I have had a wonderful past week! Since I’ve last updated you, our team has come so far and I’ve gotten to try a few new things!
Last weekend, we got to invite our church friends to come over and have dinner with us. They cooked us a traditional African dish that consisted of chomolei (spinach and onions), soup, sadza (sheema), and CATERPILLARS!! Honestly, the caterpillars had delicious flavor but the texture was different than what we’re used to. But in addition to the amazing food, we got to spend time in community together just singing, playing cards, and playing games with the friends we’ve gotten to know here during church. They bring so much laughter and life to our week and I’m so glad that we could have them over!
This past Sunday, Bree and I taught in the baby classroom during Sunday school. I was expecting it to be similar to how it is when I work in the nursery at home. But, it wasn’t. There were about 20 kids and we were speaking in a language that they couldn’t understand. They had a toy bin containing things that aren’t toys..I ended up cleaning VCR film off of the ground and string. The kids had lots of fun but it was definitely a challenge. Soon, Bree and I gave up on teaching and made it our goal to just watch them and make sure nobody got hurt. But all of our hard work payed off when we learned that many of the babies who were in our classroom were children of the girls that come to the church youth group. I was so thankful for the opportunity to serve them, although it was a challenge.
On Monday, we switched up team time. Our team sat outside of our home on the porch where there were beautiful string lights and candles. Hallie and Ellen wrote a card for each member of our team and they were laid out on the table for us. We sang worship music together and read the story of when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. Then, our leaders washed each of our feet and spoke words of encouragement over us. After that, it was spirit led and each of us had the opportunity to wash our teammates feet and speak life over them. It was a wonderful time of encouragement and praising God while lifting one another up. Our team really unified to serve each other. It was the first step to many of our prayers for unity being answered but the best part is that it’s all in God’s timing.
Tuesday, a few of us got to go to a local church and meet a few elementary aged students. We got to play ball with them and sing some children’s worship music with them. We played a few “get to know you” games together and it was such a joy to see those kids smiling and laughing together! It took us about an hour to read through half of Finding Nemo because we had to do it with the help of a translator but the kids loved every word of it, so Hanna kept reading. But, it was such a joy to meet them; they brightened my week.
On Wednesday morning, Bree and I got to weigh and sort through eggs for “egg-a-day.” Basically, it’s an organization where they boil the eggs and hand them out to kids in local schools and orphanages. To my surprise, I only dropped two eggs while I was there! But it was so great to be able to help the amazing couple who lives there. Honestly, talking to them and spending time with them was the best part! Jenny and Steph are so in love with each other but more importantly, they are so in love with the Lord. They shared so much wisdom and excitement for what God is doing in Zimbabwe. And Jenny even brought us some great lemonade! It made me realize though, we’re here to help with these children’s physical hunger-yes. But, more importantly, we’re here to feed their hunger for the Lord!! More than anything, it was so obvious that they want these children to know and love the Lord and I do too!
This past Thursday, I spent my 19th birthday in Zimbabwe! It was a challenge to be far away from my family, friends, home, and my boyfriend- I had the best Birthday ever! I have been praying to come to Africa since I was 6 and I am finally here. I spent the day overwhelmed by God’s provision and goodness. I got to call home and talk to my family and Matt and that was so awesome! But the best part of it was that I never enjoyed being the center of attention on my birthday. But this time, my day was clearly all about Jesus!! I got to spend it on a mission trip serving him and the people around me!!! Nothing could be better than the way I spent my afternoon. I had the privilege of leading a Bible study in the vegetable market! There were many distractions but these women were filled with Jesus and they craved to know more about him. Honestly, leading the Bible study has been the highlight of my trip so far. It was so incredible to be used by God like that. It was an example of the way I want my life to be everyday. There were so many distractions all around us and it would have been easy not to pay attention to what God was doing in the market. But he was at work and these women had their eyes open to everything God was showing them. I pray for my life to be like that! Despite everything going on around us, we can stand on Jesus because he is our rock. If we build our life on him, we can never be shaken.
On Friday, we spent the morning at the soup kitchen again! And in the afternoon, my team introduced me to a lovely shop that sells $1 donuts.(what a treat!) We went to Killarney and taught the kids a new song all about loving Jesus. I love seeing their eyes light up when they scream, “I love Jesus!” My heart could not be happier than the moment when all of the children I’ve grown to love so much in just two weeks are standing in front of me screaming that they love Jesus. And this time, I got to teach the lesson! I told those beautiful children the parable of the Shepard and the lost sheep. At first I was nervous to share because it was the first time that I would be teaching with a translator! Artwell and I found a comfortable pace to speak and translate in and the children were so receptive to what Jesus was saying through me. I was so excited that they understood and payed attention to the lesson! At the end I asked the children to repeat “Jesus wants to have a relationship with me.” And they repeated it in their beautiful language after Artwell translated it to them!! I got to plant seeds in these children’s hearts, and although I may not know if they ask Jesus into their lives, we offered them the opportunity to on Friday!
This week has been truly challenging at some points but there has been a sweet sweet celebration of victory at the end of each one. I have learned this week that although I don’t feel like I can do it, Jesus can! At youth group, the lesson was all about how Jesus just tells us to bring ourselves to him. Whatever you are going through and whatever your talents or weaknesses are, bring them all to Jesus. This week, I said “Okay Jesus, I have a huge fear of public speaking.” And Jesus gave me two opportunities for public speaking. And Jesus said, “Why are you afraid to talk in front of these people especially about the person who you love?”
Perfect love casts out all fear. Jesus is perfect love; he casts out all fear.
Please pray for our team as we continue to walk in God’s plan for us in this country. This coming week is our last full week in Zimbabwe, so please pray for productivity and lasting relationships with the community here. Please pray that we can continue to love one another on a more personal level and that we can continue to serve not only the community but our team as well. Please pray that we would continue to encourage this community and these wonderful locals. Pray for our teams overall health and to trust in the Lord for his plans during this last full week of ministry in Zim.
Please pray for me as my hunger for the Lord and his work has grown immensely over this past week! I pray that I would keep running hard and fast after him and that my eyes would be open to understanding how he’s working in and through me and my life. Also, for the first time since I’ve been here, homesickness kicked in on my birthday. So please pray that I can stay present here and continue to be where my feet are by focusing on the mission God has called me to!
Thank you so much for all of your support and prayers. God bless you!!
