Back to Life in Lundazi

A Letter from Charles and Melissa Johnson, serving in Zambia

March 2020

Greetings from Lundazi! We arrived back in Lundazi on Saturday, January 18 after spending a few days in Istanbul where we had a great time enjoying the history, culture, architecture and food.

Upon our arrival at home, we were greeted by Woodrow and Gus, our two dogs, who had obviously missed us. It has been wonderful to see our Zambian friends and associates whom we’ve missed tremendously. Despite all the struggles we encountered near the end of our recent Interpretation Assignment (IA), it feels good to be back in Lundazi and resume work with our partner, the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Synod of Zambia (CCAP Zambia).

Since arriving in Lundazi, we’ve been visited by several of our friends who have come to pay their condolences on the death of Melissa’s mom. This is a very important part of the culture here and one that is very comforting. We’ve also had the opportunity to meet our new pastor at David McConaughey Congregation, Rev. Bannet Muwowo, who arrived in Lundazi in November. We look forward to getting to know Rev. Muwowo and his family.

The rainy season is in full swing here and area crops seem to be benefiting. The countryside is emerald green as far as the eye can see. Despite the beauty of the season, travel on Zambian roads is more difficult during the rainy season with deep puddles, washed out areas and new and bigger potholes. Despite the rainy season challenges, we’ve been able to visit the ongoing projects of our partner to check on their progress.

When we departed Zambia in June 2019 for our IA, the CCAP Zambia Health Department had just completed the process of selecting a contractor for the construction of the new Phalaza Rural Health Center, but no actual work had begun. The construction site was handed over to the contractor on August 1, and the construction began in earnest. During our time in the U.S., the CCAP Zambia Health Department Coordinator, Richard Willima, consistently provided us with updates and photos so we could see the project’s progress, but it was such a joy to actually go to Phalaza and see the building for ourselves.

Melissa was also briefed by Mr. Willima as to the progress of other programs of the CCAP Zambia Health Department. There were distributions of washable, reusable feminine hygiene kits to schoolgirls, multiple teaching opportunities about feminine hygiene and reproductive health at national level gatherings of the Christian Women’s Guild and the Christian Youth Fellowship. The cervical cancer program was able to train 20 community health workers – 10 of whom are in the new catchment area for the Phalaza Rural Health Center. These new cervical cancer educators were tasked with going out into their communities and educating women about the dangers of cervical cancer and how this disease can be prevented through screening and early treatment. After some time had passed and the community health workers had time to do their teaching, the Ministry of Health cervical cancer nurses traveled to Phalaza where they screened 115 women. Thankfully, there were no cases of cancer diagnosed, but several infections were treated and several women were tested for HIV/AIDS.

The next week we traveled to Chasefu with Mr. Willima and one of our Peace Corps friends, Becca Snyder, to check on the status of the Chasefu agricultural storage facility. The main structure appears to be near completion, with the exterior walls finished, stucco applied, and windows and doors installed. Interior finish remains to be completed as does an office and a secure storage room for agricultural chemicals. In addition, the facility needs to be painted inside and out and a solar electric system installed. The last step will be to build a security fence around the perimeter of the site to protect farm equipment.

As we traveled throughout the U.S. during our IA, Charles spoke of the need for a tractor and imple-ments at Chasefu. The effort to raise funds for this equipment was identified as a priority by our partner, the CCAP Zambia, before our departure for the U.S. last June.

We’re happy to report that this need was well received by supporters like you when we were in the U.S., and we are well on our way to seeing this need met. As of this writing, just over $45,000.00 has been received—a little more than half of the total amount needed. As the funds are transferred to our partner, we will look at the farming season we’re in here and begin prioritizing the purchase of the equipment with regard to upcoming needs, but as it now stands, it appears we’ll be able to purchase the tractor and about three of the implements.

We are very appreciative of your response to this need and your support to see that it is met. Please help us make it the rest of the way to our final goal in raising the estimated remaining amount of $40,000.00.

When we were together with many of you during our IA visits, we talked about the partnership with CCAP Zambia and PC(USA). We are so grateful that you all are a part of this collaboration to help grow the capacity of the holistic ministry of CCAP Zambia. We love being able to share with you the impact you are making on the lives of the people here in Zambia. Your support is truly making a difference! As we frequently said during our IA visits—Chiweme pamoza! Taonga chomene! (We are Better Together! Thank you very much!)

Charles and Melissa Johnson