My last post ended, “Monday awaits.” Well it did arrive and brought some reconnecting with friends from days gone by. Monday was a preacher’s conference at the college we were staying at, Central Africa Christian College. There were many friends to greet and funds to transfer. One pastor, from Che Che Che Church of Christ, scolded me a bit. I preached at his church a couple of years ago and he wondered why I hadn’t returned. He has a new meeting place and new people. Without a good excuse, I offered to put him on next year’s rotation. It is always good to connect with fellow pastors, I also had some errands to run for supplies for the Rushangrumwe clinic. You get extra credit if you can identify the item to the right.
Tuesday we went to Chinyohi to visit with our friends, the Fortescues. We met them several years ago. Actually, Dave was a college rep for Boise when Sherry was high school camp director. They were busy with their lives but we had a great time. Dave went North to distribute Bibles while Cynthia did her home school group and swimming lessons. We met her at the pool to follow her home, they are in a rather remote, off the grid, place. While at the business with the pool, the owner came and visited with us. She wondered if we could like to go see their vintage car. YES! Of Course! There were two really cool cars. One was an old Triumph. I didn’t get a picture but it was really something. The second was a 1963 Chevrolet Impala. Picture included. We were so glad to spend a couple of days with them.
On Thursday, we returned the half hour trip to Banket, where I preached on Sunday. Some friends from Chiredzi had moved there last year. There was a ladies tea and Sherry shared a word with them. I stayed away from that. You may have seen my Facebook post about a Thunder storm in Chinyohi. We had another one, not quite a long or severe, while in Banket. The African sky is still angry I suppose, and the rainy season has not yet passed entirely. And a note, we have had a couple while here in Chiredzi, including night.
And speaking of Chiredzi, on Saturday we moved South to our “home,” Chiredzi. It was a long journey. We traveled from Banket to Harare (2 hours). We met our Chiredzi host on the King George Road, a busy road where she quickly handed us somethig to be delivered. Then it was through Harare (Not my favorite part of Zimbabwe) and on. Our next stop was Chivu (I know these are meaningless name to most) our regular lunch stop. It is a place where busses stop (three were there when we arrived) and it can be a mad house. Chicken Inn was out of chicken and so skipping other options, we got back on the road and headed for Masvingo, a few hours down the road. We found another Chicken Inn along the way, but no chicken there either, nor at Rite Chicken. Tough day for chickens. Once we got to Masvingo we found a late lunch and headed off. We were told to go East to the Gutu-Zeke road, but I didn’t know that route so we went on to Ngundu, a way I knew. It wasn’t long before I learned why. Construction, detours, dust, slow, are all words that describe that road. Once we navigated our was through we made it to Chiredzy, and before dark.
Sunday was a wonderful day of worship. We were back home at Chiredzi Christian Church. Simon, our preacher, asked me to continue the sermon series. This week was the second part of “Worship in spirit and truth.” I can say I haven’t divided those up before and preach them as one sermon, working together. It was a great time in the house of the Lord. There was a good crowd and we were so glad to see them again. Our plan is to be with them 4 times this trip.The only sad side was our friends, the Burbiges have moved and were not there. Still a great day, The picture is our worship leader, Aquam leading the song, Halellujah.
Monday was an errand day, There are policies that week to be followed in regard to the government, forms filed, etc. We also had some money things to deal with as a supporting church bought a pastor a motorcycle. The day ended with a dinner at our pastor’s house. He and his wife are house parents at the Village here in Chiredzi. We got to see the kids and had a wonderful Zimbabwean dinner, Sadsa, chicken, beef, and Coke. Watermelon was dessert.
Today, Tuesday has been a computer day, and some rest. Tomorrow is a big day as we go to Rushangarumwe clinic for the final inspection from the government. If we pass, we start getting funiture, nurses, supplies, and patience. A long dream finally awaiting approval. Dedication in next month. I will post a report probable on Thursday.
All is well and God is faithful.