Samba Land: Heart for the Children
(A few last thoughts about my time in Zambia)
If you start reading this, I hope you will finish it. It is kind of long, but I needed to write out this experience. A humbling day that has shaped my soul. I can never be the
same person as I was before… and I hope that as you have read this, something was able to touch your heart.
A friend of mine from Kwathu orphanage and I were talking a couple
of weeks ago. I asked
her questions concerning the background of the children. She told me how many
come from vulnerable circumstances, abandonment, or their parents have passed
away. She also told me of the development in Kwathu orphanage. Like how before more funds
were able to come to the orphanage, the children just ate cabbage for months
straight. She said something to me that I could never forget, “The
kids here are very fortunate.” I’m thinking in my head, in what ways? They're orphans.... She asked
me a question, “Nusly, have you ever been to the village?” I shook my head no.
She continued, “At the village, there are many children there
who have been abandoned or they are orphaned. Usually there is an elderly lady
in the community who will watch over them, but she cannot give them the nourishment,
care, and attention that they need. They have to in a way, raise themselves.
Children are left to find means to survive. You should really go to the village sometime
with my friend, Justine. He works there and you can see some of the places that
our kids here have come from.”
Justine picked me up and we started driving down to Ngwenya village. The
road we were driving on was not paved. On both sides, there is hut after hut –
homes built out of mud and sticks with roofs made of straw. Some homes had more sturdiness, being build
from cement blocks. This area had no electricity or
running water. Men and women were
at work, or just finishing up their lunches. Little children were everywhere, roaming
the streets in their tattered clothes. Once they caught a glimpse of me in the car, they stared at
the “muzungu” (white person). I would smile and wave. They would get the
biggest smiles and wave back. We passed an abandoned, small home. Justine pointed to it and said, "This is where two of your kids from the orphanage were from. Their parents died." It was really hard imaging two of the children who have become so dear to me, growing up amongst these circumstances without proper shelter, food, water, or education... I was starting to understand why my friend told me how fortunate our children at the orphanage really were.
Everyone knew who was in town for dozens of children would
squeal, “UNCLE JUSTINE! UNCLE JUSTINE!” and they would chase the car in their
bare feet . When I looked into the mirror, you could see them waving their
dusty, little hands. Over 14 years ago, Justine first started off with saving up his own money and buying food to give to the children in the village.
He said to me,
“I live my life for the children. My heart belongs to them. They
are like mine own. I love them so much.” Now, he organizes a feeding program called:
“Samba Land: Heart for the Children”
for the village because most of them do not have enough food or water. He holds a food line where hundreds of children, widows, and homeless wait in
line with a bowl (pictured left). Through Samba Land, children are provided with food, clothes, and help with school fees. His goal is
to be able to feed more, get a water system, and shelter for the children. (To learn more about this and how you an help, I posted a link at the bottom of this entry).
Justine told me that the first of his friends that we were going
to visit was a 14 years old boy (name withheld for privacy ) As a small
boy, he became disabled and uses a
wheelchair to get around. We entered a small, one room home. To the side
was an
old, worn mattress on the floor with a young boy on it. Justine
introduced me,
but the boy was barely speaking. I was told he was very weak at the
moment. Justine’s
nieces and nephew (ages 8, 10, and 13) came in and after we had
interacted with the boy, Justine announced, “We’re going to pray for
this great man.” We all
knelt down on our knees and Justine started praying first. After
Justine, his nieces and nephew followed in turn . As they were pouring
their souls out to
God, I started crying because these prayers were filled with sincerity,
passion, love, and gratitude. The Spirit of Christ's pure love for this
young boy was overwhelming and it felt as if the Spirit and love was too
much to be contained in this small home.
Our next stop, we met an elderly lady by her hut. She told us of her
vision problems. She went to the doctors who had no explanation for her.
Again, Justine
said “We will pray for this woman.” We all locked hands together in a
circle with the woman. Justine looked at me and asked, “Nusly, will you
offer the prayer?” I
was very touched that he gave me the opportunity to pray over this
wonderful
woman, a child of God. I thanked the Lord so much for the opportunity to
come
across her this day and be able to meet her and I prayed for her
eyesight. Not necessarily for her physical eyes to have the ability to
see, but that she may see
through her spiritual eyes Jesus Christ and feel His love for her. She
gave me a big hug afterwards. We were about to leave when another
woman who was walking on the road came over. She told him how
her leg has been bothering her for 3 months and has caused her
difficulty in
walking. We joined in prayer for her leg as well.
