Here we are! Month 9! A new team, new continent, and new month. So far, this month has been incredible. We are working with several ministries this month. So I thought I would write out a tentative weekly schedule of what our month has looked like so far in Zimbabwe.
Monday: 9AM-5PM- painting and fasting.
For the past 2 weeks we have been painting some of the rooms in the church, just to give them a fresh coat. One of them is a kid’s room and hopefully we will have time to paint a little mural to spice it up.
Also, our team decided to make fasting once a week to pray for our families and futures a regular thing.
Tuesday: 8AM-12:30PM- Soup Kitchen
Bulawayo Baptist Church(our host is the pastor) offers a free meal twice a week to people in need here in Bulawayo. They are full of necessary nutrients that some people can’t afford due to the money crisis in Zimbabwe. It offers a time of fellowship, hearing about Jesus, and at least 2 nutritional meals a week.
1:30PM-4:30PM- more painting.
Wednesday: flexible.
Wednesday is our “flexible” day. Last week, we helped with a one day VBS for 400 kids! It was a wild event with songs, snacks, games, and worship. We had a blast.
Each week will look a little different on Wednesdays. This week, we are doing some gardening at one of the other ministries the church started.
On Wednesday night we attend “The Crave” which a Young Adult service. It’s led by church members and has been a great way to learn with other’s our age about spreading the Gospel and being an active Christian.
Thursday: 9AM-2PM- MARKET DAY.
Market day is one of my favorites. There is a local market that sells fresh vegetables every day. On Thursdays we visit with the women that sell veggies and pray for them. Most of them ask for prayer for their business because they country is in such crisis. They are full of joy and hugs all around.
In the afternoon, we attend a bible study led by another missionary from the states that is on the sidewalk next to the market. It’s close enough that the ladies can still keep an eye on their stand, but still come and learn about God.
Friday: 8AM-5PM- Soup kitchen and Killarney.
This is the 2nd meal of the week for the soup kitchen. They also offer a free clinic at the church to assist with basic medical needs.
Killarney is the name of a local squatter village that is just outside of town. It’s a series of mud huts and people in severe poverty. There are about 40 kids that chase the car driving up the dirt road. We play games, do a bible lesson, and become jungle gyms for the kids. We go home covered in dirt and wore out, but it’s one of my favorite parts of the week.
Saturday: Day of rest.
I try to do as little as possible on this day. Most of the time, I don’t leave my bed.
Sunday: 8:30AM-2PM- Church and Tuckers.
On Sunday, we attend the 9:30 church service and help with kid’s church at the 11:15 service. It’s followed by lunch at Tuckers with the Young Adult group. Tuckers is a local restaurant that is only a few blocks from the church with GREAT food.
Our weeks are packed, but I wouldn’t change any of it. We have been blessed this month with a great community of Young Adults at the church, an amazing host who does more for us that you can imagine, and great ministries that fit each strength on our team. For being the first country in Africa, Zimbabwe has knocked it out of the park. Thank you God.
