This one time in Zimbabwe, we traveled 20 hours by bus to reach our final destination and saw giraffes and antelope during the trip.
This one time in Zimbabwe, on our first day there, we went to church and had kids flocking from everywhere to run out and greet us, grab our hands, and lead us to church.
This one time in Zimbabwe, we had chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. Mmmm
This one time in Zimbabwe, we had the privilege of assisting with and speaking at two leadership conferences that hosted up and coming church leaders from local churches in the area.
A few times in Zimbabwe, we saw some crazy headlines. “Zebra Found in Toilet. Ghost Drags Woman Out From Her Office In Broad Daylight. Local Residents Swim In Sh**.” Much more interesting than the news I’d get back home.
Every time in Zimbabwe, it was inevitable that church worship would end up turning into a dance party, complete with clapping, jumping, dancing, Congo lines, and pretty much anything else you could imagine. Complete freedom.
This one time in Zimbabwe, we were returning from 2 days of ministry in the town of Rusape. We took a combi (van that holds over 20 people) for the 3 hour ride back. As soon as we loaded up, I was hit with the realization that I probably had diarrhea. I thought I could hold it off, but after 20 minutes, I realized that wasn’t the case. When we got stopped by the police, I managed to get out of the combi from the back and to a bathroom. I cannot express how close I was to having the most embarrassing moment of my life. The driver was angry with me, but I figure he would have been much angrier driving a portable toilet.
This one time in Zimbabwe, we went “treasure hunting”. This is where you pray; asking God for direction on the day, or “clues” as to someone you should talk to. After having the impression of a “horse,” I ended up finding, speaking with, and praying for a shop owner whose name also just happened to be Sam and one of his employees. It made for an interesting day.
Each night in Zimbabwe, I fell asleep listening to rats running around within the ceiling. I only saw one during my month. It was on the outer wall and as big as a small dog. No joke.
Every day in Zimbabwe, I was stretched and challenged spiritually more so than any other month on the race thus far.
This one time in Zimbabwe, we cleared out a field for a friend of ours to the government would not think that it was empty and claim it for their own to give away to someone else. Unfortunately, during our final days there, the government made an attempt to take it and it was still not resolved by the time we left. Elections are likely to happen this year which means a lot of shady things are likely to take place and people finding their selves in danger. We’ve been asked not to go into detail on some of the things we’ve heard, but just know that there is a great potential for things to get really really bad, especially in some of the communities we’ve been working with. Prayers for Zimbabwe and the people there are definitely needed in this area.
This one time in Zimbabwe, we helped baptize roughly 20 people who had never been baptized before in an inflatable pool that really didn’t inflate at all. So what ended up happening is a bunch of the youth just held onto the sides of the pool and the people were baptized relatively quickly so as to be finished before the water ran out.
This month in Zimbabwe, I learned a lot about living in abundance instead of poverty. So many times people poorer than most can imagine gave up more for us than those who had more probably ever would have. It was like the poor widow who gave a couple of coins to the church and how she gave more than the rich men would give. Just as an example, when we cleared the field, a neighbor lady to the man we were helping and whom we never met before brought over hoes for us to use, a plate of sadza and anchovies to eat, and then bought everyone popcorn as well. Humbling.
This month in Zimbabwe, we kicked off just about every day with a lot of prayer and speaking words of affirmation into one another. It was a nice way to really begin the day.
Most nights in Zimbabwe, we had a bonfire which we’d sit around and enjoy the evening.
This one time in Zimbabwe, I had to run errands to the US embassy and bus station with Candice and our friend Nash. We used his jeep/buggy which is about the sketchiest vehicle I’ve ever been in, but fun at the same time. The two of us would have to jump out everyone once in awhile when it quit working to push Nash’s car while he’d get it started again, before we have to run to catch up and jump back in the buggy.
This one time in Zimbabwe, our team for our day off went to Antelope Park, one of Africa’s best game reserves and spent the night there for only $10 each in a beautiful house that typically costs $450 per night because of connections our contact has with the owners. We fell asleep to lions roaring, zebras in our front yard, and wildebeests in the back. Part of the day included hanging out with elephants and driving aimlessly around the park looking for animals. It was probably one of the top non ministry highlights of the year so far.
This one time in Zimbabwe, we used our tents which means they’ve been used 3 out of 5 months so far.
This month in Zimbabwe, I learned what unspeakable joy looks like firsthand. To see people worship God with all their heart while the government is attempting to take their land is moving. To see one of our friends continue to give his heart, trust, and all his praise to God after his mother passed away unexpectedly the day before is moving. To see tons of youth dance unabashedly with endless joy and sing at the top of their lungs amidst a ridiculous amount of poverty is moving. Unspeakable Joy.
This one time in Zimbabwe, we finally found out where we would be next month for ministry in June! We would not be together as Team Monarch because it’s time for Manistry/Womanistry! This is one month where all of the men will be working together and all of the women will be working together elsewhere. So what are we up to? The men are working with El Shaddei Ministries here in Swaziland mainly doing construction, but there are opportunities for other projects as well. We live on top of a mountain with a view that is probably the most breathtaking one that I’ve ever seen outside of Switzerland. We’re in for a blessed month and I’ll have lots more info soon in an upcoming blog! Pray for us as well. The wind is nonstop up here and last night we saw several large fires a few mountain ranges over. They are not uncommon to this area, but pray that we see nothing of the sort during our time here.
P.S. This one time in Zimbabwe I got within $347 dollars of being fully funded for the WORLD RACE!
