"Aopa Mvula" --"They Fear Rain"

For weeks, we have been so excited about Christmas and the baptismal service that was going to take place at Biyulu Village. This morning at 6:15 our family woke to see heavy rain falling outside of our windows. The kids had been praying for rain on Christmas because the rains have not been significant this year, but we also wanted to have baptism. At 8:30am, we put on our church clothes and rain boots and headed out the door. We were not sure if people would come or if it was raining in Biyulu so we knew that we needed to go. Along the way the rain came and went. 

(scroll down for the rest of the story within the pictures)

As we drove through the villages you would have never known that it was Christmas. No lights, wreaths, music, just people going about their day and a few on the way to church. I imagine that the day that Jesus was born, it was a lot like the villages in Zambia that are without churches or believers.  

We stopped at Mayaba to see if they wanted to travel with us to Biyulu. Only two of them were ready and Kendall made plans to have their baptism on another day. 

We continued on to Biyulu and found Misheck (the leader of Biyulu) at his home. He came out in his rain boots and work clothes to greet Kendall in the rain. After the normal greetings he said, "Ah but, aopa mvula!" (Oh, but they fear rain!)  

The rain was quite heavy at Biyulu and all over the village people and animals were huddled under shelters.

 We had been praying that God's will would be done today and although we didn't have church, we were able to meet with and encourage all of the leaders and several members of three churches!

On the way home, we stopped at Ukhose and assisted them with some chickens and potatos for their church to have a Christmas meal together. It was a weird day, not what we expected, but full of blessings and love and we were able to share Jesus through encouragement. Praise God for the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ!