Victory is Sweet

Hi Everyone,

Words are inadequate to describe what has been happening here in the last ten days. Many of you already know that one of our staff has been stealing especially from the teachers. Ever since I came here I have been watching Rabi closely and this month he sent a receipt to David in Australia to say he had paid the teachers. Knowing they were complaining of non-payment we knew then that it must have been forged. David sent me a copy and I could tell immediately the signatures were false for I have a copy on file.

A Pastor friend Richard Musoyo arrived that very same day to come and work with me for a week as a trial with a view to becoming permanent. He was thrown in the deep end and I have to say a huge thank you God for sending him for he has been a tower of strength. We decided to go to the police because Rabi was very belligerent and we now had evidence. When I confronted him about the salaries he lied and when I said so he tried to assault me but he hit my assistant instead and he threatened the teacher, “you better lie for me and say you have been paid, because if I go to jail my family will kill you.”

The police said, "A crime has been committed lets go pick him up." So 3 policemen hopped into my car and I drove to the village to get him. So now my Footprints car is a paddy wagon!! They asked questions and Rabi fell into their trap with more and more lies. The police kept asking questions, Godwin, the teacher and Rabi kept telling lies, and I kept shouting, "Lies, Sir, throw them in the cell." I had told the police and others gathered that if the men would tell the truth I would withdraw the case. The men were inches from the cell, shoes off and handcuffs ready on the table, but still they lied. I held out for the truth, the only one in the room! Everyone else was crying, "Sister have mercy" and "Forgive him", but I just said, "Throw them in the cells till they tell the truth." The cell is a 4'x6' room with no window, no bed or toilet, cold and dark. Finally after 4 hours they broke, Godwin first, saying, "Mama I’m sorry I am lying" and then finally Rabi walked across the room to me and said, "Its true I am guilty of all that you have said." Praise God. Now rehabilitation can begin. It was my plea as his 'mother' to come back to God that broke him in the end. He threw his arms around me and we sobbed together.

And so ended another day in the life of a missionary in Africa. Next morning at 7am I was called to a help woman in early labour, Nelson came for physio on his foot, a woman came with a huge breast abscess etc. We serve an amazing God who strengthens us to do all things. Isaiah said:

"Clear the road make a straight path for my children. Remove everything that is blocking my people’s path."

It feels like we are clearing out the rubbish so truth can prevail and the light can shine here in Mupitanshi. I love these people and want to help bring them into Gods light so that they can receive the blessings of God. There is so much evil and corruption here.

The spiritual tension in the village is palpable so I am in Ndola for a rest. I bought hand lotion and shampoo and girlie things this morning. The community are shocked at my actions. No one has ever stood up to Rabi before. As a Councillor they are afraid of him. But they are happily shocked so we must build on that and promote leaders of integrity. The people here now know that I stand for truth.

In amongst that we have elected a committee for Channels of Hope and they are busy forming their constitution so they can register as an Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO). Already this week the Church elders are beginning to reach out to vulnerable people and help. This is very exciting. Even in the chaos good things are happening.

On the way to Ndola we called at a Methodist Mission station where they make carts for the disabled so we could get a cart mended. It belongs to Jairos, a very jovial young man who cannot use his legs. Whenever he sees me he comes crawling through the dirt very quickly to take my hand. They are going to repair it for me and then Jairos, and I are going to have a race!

I have learned that I badly need an assistant. To facilitate meetings in a foreign language always relying on interpreters is not the easiest. Richard is a solid man of God, living the Word. He is 55 years old, married with 5 children, is an ex-army captain so doesn’t run from trouble. He is well trained in HIV awareness which is our main thrust at present. He is connected to families hereby birth, has counselling and administration skills, understands micro-enterprise and he can drive. He sees our centre as a place of learning. Please pray with me that God will send the money so I can employ him. He would like a salary of K1.8 million per month (about AUD450 per month). None of the Churches here can afford a pastor so in keeping with my vision I would love to employ him to help with educating the people, to train Church elders and to preach. Not being attached to any one church means he can help all church elders which is in keeping with Channels of Hope where 12 Churches have united. Eventually I see that this NGO will employ him but I would love to begin now so if anyone can help let me know.

