Mazabuka Sweets: Zambian Trainings and Lent

My first mistake was thinking that giving up sweets was a good idea. Always a poor choice. In any city, in any corner of the world, this is just torture (note that I am writing this 6 days into my Lent). In Zambia, this is basically impossible. Am I sick? Am I on a diet? First no soft drinks, now no sweets? I must be out of my mind! Denying anything at a Zambian training is relatively impossible since eating is often considered the point of the event (learning is secondary). Let’s look at the schedule/eating program for my paralegal training (this is not abnormal):

Breakfast 7:30am (corn flakes, eggs, sausage, beans, two pieces of toast, tea)
Class 8:30-10:30am
Morning Tea Break 10:30-11am (tea/coffee, soft drinks, large plate of cookies/biscuits)
Class 11-1pm
Lunch 1-2pm (nshima/rice, three portions of meat, two side dishes, macaroni, soft drinks, dessert)
Class 2-3:30pm
Afternoon Tea Break 3:30-4pm (tea/coffee, soft drinks and cake)
Class 4-5pm
Dinner around 6pm (another meal roughly the size of lunch)

Since I don’t drink soda and am observing lent, this means that I have to explain that I don’t want a delicious treat to the wonderful Zambian host at least FIVE times per day. First I need to be concerned about being culturally insensitive, since not taking food is not that simple. Second, this goes against the entire mindset of workshops in Zambia. I will elaborate…

There is an interesting sense of entitlement when a Zambian sits at a workshop; instead of understanding that you are only there to learn, most Zambians have a completely separate list of material expectations. This includes a sitting allowance (payment for attendance, thank you affluent non-profits coaxing Africans into workshops), t-shirts, excessive amounts of food and drink, certificates to prove they completed the training and a full set of worksheets/materials. The WORST sin at any workshop is to run out of food. This has only happened to me once, and I will just say it was one of my worst days at IJM. If you lack other materials, don’t expect trainees to share. Every participant must have their own copy of every single handout, or else you will be the subject of gossip and will be considered “poor organizers.”

All this to say, a trainee turning down any item offered to them is unheard at a workshop. I now not only stand out at as the random muzungu at the table but I have added to my list of the bizarre characteristics that I don’t take what is rightfully mine. It’s not as easy as it sounds. Turning down a delicious cupcake Sara made is one thing, but it’s much harder to turn down a sweet concocted by the Zambian woman offering it to me on her knees.

Let’s Talk about Fraud (and other things you learn at devotions)

Devotions are generally seen as a time for prayer, thanksgiving and focusing your energy on God; however, when placed in a corporate setting, I have discovered the added elements of awkwardness and inappropriate comments. In my field office, a different member of staff leads devotions every day. This basically means that I get to learn a LOT about every one of my co-workers each month. Some choose to get personal and discuss personal struggles while others bring up a controversial passage and lead a heated thirty minute debate. The majority of Zambians belong to the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) or Pentecostal church and my views as a non-denom raised CRC Christian tend to clash with theirs. Therefore, I have learned to choose my battles around the devotion table. Sure they may think I am crazy for drinking alcohol and eating pork, but is that something that will keep me up at night? Not really.

There is a certain co-worker (let’s call him Julius for fun) that always leads the most interesting devotions. And by interesting, I of course mean beyond uncomfortable and outlandish. Thus far he has taught the office the biblical teaching on how to rear children (although he has none of his own), accused the U.S. government of creating HIV/AIDS to control the population of Africa, and informed us that praying to trees will make the rains come. The majority of the time during his devotions I feel like I must be staring in a ZNBC version of “The Office;” this time playing the role of Jim, gently rolling my eyes to the camera and quietly screaming, “are you seeing this?!” Despite my desire to crawl under the table and die during these moments, I have actually started to look forward to Julius’ morning at the devotional table. Without a TV in my flat, it is by far the best entertainment I get all day!

On Wednesdays, IJM takes a break from its exhilarating devotional table and heads over to Northmead Pentecostal for devotions with World Vision, another international non-profit organization serving in Lusaka. World Vision devotions generally fail to keep my attention because I don’t worship well while being yelled at. After 30 minutes of a short Zambian male calling for my repentance, the real fun begins! World Vision takes advantage of this captive audience to give its weekly organizational announcements. This may include introducing a new regional director, encouraging the staff to take a survey, or if we are really lucky, an in-depth talk on fraud and its consequences. One Wednesday members of the IJM and World Vision staff were imparted with the knowledge of the laws of fraud, forgery and how to report these crimes. Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore…

Despite my seemingly critical attitude about devotions in Zambia, it has been fascinating to see where the Zambian church focuses its energy. There is a greater emphasis on following God’s law instead of grace, a belief that time management is next to godliness, that good deeds will bring about financial prosperity, and a focus on salvation above simply walking in Christ’s footsteps. Whether or not I can worship during organizational devotions is a matter of debate, but it is always an educational experience.