Wonderful Time in Zimbabwe

Our time in Zimbabwe is quickly coming to an end; honestly this idea upsets me, but it is good to think back on our time in Zim. It has been a truly amazing summer full of so many wonderful things. Things haven't turned out exactly like we planned them, but the Lord has worked through all of that. It is good to think of all the opportunities that God has allowed us to be a part of in our time here. 

We have been able to work at orphanages, markets, schools, and soup kitchens, and we have had the opportunity to see some truly beautiful things the Lord has created such as Victoria Falls, the mountains of Zim, rocks at Matapos, and lots of wildlife. 

I think the best part of our time here has been the relationships that we have developed. People from the markets are so generous and kind, and their friendship and love means so much to me. The church we have been attending has been a wonderful church home here in Zim. They made us feel at home from the very beginning, and developing relationships with them has truly been great. I have especially enjoyed the fellowship with the young adults. I have talked with several of them about our lives and the fellowship that we have. 

In some ways we are very different, but in some ways there are things that unite us. Two such things are the Lord and food. There are things that I love about the life and people here that might not be so true about our lives in the states. I love how their focus is more on relationships and not time. Their joy and laughter is contagious to me, and I absolutely love to laugh with them. I will miss them, but I know that our relationships will continue even after we leave. God has also given us an opportunity to grow as a group. We barely knew each other when we arrived, but now we have a deeper friendship. This summer has been an incredible experience that I wouldn't change for anything.

Please pray that God would continue to work here in Zimbabwe, and we would continue to see the opportunities that God is giving us.

-Heather

Farming in Africa

Through being in Zimbabwe, God has confirmed the plans He has for me for at least the next few years; I am going to school to be an Agronomist. Not only is there a need for Agronomist in the states but also in Zimbabwe. The soil here is very sandy, not the most suitable for growing crops.The irrigation of water here is not as widely used as it should be, one of the main reasons being the cost and not having the ability to get money and resources. Also people here need to learn to how utilize their biggest energy source, the sun. I have seen seen several small farms using some sort of solar power but there are still many areas that would benefit from the use of solar power.

In saying all that, I feel as though my purpose is to become an Agronomist so I can come back to Zim and teach the people how to help themselves, meaning, teach them better, more economical farming methods. I'm proud of my American roots because without them, God wouldn't have shown me this awesome opportunity and career path. I'm thankful that I can use my passion for farming to help the people at home and across the world.

Please pray that other people with farming backgrounds and mindsets would realize the needs in area like this and that they would use their skills to help the people help themselves. Also, pray that God would open up opportunities for me to come back to Zim as well as opening the doors to other placs so that I can help the people help themselves.

-Lindsay

And So They Laugh

There are an innumerable amount of things that we can learn from the African people. The women are strong, and the men work hard. However, I suppose the most notable thing, to me, is their ability to laugh. They love to laugh. It does not matter the circumstances, they can always be found laughing. The small children who don't go to school and have next to nothing can still be found throwing their heads back laughing as they run through the dust roads of their small village. The older widows are perhaps my favorite to be around. Some are taking care of little ones, and some are trying to simply take care of themselves. These women have the most beautiful smiles and laughs of all. No matter their circumstances, those who love the Lord, truly laugh at the times to come. They have the most beautiful laugh lines that I have ever seen. Their faces are full of wisdom and knowledge, and they radiate the love of the Lord. We could learn a lesson or two from these marvelous people. In troubled times, they laugh. In happy times, they laugh. In working times, they laugh. They love to laugh, but when they worship their One True King they don't just laugh... they dance. 

Pray that we will continue to listen to what it is that the Lord has called us to do and that we can love these wonderful people with all that we have. 

-Katie 

God's Provision

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Team of the Day: Outreach Bulawayo

Country of the Day: Zimbabwe

We serve a mighty God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills. Pray for team members to trust for God's good provision of all their needs in His timing and manner.

People are the same

No matter where you go, most people have the same interests and desires - or at minimum the same questions.

Pray for our team as we seek to help answer some of these questions.

-Katie
Outreach Bulawayo

God is Working through Relationships

It's good to see how God is working in our interactions with the people. We are beginning to develop deeper relationships with them. It is good to be able to get closer to the people of this area. We have been hanging out more with the young adults at the church, and it has been rewarding to be able to fellowship with the Christian young adults. It actually feels like we are making an impact to see our relationship with others grow and deepen. When we missed a week, the ladies at the market also asked about us and why weren't there; they also want to make sure that we were going to be there this week. It is so good to see that they are truly interested in the Bible study that takes place. On Sunday we also learned that one of the women went around and evangelized in our place, and she said people asked about where we were; it was nice to see that God is truly working in their lives. It is also good to see that they are taking a genuine interest in the things of God.

Please pray that we will continue to see God work in this area and that people will grow in their faith. 

