Zambia
Zambia is a landlocked country slightly larger than Texas with a population of around 13 million people located in Southern Africa. One of the most unique aspects of Zambia is its pacifistic nature. Throughout the past decades many of Zambia's neighbors have engaged in various wars, but Zambia has never fought a war. Zambia is Africa's largest copper producer. The copper industry coupled with the agricultural industry provide the backbone for Zambia's growing economy. With paved roads, affordable primary school, and free health care for children Zambia is leading the way in development.
David Livingstone, a British explorer, did much of the mapping and exploration of Zambia in the mid eighteen hundreds. Zambia eventually became a British colony and was called Northern Rhodesia after Cecil Rhodes. In 1964 Britain peacefully withdrew and handed Northern Rhodesia its independence. Under the leadership of its new president Kenneth Kaunda the nation was renamed Zambia after the mighty Zambezi River that runs through it. The nation struggled through the Kaunda socialistic regime until 1992 when free and fair elections were finally held and the people elected Fredrick Chiluba as their new president. Chiluba made great strides to bringing in a capitalistic economic system. Chiluba also declared Zambia to be a Christian nation something that Zambians profess and take great pride in. Zambia has continued to have free and fair elections every since. The current president is Michael Sata.
Perhaps the largest problem facing Zambia is the HIV/AIDS crisis. Zambia has one of the highest infection rates in the world. Estimates range from 15%-35% of Zambians are infected with HIV. Although there are some treatment options available through the WHO many people are unable to receive treatment. This disaster has led to a great number of orphans in Zambia. There are an estimated 800,000 orphans in Zambia. Perhaps the saddest part of the story is just how many children are born with the virus leading many to die before age 5. Malaria is also a major concern. Although malaria is treatable many still die because being HIV positive or malnutrition has diminished their immune system.
Zambia is perhaps best known for Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Zambia is also home to national parks filled with wild life and Lake Kariba, one of the largest man made lakes in the world.
Zambia is home to many different tribes and includes 72 different languages and dialects of which the largest are Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga, Lozi, Kaonde, and Luvale. As a former British colony English is the official language.
The church in Zambia is widespread, but as the saying goes "a mile wide but only an inch deep." There is a great need for discipleship and spiritual growth. Another issue with the Zambian church is the cultural pluralism that allows many different traditional religious rituals to intersect with Christianity. Essentially most people believe the best way to live is too embrace all religions meaning on Sunday they will go to church but they will also visit witch doctors and participate is ancestral worship and spirit appeasement ceremonies. The idea is not to find the true God but to appease every spirit out there including Jehovah.
David Livingstone, a British explorer, did much of the mapping and exploration of Zambia in the mid eighteen hundreds. Zambia eventually became a British colony and was called Northern Rhodesia after Cecil Rhodes. In 1964 Britain peacefully withdrew and handed Northern Rhodesia its independence. Under the leadership of its new president Kenneth Kaunda the nation was renamed Zambia after the mighty Zambezi River that runs through it. The nation struggled through the Kaunda socialistic regime until 1992 when free and fair elections were finally held and the people elected Fredrick Chiluba as their new president. Chiluba made great strides to bringing in a capitalistic economic system. Chiluba also declared Zambia to be a Christian nation something that Zambians profess and take great pride in. Zambia has continued to have free and fair elections every since. The current president is Michael Sata.
Perhaps the largest problem facing Zambia is the HIV/AIDS crisis. Zambia has one of the highest infection rates in the world. Estimates range from 15%-35% of Zambians are infected with HIV. Although there are some treatment options available through the WHO many people are unable to receive treatment. This disaster has led to a great number of orphans in Zambia. There are an estimated 800,000 orphans in Zambia. Perhaps the saddest part of the story is just how many children are born with the virus leading many to die before age 5. Malaria is also a major concern. Although malaria is treatable many still die because being HIV positive or malnutrition has diminished their immune system.
Zambia is perhaps best known for Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Zambia is also home to national parks filled with wild life and Lake Kariba, one of the largest man made lakes in the world.
Zambia is home to many different tribes and includes 72 different languages and dialects of which the largest are Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga, Lozi, Kaonde, and Luvale. As a former British colony English is the official language.
The church in Zambia is widespread, but as the saying goes "a mile wide but only an inch deep." There is a great need for discipleship and spiritual growth. Another issue with the Zambian church is the cultural pluralism that allows many different traditional religious rituals to intersect with Christianity. Essentially most people believe the best way to live is too embrace all religions meaning on Sunday they will go to church but they will also visit witch doctors and participate is ancestral worship and spirit appeasement ceremonies. The idea is not to find the true God but to appease every spirit out there including Jehovah.
Recommended Books
David Livingstone – The Truth Behind the Legend by Rob Makenzie
This book is about the life of David Livingstone. It includes information on Zambian people, how the nation was mapped and came to be a British colony. It also includes information about the spread of Christianity. It is an uplifting story about a man who sacrificed everything and at the time of hsi death had very little to show for it. However, generations later we can point to the work or Dr. Livingstone as the source of much success.
This book is about the life of David Livingstone. It includes information on Zambian people, how the nation was mapped and came to be a British colony. It also includes information about the spread of Christianity. It is an uplifting story about a man who sacrificed everything and at the time of hsi death had very little to show for it. However, generations later we can point to the work or Dr. Livingstone as the source of much success.
