The Bridge

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Written December 2015

 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.’  (1 Timothy 2:5 NIV)
 
There's a lovely stream that divided the main part of the Chikankata Mission in Zambia's southern province from the leprosy settlement. It's named Chifwankala - the place where the crabs die. For most of the year the stream flows gently. You can hear the sound of water falling quietly over the rocks. Children play along its banks, the pintail whydahs swing on the long grass. At night the fireflies dance in the air. If the crabs die it's because the children catch them by hand, then fry them in a jam tin over a small fire. It’s a child’s paradise.
 
Wading across might have been the way of earlier days; a few stepping stones would have sufficed, but in the rainy season the stream becomes a raging torrent. Something had to be done to make sure we remained connected. A bridge! First several tree trunks were driven into the river bed with logs placed roughly into their forks, creating a supporting structure. Then smaller logs were laid at right angles to form a walkway. With its rustic appearance it seemed to fit quite naturally with the surroundings. It was certainly functional and worked satisfactorily for years. But we were worried about the termites. Would they destroy the link? And would this stand the worst of storms?
 
An Australian engineer and international staff member shook his head: 'We need something more substantial.' He got to work with a team of workers, until the great day arrived for cutting the ribbon and celebration. Here was the connection that would stand the test of time. It was another step in the relentless integration of the mission, so that those with and those without leprosy felt one with each other.
 
You can probably read my mind as we celebrate the coming of the Christ during advent.
 
'In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son ...' (Hebrews 1:1-2 NIV)
 
Christ is the enduring bridge between God and his creation. We could not establish that link ourselves. God made the connection.  It was his plan; it was his work.
 
The Chikankata leprosy settlement that once housed hundreds of patients has now closed; they have returned home. But the bridge remains.
 
I can’t help feeling that bridge made its contribution to the process of normalisation.