It has been a wonderful couple of days here in Zimbabwe. On Thursday we went to Mwksine Church of Christ which is right in the middle of the Mwksine Estates. Here an estate is a large section of farming land, in the case sugar cane. The travel was direct and easy and we spent only half an hour or so on the road. A good number of church people came for the meeting. As usual there were several songs at the beginning, featuring a couple of African drums. I love to hear the members sing and the drum. As I have mentioned previously, dancing in a key part of worship and this was no exception. I got in the rhythm and moved my arms and feet. There is a Facebook video posted by my daughter, and I am not embarrassed, though I have to admit it is not a pretty site.
I did my stewardship lesson as I have in many churches and it was well received. Sherry also was given time and she shared, mostly focused toward the women of the church but the men also got to hear as well. After the session we got to take tons of pictures again. This time it was the adult women of the church, not the teenagers. Young, old, and in between all wanted pictures with Sherry, and I was hustled into a few of them as well. Once the pictures were concluded, we headed home. Alone decided that it was time for me to do a little out-of-town driving so I drove home. There was no trouble and we arrived safely. We did make one stop at a place where they were making a new market center. They were thatching the roof and Sherry wanted to stop and take pictures and a video. We talked to the owner. She is building a tourist market and a playground for kids. She was a nice lady.
Yesterday, we went to Gukukuni. This trip was about four hours on the road to arrive. The road would rival several we have traveled in Haiti. I am just glad that this is the dry season and not the rainy. We drove though the bush, crossing creeks, a river, and through a boulder field. Sherry and I were having a great time remembering previous experiences. We turned a corner and again there was a small strip mall. Behind this was the church. It was quite large, maybe the biggest we have seen this whole trip. It was just block and needs stuccoed and painted (most of our churches need painting as do most of the schools.). The crowd was not very large, but those who were there were key leaders. The people liked the lessons and the church secretary took notes as did the elder who was there. That has not always been the case. When teaching was done, we had food. Sadza, rice, chicken, and a tomato relish. If that sounds familiar, it is pretty much what is served everywhere a meal comes. Not all churches feed us, but many do and we are always appreciative of the sacrifice it is to serve us. We bring lunch but rarely have to eat it.
We started home. The pastor said there was a ‘shorter’ way home and so we took it. Alone didn’t know exactly how to do the first part but we had a couple of young men who lived along the way and they helped us get to where we (I use that term loosely). This part of the road was even more fun than the first part and we enjoyed it very much. We even forded a small river, or large stream. Loved it! Many of our Haitian friends and team members came to mind. We made it to the main highway, and home we sailed. (Alone likes to fly.)
Today has been a down day as Alone has some work to do at his church. We did manage to get to the grocery store. Tomorrow, church is under a tree at Chisase. More on that tomorrow. God bless. Serve him well. We are part of a great work around the world, Shelton, camp, Haiti, and now Zimbabwe. Thanks for letting us be part of this.
