St Columba’s team give and receive blessing in Zambia
At the end of July Revd Robert Ferris, curate in St Columba’s, Knock, took a team of 10 parishioners to Kitwe in Northern Zambia. The team was invited out by the Archbishop of Central Africa Most Revd Albert Chama.
The name the team chose for themselves was Ipalo which means blessing in the local language of Bemba. They wanted to be a blessing to their partners in Zambia and also recieved so much blessing from those they encountered in Zambia.
The aim of the trip was to build up relationships between Belfast and Northern Diocese, to identify needs and simply be a blessing to the people of Kitwe and surrounding areas.
Northern Diocese, like many areas in africa has multiple issues, these include poverty, unemployment, HIV/AIDS, lack of resources and healthcare. However the team also saw first–hand that the church was not prepared to give up in the face of these difficulties. They have identified areas where needs are greatest and are working in communities to help the most vulnerable.
The team were invited to work alongside the Anglican Church as they provided food for HIV/AIDS sufferers through Home Based Care projects. They also experienced first hand the overburdened education system which saw over 1,000 pupils in a school which should be accommodating 500 in 19 classrooms.
Wealso met some people who could only be described as “Modern Day Saints” – people whose lives are devoted to speading the love of Christ in the most desperate of situations by their love and care for some of the most vulnerable in the world today.
The Diocese of Northern Zambia is in the process of planning a visionary educational facility which includes primary, secondary Schools, an adult skills centre which will include tailoring and motor mechanic skills and also a woman’s education centre. The land has been acquired and now the hard work is beginning for fundraising. This is a long term project but will be done in phases. The pupils of the school will be street kids and those who are most vulnerable in the society.
The plans also include boarding rooms so that these childrenwho suffer most will have the best chance in life, through the church providing for their needs.
The team were able to distribute gifts of toys and other gifts specifically given by St Columba’s Sunday School, Mums and Tot’s, Brownies and Doves to projects for Early Year’s centres in the Diocese.
The team spent 10 days in Northern Zambia and 2 days in Livingstone, in South West Zambia where they were able to relax and think about their experiences.
This trip was organised through a partnership which already exists with CMS Ireland and we would like to thank Mr David Gough and the other Staff in the Belfast office for their support in this venture.
Some comments from Team Members:
“During the past two weeks I have been amazed at the extent to which prayer features in the daily lives of the Zambian people.
Compared to us they have so little and face such extreme hardships, and it is very humbling to witness first hand the extent to which they rely on prayer.”
“Archbishop Chama was an inspiration to us all! He was not only Bishop of Northern Zambia, Archbishop of Central Africa but also a newly–wed and father, yet he still made time in his hectic schedule to meet with us twice. When telling us about all the projects he and his office staff are undertaking he was so humble”
“The Diocesan President of the Mothers’ Union Judith is an amazing lady with so much to give. Last March our MU branch prayed for members in Zambia in the MU Wave of Prayer and I feel very privileged to now have witnessed all the projects at first hand.”
The School project is continuing and would be interested in receiving further partners. If anyone else would like to find out more information please do not hesitate to contact Robert: rferris281@gmail.com or David Gough: davidgough@cmsireland.org