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Sunday 30th May, Lusaka, Hangover in Church, and Chishimba family Braii!
After a long and boozy wedding day we awoke early Sunday morning on a promise to our host Martha that we would attend the 10am church service at her and Lucky's local church a few minutes down the road. So as promised we rolled out of bed and into the car still reeking of booze no doubt and onwards to the United Church of Zambia church named All saints. The church was quite something to behold, the best way to describe it was probably under construction. The outer walls had been put in place but there were only a few doors in place, no flooring or roof to be seen, with the exception of some temporary tin roofing under which the congregation sat, it was a far departure from the comparatively grandiose churches found in the UK. Martha later informed us that the church had been in existence for roughly 10 years, and was started as the next nearest UCZ church in Lusaka was too far to travel. The building had been halted due to lack of funds to continue the project, but fundraising was ongoing to raise the cash to complete the project.
We entered the sec0ond service of the day with Makasa and Silver translating the entirely Bemba spoken service to the three of us. None of us are the most religious of individuals despite what Silver tells his mother so church was a different experience more so for Scott and I. Scott joked that this was the first time we had been to church in consecutive days. The service started with a selection of choirs made up from different members of the church including Aunty Martha and Uncle Lucky, as well as a guest choir from another church that sang. The songs were impressive and a lot more tuneful and upbeat from the songs I had experienced in church in the UK so this was quite enjoyable despite the Mosi induced headache! Afterwards there were prayers, and readings with interpretations and the service seemed to be heading towards its climax. Chris who was sat with Silver behind Scott, Makasa and I informed us afterwards how during the interpretations he thought Silver was concentrating on what was being said in order to translate only to realize that he had in fact fallen asleep - queue a discrete nudge to awaken the beast from his slumber. It was a good job Chris did as a few moments later during the announcements near the end our names were read out and Makasa instructed us that we were supposed to stand before everyone at the church as we were introduced. Afterwards the service finish and we had to stand next to the women who took the service and shake the hand of everyone attending; some of the children came up twice laughing and giggling at the thought of shaking the hand of four Mszungus!
After church ended Uncle Lucky and Aunty Martha stayed behind to take part in more church activities, whilst Silver, Makasa, Wezi, Msumbi (another of Silver's little "nephews"), Scott, Chris and I returned home…all in one vehicle! Quite an effort, and quite an experience however we managed relatively trouble free thank goodness there were no police check points along the way or a backhander would have been required! Unbeknownst to us the Chishimba clan had been instructed to come to where we were residing that afternoon for a family Braii. Before the braii started Makasa asked if we would erect a gazebo for everyone to sit under. We set about the task all except Silver (surprise, surprise) who opted to sit on one of the chairs and criticise and dictate from a distance, in typical Mulenga fashion! At the Braii we were joined by Mwape and Chansa. Chansa actually cooked the Braii much to her credit, although I think she only did it to prove to us that she was in fact not a diva!!! The braii was good fun we got to meet the majority of Martha and Lucky's children that we hadn't met so far. Their eldest whose name escapes me, Mulenga who informed us of a football game between South Africa and Zambia which consequently changed our travel plans to accommodate, as well as their youngest son, as well as Peggy and Clement, and Makasa and Wezi. There were many children also who we had fun with picking them up spinning them round, and playing football with. The braii was a great way to finish our time in Lusaka and Uncle Lucky made a lovely speech thanking us for visiting and wishing us luck for the rest of our trip ahead.
DC, Chris, Silver, and Scott
- comments
Di (Dan's mum) LOL - Silva falling asleep in church! Tut tut! A busy last few days. I can see why you were so reluctant to leave. Hope South Africa turns out to be as enjoyable as Zambia. Keep up the great blogs and taking the fantastic photos. All my love mum xxx
Martin (Dan's Dad) Another interesting read Dan. Sounds like a great end to a great few weeks in Zambia. Enjoyed the photos on Flickr. We were trying to decide if the one with you wearing the bungee harness and a smile was a before or after shot!! D x