Hi, all! We promised some alternative programming, so here’s a go at it. These Zags have experienced a variety of sensory experiences during their time here. Sometimes we have unexpected visitors:
But the most consistent is the music from our varied church services. Many of you following along know that I asked our dear friends, Fathers Max and Roy, to teach us a song before we left Spokane. I wanted our group to begin our cultural learning with something that would allow an intermediate connection to community members. Though I have no technical knowledge of music (and these Zags can attest that keeping time is not among my strengths), I am always profoundly moved by the music we experience here and the musicality of every part of life for many Zambians. I though you might be interested to hear some of the soundtrack of our journey. Apologies for the unedited tracks, and here’s hoping the links behave.
From the outset, Zambian hospitality is marked by music. Just over two weeks ago, students from Chilenga school, under the direction of Jescar Mukumbi, welcomed each bush flight that landed on the Zambezi airstrip: Airstrip welcome.MOV
The first week our teaching candidates were at Chilenga school, the Head Teachers called an all-school assembly, which included a rendition of the Zambian national anthem, “Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free”:
At the same assembly, the school’s pupils also expressed their care for our Zags with a song that translates to a prayer for God’s protection:
For a bonus, here are back-to-back songs sung by St. Cecelia, one of the several choirs of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, during the offering at our first Mass here in Zambezi: Offering songs (1).m4a
In our recent trip to Dipalata, we were welcomed in a way that has become a kind of heartsong for us, one that most Zambians use to greet visitors, and which you may hear your Zags unconsciously humming to themselves when they are puttering around the house after returning home: Welcome welcome dip choir.m4a
Finally, back to that song we stumbled through in March and April: Namumoni mwantaa yesu unakwinza eee, mu muchima wami (I have seen the Lord coming, in my heart). This is a Lunda song, near ubiquitous in churches here in our part of North-western Zambia, and it was a delight watching our Zags stumble through the timing and lyrics. Each time we’ve sung it, a Zambian or a full Zambian choir has helped us refine our rendition. Yesterday, during our service in Dipalata, the choir director Pepitex, led us in what felt like our broadway debut: Namumoni in Dipalata.MOV
We hope you enjoy these small slices of the music that has brought vibrancy and joy to our time here in Zambezi!
Jeff Dodd
A message to the group since I kinda checked out a few days ago. I was practicing my religious pursuit of fly fishing and I kinda lost track of time (which is why I do it).
Katy – First of all, live chickens always make the best gift – remember that when you get home. When life gives you chickens, chop their heads off and cook those muthas up! You also asked why we read the blog. Well, I love stories of self-discovery and really like to see doors opening in all of your lives. Those doors have been there the whole time and now you are all unlocking them. Sometimes it takes a trip like this to help you through that process. Sometimes you have the keys to unlock those doors yourself and other times someone hands you one through an interaction or experience.
James – Like the poem…a lot. So much to unpack in that one. I particularly relate to “The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite” That’s really what we want for our kids. Let those arrow fly! The possibilities are infinite. Thanks for the shout out BTW…WORD!
Jeff – Thanks for all the audio clips. I love the songs – especially the one used to greet visitors. Can we just all agree to start doing that please? Think of how heartfelt and meaningful that is. Like you said, maybe that will stick in all the Zag’s heads. That would be a great gift from Zambia wouldn’t it?
To everyone else, just a big WAZZUP to all of you! I’m placing 2 fingers to my mouth right now and then giving a peace sign up to the air hoping that you will all catch it. Peace to my homies…especially you Nat!
Jeff, this post is Christmas morning (when we didn’t even know it was going to be Christmas morning). Surprise gift after surprise gift. Savoring each link. Thank you.
Watching the Chilenga school choir out on the air strip singing, “Gonzaga, Gonzaga … we are happy to see you today,” was how I imagined it based on Mia’s “Welcome Home” blogpost from the day you all landed in Zambezi — two weeks and what must now feel like a lifetime ago for you all. Watching these young singers, I couldn’t help but wonder how long they’d all been out there that day … in between your bush planes arriving … to provide strangers with welcome. This first, tiny, live-motion glimpse of Zambezi taught me you students will never fully be able to fully share or express all you’ve experienced and encountered there (externally and internally), but I pray (I know) this time and learning are seeds planted, living in your hearts … growing your “houses of tomorrow” … always, and for good.
The “Namumoni in Dipalata” video. Goodness. The best gift saved for last. There you all are. What a song. I see Coco’s singing girl in pale blue bandana (pause video to immediately text Coco to check blog!). Then, after a minute of watching and listening and feeling my heart grow three sizes, the camera moves just so, rounds the corner and I see the girl I’ve joyfully watched sing and sway for 17+ years in choirs and musical theater. The tears got audible and lots, as I watched your collective right-hand-on-heart/left-hand-on-chest movements … torn between not wanting to miss a second of Mia and not wanting to miss these two young children in the front row — in their pink and orange tee shirts –quietly also placing their hands on their chests to the beat, also sharing in the movement … accompanying you all. Watched it again, this time focusing on Pepitex the choir director, wondering who he is, what this is like for him, what his life is like. Watched it again (and again, and again) for glimpses of Sean’s smile … the woman in white in the third row … the percussionists in their black pants and white shirts … and one of you in a bright patterned skirt singing and swaying with a stuffy (or baby?!) in your arms.
Thank you for sharing yesterday’s “Broadway debut” of this heartsong, landing on the same day as the 2025 Tony Awards here. In my heart, you’ve swept every category.
11:06 AM in Oakland. 8:03 PM in Zambezi.
xoxo,
Elisa
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