In building a community there is always good and bad. Sometimes the old buildings need to come down and new ones erected. Its like that here. I believe that we have released the evil to make way for the best God has in store for us.

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. I can’t work without that. You are my partners in this work. I wish you could meet these people. People like Jairos, and others whom I love dearly. My dream is you will all come and visit one day. Bono said:

"15,000 Africans are dying needlessly every day – every day, from preventable diseases for the lack of drugs that we in the West would never tolerate. Deep down if we really believe that Africans are our equals we would do more to halt this terrible tragedy."

I beg you, come and visit, see for yourselves these beautiful people who have nothing, who are the least blessed of people in the world, who live every day with the threat of death. Every week in our village is a funeral. A child of 2 this week. Last week a Grandfather. Next week? Do come before its too late.

Blessings
Durelle

Jungle Juice

Hi everyone

I'm trying to have a rest... I even asked God for a rest. Half an hour later a man arrived as pillion on a bicycle, suffering shock and severe pain from a peptic ulcer. He rolled off the bike onto the ground vomiting. We wrapped him in a blanket, carried him to the car and raced off to the clinic. He is recovering okay at home.

I have a lovely photo of Sackson, the man with shingles and he is looking good. Still some pain but OK. We took him dried beans which are his favourite. I need to get savvy about sending more photos.

On a sadder note a patient I rushed to the hospital on Sunday died this morning Aged 40. Her brother cycled 12km with her as pillion and then they called me - I could see she had pneumonia and so we rushed her to hospital. The nurse on duty couldn't get a drip line in as her veins were so flat - he tried 8 times after which I yelled stop!! and asked him to get a colleague. My dear friend Rose came to the rescue even though she was off duty. Then they ran out of syringes so i raced off to another clinic to get syringes so they could give her antibiotics. But still we were too late. I have agreed to go collect her body from the hospital tonight..

Nelsons foot is continuing to heal. Its amazing to watch the flesh fattening up and building new skin. I find it fascinating. I didn't realise I was letting myself in for months of daily dressings but the results are worth it.

We had our first meeting since the Seminar and have decided to form a Community Care Coalition made up of Church reps, teachers, nurses, and the Chief will be patron. We will register as an NGO so that in future we can apply for funds to help us with our programme of helping those who are sick with HIV. We will be electing the executive next Sat and pray with me that we get responsible and compassionate people coming forward. Its very exciting to see this happening - a dream come true. One person and God can make a difference.

I got a phone call from the girls at school to say, "Grandma we have no meal" This is their staple diet so I had to go visit them. Catherine and Matilda are doing very well and getting good marks. I love to see their enthusiasm. Owen is also doing well at school They have exams soon so they are all nervous.

It is freezing cold in the night and early morning here. I found a new use for my teapot - when I'd drained it I cuddled it close to keep warm.

Today I am trying to get a chain and cogwheel fixed for Jairos, a man who is not able to use his legs. He crawls everywhere but someone somewhere made him a cart which he pedals with his hands. its run with a bike chain thingy. Anyway I met him on the road ( as you do here) and he greeted me with such a warm smile and came crawling very fast to shake my hand. When he said his cart was broken I decided to try and help him. He is such a warm person considering his suffering. Apparently he makes wooden things like mouse traps to sell. Anybody need a mouse trap?

That's it from the jungle today. Thank you for helping me to buy the car - it has saved lives, but not only that it helps the people to see that they are loved and precious as I drive off to visit them etc. I appreciate your prayers and your emails. They keep me going. It's difficult at times and even though I am tired I do love the work. I am planning to go to Ndola for a rest next week.

God bless
Durelle

Channels of Hope

participants at the seminar
lining up for dinner

Wow! What a busy time it was and I feel so happy with what we achieved.

Pastor Morgan Chilulu is an inspired teacher he spoke at every session for 3 days. He loves his work and speaks from experience. I have posted photos on facebook but didnt know how to label them.

There were many firsts at the seminar

• The first seminar in Mupitanshi.
• The first time eight different churches had united (Catholic, Pentecostal, Evangelical, Baptist, Jehovah's Witness, & Seventh Day Adventist, Plus).
• The first time HIV has been talked about openly.
• The first time HIV and Condoms have been mentioned in a church here.
• The first time someone openly admitted he was HIV positive as he gave his testimony of me saving his life.
• The first time the Chief has graced a seminar.
• The first time the Chief has stayed in my house.

