Zimbabwe, Seventh and Eighth Entries

Seventh Entries: 5-24-10
I forgot to mention some things from yesterday. They hang flags of the nations at Crossroads and pray for the nations. It’s so cool to see that there is a heart for the nations here too. They also have a vision to extend into the communities around and across Zimbabwe. Fantastic to see the parallels between here and Fenway.


Eighth Entires: 5-25-10

Today is our last day in Kezi. Yesterday was really great. We had a very easy morning and a good lunch. Then we watched Stephen teach the second years about false prophets. He’s a gifted teacher--so expressive and truth just rolls out of his mouth. I’ve been wishing my theology teachers were this good. I felt like I was actually learning what I want to.

After Stephen’s lesson, Brilliant (they have GREAT names here. For instance, a woman here is named Blessing, and she named her child Moreblessing!) took us on a partial tour of Ebenezer. He told us the four pillars of Foundations for Farming:
Do things on time.
Do things to a high (godly) standard.
No wastage.
Do your work with joy.

I was thinking how different my life would be if I carried out my schoolwork and life by these. I think I’ll try. Brilliant says these four things provide a framwork for his life. He also told us that before he knew God, whenever he’d work in the field, he would feel sick. Them when he accepted Christ, his sickness went away. Brilliant is a really amazing guy-he loves God and wants to bring the gospel to his community, to get married, and build a house of his own. He’s a graduate at Ebenezer, with huge fields and on fire for God.

He showed us the composting and the fields. The compost serves as fertilizer in most cases and as a basal layer of soil. Mulch is used to retain water and fertilize top soil. They have an experimental plot where they test different methods. They also crop rotate to sustain the land--growing maize, cabbage, tomatoes, sugar beans, potatoes (which are more costly) and onions. It’s really amazing to see their faithfulness and diligence out there.

Sam then told the story of Paul’s visit to Rome and Romans 7:1-8, which covers our relationship to the law and our marriage to Christ--good stuff! And so cool to see the guys of Crossroads get it.

We came back to the house and Kesneth (pronounced Keznet), our housekeeper in Pamula, (Author’s note: housekeepers, guards, and gardeners are common to Zim households; if you have the means to provide a job, you should, so the rule goes) made us a delicious meal, and Stephen joined us. He shared a lot about the culture--how difficult marriage is, family issues...he’s up against a lot, but the battle is God’s and he’s trusting Him to prevail.

We turned in early, only to be woken by Ginger’s screams as out bat friend scared her in the hall. (Author’s note: At the house in Pamula, a bat would routinely fly in to the house around 5:00, shoot down the hall and then back out into the living room periodically. This night, it stationed itself in Nathan’s room, and we scared it out of there, but it was hiding and flew at Ginger in the darkened house.)

Today was Africa Day, a national holiday in Zim. We headed to Ebenezer in the morning and first had discipleship with Marlene and the women of Ebenezer. Ginger and I shared our testimonies, and it turns out she, Marlene and I were all lead to Christ through children’s programs. Since all these girls are involved with Crossroads, and most of them with children’s ministry, we were able to encourage them in their work with children. We then shared favorite verses and it was so good to see their hearts and who God has been for them. Lots of stories of provision and protection.