Salaula

Greetings from Luanshya.

"Salaula" is the word used for used clothing here in Zambia. It has become a growing industry bringing both good and bad news for the people. The good news is that Zambians with limited incomes can buy good second-hand clothing for a fraction of the cost of buying new clothes. Some of the "salaula" is actually overruns from factories in the USA or Europe so the clothes are actually new, but sold as used.

The bad news is that the clothing manufacturing industry in Zambia has collapsed leaving thousands of Zambians without work and forcing the factory owners to drive their Mercedes Benz an extra year or so before buying a new one. (Pardon the sarcasm.) It also means that used clothing sent to us by friends overseas is often taxed when we receive it. It is assessed at the customs office and we are asked to pay customs duty on the value determined by the Zambian Revenue Agency (ZRA). The ZRA has targets to reach every year and so far they have been successful in reaching those goals.

Still, we have MORE good news. Because the "salaula" brings affordable clothing to our town we have been able to take advantage of this for the children at the Lighthouse Children's Home. Thanks to a very special gift from some dear friends in Florida, Sherry was able to give each of our wards a certain amount of money and has let them buy their own "trainers" (I still call them "tennis shoes" even though we don’t play tennis in them.) They go into all the "salaula" shops in our small town (we have several) and bargain for the best price. After the shopping trips the children proudly display their new treasures. The shoes all look brand new and the children "promise to keep them like new" for years to come. (Parents have heard that promise time and time again.) We do have to beware of the Chinese rip offs like "NIKKE" or "ADIBAS" shoes. They look great in the box, but last about 20 minutes.

Still MORE good news! We received a box of "goodies" from a marvellous group of ladies in Florida who not only pray for us but remember those with physical needs as well. The box contained clothing for children as well as a few things for women. The ZRA man at the post office realised that this box was NOT to be sold and we were going to help Zambians by giving it all away. We did! We were able to help a young family with clothes for their young children as well as something for the mother. They were overjoyed by the generosity of these strangers who shared. There was also something that three of the Lighthouse children could use.

These stories may seem minor in the scope of world events, but the lives touched are changed for eternity. The Lord Jesus told us to love our neighbour and these acts of unselfish generosity exemplify that love. The children who receive these shoes, shirts, dresses and trousers will one day be the leaders of Zambia. Having experienced the love of Christians, they know what it means to experience the love of God in their lives. When they come to us and thank us for taking care of them we know it is because of the love shown to them by people who may never actually see them, but who care for them because "He first loved us."

Thank you for allowing us to be your representatives.

Together in His Service,
Patrick & Sherry