Generosity

The Zambian church members worked so hard to welcome us and make sure that the seminar functioned well. Then, after the closing worship service on Friday afternoon, they were thanking us for honoring them by coming. They had even prepared individual gifts for each of us. They presented them one by one to the administrative leaders who came, the delegates from each church, “and last but not least, to the lady without whom this would not have been possible: our translator, Diane, who built bridges between us.” We each received a typical Zambian cloth wall hanging and a clock set in a metal base in the shape of the country of Zambia. They will be wonderful souvenirs of a wonderful people! I am always a bit embarrassed by these closing ceremonies because everywhere I have been, the third-world people come with gifts for everyone. It is usually something representing a craft from their country. I never know what to bring from the USA that would represent the same level of artistry and craftsmanship. The things the USA is known for – think, Coca-Cola – just somehow don’t seem quite appropriate in these circumstances.