Last week we got the chance to hang out in the bush of Zim. We were only there for three days & would have loved to stay longer! We visited homesteads (a plot of land with 3-4 huts on it) & a couple schools. We shared a word of encouragement and short testimony at each place. In typical World Race fashion, we found this out as we were sitting at the first homestead when everyone looked at us & said “You share?!?”
We also got to learn how to mold concrete bricks. We started with 15 wheelbarrow piles of dirt & 3 bags of concrete. We rotated mixing them into two piles using two shovels. Then we mixed it into one pile, created a crater in the middle & added water while continuing to mix it. Finally, we shoveled the mixture into two metal molds. If you didn’t pack it the correct way it would fall apart & you’ve just wasted valuable materials! After the bricks set overnight they keep watering them for 3-4 days. It’s not just a matter of hooking up a hose to a water spicket. We got the water from a well about 150 yards away. The local women taught us the correct way to carry it: on your head, which only resulted in a partial shower every time!
We attended a local church on Sunday. There weren’t benches or chairs to sit on just piles of wood. The congregation consisted of about 25 women & 3 men (including the pastor). Despite their lack of physical things, these people were filled with sooooo much joy! We danced so much. I mean these people knew how to get down & make a joyful noise unto the Lord! Their tithing didnt consist of $.
Instead, they gave what they had: bags of beans.
One woman gave a testimony that BLEW my mind. She stood up to thank the Lord for strength to be able to carry water from the well to the garden & construction site. She had to be atleast 60 years old. WHAT?! If that was me I would be like I deserve to have a hose & a spicket close by. I also would not be spending my time carrying water to serve the community because I had more “important” things to do.
These people literally had nothing BUT Jesus… and that was enough! They are completely satisfied. Yes, they need food and water but they don’t allow that to stop them from worshipping their Creator. These people dont even have Bibles in their local language, much less Bibles at all. There is one Tonga Bible that the whole church shares. Talk about being a privileged American. I have a Bible in my own language & even if I didnt I have access to one by a click of a button.
Little update on our whereabouts: We are currently in Swaziland for month 10!! Trying to soak up this continent cause I LOVE it here!
