Zambian Crocodile

Once upon a time there was a man who visited a community of people who lived by a river. As evening approached, he was invited to sit down by the river and enjoy a cold beverage and then have dinner with the people. While they ate calmly and pleasantly, a fourteen-foot crocodile suddenly came up out of the river, chomped off the arm of the man sitting closest to the riverbank and then slipped silently back into the dark waters. The people were alarmed and shocked, but they recomposed themselves. Those closest to the man bandaged him up the best they could and transported him to medical assistance. Then they resumed their eating, drinking and conversation—picking up right where they left off without any discussion of the incident. The visiting man was horrified that the evening continued as if nothing had happened. Each time he tried to mention the tragic and violent act, someone in the group quickly changed the subject. He made one final attempt to bring up the incident to discuss: “A man just lost his arm to an enormous crocodile that came suddenly out of the river. Didn’t you all see that, or was I imagining things?” Someone in the group replied, Yes, I saw what happened. A number of people are attacked each year in our community by crocodiles.” The man looked closer at the group and sure enough, he spotted people who were missing hands and feet, arms and legs. “Can’t you do anything about the crocodiles?” he asked. Another in the group replied with embarrassment clearly written on his face, ”It is impolite in our culture to talk about crocodiles.”

The visitor was stunned into bewildered silence.

The above story and the following information was taken from the curriculum developed for Zambia by Pure Freedom: Living a Life Free of HIV/AIDS based in State College, PA, USA. www.purefreedom.org

The Crocodile That’s Loose in Zambia: HIV/AIDS

• At least 70% if Zambians know someone personally who has HIV/AIDS or who has died of it
• There are over 600,000 orphans in Zambia due to HIV/AIDS
• Each year Zambia loses half as many teachers as it trains to HIV/AIDS
• 16% of those tested in Zambia are HIV positive.
• The life expectancy in Zambia is 39 years, the fourth lowest in the world, with an expected healthy lifespan if 30 years.
  
• 60% of 15-19 year olds say they have had sex
• Women are two times more likely to acquire HIV than men. This is especially true of teen girls whose vaginas are not as well-lined with protective cells as that of mature women.
  
• Higher income residence and those living in urban areas are more likely to attract prospective sex partners and have the ability to pay for sex, thus they are more at risk despite a higher education level.
  
• 17% of males aged 15-19 surveyed paid for sex in the twelve months preceding the survey.
  

Abstinence until marriage and faithfulness to one life-time sexual partner is the only proven method of avoiding HIV/AIDS. Eighty-four percent of Zambians understand that limiting the number of sex partners and being faithful is important.
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This information is what led me to pursue leading "Purity Retreats" for girls in Zambia. The retreats allow small groups of girls around the same age to come together, talk intimately about dating, what the Bible says about dating and marriage and our response as Christians to living a pure life. I am using the book written by Dannah Gresh - And the Bride Wore White. Dannah's organization, Pure Freedom, conducts similar retreats in the United States and has an ongoing ministry here in Zambia.

My first “Purity Retreat” is schedule for Friday, July 18 and will extend into Saturday. I have invited twelve 13 and 14 year olds to spend the night at the Wesleyan Guest House. They are very excited about the event and I am praying that God will open their hearts to the Word defining our bodies as holy vessels and how we should strive for purity daily.

I am asking for you to partner with me in prayer for this event. It is the second time for it to be scheduled and I refuse for anything to stand in the way of its success. On Friday afternoon, parents, church leaders and the Christian community will gather to conduct a prayer walk around the meeting facility and to pray for each attendee and facilitator. The prayers will continue throughout the night.

Please join us as we pray for the following:

• Protection from Satan and his army who do not want this information delivered to these young girls
• Willingness of the girls to share openly
• Open hearts for those girls who have already compromised their bodies and may need healing from past sins
• Maturity of each attendee to keep all information confidential
• Discernment of the facilitators to know when to solicit pastoral assistance
• Those who may not know Jesus will come to know him and trust him.
• 100% commitment from all participants to remain sexually pure until marriage and after marriage