I was full of joy of the Spirit. I was continually reminded
of Christ’s ministry as we went about doing good – feeding the hungry, healing
the lame, the blind.. we didn’t “heal” these people physically in that very
moment as Jesus had done, but I felt spiritual healing occurring – even for
myself. I needed that healing and reawakening of myself; to strengthen my faith
because of this: I am here to testify of God's goodness. I have come across so many people in my life whose vision have been clouded. They cannot see past what they perceive to lack or why God would allow such trials (whatever they may be) to come into their lives. For some, the conclusion comes to be that God doesn't exist or if they do believe in God, doubt comes in or the belief that it is not very important to involve Him in their lives. Wait a moment - hear me out here. How is it that I have met many people here in the most humbling circumstances (remember, no running or readily available water, food shortage, homes made of mud and sticks, have lost family members due to diseases and difficulties, lack of resources and finances for things such as education, health care, etc.) and yet, they find all the reason give praise to Jesus Christ? They credit their
survival
solely on their
faith in God.
Why is it that those with so little have the best
vision? I have been one of those who has had their eyes clouded! These people have taught me so much within a short time-span.
Justine (pictured left holding the two children) is one of my heroes. He is a man of God who I am honored to call my friend. He will never
appear in a
history book and no monuments will be named after him, but the lives he
has
touched, his spirit has been connected with theirs. Him and his family give all they have to help save these children, widows, and the homeless in their community. He loves God’s
children and
he cannot bear living his life for himself. He believes he has a mission
here
on this earth and he is fulfilling it. The joy in his life comes from those smiles and renewed hope. The Spirit I have felt
that day at the village is very difficult for me to put into words. I can never again in my life look at my life the same. In the Book of Mormon, it asks: "For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all....?" For
all, meaning not just in substance, but spiritually and emotionally as well. I have been given so much...but I need to give. Let us refocus our priorities and what our hearts truly treasure.
What can you do? I'm not saying that we all need to go to Africa and be involved in humanitarian work. I believe God lead me in that certain direction for many reasons that are very sacred and personal. I
needed this and I know it was the best preparation for me before I head out on my 18-month mission to Chile. I believe we can get involved in our own homes with our families, community, nation, and with the world. I promise you that as you pray and you actively seek ways to serve, God will lead you to the people who need some prayers answered. Our lives were never meant to be lived for ourselves. Live your life for others - it's the way TO live. Get involved!
* * * *
I cannot fathom how easily accessible water is in our very own homes. Let us count our blessings and if possible through you, help others have that blessing. If you would specifically like to help the children from "Samba Land: Heart for the Children" to GET
WATER, here is their fundraising website:
http://www.gofundme.com/d3zja0 and their facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Sambaland
Here is one of my favorite music videos by Zambian musicians. It gives you a little taste of what the wonderful people of Zambia are like! The chorus sings: "Change begins with us. Let's all put our hands together," - LET'S DO IT!
- Nusly
Family and friends, since I personally converted at age 16 to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have always wanted to serve a full-time mission. I tried going on a mission a couple of years ago, but the timing was not right. But after having been through life changing experiences, I have had an even deeper longing to dedicate my life to the Lord. When a woman marries a man, she takes upon the name of her husband. This symbolizes commitment, love, loyalty, devotion, eternity, united as one... I realized I already had a name! At baptism, we take upon us the name of Jesus Christ. When we are baptized, we are committing ourselves to Jesus Christ. We are promising to always remember Him and that we will be His disciple. I have been baptized and I took upon the name of my Savior. The most important relationship I will ever have is the relationship I have with my Father in Heaven and with my Savior Jesus Christ. 
Many people have asked me how and why I am so happy and optimistic... It really is because I am a Latter-day Saint, a Mormon. Dallin H. Oaks, a modern day apostle once said: "Knowing what my Savior did for me - I feel privileged to make the small sacrifice in His service. I want to share the understanding He has given me." This is how I feel. The timing is finally right and I feel so strongly that I am meant to serve my God and my brothers and sisters. This is why for the next 18 months I will be serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Santiago, Chile!
