Leaving Aunt Lotiya truck-stop, we went to the opposite truck-stop across the Road, where we met three Zimbabwean truck drivers; Tafadzwa, Innocent and Wisdom. After greetings and introductions, I gave them the Good News For Life’s Highway magazines. With a skeptical voice, Wisdom asked what the magazine was about.

Instead of answering his question directly, I started to explain about our ministry to truck drivers, and told them how we appreciated the work they did. My praise for the work they did strike a chord with Tafadzwa.

He said, “We are the least respected by the societies we serve although we sometimes have to go through very difficult conditions like war zones, and epidemic stricken areas in order to bring essential supplies to them.” He lamented.

I said, “I know what you are saying because, just a few months back, at the peak of the cholera outbreak in Zambia, I met some Mozambican truck drivers at this very truck-stop, who had come from delivering the much needed and waited for medical supplies at our cholera center in the capital city of Lusaka. No one was being allowed to go there for fear of spreading the outbreak, but these foreign truck drivers risked their lives to save the lives of Zambians. The same thing happened during the Covid epidemic,” I said.

Tafadzwa said, “Talking about Covid, I will not forget how neighbors used to treat us. I remember one incident when I heard the wife of our neighbor harshly scolding her children for coming to play with our Children at our house. She was saying to her Children, ‘I told you not to go to those people who are spreading Covid.’ It was hurtful to hear a neighbor say such things, especially to friends of our children.

That was when I realized how isolating the trucking job can be even with our neighbors. One would think people would appreciate what we did in difficult times, like during the covid pandemic, and yet they spurned us like rabid animals. I am grateful to know that there are people like you who understand and appreciate what we do.”

I assured Tafadzwa that many people were now coming to know and appreciate the work of truck drivers, especially that now the plight of truck drivers was being addressed publicly by some heads of state like the president of Zambia. “Above all,” I said, “you should know that there is a righteous judge who sees what you endure when nobody else is looking—that is God himself. When you deliver those supplies where they are needed, in a way you serve God by bringing His sustenance to his people. That is why He keeps you safe on the Road and through all your perils. For example, only a few truck drivers were affected by the covid pandemic despite the wide exposure you were subjected to.”

All the three drivers said, “You are right, we never thought of that.”

I said, “Nonetheless, God wants you to know Him personally and to have a personal relationship with him through your faith in His son Jesus whom he gave as a sacrifice for all our sins, and to pay the price for our redemption. May I ask you one question. Are you willing to accept Him who loved you unconditionally, and watches over your lives? Are you willing to accept Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord of your life?” They all answered “Yes,” and I led them to the Lord in prayer.

Chaplain David met Charles, a Zimbabwean driver, when he was sitting in his truck at the customs yard due to the extreme heatwave that hit Zambia mid-June. He introduced himself to Charles and explained about the ministry. Charles greeted him happily and told him that he too was a Christian for many years. David gave him a Good News for Life’s Highway and was preparing to go on his way when Charles started to share his story.

Charles had been driving truck for two years in order to support his family. He told David that prior to becoming a truck driver he and his wife were both in leadership positions in their church. That all changed with his new job. When he became a truck driver he was told by his pastor that he must resign, as he was in an ungodly profession with morally corrupt people.

Charles explained he couldn’t do that as he needed this job. As a result, he and his wife were both removed from their roles in the church and disciplined. This caused Charles to be very bitter. He asked David what he could do, as he wanted to serve God but he needed his job. David told him more about the ministry, and encouraged him that he could become an evangelist to truck drivers as a mobile chaplain.

Charles became very excited at this idea and was going home to share this with his wife. He was also taking a copy of the magazine to share with his pastor and tell him about a ministry to evangelize drivers.