Since we crossed over the border into Zambia a few weeks ago, I immediately felt joy in my heart. I can’t explain it, but this country gives me a sense of peace and spiritual fulfillment that I haven’t felt thus far on the World Race.
So my heart breaks then when I think about how much this nation is struggling.
Last Wednesday a few of my teammates and I were welcomed into the home of Esther, the Administrative Assistant at Destiny School where we are working, to rest between our school day and the bible study we were leading in the evening. About 5 minutes into settling in, the electricity went out. We have become somewhat used to this is Africa, but we asked if this was common in her area. Esther’s face, which usually always has a smile or some sassy look, went solemn. Yes, she said, every day from about 4pm to midnight. It has been like that for the past 5 months. My teammates and I look at each other, and Esther continues.
About a half a year ago the Zambian government decided it couldn’t produce enough electricity for the entire country all the time, so they created a system. They sectioned the capital city of Lusaka (where we are living and working) into areas and assigned certain times of electricity to each. So, in Esther’s area they have electricity from midnight until 4pm, while other areas have none. Then at 4pm, they switch and another area has electricity. Take a minute now to think about what you need electricity for in your house. The first that comes to mind: the refrigerator. With no electricity for at least 8 hours each day, sometimes more, no one can save food. They have to buy food each day, and whatever they can’t eat they must toss so it doesn’t spoil.
Now think about this problem with electricity from a production standpoint. Say you own a company that makes bread. First, you only have limited electricity for your machines, so your work day is cut short. Also, you can’t produce as much as you would like because with no refrigeration it would go bad before selling it. However, you still need to pay your workers, so you are forced to raise your prices in order to make ends meet.
Economically, Zambia is the worst it has ever been. We have heard over and over here “The kwacha has no value anymore.” And because of the electricity and production issues over the past few months, families are literally struggling to survive. Esther says that a typical family will make between K1,500 and K3,500 a month. That is approximately $140-270 USD. A household consists of about 8-10 people, usually the mother and father, children, and some form of extended family (grandmother, sister, nieces and nephews), all of whom you need to feed on this salary. Now the price of staples like bread and milk and rice have doubled due to the lack of electricity and production, which means you need to spend approximately K100, or $10, per day for three meals. Multiply that by a month, and your cost for food exceeds your monthly income, with which you still need to pay rent and utilities. As I said, it is nearly impossible to survive.
As Esther is telling us this, she continues to just shake her head and say, “things are very tough here in Zambia, very very tough. The only way we will survive it is by the grace of God.” And the Zambian government believes so also. Two weeks ago the President announced a national day of fasting and prayer for the economic recovery of Zambia on October 18th. No stores will be open, and all citizens are asked to fast from food and spend the day in prayer. Zambia is a Christian nation and they know they need His almighty power to overcome these struggles.
I invite you all to join us in fasting and prayer for Zambia this Sunday, October 18th.
In the past 14 days I have felt nothing but kindness and hospitality from the beautiful people of this country. No one should struggle the way they have over the past six months. I believe the Lord will hear our prayers and save the Zambian people, and soon this nation will be prospering.
