It started in Zimbabwe.
The year started off in Zimbabwe. We had two teams visiting with us. Beginning in January we made push to finish the medical clinic in Rushangarumwe. We took a clinic which was started by another mission but was unable to complete the project. The main clinic building construction was started but not completed as were three houses for nurses. They had also started a Waiting Mother’s dormitory. We took possession of the facilities and buildings, raised funds, and set to completing the project.
Bruce and Sherry arrived in February, beginning a two and a half month stay in the country. There were several projects that needed to be worked on. Much of our time was spent visiting churches, encouraging friends and meeting new people and places. One such church was in Banket, north of Harare. We also visited a new church which is in need of a preacher in Ngundu. We had a great visit with these two new places. We also did quite a bit of running around, finding supplies and equipment for the above clinic. We made numerous trips to the area, just over two hours from Chiredzi, our home base.
Dine
In March we were joined by a team from Highline Christian Church, with Donna Stroop as leader. This team were part of two awesome dedication events. The first dedication took place at Maranda Mission for a Waiting Mother’s Village. This is a place where expectant mothers come the last month of their pregnancy. We provide a place for them to stay and spend time in devotions with them. We have been actively using the buildings for about a year, but we had not had our dedication ceremony. So, over 400 people gathered to celebrate the village and dedicate it. There were government officials, and community leaders. Representatives from Hippo Valley Christian Mission were part of the gathering. Mashoko Christian Hospital leadership organized the event. Special thanks to Dr. Bungu and his staff. It was a great day of dedication, fellowship, and plenty of food.
Melelzi
The second dedication was for the Mlelezi Church of Christ. This is another facility that has been in use for most the year, but the dedication was delayed until this trip. Highline Christian Church, in Burien, WA. donated most the funds for this building and they had several representatives on hand for the celebration. Again, in the neighborhood of 400 people came. Some were the same, while others joined us from neighboring churches. Bruce got to preach that Sunday morning. These dedications run about three hours and everyone in attendance is acknowledged. Music, speeches, and food were all part of the festivities. This is a growing church with a great witness.
Rushangarumwe Clinic
Following that dedication, the Highline team went home and a team from Olympia and Shelton came. That team was there for the dedication of the Rushangarumwe clinic. Again, the crowd was made up of many from the Waiting Mother’s Village dedication. The weather was not super cooperative and a number of people from the church in Illinois which were instrumental in getting the project started years ago were able to be there. We were also joined by a team from Oregon, led by Donna, who were instrumental in the completion of the clinic.
Our time in Zimbabwe was busy and rewarding. We had opportunity to celebrate the things that God has done. The Rushangarumwe Clinic was simply a God thing. Many doubted we could do it. A number of us were reluctant to even dream. But prayer warriors took up their place before the throne of the Almighty and it happened. Three years of prayer and presentation, of planning and engineering and it happened. It is truly “The Clinic God Built!”