Zimbabwe, Fourth Entries

Fourth Entries: 5-21-10

I thought Africa would be different, different smelling air, etc...So far, I feel like I’m on vacation, enjoying much luxury. Antelope Park is such a beautiful place. We’ve just moved rooms due to the prayer and fasting, and now we’re quite removed from the goings-on at main camp. It’s very serene-a good place to rest and reflect.

Lounging at Antelope Park

We had a horse ride through the bush this morning, in hopes of seeing some game. We didn’t see too much--a few impala, a kudu (author’s note: this is like a mix between a cow and a deer), a warthog (my favorite!). It was a beautiful ride. My horse, Jackson, along with Nathan’s, Jacko, were very slow. It was a nice ride, but my butt hurt after. I thought a lot about people train to ride horses in movies and how strong you must be to do it. The moment the horses actually picked up speed, I squealed and bounced all over the saddle!

Afterward, people began arriving for prayer and fasting. I met Mbonisi, a pastor in Bulawayo, an his wife Tash and their two beautiful boys. I also met Molly and her husband Stephen, who work at Ebenezer, and Taps who pastors a church in Mguza. It’s nice to finally put faces to the names I’ve heard at table-side chat with Sam, Marlene and Sue.

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There are gorgeous birds here, that look plain black and boring, but in the sunlight are in fact navy blue, and when they spread their wings, have a bright blue and orange stripe. One just pooped, yuck. Not on me, thank goodness.

Sam said he thinks Zimbabweans are the most peace-loving people he’s ever met and Sue agreed. Despite power cuts (ie power goes out randomly) and poor political leadership, they are happy. It’s really wonderful to see God moving here and blessing Zimbabwe, building a strong, wonderful church. Molly shared that a few young men from Ebenezer have really changed and are now sold out for the Lord. So good to hear familiar phrases out of our sister’s mouth.

The housekeeper just came in. She was a beautiful, elderly black woman. Beautiful. She called me “mama.” So sweet.

Evidently, Harare can got without power for days, whereas power cuts are more predictable and occur 3 to 5 times a week, at that, in Bulawayo.

I had some good conversation today with Nathan and Greg. Oh! And we saw elephants feeding when we walked back to our room, so we snapped a few pictures.

Prayer and fasting in about an hour. Better rest up before that.

(napping commences)