After church on Sunday we had a BBQ in our garden in the afternoon. This was no ordinary BBQ. It was special. I don't think I have every felt so priviliged to be in the company of a group of people as I did on Sunday afternoon.
At our BBQ we had 2 Commissioners, 1 Colonel, 3 Majors, 2 Orders of the Founder (not sure about the plural of the that!), a retired headmaster, and all their friends and family. All of whom had served at Chikankata for some time in their lives.
Firstly Major Ruth Schoch (OF) gave almost 30 years of her lives working as a nurse at Chikankata. What a gracious, humble and inspirational lady. The people at Chikankata were so pleased to see her back for the first time since she returned to Switzerland. She was accompanied by her friend Esther, who also served at the Hospital.
Commissioner (Dr.) Paul du Plessis was the Chief Medical Officer for 16 years at the Hospital. His wife seemed to be like Heidie and just get involved in whatever needed to be done. 16 YEARS - that man deserves a Knighthood (although his nationality may rule that out) but again humble, clever and encouraging. The du Plessis are also fluent in the local language - they've shamed us on that one. The S. Army has some fine people in its ranks and this couple are up with the best of them in my book. They are joined by their children and their grandchildren, who were just such nice people.
Colonel Radar from Lexington USA. Another OF. A man with a mission and passion for that mission. Lived and worked a Chikankata for many years across two seperate stints and frequent visitor to Chikankata to upgrade our Studio. In September people across Southern and Central Province will be hearing Chikankata Community Radio Station.
Majors Chisapi is an old retired Zambian Officer who lives in Chikankata village. It doesn't matter who returns to visit Chikankata Mission, they always want to visit the Chisapis. What a tremendous influence these officers must have had on the ex-pats.
Mr Kalichi is Mr. Kalichi. 22 years as Headmaster at Chikankata High School is a mammoth achievement. Today Mr. Kalichi moves from his Mission House into a house he has built in the nearby village. He deserves to rest and relax and put his feet up.
It was a great afternoon and a lesson for me and Heidie in commitment, humility and servanthood. Chikankata has such a rich heritage and the Big Man has remained faithful through all the ups and down. We were blessed.
posted by Charlie Chikankata at 12:20 pm
3 Comments:
You don't know me, i'm sure, but i found the link to your blog through urban army's blog. the title of your blog caught my attention. I spent a summer in zambia, and we spent 12 days there at chikankata (which, i think i would have to say was my favorite stop in zambia). we stayed down at the conference center, and got to do all kinds of really cool things (do they still have the school's basketball teams that ted carroll put together about 7 years ago?). i can also very vividly remember mr. kalichi. didn't know that he's been the headmaster there for 22 years now. that's quite impressive.
i can also very clearly remember getting up before the sun and climbing the hill up to the overlook of the dam, where there were three humble grave stones of those who served as missionaries there (one of them was a child, if i remember correctly). it was my favorite spot in all of zambia, getting to see God's lavish beauty so wonderfully displayed just for me (and all i had to do to enjoy it was to wake up painfully early).
i'd talk for hours about this if i could. in fact, i'd love to chat with you about zambia, if you have the time. send me a note, if you'd like to, at marty_mikles@uss.salvationarmy.org.
blessings!
marty mikles
5:27 am
What a pleasure to read these postings as I too have wonderful memories of Chikankata. In 1973/4 I had the privilege to work as a doctor at the hospital with the then Capt (Dr) Paul du Plessis with his wife Margaret. They were, and remain such inspirational people and have been great friends over the years even though on the opposite side of the world. My memories of the local Zambian Salvationists as well as the ex patriot teachers and nurses and support workers are rich indeed. Sadly I have not been back to Chikankata since those days but would love to return some day. The hill overlooking the dam is a special place where so many have felt just that much closer to God, and Easter morning especially at dawn singing in the Tonga language "He is risen!" Thanks Chikankata for the memory.
2:34 pm
P.S.
Graeme is Dr Graeme Lucas from Australia.
2:37 pm
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