” arrived. It was very much like being at home. We ate, played games and listened to Christmas music. Here’s a hint… don’t play Rook with missionaries either…they aim to win!

We went to church on Sunday morning. This was most disappointing as far as the holiday went because there was no Christmas music. It was a “bush church” though and the pastor did a great job and you could see his love for the people and for sharing the gospel. He had been the pastor for only a few months and was so pleased with the response he had received from the congregation. Sunday afternoon we watched movies, played games and ate leftovers.

Monday, Christmas Eve, Joan and I drove back to Zimba. We wanted to leave in time to participate in the hospital celebration with the patients. We stopped in Choma on the way back for some “last minute” shopping… it was almost like being in the states! The SPAR (the local grocery chain) was filled with people and if you wanted bread you might as well buy the ingredients and make it yourself. The queue was impossible. The checkout lines were long and some of the employees actually had Santa hats and Reindeer antlers! There was even a Santa ringing a bell collecting money for a local ministry.

We arrived in Zimba just in time for the hospital celebration. All of the local churches joined together to sing in a candlelight celebration. Each church was assigned a ward to celebrate with and then everyone gathered together to sing one final song. It was very nice. Still no recognizable Christmas songs but it was festive and everyone was happy. Joan had received some donations from the states at the Wesleyan guesthouse and distributed these to the patients.

On Christmas Day Nakowa Pilgrim Wesleyan Church had an all day event from 9 – 4. There was music and dancing, a Christmas message and lunch. Kosiya was the speaker and did a great job. Several people came forward and dedicated their life to Christ. It was awesome. I had not experienced such response at this church since being here.

Joan and I were recruited to help with serving the food and beverages. The dinner was rice, chicken and relish. Coke, Orange Fanta and Sprite were served for drinks. Cake, a special treat, was served at the end with the traditional “knife dance”. You have to be here to understand that one…

As soon as everyone was served I headed home to wait by the phone. I was determined not to miss any phone calls from home. I was not disappointed. I received phone calls from very dear friends, the Harding family (Stan, Stephanie, Will and Lily), from my parent’s home where I spoke to my parents, my sisters, nieces and nephews and from my brother’s house where we used the internet and video so that we could see each other! What a treat to actually see them!

I want to thank everyone who sent emails, Christmas cards and packages. You helped make this holiday special even though we were miles apart. Actually, my Christmas will be extended because a few of the packages sent still have not been received. I guess I’ll start a new tradition here and celebrate Christmas the entire month of January instead of December!

I am blessed by your love and encouragement.
I am blessed to be in Zambia.
I am blessed to know Jesus!