Life in Zambia moves slowly — in the majority of Africa, actually. Think of the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. As Americans, we are often the hare in the story. I would like to think that, over the past years, we would have adapted and become accustomed to this life — the life of waiting. We know to allow extra time in our schedules for the waiting any place we go. We have recently had a couple of teams visit, and one of the first things we explain is what we call “Zambian Time.” We aren’t the only ones who call it that. Even the Zambian people use the term.
We explain that when we go into a restaurant, the waiter or waitress will take our drink orders. They will then go make all the drinks and return for any starter orders. Once those are placed, they will eventually return for the main dish orders. We also must remind them that food here is made from scratch, which takes time. A typical dinner out with a team will undoubtedly take two hours or more. It is something we have become accustomed to. Even our “fast food” restaurant takes at least 30 minutes to get your order.
After our last team left, it was time for us to take the driving portion of our practical tests to get our Zambian driver’s license. This test is made up of two parts — the reverse course and the road test. The reverse course is simply cones set up in a T formation. You must drive straight in and turn one direction to the end of the T, then reverse all the way out, only to repeat it the opposite way. In order to move on to the road test, you must first pass the reverse course. We have a small car that we drive around town or if we need to go to Lusaka to pick up supplies, and we thought this car would be fine to do the course. There was no way I could have driven the course in our giant Land Cruiser.
We went to take our tests last Tuesday, but when we arrived, the instructors seemed to think even our car was too big. In addition, we drive on the opposite side of the car and on the road here as well, and my nervousness started to get to me. Mickeal went through the reverse course with no major issues and also passed the road test easily. I, however, knocked over two cones! I was always the straight-A student, top-of-the-class, can’t-stand-to-lose person, so, to me, this was a devastating blow. I was embarrassed, mad at myself and frustrated because the test made no sense to me. I understood that my failure was not a big deal in my head, but in my heart, it hurt. We also learned after the tests we were supposed to take both tests in a manual transmission vehicle in order to drive the Land Cruiser. They allowed Mickeal to get by, but I was told I would need to take both tests in a manual transmission car.
So, this past week, we searched for a vehicle I would be able to drive for the exams. We continued our week as usual, going in and out of the village, and each day, I found myself frustrated over little things. I could very easily just turn my American license in and receive a Zambian one, but I didn’t want to have to do that. I was being short with people and becoming impatient the longer the week went on. I had to stop and realize that my impatience was in the waiting. I didn’t want to have to wait a week to retake the test. I didn’t want to retake the test at all, but it’s what I would have to do. It took some quiet time with the One who is in control of all time for me to stop and take a breath. I had to realize that sometimes I need to be checked in my pride, attitude and spirit.
So, I put myself in timeout and used that time to pray for God’s guidance, not just in the upcoming driving exams but in our daily life and our ministry. You see, we were supposed to be in the village for several days, but we couldn’t make the trip because Land Cruiser was being repaired. God may have even been protecting me from saying something out of frustration that would have hurt a relationship. God made me wait, and I used that waiting to spend time with Him.
So today, as I type this with my Zambian driver’s license sitting beside me on the table, I am thankful for the waiting. I am thankful for the great people we met as we were all waiting our turn to drive. I am thankful for the urge to pray for the woman driving before me and the wonderful conversation that ensued when she passed. I am thankful for the resounding cheering section as I finished my course without a single cone even being bumped. I’m thankful for having to wait two and a half hours for a signature to go pick up this license, only to be told to come back after lunch, because it gave me time to play with three little girls who reminded me of my grandbabies. I am thankful for a husband who encouraged me and didn’t get mad when I was short with him as I was driving to the exam. Most of all, I am thankful for a God who loves me enough to make me wait and be still. Are you thankful today?
