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Recent Posts from the Mumena Team

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Davis Missionary Journey: Worldview Shift


Zambia has known of Christianity since David Livingstone's time; so why would a Chief ask us to come and teach his people about Christ? As I was taught by my missionary uncle, Wayne Davis, and the church in Southern India, knowing about Christianity doesn't change a worldview from pagan concepts of reality to understanding reality as the Kingdom of God. This requires a worldview shift. Much of Christianized Africa has a thin veneer of Christianity (words and ceremonies) coating an old animistic worldview. Gailyn Van Rheenan - one of our missions mentors - defines this worldview as: "the belief that personal spiritual beings and impersonal spiritual forces have power over human affairs and, consequently, that human beings must discover what beings and forces are influencing them in order to determine future action and, frequently, to manipulate their power." As ambassadors of the Kingdom of God, we must teach the Spirit revealed view of reality. One point of common ground that gives us a starting point is the Chieftaincy, itself. As the people are used to relating to His Royal Highness, Chief Mumena, many of the concepts of Kingdom are already inherently understood within the Kaonde tribe's culture.




"And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God."
Acts 19:8 KJV




Shifting some grinding gears,


Brian, Sondra, Noah, and Bryson




Pictured below:


1) Their Royal Highnesses Chief and Mrs. Mumena
chief.jpg


2) Animism symbols still very much present
animism.jpg


Thursday, November 9, 2006

Davis Missionary Journey: Identification


Identification is always an important missionary exercise. It is the bonding with a new way of life and the demonstrating of an appreciation for the host culture by doing things their way. As we have relocated to our bush site in the Mumena Chieftaincy, this process has begun in earnest. Some are more adept at it than others. Missionary children are especially good at it. Of course our primary example is our Savior:


"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:


Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:


But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:


And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
Philippians 2:5-8 KJV


Trying to identify,


Brian, Sondra, Noah, and Bryson


Pictured below: Noah identifying with the local cuisine (corn mush with dried fish) in the local manner of eating (with his right hand) at the local restaurant (a mango tree).



id.JPG