“Doctor Robert” is a song by the Beatles released on the album Revolver in the United Kingdom and on Yesterday and Today in the United States. The song was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and recorded in seven takes on 17 April 1966 with vocals overdubbed 19 April.
(In my quest to make all blogs have a Beatles song title, I find it exciting that for UH month I need to write about a guy named Dr. Robert. Convenient.)
Since Zambia is a new country The World Race works in, my team has been
assigned an “Unsung Heroes” (UH) month. Our mission is two fold:
1st – find and praise Christians dedicated to serving some of the most impoverished populations, yet rarely receive recognition.
2nd – connect with and come alongside them with future WR teams and provide lift to their efforts.
How do we find these new contacts? Network, network, network.
(Speaking of which, do YOU know anyone with contacts in Zambia?)
As humbly as I can put it, my current team (Jericho above) is a great mix of personality types and highly effective/efficient people that I’m proud to serve with. Thus, it’s no surprise that we over-achieved a little for UH in our 1st week on a new continent. I’m quite impressed with my team’s work, how small the world is sometimes, and how even though I might be on sabbatical from my Accounting firm life, I can’t escape networking even on the race.
Here’s where Dr. Robert (Bob) comes in.
If I could accurately describe my 1st week in Zambia using proper literary elements that do this experience justice, then I would have become a poet not an accountant. Instead, I’ll just skip ahead to how this man I ran into is changing my experience from enjoyable, to great, to crazy insane.
The Enjoyable – In his ‘mid-forties retirement,’ Bob took time to share about his life during our first Tuesday here. I learned all sorts of ‘interesting’ things about him that my professionally skeptical mind said, “self… just Nod. Smile. Ask unassuming questions. Get his contact info, then… Do a background check the next time I have internet.”
Ever have those situations where you’re fighting against every thread of naivety inside you, because there’s just no way the t-shirted man sitting next to you flew to S. Korea to meet with various leaders of the world and cast a vote on behalf of the President of Zambia… right? For as frequent as these coincidental encounters happen in my life, you’t think I’d be less skeptical.
Later that evening, we met again over some NShima (of course) where I learned more about how patriotic he is, as he shared his wisdom (Tuesdays with Morrie anyone?) and history lessons about Zambia and Southern Africa. Expressing my interest in documentaries, he came with his DVD copy of “Shaka Zulu: The Epic Story of Africa’s Greatest Warrior King” and just gave it to me.
The Good – In sharing a bit about myself and what I’m doing here, the networking Yoda inside him seemed to jump for joy. (He’s a true business man). He had a few connections that could help our mission by giving us large Center of Influence contacts. I met with the 1st connection in the 1st week: Ceaser Mupeta, Head of Worship, Communication and IT of a mega church (Miracle Life Family Church) in Lusaka, which is also the Rhema Bible Training Center site for Zambia. The meeting was positive, and it sounds like there are various ministries led by members of the congregation, along with church-sponsored missions which The World Race can partner with. He invited us to attend the church, which we’ve planned for the 15th. (We’ve since attended (great service) and met the Sr Pastor)
He is also connecting me with the Administer of CHAZ (Churches Health Association of Zambia). Yes, “CHAZ”. If you know me, you know I’ve had a devout Atheist best friend named Chaz for MANY years, so every time Bob boasts statements like “Everyone loves what God is doing through CHAZ.” I snicker in my head. I guess I’ve prayed for those statements to be true, but maybe the lines were crossed and THIS is the answer I got to that prayer haha.
The Crazy Insane – We’re not entirely sure what he does, especially since he’s ‘retired’, but we’ve gathered that he’s a ‘VIP protector’ of sorts, as well as dabbling in promoting tourism in Zambia and making sure various important people had a great time in his country. He also happens to have grown up next to the President of Zambia. Bob is very connected to him and the 1st Lady. At 1st he invited us to a meal being thrown by her this weekend to raise support against cervical cancer, however given our humble lodging (tents, surrounded by multiplying, pooping, rabbits), I would have felt pretty under-dressed for the occasion. Now my team is helping with her ICR event, and walking the 5K portion with her, allowing us ample opportunities to network with, per Bob, some key players.
He also has been vocal in helping us save money and fully enjoy our time in Livingstone when we head that way to finally take some overdue stored up ‘days off,’ and for our squad’s debrief at the end of the month. WHAT A BLESSING! So far my “off day” weekend itinerary includes viewing and bungee jumping at Victoria Falls, Safari (probably in Botswana) and MAYBE white water rafting or zip-lining. We’ll see how crazy insane I feel….
Any of you readers ever bungee jump?
Should I do it?
PS – Support update… I’m at 12% of what I’m suppose to raise on the World Race… If you’d like to help fill in the gap, please visit my Home Page for details on my “FUN[D] BOARD” fundraiser
