A Christian Nation
Living in Zambia for close to 20 years of my life has given me the privilege to learn from a culture different from my passport culture. Having recently moved back, Rachel and I have had many conversations over the last 15 months about how Zambia is a great place to raise our children.
Zambians are not only warm and friendly towards outsiders, but they also share many Christians values. For instance, they tend not to have clouded ideas about the roles of men and women. Many have deep regard for the elderly and shame those unwilling to follow their leaders. When functioning at its zenith, Zambian culture elevates the family. Zambian families have deep rooted feelings of responsibility to care for their extended family. It is not unusual to find orphaned children cared for by their uncles.
Zambians also have a feeling of responsibility for the people around them. They pride themselves in remembering people's names. Quick to show up to funerals, they sit in silence to comfort the bereaved. They are more than willing to help care for one another's children. Children take responsibility to care for their elderly parents.
There are many things Western cultures can learn from the riches the Zambians have because they value relationships over material wealth.
Yet, sin twists these good qualities. Zambia—like the United States—makes the dubious claim to be a Christian nation. Yet, rather than trusting God, as a norm both cultures sinfully leverage the relationships around them to fulfill their needs and desires.
Just like today's nations, the Israel exiled in Daniel's day likely had cultural values one could appreciate. In fact, reading Malachi 3:8ff gives the idea that the spiritual leadership of the nation viewed themselves as godly. But their so-called godliness was corrupted by selfish ambition. After exile, Daniel cries out in this prayer of repentance on behalf of his people:
We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, LORD, because we have sinned against you. The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. (Dan. 9:8–11).
The same God who disciplined his people is merciful and forgiving—he will forgive people from any culture who bend the knee to him in true repentance.
Pray with us that the nations we serve in will repent of both their sin and their own righteousness before Jesus returns in judgment. Pray that our efforts here to make God's mercy known will result in many turning from sin and trusting in our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Personal Update
Thank you to each of you who partner with us by praying for us. We have been blessed and encouraged to know you keep us in your hearts.
We are halfway through the second semester of teaching at CABU (Central Africa Baptist University). My students have been making great progress learning Koine Greek (the language of the New Testament). Continue to pray that God will use this tool to help them better understand and communicate the gospel.
The kids have been back in school, and Rachel has done an excellent job keeping home life running smoothly. Every week, she works tirelessly at home—teaching, taking the kids to swimming lessons, and feeding the baby. Pray for her endurance and encouragement in her ministry to our family.
