Welcome Visitors

Our visitors from America arrived Thursday. David and I drove to Livingstone to pick them up at the airport. Five Zambians from Namwianga went with us, and the Central Church in Livingstone sent a delegation of eight to the airport as well. The Hamby’s long-time friends from Zimbabwe, Jay and Shaku Gopal, came all the way from Victoria Falls to be there too. It was a tearful time for all of us as we greeted Ellie on Zambian soil without Kelly by her side. As I told Star Ferguson, seeing Ellie alone finally made Kelly’s death seem real, and not just a terrible dream.

From the airport we drove to the Central Church building for a short memorial service with a crowd that had gathered there. Then we made the two-hour trip back to Namwianga, arriving just after dark.

There another gathering was waiting for Ellie at Johnson Auditorium. The electricity was off, so candles lit up all the windows as we drove up. Ellie got out of the car and was greeted by about 20 of the Zambian women who were weeping and singing as they embraced her.

The auditorium was packed. When we stepped through the doorway, the chorus of 500 voices singing a beautiful Chitonga hymn was indescribably beautiful. My first thought was, “This must be what Kelly heard as he stepped into heaven.” The singing continued while we made our way down the candlelit aisle to seats at the front. There was a short program of songs, prayers, and statements about Kelly. Then the students were asked to sing and everyone was invited to file by Mrs. Hamby and our group to shake hands in the Zambian tradition.

The line seemed to stretch on forever as teachers, friends, church leaders, and students came by to greet and grieve with Ellie and with us. The many young faces in the stream of people reminded me once again that Kelly is leaving an important legacy that will influence the kingdom of God for eternity.

The day was emotionally draining for all of us, especially Ellie, but we all agreed that this was an important step in our healing process. There will be many more hard days to come, but God's gracious comfort and our wonderful memories of Kelly will carry us through. Please keep Ellie in your prayers.