Sharon and I made an unexpected, but welcome trip, back to Zambia. While visiting First Baptist Church in Springhill, Louisiana, we got a call from the missions office that the midwife BMMI was sending to assist in the birth of Joshua and Meagan’s second child, had tested positive for covid and strep. They asked if we would go and help the Phiri’s during this time. No, Sharon nor I have ever delivered a human baby before, but we were willing to help. I mean, it can’t be that different than helping deliver a calf can it? I’m just kidding here ladies, don’t string me up yet.
It took a couple of days to get back home and get everything settled to go. Our trip was going to have to detour through Atlanta to pick up the suitcase with all the medical supplies, so there were a few details that had to be ironed out as well. The night before we were ready to leave, Sharon got a message from Meagan that she thought she was in labor. Several texts and phone calls, and a few hours later, Meagan delivered a healthy baby boy. This was a big surprise to them. They were told by the staff at the clinic they thought the baby was a girl. Having an older daughter, Ashlyn (who is 2), they were prepared to pass down clothes and just let him wear what they had. Then came the question, do we still go or do we stay?
For us it was a no brainer. We still had things that we needed to plan for, the tickets were nonrefundable, and we had a missionary couple alone in a country who had just given birth in their home all alone. We were going! So we woke up on Wednesday morning and off to Walmart we went. We needed to get this boy some manly things to wear.
48 hours, 4 planes, and 3 airlines later, we arrived in Livingstone, Zambia. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a happier face than Joshua Phiri when he picked us up at the airport. We went straight to the house to check on momma and baby and of course little Ashy. Meagan was one tired momma. She told us how they had finally found a local midwife who could come, but she walked in the door just in time to catch the baby. Precious Zekani Truman Phiri was ready to meet the world whether the world was ready or not.
The suitcase full of boys clothes was such a happy surprise. Since Zekani had already arrived, our roles in this trip changed. We made our goal to help Josh and Meagan around the house as much as possible and help with little Ashlyn to ease their load. We got to go with them as they took Zekani to the clinic for the first time and had him checked out. We were also able to fix some things around the house to make things better for them, like fixing a fan switch and painting a room. A broken fan switch may not seem like much, but when the temperature in the house reaches 93° Fahrenheit, a fan becomes one of the most important things in the house.
During this trip we also got to assist Josh in taking food to the village teacher who hasn’t been feeling well. Please be in prayer for Mercy, the teacher in Mbangweta village, as she suffers regularly from this illness but still walks 2 hours to teach school every day. We also got to visit with a few villagers in Delavu. It was so amazing to watch Douglas, a little boy from the village, build an oxen cart out of a soda bottle, some sticks, caps, and a plastic container. We had to deliver some cooking oil back in the village the next day, so he was excited when we brought him an actual toy car. So many times we take for granted what a little twenty five cent plastic car can do to brighten someone’s day.
We have begun our trip home and as we sit in the Johannesburg airport people watching, one of our favorite things to do, we are reminded that we are examples of Jesus’ love no matter where we are. A gentleman (I use that term loosely), had sat at an empty table of the restaurant we were eating at. When he was told he had to order something to sit there, he begrudgingly ordered a cappuccino. Sharon and I then watched as he got up and walked away before receiving it. The young server was a bit distraught looking everywhere for the man when he went to deliver the order and he was no where to be found. We asked him to just bring us the check and we would cover the cost of the man’s drink. The boy brought the cappuccino as well and explained that once the order is put in, if it’s not paid for the server has to cover it. He was so thankful that we paid for the drink, because this one cup of cappuccino would be the equivalent of his days pay, and of course I wasn’t complaining that I “had” to drink the coffee.
I’m reminded that God calls us to serve people, no matter where we are. The great commission is all about making disciples “as you are going”, it’s not just something we do when it is convenient. In this part of the world, most people are not used to having people care for them without it costing them something in return. This makes the Gospel of Christ so compelling because it is not just a free gift, but the most important gift anyone can receive.
Please be in prayer for Sharon and I as we continue to build partnerships and raise support for our ministry to Zambia.
Until next time,
The Quillmans
The Quillmans 