Life in Zim...Day 3-7

Day 3-4: VBS Begins!

Today was the first day of VBS with the Portland team. I met a lot more of the kids from the farm and older kids as well. Some were timid at first, but it didn't take very long for them to warm up and come out of their shells. Let me start by saying how beautiful the grounds are. There are guava trees, mango trees, and a ton of other trees that I couldn't name. Oh and did I mention that this was given to them for FREE? Another testament on how the Lord has provided for this ministry. I met more people from the Portland team and started building relationships with some of them as well. We jumped right into VBS and boy, were the kids loving it. It was neat to see all their smiling faces and their sweet little laughs. Kids are still kids though, no matter where you are. There were tears from some of the losing teams, some whining, and a little attitude. However, like I said, kids are kids. It was kind of refreshing in a weird way. Ha..! When VBS was over, we hung around and I got to know some of the older girls. I heard some of their stories on why they are there. It was such a testament to me on Gods mercy, love, and grace. We had some "girl talk" ...typical girl things, it was fun. I even began teaching them some Spanish! These girls are ridiculously smart. I was amazed at how fast they were picking it up. I think I've started something though... They had me make lists of some basic words and were instantly practicing with one another. I'd walk away, then as soon as they saw me again, they'd be like, "hola!" or "buenos dias!"...it was so fun! We had a big dinner that night with the entire team. It was great fellowship and I got to share my story on why I'm here. We prayed, we laughed, and we ate. It was the perfect end to a fun filled day. It was also the first day I didn't cry and that day we also saw giraffes and zebras while driving down the road. Definitely a day for the books.

Day 5: Miracles In Broken Cars

I finally was able to sleep through the night. What a difference a little sleep can do. Tonya and Casey had a meeting to attend to, so I went to VBS with Irene, pastors wife, and some of the kids. On the way there, her car broke down. People were honking as they passed and some were staring at me...(This happens a lot. It's weird being a minority) ... We were probably there for about 45 minutes until a man named Mike stopped to help us. I was praying for the car to start and Miriam was praying for a miracle. We had some people push us as Mike somehow jumpstarted the car (The car is stick, I guess it's an old trick). I got my prayer answered. What I'm about to say next is proof on how simple minded we are and how MIGHTY our God is. Pastor Mutatu ended up meeting us with a friend and brought a different car for us. Mike introduced himself to Pastor and then Irene jumped in and they began speaking in Shona. I asked Miriam for a translation and (are you ready!?) Mike, the man who helped us is a doctor. Pastor told him about his ministry and about all the orphans. They swapped numbers and Doctor Mike told Pastor that anytime any of the children get sick, to call him and he would come and care for them. God moment! Miriam got her miracle and I got my prayer answered way beyond my expectations. That's how God works, and I'm constantly in awe of Him. We made it to VBS only 30 minutes late. VBS was conducted as usual. We sing songs in the beginning, go over the memory verse, then break off into groups... Big kids, middles, and the littles. We rotate every 30 minutes to different stations: games, arts & crafts, and scripture. Then we all meet up again, sing some more, and then it's free play. While talking to some of the Portland team, we is discovered that a lot of them are getting sick. Pastor Mutatu, Irene, Sammie, David, Tonya, Casey, the kids, and some of the aunties have also battled sickness. The Portland team, and the 3 of us, all gathered in a circle, held hands, and prayed. There has been a lot of spiritual warfare here and lately, I've been seeing it and learning about it. We know we are protected and being covered in prayer by people back home. We also know that God will use this for the glory of His kingdom and that Jesus will overcome today, tomorrow, forever!

Day 6:

Today I want to share one thing; The Lord is up to something BIG. While the kids were playing at VBS, I was talking to Pastor Mike (missions pastor from Solid Rock in Portland)...one of the guys from the Portland team asked me what church I go to. I told him I went to Rock Harbor not expecting that they have heard of it. As soon as the words left my mouth, their mouths dropped and they seemed like they were in a bit of shock. As it turns out, their church, Solid Rock, is the closest thing to being sister churches with my church, Rock Harbor. I was shocked! They started naming some of the pastors I know and they knew Mike Erre, my favorite pastor who left Rock Harbor a few years back. We talked a bit more about it and I left with so many questions. Questions for God. Pastor Mutatu is calling it the 'August Movement'. In that moment, I knew God is up to something so much BIGGER than anything I can possibly imagine. I'm itching to know what it is, but, I know that I can't have the answers to everything, and He will show us in HIS perfect timing. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want them now. It's really exciting to know that He has each one of us here for His purpose and in that, I get peace.

Day 7:

Today was the last day of VBS. Looking back on these last few days, I'm in such awe of everything I've seen and experienced. I've learned so much these last 7 days. I'm getting more and more sensitive to His spirit. I'm also learning a lot by the example of people and how they live out the gospel in everything they do. I've learned what I take for granted and what a huge blessing it is to live in a country that has everything. Showers, hot water, washing machines, electricity that doesn't shut off randomly, a bathroom IN your home, clean water to drink... As I look around, I see such poverty, people trying to make a dollar wherever they can, people trying to provide for their families. My grandfather, for example, was born and raised in Cuba. My whole life he's told me how life was in Cuba, how poor and communist it was and still is. The things he went through, the things he didn't have. How he came to America with my grandmother and my mother. Everything he had to do to provide for his family, starting completely from scratch. Being here, in Africa, reminds me a lot of the hardships my grandfather endured in Cuba. Hearing it and seeing it are two entirely different things. I get emotional about it now because I finally realize everything he had to do to provide for his family, me included. I would not be here today if he hadn't. That is a huge revelation for me.The Lords hand has been on this since way back then. And here I sit, in Africa, realizing and fully understanding for the very first time, how truly blessed I am.