-Heather

It's Worth It

I first tried to write about how incredible this summer has been thus far, but I quickly had to delete my words because words cannot even begin to describe what we have experienced. God has shown Himself in so many ways. He has helped us to serve those that desperately need basic things such as food and clothing. Most importantly, He has allowed us to love the most beautiful people that I have ever met. As I spend time with these incredible people, they capture my heart. But there was one day where I found myself standing in a village, covered in dust, and surrounded by loving and laughing children. In that moment I realized that these people, whom I have grown so fond of, have completely stolen my heart. My journal entry from this day writes: 

Day 23

I am covered head to toe in dust and my heart is fuller than it has ever been... We ended up sitting with the children while listening to the lesson that R was teaching. We plopped down in the dirt right along with the kids. When I sat down, almost all of the kids cautiously got as close to me as possible. They would just look at me and smile. Most of the kids didn't know and English. But if all I did today was love on them and tell them "UJesu Ugutando" (Jesus loves you)... it's worth it. 

Soon after saying UJesus Ugutando over and over, the more shy kids started coming closer and closer. One little boy started off at a distance but soon was sitting as close to me as possible. He couldn't have been older than 4. His need to be loved was so evident. He laid his head on my legs and held my hand up close to his face. No doubt part of it was because he was amazed by my very white skin, but the other part, I just knew, was because he wanted to feel the love and comfort that I was giving to every child that I could. 

If I could just love those kids the way Christ loves me... they deserve that love just as much as I do. My prayer is that they will one day come to know the God who created them and who loves them unconditionally. 

-Katie 

God at work in Bulawayo

Thursday we went back to the vegetable market to pray with people and do a Bible study. We prayed with people, and it was encouraging to see that they were willing to pray with us. During the Bible study, they were encouraged to share their faith with others. After the Bible study, we saw one of the women sharing her faith with another woman. It was such a blessing to see how God is working in people's lives and leading them to follow Him.

Pray that the people in the vegetable market will hear the truth about God and that the believers will share their faith will those who are around in Him.

The beauty of God's creation

Our team had the honor of going to see the Falls today. It was so beautiful. I have no words to describe how beautiful they truly are. The Falls absolutely left me in awe. It reminded me of the wonder and greatness of God. It also reminded me of the great need that we have to share this great God with others. Things like this should help us to see that there is a God who created all things, but not everyone has this perspective. Therefore we should help point people to God and help them to see that He has created all the beauty they see. These things should lead us to constantly be in awe of God and how amazing He is. While at the Falls, we met people who were doing mission work nearby; they were talking about starting a church, and many coming to the Lord. It was encouraging to hear that God is at work in many different areas around here.

Please pray that God will continue to help us be in awe of Him and that we will continue to share His greatness with others. 
Pray that His work will continue in this area.

The Lord's Harvest: Outreach Bulawayo

This week our team had the opportunity to go out and talk with people in a vegetable market. As we went around, we asked people if we could pray for them, and we would share the gospel as we felt the Spirit leading. During our prayer time, we talked with many people & we saw their need for the Lord. The harvest is truly plentiful here, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to come. 

As we prayed, Lindsay and a couple of people were talking to a woman who decided to become a follower of Jesus. Lindsay said, "I could just feel the Lord working inside her as we prayed with her." Later we had a Bible study that she attended and was very engaged. That day we had many that attended the study, more than usual. So we are so grateful for the work the Lord is doing.

Please pray that the lady who got saved will remain strong in her faith. 
Pray that we will continue to see God work here in the lives of people.

-Heather

Children of Bulawayo

We have had many opportunities to work with kids in various ways. We have gone to a primary school  to give children eggs to eat, and we went to another school sharing our testimony with the girls there.It was so good for me to be able to talk to them and answer their questions as best as I could. 

We have also had opportunities to visit orphanages. One was a babies home... and those babies were so precious! We went to another with older kids... just hanging out with them. The kids are wonderful & kind, and they touched my heart. I can understand why God said that we must be like children to enter the kingdom of heaven. These kids are so kind, loving, and joyful even after all they have been through. It truly touches my heart to visit them, and I am so glad that the Lord has given us the opportunities that He has.

Please pray that God will open doors for us to be able to go places where kids have needs. 
Pray that we will love them the way that God loves them.

-Heather

Outreach Bulawayo Update

We have been in Zimbabwe about a week. We have enjoyed exploring the town and getting to know some of the people here. It is such a beautiful city, and the people are so friendly. We have had a few ministry opportunities in the days that have passed. We worked with kids some and gave people food a couple of times. 

Please pray for the needs of the people here: spiritual, emotional, physical, etc. 

Please pray that our team will be able to minister to the people that we come in contact with.

-Heather

Meet the Team: Outreach Bulawayo

We are the Outreach Bulawayo team working in Zimbabwe, and we have three members.

My name is Heather, and I will be writing the majority of the blogs for our team. I am originally from Georgia but I am currently attending Southeastern Seminary in North Carolina. One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:8, and my favorite color is purple.

Lindsay is from Indiana attending Purdue University. Her favorite verse is Philippians 4:13, and her favorite color is yellow. 

Katie (team leader) is from Mississippi, studying at Delta State University. Her favorite verse is 2 Timothy 2:22, and her favorite color is blue.