It seems like a contradiction in terms, referring to the day on which our Lord and Savior suffered and died as being good. Looking at the pain, the suffering, the loss, one could hardly call it good. As the disciples endured the loss, the fear of the unknown, it would easily be called in the words of Alexander, “a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day”, But looking back at the cross, through the knowledge of the resurrection, we can see the goodness, not in the events that happened but in the ultimate salvation for mankind, that came through the death on the cross and that the suffering of good Friday was necessary to have the joy and celebration of Easter.
As missionaries, we tend to report about the “Easter” moments and try not to focus on the Good Fridays of life. We think friends and supporters only want to hear about the successes and triumphs but are not really concerned about the struggles.
So, let me just say that holidays in Zambia are a struggle. We find ourselves away from family and friends and often feel lonely. This Easter was no different. We struggle with different traditions and ways of doing things. I especially felt this on good Friday. Last year, due to COVID, we had no celebrations at all so of course that was tough. This year I was able to attend a combined service with 18 area BIC churches coming together here in Macha. Being used to a contemplative good Friday meditation, the loud singing and dancing, as many area churches came together to celebrate, had me feeling a bit out of place. Sunday there was a glorious celebration outside with much singing and rejoicing. We enjoyed the outside service but still found ourselves longing to be with friends and family. Meeting together to celebrate Passover/the last supper at our house with our Seder on Thursday brought some feeling of normalcy as did the decorating of eggs with natural dyes, crayons, and markers on Saturday night with some fellow missionaries.
Since returning to Zambia, it has often felt like we are sometimes stuck on good Friday or maybe even silent Saturday. As many of you know our container arrived from Samaritan’s Purse and we are very grateful for that. We have spent a lot of time sorting and distributing supplies throughout the hospital. We have had several severe burn patients and the dressings we received have been quite useful (although they are being consumed at an alarming rate). Two months after receiving these supplies you would think that we would have the OT (operating theater) up and running, however, the new lights still sit on the floor waiting to be hung, delayed by the lack of funds, time, and just life in Zambia. The new operating room doors need to be hung but first we have to chisel out the brick and concrete doorway that is too small to accommodate the beautiful doors. That’s not to say that there are not great things happening. One of the 2 new anesthesia machines has replaced our old machine that was on its last leg and 2 new heavy duty oxygen concentrators are in full use keeping these anesthesia machines supplied with oxygen. But there are setbacks as well. The new suction machine was not connected properly and blood from the patient was pulled up into the engine putting it out of commission. Then unfortunately someone plugged the new computer for the digital x-ray machine in a 220 outlet (when it requires 110) frying the power source necessitating repairs.
The mother shelter has received funds and after pushing for one month we have been able to secure materials to continue that work. Every day I think this will be the day that the work will progress. I was greatly surprised last week to see much of the plumbing had been set for the washrooms. We are slowly making progress, but some days it seems to go very “slowly.”
Zambian Christian University (ZACU) of the BIC Zambia is expanding its campus to Macha (from Choma where it currently teaches Business and IT courses) to add a bachelor’s degree in nursing and clinical medicine. The hospital and nurses training college have been working to help move this project along. We are grateful for buildings which already exist to house this new endeavor. We are also thankful for individuals who are helping to fund the start up costs with renovations of the buildings to prepare them for use. We have been blessed by individuals who have given to the partnership handbook https://partnership.bicus.org/project/general-support-macha-mission-hospital/. which allows us to have funds to help with our operating expenses such as medicines and supplies as well as assists with these other projects. Currently we continue to struggle with balancing what projects we can afford to fund at this time. Current needs include 2 new cook pots for the kitchen $10,000, a tractor $15,000, and the OT pavilion $10,000.
Ministry has been slow. As in the US, COVID has put a damper on meetings and getting together, this has made getting to know people in the community slow and difficult. This adds to the feeling of loneliness. We praise God that the COVID cases in our area have decreased and we are slowly trying to make in roads with new friendships. We also praise the Lord for the opportunity to continue to counsel a Zambian couple who is having marital difficulty. We praise the lord that schools are now open and Maggie has been able to tutor at Macha Sports and Learning after school. We are thankful also for opportunities to do hearing screenings in the schools that are now open and she continues to do speech therapy at the hospital with some disabled children.
Life doesn’t always go the way we want or expect. The disciples most certainly didn’t think Friday was good as it was happening. Looking back through the lens of Easter they did see the great and glorious things God was doing. As we push through the mundane aspects of life, as we deal with the struggles of living in a foreign country, as we persevere in the difficulties, we thank God that glorious things are being accomplished. We rejoice that even now we continue to see glimpses of the good things that God is doing. We are reminded of Paul’s admonishing to the Galatians in chapter 6 verse 9. “Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we will reap if we faint not”
Praying that today you also will not grow weary and you will press on in that which God has called you.
Mark and Maggie
We serve with Brethren in Christ US World Mission.
Contributions preferenced for our ministry may be sent to BIC US at:
431 Grantham Rd, Mechanicsburg, Pa 17055-5812
or donated on line athttps://bicus.org/missionaries/mark-and-maggie-roth/
Donate to special projects at Macha Mission Hospital at
https://partnership.bicus.org/project/general-support-macha-mission-hospital/
Mark and Maggie BICWM 