Sanyati Baptist Hospital Staff Retreat

Creating Community was the theme of the first ever Sanyati Baptist Hospital Retreat. Skeptical yet excited, these early risers climbed on the bBig bus headed to a camp called “Lasting Impressions”. Singing and laughing made the long, bumpy trip pass, well, not quite so slowly. Finally reaching our destination, tucked away in the outskirts of Kadoma is the green, yet rocky, serene camp. The uniquely thatched A frames for sleeping, with a beautiful dining area and welcoming cups of tea and coffee, just increased the level of intrigue and excitement. Then everyone was told to head to the field and “play games”. Little did they know, there was a purpose behind everything they did.

Some lessons were taught with words but then each teaching was reinforced in an experiential way through group initiatives. (A VERY different form of learning for Zimbabweans). Blindfolds, hoola hoops, and silly handshakes started the teams’ training in problem solving, communication and trust building. LOTS of laughter and smiles filled the camp as the hospital employees began to learn about creating community in the work place and beyond. The training was sponsored by Winshape, an affiliation of Chick-fil-a, and led by Clarence Taylor (CT) owner of the Overland Park, Kansas restaurant. CT and his team shared the principals of a High Performance Team and working together to accomplish the best work possible.

The 2 ½ day retreat was highlighted with a most honest and challenging message on INTEGRITY by the pastor of the Kadoma Baptist Church. “The biggest crisis in Zimbabwe is a lack of integrity,” he boldly declared. The staff listened intently as he shared about the importance of character and doing the “right thing” even when no one else was. Then everything was pulled together as Dr. Mhinga (former doctor at Sanyati Baptist Hospital) reminded the staff how God’s hand has been on Sanyati from the beginning. He challenged the staff with the same threefold ministry of Christ; to teach, preach and heal, which has been the purpose of the hospital since its inception.

Nearly every staff member attended the retreat (100 in all), divided into two groups so as to keep the hospital running, and the only difficulty was getting them back on the bus to leave when it was over. Everyone returned with a renewed sense of purpose and community, making the work environment a much more pleasant place. One employee committed his life to Christ and several made verbal commitments of change and asked to be held accountable to characteristics of Integrity. We give God the glory!! Please continue to be in prayer as the staff faces so many daily challenges in this very limited resource setting. We pray that the things we have learned and received and heard and seen at the camp would be practiced out in our everyday lives (Eph. 4:9). Thanks to CT, Chick-fil-a and Winshape for sponsoring the Camp and making it all possible. Submitted by Angie Byler