I am sorry this post is so delayed! We did not have internet for quite some time! But here is an update on our time spent in Mushumbi Pools, Zimbabwe.
Day 1:
We went grocery shopping in Harare before we left to prepare for the long week ahead. We set off on our way to Mushumbi Pools. Along the way, Tom found a nice little picnic spot overlooking the mountains. Tom and Lois mentioned buying Mu Zambias, which is a piece of cloth that the women either wear over their skirt or they lay it down to sit on. When in Mushumbi Pools, do as the people of Mushumbi Pools do! So, we too, bought a Mu Zambia.
Today was the day where we started building lifelong relationships. Florence and Blessing were our translators for the week. They were a a life saver for us as they helped us not only understand the language but the culture as well. We also met Pastor David and his wife, Blessing as well as their two children (Anono and Tine). It was finally time to check into our lodges and get a good night's rest for the following day.
Day 2:
Today were were able to meet the Headmaster of Mushumbi Pools Primary School and gave him the 27 basketballs in various sizes for the different age groups. The look on his face and the reactions of other staff members was priceless. This was just the beginning of a lasting partnership with the school.
We were also able to meet the ladies of the Ruwadzano District Ladies Retreat. We introduced ourselves in Shona (the primary language of Mushumbi Pools), sang songs in Shona for the ladies, and had the opportunity to fellowship.
Day 3:
Tom left early this morning to begin the process of putting up the backboards for the basketball goals.
As many of you know, Westover holds AWANA on Wednesday nights and has been wanting to take it international. Mushumbi Pools started AWANA not too long ago and there are usually only approximately 60 kids show up for AWANA time but we had a whopping 216 kids participate!!!
During this time we:
-sang songs in Shona with the kids. They were so engaged!
-game time (relay race). We had to improvise with our use of materials which made this time even more beautiful and humbling.
-crafts (bracelets which included the meaning of each bead that they were able to take home)
Cyndi also led a Bible study for the Ruwadzano District Ladies Retreat. She did an EXCELLENT job leading and gave some great insight on how to properly pull important points from a passage of scripture in order to truly understand what you read and study.
Day 4:
It was a Sunday morning in Mushumbi Pools and a very important day at that. The Bishop and the Chairman of the Zimbabwe Evangelical Church were coming into town and the Ruwadzano District Ladies were so ecstatic to have them there!
After church, we had a more relaxed day full of soccer games, walking to the market, buying soda to feel more at home, and ordering take-out (BIG portions of sadza and beef, $1 for each box so $9 total to feel everyone!)
Day 5:
We were able to visit homes in the villages today. This was such a turning point in our time there because we got to know the people of Mushumbi Pools on a personal level and saw the struggle that they face every day. However, they still have a beautiful faith in God that He has His hand over their situation. Each of us were separated among homes, which also put each of us outside of our comfort zones. It was awesome! Below is everybody's experiences:
Brandi- Home visit with the pastor and his wife. She was able to make sadza for the family, helped their son with his fractions homework, and caught a chicken and cooked it!
Cyndi- Family lived on a farm so she could automatically relate! They relaxed, sat on a mat, and just talked. The family showed her their cows and two dogs. She was given a wine glass and was told "Drink and remember me." She will always have a symbol of their appreciation for her visiting their home.
Shawnee- Shawnee visited the home of one of the teachers, Tutirari, whom we all got to know very well. She was introduced to the whole neighborhood, shown their garden, went into the chicken coop, plucked and cooked the chicken, helped cook and cut the vegetables, and had a special bonding time with the children of the family while they drew and colored with the colored pencils and paper that she brought to the house.
Olivia- Olivia visited a family where the couple did not have a job yet they welcomed her with open arms and a nice meal of sadza and vegetables. Meat is a delicacy in this area, especially for the ones who do not have an income. They had no furniture, but the one chair that they did have, they allowed Olivia to sit in it as the guest of honor. The family grows maize and beans in the fields but the fields were too far to walk to.
Lauren- Lauren visited Museka and her children. The husband was not present because he worked long hours at the market. One of the neighbors, who could speak very good English, walked up and decided that he wanted to give her a tour of the village! They showed her the fields and introduced her to the surrounding homesteads. She was asked to pray before dinner and they were so honored when she offered to help clean. Then the night ended with a dance party with the kids of the surrounding homesteads.
Day 6 and 7:
The Educational Officer thankfully allowed us to observe in the classrooms and gave us the go ahead when we met with him yesterday. We were able to observe today (day 6) and saw many similarities in the teaching techniques. One thing that we noticed is valued in the culture is the great respect that the students have for their teachers.
We also held two days of basketball camp. We practiced dribbling, passing, shooting, and defense. We played against the teachers of the school and they beat us 2-0 the first day and 4-0 the second day. Needless to say, they caught on to the game pretty quick!
Our last night spent in Mushumbi Pools was spent with Pastor David and his wife and children. This last little bit of time spent with them was such a blessing in itself. They are an amazing family and we are interested to see how this relationship continues to grow between Tom & Lois, Westover, and the Mushumbi Pools Evangelical Church.
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