I’m in a wonderful place. I’m in Africa. I don’t think words could describe how much I have already fallen in love with this continent and with Zimbabwe. Africa is truly beautiful and I haven’t experienced anything like it. They do not operate in a rush, they’re very laid back, and they are very intentional. These are all things that I want to bring back with me to America. America is a culture that is completely opposite from this. We rush, we’re constantly busy, we’re always multitasking, we always have an agenda. The slowness of life here in Bulawayo is so incredibly precious and something I love.
My team and I are living in the city of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe for this month—Is it February already? We are working with the Sandra Jones Centre which is a home to young women and children who have been abused both physically and sexually. There are between 60 and 70 people living here ranging from 2 weeks old to 23 years old.
It has been wonderful getting to have the opportunity to love on these women and children. They are so precious. The children are constantly making us laugh and clinging onto us wherever we go. Every day my heart grows as they charge their way into it.
The Sandra Jones Centre (SJC) is located in an old hotel and each bedroom has it’s own bathroom. It’s a really great location and offers them the ability to do a lot of things. They grow their own garden and raise rabbits and chickens, and have a herd of sheep as well. Not only does this center bring healing and restoration to those who come here, but it also provides them with education and the ability to know how to survive on their own. They teach the older ones how to garden and raise animals both to eat and sell. They also teach them how to sew, do hair dressing, become a chef or use their artistic abilities to make necklaces, blank journals, clay beads and the like to sell. And amidst all of this, they are pouring into them spiritually.
My team has jumped into their lives and are loving our time with them. We have split ourselves up between the the 4 life skills classes—hair dressing, art & crafts, culinary, and sewing—and are trying to help as best we can. With the young little ones Hannah, Crysahna and I have been teaching a choir class to them Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays and with the 8-10 year olds the whole team has been teaching a dance class those days as well.
My heart truly goes out to these women and children. All they want is people to love them. They have already provided me with so many stories and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to hear the words “my power” the same way again.
If you ever have the opportunity to come to Africa don’t let it pass you by. You’re heart will become full of love and you won’t want to leave.
Prayer Requests:
- We are holding two events this Saturday (tomorrow). One from 9-12:30 for the women 16-23, and another from 4-5:30 for the women 10-15. Our hopes for this event is to help bring healing and truth to areas that they have kept secret or in the dark. Pray that God will work through us and will provide much healing and truth to be poured into these women.
- Pray that we are able to give 100% to these women and children. They need our love and they need examples of healthy boundaries. Pray that we can give this to them.
- Pray for the staff and for my team. One of my teammates, Ally, has come down with a cold. She’s recovering, but sickness has been going around throughout the staff. Pray for healing as they also have two staff members out for a longer period.
- I have 2 teammates who have yet to reach their final financial deadline. Crysahna ($2,500) and Meagan ($1,100) both are awesome young women of God and have been pouring so much into this ministry. Please take the time to prayerfully consider partnering with them.
Till Next Time,
Kara Faber
