I recently came across this poem because it is often (and mistakenly) attributed to Maya Angelou. Written by Carol Wimmer, it captures my faith journey well.

WHEN I SAY, "I AM A CHRISTIAN"

Earlier this month, a friend of mine from back when I volunteered in a Russian orphanage, asked me to do a guest post for her blog Just One Of The Boys.

It turned out to be a great opportunity for me to recap my years here in Zambia and how things are going over there at the moment and lay open my heart. Check out my blog post for In Her Shoes.

This is a short version of a true story that I wrote up for a little family book my grandmother put together in 2012.

***************

"Only God Noes My Futuer"

This saying, painted on the wall of a village hut, could not have been more fitting. It was a perfect description for that moment in time, as well as my life!

Some friends and I were on a five day adventure to see the sights of Zambia's Northern Province. On the fourth day of our journey we decided to leave the main road in search of a waterfall mentioned in our "Little Known Waterfalls of Zambia" guidebook. We found ourselves driving miles into the bush following some overgrown tire tracks. Then suddenly we felt and heard a terrible crash underneath our car. The long grass had hidden a sharp rock jutting up from the ground and now our transmission fluid was gushing. We caught as much as we could in an empty water bottle, but our best sock-and-duct tape patching job could not do the trick. So with sun setting we left the car behind and began walking in search of help. After an hour, we came to a village. The people were friendly but didn't speak a word of English and we didn't speak a word of Bemba. Yet, as if it was inscribed there just for us were the words "Only God Noes My Futuer".

We did not have a clue what the outcome would be in this situation and could not see a clear way out, but I felt peace in knowing that God held my future in His hand and already knew just what was coming next.

As we were trying our best to communicate to the villagers through crazy looking gestures, we heard the distant rumble of a diesel engine. Amazingly, a large flat-bed truck appeared making a rare trip to a distant farm to pick up a maize harvest. Even more amazingly, the truck driver spoke perfect English and instantly stopped upon seeing our worried white faces and offered to help. This act of kindness was the first of many that night. He offered to tow us out of the bush as soon as he took care of the harvest. He explained to the villagers our predicament and they welcomed us into their village insaka to sit around the community fire and covered us with all of the cloths and sacks they could find when the night turned bitter cold.

After a long night and a bright morning, we found ourselves waving goodbye to our new village friends from the back of the flatbed truck on our way to the nearest mechanic, our car following behind tied to a fallen tree. By the end of the day, we were having dinner with friends back in Lusaka recounting the tale of our epic journey.

So whether it is being broken down in the African bush, or being dressed in a robe and wig in an African courtroom, I can truly take courage and comfort in the fact that "Only God Knows My Future".

This is a Facebook post from years ago that seemed fitting for this blog chronicling my Zambian Law journey.
**********

When I decided to go to school in Zambia to study for the Zambia version of the Bar Exams (the Legal Practitioners Qualifications Exams), I knew there would be a number of adjustments I would have to make. Listening to lectures in unfamiliar accents, applying different principles of law, puzzling over case names, sticking out like a sore thumb... One thing I was totally unprepared for was the dress code! On the eve of my first day of school, I casually asked a former ZIALE (Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education) student what I should wear. When he replied that anything within the dress code would be fine, I knew I was in trouble.

At ZIALE, we are taught to treat our classroom like a courtroom. Considering that the higher courts require advocates to wear a wig and robe, this means quite a degree of formality. We stand when the lecturer comes in the door and remain standing until told to sit. We address the lecturer by any formal title he may have such as "State Counsel" and if you really want to pour on the formality, you can add "Much Obliged" when he answers your question. All that, I can handle. But the dress code is just a different story. My friend explained that at ZIALE, they take decorum very seriously. This means dressing in a black, grey, or dark blue suit every day. With the suit I have to wear a collared shirt that is white, sky blue, or lilac. A subtle white stripe is also allowed in the shirt. At the time, I had a grand total of one black suit and two white shirts! Good thing the weather is dry because that meant a lot of handwashing in the evenings.

Over the past five months, I have managed to build up my academic wardrobe to the point where I no longer feel like I am wearing the same clothes everyday. I've added a couple more black suits, a dark blue, and even a grey! I have a white shirt for every day of the week, as well as a blue and a blue stripe. Lilac has still eluded me. I have even gone so far to sport a lilac scarf during the cold season and a red and black necklace now that it's hot. Apparently, the staff think I am taking things just a bit too far.

Yesterday, I was told by one of my classmates that I was being called to the office. When I arrived I expected to be asked about some sort of paperwork or permit. Instead I was asked "Have you not been here long enough to remember that you must wear a collared shirt?" Naturally, in the 93 degree weather, I had waited until the last moment to put on my suit jacket and had not adjusted the collar well. I quickly pulled it out and apologized as I smoothed it down. Not to be deterred, I was then critically looked over from head to toe. The toe is what got me in trouble. I was then informed that my shoes were completely unacceptable. They were too open. Didn't I know that my toes should not be showing?!?!?

Thus, I was busted for violating the dress code. Sure it was nothing more than a stern look and a ban on just about my entire shoe wardrobe. But still!