It's Been Awhile. . .

Hello everyone! I know, I know. . .it's been a long time since I last posted. So much is happening that it is quite difficult to know where to start or how much I can disclose on a public forum.

I started my blog to share our experiences in Zambia as well as my own reflections regarding them. And like any new adventure, there was much to say because every experience was, well. . . new. As our life and ministry gets more settled, I find it challenging to express joys and disappointments within the confines of protecting other people's privacy. Do you know what I mean?

Finally though, I am comfortable revealing one of the biggest issues we are struggling with simply because the person involved has made it public knowledge in our community. While I won't go into all of the details, suffice it to say that this would not have happened in the USA. Sometimes cultural differences can really catch you by surprise as this one did us.

A serious problem and tremendous disappointment in our lives involve the Matambos, the family we came to love soon after moving into our first Zambian home. For those of you who follow my blog faithfully, you know who I am talking about. If you are new to my writings, here is a quick recap.

We welcomed Augustine and Bridget into our hearts and home as dear friends. Shortly thereafter, I began tutoring their son every morning before he went to his public school. When they added Bridget's younger sister, Prudence and then Jane, another teenage girl, into their home I invited the girls to study with us as well since they had no hope of furthering their educations beyond 6th grade. Although both had completed their elementary level studies in Zambian schools, these very bright young ladies still used their fingers and toes to calculate simple math problems and could barely read.

Watching these two girls develop a love and enthusiasm for learning brought joy to my soul. Jane wanted to be a doctor. Prudence also wanted to study medicine. I have never seen more dedicated students.

For reasons I cannot go into here, we graciously ended our living arrangement with Augustine and Bridget and gave them two months to find other housing. At the same time, we assured them that the children would always have a place in our classroom and urged the kids to continue their studies with us which they did without interruption.

That all came to an end earlier this month when Augustine, completely enraged, approached Jason as he was cutting our boys' hair in the back yard. He ranted and raved about his rights, our obligations, and the police. We were stunned. There was no lead up to this that we could see; it just happened. It was a horrible scene although Jason handled it brilliantly by staying completely calm and relaxed throughout the ordeal.

What we have learned through this is that friendship means different things in different cultures. Augustine firmly believes that as friends and Christians, we are obligated to fund the building of his house and provide for his family. If we have food, we should share it with them. The same goes for soap, light bulbs, charcoal (used during our daily power outages), everything. It is the African way.

While this may sound wonderful that everyone shares, it has a serious downside. What OFTEN happens is that one family member works hard while the others hardly work. The one who works is obligated to support any family member that requests it.

This happened between us and the Matambos. Because we were "friends", and they lived on our property, and we were Christian missionaries, we owed them. In other words, they thought they struck gold when they met us. In the end, everyone came away disappointed.

In hindsight, we would have handled our relationship with them differently from the very beginning.

The saddest part of all is that Augustine will not allow Jane and Prudence to attend classes with us. In trying to focus on the positive I am grateful that we had six months together during which they became proficient with math facts, learned to read fluently, and made dramatic leaps with their English skills. I pray for new opportunities for them to continue their quest for education. They have dared to dream. I hope and pray they continue to do so.

So, as you can imagine, this has been a challenging month for us. The Matambos are scheduled to be moved by September 30 which is the end of the 3 month's notice required by Zambian law.

As for our own children, they continue to grow by leaps and bounds spiritually, emotionally, physically, and academically. It is with pure joy and delight that I grasp the honor of igniting their love of learning and passion for discovery. Ahhh, but that is for another post.

I promise to update more often and should find it easier to do so now that this heavy load has been shared with you.

I pray this finds you enjoying the last days of summer. Stay safe over the Labor Day holiday!

Blessings to all,
Beckie

Happy Birthday Isata!

Isata Katherine Rose Sibley
Age 14

Wow, is it ever hard to believe that our sweet Isata is 14 years old. Wasn't it just yesterday that I saw my tiny eight-year old daughter for the first time as she rounded the corner at the airport with Daddy on one side and Sia on the other?

Much has happened these last six years. In the midst of it all, our little girl grew up before our very eyes. I miss my baby girl terribly; but at the same time, I thoroughly enjoy the beautiful young lady she has become.

Blessings and joy,
Beckie

A Hard Week, A Refreshing Sunday

Today the women of the Ndeke church led the service and I was honored to be one of three speakers. Our theme was "Abiding in Christ".

Sarah Mwila translated for all three of us. It is very difficult to keep focused on the message when you must stop every few words as they are translated.

Above, Edith talks about abiding in Christ through prayer and fasting. Below, Bertha's message focused on Christians treating each other with love and compassion as part of the way we abide with Christ.

Isata was asked to prepare two songs to sing during worship. She got her brothers and sisters together early in the week. They practiced all week and did an excellent job Sunday morning. I am sure you will notice that Caylie had "the deer in the headlights look".

Last week was an especially difficult one for our family. We learned that Jane, Prudence, and Farai will no longer attend school with us. Our beloved Scout was euthanized after developing an untreatable medical condition, and our dear friends the Steigmans lost their brother Zach.

In the midst of it all I was preparing my message for Sunday. God drew my focus on abiding in Him and what that means during the trials of life. In John 15:5, Jesus says: "I am the vine, you are the branches...apart from me you can do nothing." Each season finds the vine and branches in different states. The one thing that never changes is that healthy branches remain, abide in the vine no matter what the season or weather.

Let me always be found abiding in Christ.

Blessings and joy,
Beckie

Zach Steigman 1973-2008

Our deepest sympathies go out to the entire Steigman family after Zach, age 34, died unexpectedly Sunday, August 3, 2008.

Pete and Jen Steigman are two of our dearest friends and Zach was one of Pete's beloved brothers. We were absolutely stunned to learn this heartbreaking news making it all the more difficult to be so far away at this time.

Zach and his wife Amy have two sons, Blake and Mason.

He will be sorely missed by family and friends alike. Please keep the Steigmans in your prayers.

Blessings,
Beckie