Our first full day!!

We finally made it to Zimbabwe after approximately 30 hours of traveling!  Tom, Lois, and Donya were so very welcoming!! Yesterday, we were very tired so our night was mainly spent touring the guest house and getting ready for bed ;)

Today was our first full day in Harare, Zimbabwe. I want to start off with a Bible verse that will definitely help us understand and remain strong in our purpose for serving here.  Colossians 2:1-9 uses a comparison of roots and buildings to our relationship with God.  "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." (Colossians 2:6-7)  In the culture of Zimbabwe, the people accept Christ as a spirit, some faraway mystical creator who brings or withholds the rain.  They are typically more concerned about making God happy so that He can bring the rain.

Rafiki Girls Center: A registered independent Christian organization that seeks to empower disadvantaged and vulnerable girls with life skills for self-reliance.

This morning, we participated in TEAM orientation with Tom.  We focused on learning more about the Zimbabwe culture as well as how the schools are operated.  Afterwards, we took a tour of the guest house property seeing as it was actually light outside!  Foundations for Farming (click on the link to learn more) is held on the grounds of the TEAM guesthouse.  "Foundations for Farming is an initiative aimed at bringing transformation to individuals, communities and nations through faithful and productive use of land. God has revealed a very simple conservation farming method with an implementation management teaching, which when applied help people to apply the Gospel to their lives." Later, we visited Hands for Hope with Steve Love (a missionary supported by Westover).  Through Hands for Hope, men and women learn farming techniques, Aquaponics, assembling materials, renovation, and so much more.  On Mondays, Steve Love and his apprentices start the week off at the top of the hill (WHAT A HIKE!!) with a devotion and pray over the week to come.  At the end of the week, they meet at the bottom and give God all the glory for everything He has blessed them with that week.  The neat thing is, discussing and meditating over the gospel and working are not two separate entities.  "Gospel Talk" occurs at all hours of the day and is integrated into their work.  We ended the day off right with a Braai, or cookout, with the Loves and Jacksons.  We had such a feast and were able to try a new food as well, called Boerworst (a mix between beef and pork, otherwise known as Farmer's Sausage).

The team at Hands for Hope

A panoramic view of the Hands for Hope property

At the Braai with the missionaries and their families.

It is now bedtime for us and we will be headed out to Mushumbi Pools in the morning!  We will be in a very rural area and will be with limited to no access to internet.  We will definitely update you once we have access to internet again!  Until next time :)

Today's the Day!!!

We are so excited! Today is the day that we leave for Zimbabwe!  We would like to thank each and every one of our friends and family members that have prayed for us and supported us.  We would especially like to thank those of you who woke up bright and early to meet us at the airport to pray for and with us!  See you all again in fourteen days!!!

Getting ready to go through security!

Group picture with Poky and Gumby!!

We are so grateful for your prayers...

I have another prayer request from one of our team members, Olivia! 
Please pray:

- For health and safety before and during the trip for our team

-For my husband who will be single parenting while I am gone to our two children. Pray for endurance, rest, and patience. That God will move in his heart as he supports my faithfulness to go.

-For my children Paxson (5yrs) and Adeline (16months) that they will enjoy the extra special time with daddy and feel mommies presence in small ways. For VBS Paxson will be attending he will take in what God has for him. That they will continue to understand a global perspective at a young age. Also their flexibility as they will be with daddy and family friends for care.

-For continued unity of our team 

-That I will be open and flexible to be used however God sees fit. Pray for the specific moments and interactions that i may not be physically, emotional, or mentally prepared for but that I will rely on solely God to accomplish his mission.

-That God is working in the hearts of those we will encounter in travel, in country, and when we return. 

- That I can show Christ in all that I do in humility sharing HIS grace through my words and actions.

We cannot begin to express our gratitude for our prayer warriors out there.  We couldn't do it without you!

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He will hear us." 1 John 5:14

Prayers and PRAISE!!

        God has definitely answered some prayers this week!  It was requested that we bring basketballs over from America so that the students at Mushumbi Pools Primary School had a fun recreational activity in which to participate.  Since that request was made, everything has just started falling into place.  Tom emailed the team today with so much good news!  He knows a Zimbabwean couple who is able to make high quality and sturdy backboards and rims for us.  That is not all!  Tom met with the basketball coach at a nearby Christian high school and he has kindly offered to help in any way that he can, such as offering a demonstration game and do a bit of coaching with the school children.  This basketball coach happens to be the ex coach of the Zimbabwe National Basketball team by the way!
The coach mentioned various sizes of basketballs that we need that are not sold in Zimbabwe.  They would like 4 size 4, 6 size 5, 6 size 6, and possibly 2 size 7 basketballs.  These are all differentiated towards the age groups of children that will be using the basketballs.  It was mentioned in the email that very little children-up to grade 4-use size 4 balls, boys in grade 5 (and girls in grades 6 & 7) use size 5 balls, boys in grades 6 & 7 (and women) use size 6 balls, and men use size 7 balls.  With all of that being said, please pray about the logistics of getting the frames and the backboards to Mushumbi Pools as well as getting the concrete bases on which to bolt the frames in place.  

The distance from Harare (the capital) to Mushumbi Pools is 278 Km, 3 hours and 56 minutes driving time

     Also, each day leading up to the trip, we would like to share a prayer request from each team member.  Prayer is so vital and we couldn't do it without the help of our friends, family, church family, and other supporters!
Shawnee shared a prayer request.  Please pray for her as we prepare for our journey!
"A prayer request I have is simply for my family to be at peace with my absence.  I pray that my husband feels God holding him and guiding him through this entire journey.  I also pray that my girls feel protected, comforted and loved by their extended family members.  May my extended family members also have extra love, patience, and understanding when caring for my two girls, Addison (9) and Caitlin (7).  Praise to mom, dad, step-mom, brother, and sister-in-law, as well as my church family to care for my family while I am gone."

One bible verse to close out this blog post for the night!
"Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.  Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically." Romans 12:10-11

It's the FINAL Countdown!

       It is officially the final countdown!  We have just 15 short days until our trip to Mushumbi Pools, Zimbabwe!  Our trip dates are June 20th-July 3rd and they are approaching quickly!
Our team of five women will be visiting with and assist teaching in the Mushumbi Pools Primary School; consulting with the teachers and headmaster on education specialties and conducting lessons in different teaching techniques and sporting activities.  While there, we will also have the opportunity to speak at Mushumbi Pools Evangelical Church and AWANA program.  However, our primary focus for traveling to Zimbabwe is to just be the hands and feet of the Lord and build relationships with the Mushumbi Pools population.

      As of right now, we have raised a total $6,305.  We are just a little over halfway there!  The headmaster requested that we provide basketballs and basketball pumps so that the students of Mushumbi Pools Primary School could learn one of America's most popular sports.  And guess what?! We received a generous donation of basketballs and basketball pumps!  Thank you to everyone who helped us in that area of need! Please continue to pray for us as we mentally, spiritually, and financially prepare for our trip.