Going on a short term mission trip with Westover Church, does not mean you show up the day of your flight and fly to the opposite side of the world. The 15 days we will soon spend in Zimbabwe have been rooted in prayer. Our team has gathered for many prayer meetings to prepare our hearts for this trip. We have shared meals and stories, and getting to know this team has been so humbling. This is a special group of servants, one that feels amazingly privileged to have the opportunity to go and serve God's people in Africa.
God has proven Himself faithful in all our prayers thus far. Each request we brought Him, He has provided for in abundance. Like the 50 hats we hoped to bring with us for the children we will serve our first week at Hands of Hope. It's winter in Zimbabwe, and their precious heads are cold at night. We currently have 200+ beautifully hand knitted hats, some of which were knitted by local refugees. This will allow us to not only provide warmth for our 50 children at Hands of Hope, but also the 100+ orphans we will meet the second week, as well as their Aunties who care for them. That's only one example. There are so many more.
We stand one week out in great anticipation for what is to come. Just as you have partnered with us in prayer before we leave, we would be so honored if you would cover each of us in prayer as we travel. Below you will see our planned schedule. Our hope is that you will keep it close during our 15 days, so that it may serve as a prayer guide.
We are thanking God for each of you, and so look forward to seeing our prayers transformed into testimonies. We can't wait to share this experience with you!
July 12 - The team will be meeting at 4 AM for our drive to Charlotte, flight to Zimbabwe. Pray for safety in travel and luggage to get thru without excess baggage fees
Jess S asks for prayer for her health. She has had some issues on other trips and is asking the Lord to keep her completely healthy on this trip.
July 13 – 5 PM arrival in Harare. Please pray for favor with Customs officials with all of our luggage for the camp and Orphan party will be cleared.
Heather M – Please pray that I might have wisdom to listen to God’s plan for what HE wants me to do and where HE wants me to serve. I want God to prepare my heart for all that I will see and experience.
July 14 – We will attend church in Mbare township in the morning and visit a few homes where the children will come from to attend camp. Campers arrive Sunday evening. For some this will be very different sleeping away from the “familiar”.
Lynn E -Pray for Lynn as he is preaching in at the Mbare Church today. Pray for freedom in sharing God’s Word.
July 15 – First full day of camp. Pray as our team adjusts to jet lag, plus teaching 50 children English and Math classes. Pray for the kids who may never have given their hearts to Jesus.
Hannah T: Pray for patience as we tutor and work with the children. Pray that we will have open hearts to be flexible with our plans and schedule and to remember why we are there and not to be hindered by our own plans.
July 16 – Please pray as we get used to “English” with a Shona accent and 50 rambunctious kids. Pray for good connections between us and the students.
The whole team…. This is often one of the hardest days of a trip….jet lag/the newness of it all…. Please pray for UNITY among the team, energy and that we might be true REFLECTORS OF JESUS
July 17 – It is typically cold in Zimbabwe this time of year. Pray for the campers, away from home will adjust and be warm enough. Pray for good health for all.
Janet D: Please pray that I might understand God’s heart for the hurting in Zimbabwe, especially those who have contracted HIV
July 18 - Pray for each one who is teaching, preparing, doing games, running
And playing. Pray we may be reflectors of Jesus to the children.
Dan T – Please pray for my son, Ben as he moves to Seattle while I am gone, and my wife Candi as she in California teaching Music for three weeks.
July 19 – PACKED DAY with lots going on. Regular camp day and 25 “Aunties” who are the caregivers from the other HOH residential homes will come on Campus for the morning. Please pray for Janet as she shares some health and hygiene tips and Judy as she shares Bible truths with the ladies and we spend time in prayer together. It is our final day of camp and after lunch, we will be walking with the 50 kids to nearby Mbizi Game Park; Camp Fire in the evening…. and then Amy and Judy will leave camp to share at the first session of a women’s retreat with a Ladies Bible Study group.
July 20 – Campers leave….our team packs up and moves to the TEAM guest house; then visit a few of HOH residential homes during the day and meet many of the orphans.
Pray for Amy and Judy as they will spend all of Saturday at the Ladies retreat sharing in Bible teaching.
July 21 – Pray as we visiting another church on Sunday. In the evening we will enjoy a visit and meal with Westover supported Missionaries Chris and Joyce Goppert and Sean and Kim Doyle
Pray for Leah D, our youngest team member. She is a child magnet! Pray for her energy level and ministry to the children.
July 22 – We will drive out to Karanda Hospital – Please pray for safety on the roads and thru the road blocks– After arriving Monday night, we will host a Staff dessert and get to hear about the ministry at the hospital. Please pray that we will be an encouragement to all of the Staff.
Amy and Kevin H - Please pray that God would move in their lives in a way greater than they could ask or imagine.
July 23 – We will help with an Orphan party and provide lunch for 100 children and be giving blankets and Westover “hand knitted caps” as well as a treat bag to each orphan. Pray that we will be an encouragement as we host the Single Nurses at Karanda for dinner.
Pray for Dianne G's two adult children as they make decisions for the days ahead.
July 24 – Pray as we travel back 3 hours from Karanda to Harare. When we get to town we will visit the ministry of Foundations of Farming, with whom Westover has partnered. Dinner will be hosted at Pat and Adrian Hutchings, dear friends of the Everswicks.
Pray for Ella, Caroline, and Thomas as they stay with family while their Mom and Dad are ministering in Zimbabwe.
July 25 – We will visit Harare Theological College where Sean Doyle and Chris Goppert serve and Westover is a financial partner of the College. Drive to Bally Vaughn for our overnight debrief.
Marybeth S - that the Hope and Love of Jesus will shine thru her and all of us and that we might be open to whatever God wants us to do there planned or unplanned
July 26 – leave Bally Vaughn – drive back to TEAM to pack up and go to the airport. Please pray for travel home and the ability to process all we have seen and heard.
“Father, now that we have had this privilege of ministering as your hands and feet and voice in Zimbabwe…WHAT would you have us do?
July 27 – Arrive in Charlotte at 7 PM and then drive back to Greensboro.
Much love in Him....
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