72 people registered and attended the three days. Some came in the late morning just for the lunch! We had nshima and fish the first day then nshima and goat the 2nd and nshima and beans the last day. I also served watermelons for morning tea. The women from my sewing club did the cooking, and we had two specially selected cooks for the Chief who addressed the people and encouraged them to learn all they could.

Morgan was very inspiring, funny at times and challenging at others. His session on condom use will stand out in my mind forever. I had acquired several boxes of condoms and he gave a practical demonstration to illustrate his point that "condoms must be used consistently and correctly ". At the end of that session we gave away the condoms and I nearly died watching the 'widows' grabbing handfuls. The next morning I jokingly asked the people if they enjoyed practising... and Lewin got up to tell the people,"Durelle is the only person who didn't take a condom" which made everyone laugh.

Although Morgan spoke Bemba throughout the three days I knew what he was saying 90 % of the time by his body language and by knowing the content. At one stage he held up my 'white' hand in his black hand to illustrate that there are no boundaries, that we each have the same heart and together we can make a difference.

I was so proud of my friend Brighton who is a church elder but was willing to testify that secrecy kills while speaking out can save lives. Also present was my 'lost sheep' Langston, now returned to the fold and I got him to lead a singing chorus. I love the African worship songs. Their harmony is very moving. I enjoyed myself each day. It was hard work because at the end of each day I had to go home and cook for my guests. I rose at 5am each day to get things organised.

Each day and each session was begun with praise and worship and I danced in the aisle with them. Many Christians were challenged by the need to use condoms as this is considered to be a sin here. At the end Morgan convinced them. He said something like "So its okay for a Christian to spread HIV?" They were kidding themselves that Christians don't have HIV but the statistics show that 75% of the people in Zambia belong to a church yet the rate is 1-4 people who are positive. His most challenging question was "Are Christians having sex outside of marriage?" he divided us into groups to discuss this.

At the end we had a candle lighting ceremony with red candles to symbolise HOPE. Each person lit their candle from the person beside them symbolising how together we can fight HIV and restore health to Mupitanshi. He emphasised Faithfulness to one partner, correct and consistent use of a condom, know your status (in other words go and get tested). As we held our candles a small group acted out a role play.

Morgan was very courageous for he was talking to a group of people where husband and wife won't kiss in public let alone talk about sex. He was very clever he kept asking what is the local word for 'penis' or for 'vagina' to create conversation as he was teaching. There was a lot of laughter. In talking about the causes he talked about how in Africa its demand sex or 'dry sex' which causes ruptures and allows the virus to spread and how after a woman's husband dies the brothers have to have sex with her. I learned a lot about the culture.

People came to confess their positive status to him during breaks. Heartbreaking but healing all at the same time. From the seminar one man is determined to hold a support group and the community as a whole have agreed to form a Coalition to keep the momentum of healing going. Each Church will form a HOPE team who are willing to visit the sick, encourage people to go for testing, provide food and help when they are weak etc. Our first Coalition meeting is this Saturday. As you can imagine I was crying at the end with the joy of seeing these people step into the 21st century. Praise God.

Its very hard to put into words all that happened but I know it was amazing to see such a workshop in Mupitanshi. Morgan is going to come back in 3 months to check on how our coalition is going and to conduct a couples workshop.

Muptitanshi will never be the same!

On the last night I was so tired I tripped over a rock and lay sprawled in the dirt, the chicken dinner spilled beside me. I cried as I was hurt, and I was worried about my hip prosthesis. They carried me inside and I soon recovered enough to reconstitute dinner. I enjoyed having loving company to eat with and to chat with which is such a change. But running a guest house is exhausting. This week I have had Simon in my guest house with pneumonia so there is no rest.

We went to visit Sackson the man with shingles on his face - he is smiling again and the blisters have healed. It was so wonderful to see his improvement. He and his wife are a delightful couple.

Thank you dear friends for your prayers and encouragement. I could feel them.

Love to you all
Durelle