Baptist young adults in Zimbabwe have been blessed for the past few years to have college students from the U.S. come and lead them in a spiritual retreat between Christmas and New Year’s Day. This year the volunteers from the U.S. were not able to come, but that did not stop the retreat! National youth leader Willie Green is taking seriously what he has been taught, “God expects you to teach others what you have been taught.” Willie, along with Pastor Chiombera, the Convention Youth Leader and about 20 other godly young men and women planned and taught at the retreat this year. They came early and met together, prayed together, and worked together to help renovate the Sasame Baptist Clinic (related to the Sanyati Baptist Hospital) in the Gokwe Area.
Willie Green reported that at the Sasame Clinic their team managed to paint 3 rooms. “First we had to scrape the old peeling paint off, then apply some ‘crack filler’.
After that our painting teams got to work repainting the rooms.
The team also managed to repair some of the floor boards and put up two wooden frames to create “notice boards” and painted them.”
The young people also discovered that the fire extinguisher at the clinic was no longer working, so they pooled their money and bought a new one.
“One of the issues we could not resolve,” said Willie, “was the plumbing issue. None of the toilets are working at the clinic and so everyone is using the long drops in the back of the clinic.”
Then they held a retreat for the young people of Gokwe.
About 70 young people came and participated in a time of Bible study and leadership training. One of the themes the youth leaders tried to get across to those they were training was the importance of realizing that God’s young people can make a big difference in today’s world.
When asked if the retreat met his expectations, Willie gave a big smile saying, “Yes, and it even went beyond my expectations.”
Three other young people who participated in a leadership role have shared their experiences as well:
Dzinaishe’s Testimony:
It was unbelievable on our way back home to think that we had spent so many days away on a mission trip. We went there with a mind and heart willing to serve and to fellowship with other Baptist Christians in the Gokwe area. The greatest thing was feeling we had been successful in what we set out to do. I personally experienced much serving at the clinic and my heart grew towards serving God as we worked there together. I also enjoyed meeting new people with a commitment to God and learned much as we studied God’s Word together. One of the lessons taught, helped me with the knowledge of how to have a relationship with God and to make Him my lifetime friend. I also benefited much from a lesson that talked about being a youth with a difference, I realised that being a youth with a difference is not just being a unique person, but is to see you as a special person who has a role to play in the kingdom of God.
Beverly’s Testimony:
Working at the Sasame Clinic was an eye opening experience. It taught me to step out of my comfort zone and be the hands and feet of Christ. Painting the clinic helped me to feel I am a part of helping others in need. Assisting in treating of some patients was also a learning experience. The mission trip was a life changing experience for me. I had not been to remote places before and I realised there is a different life outside the city walls. I believe it was completing the mission of, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” Now I feel the zeal of doing more to reach out to others who need my help. It also taught me the effectiveness of teamwork and that unity helps us to reach greater heights. In addition, we are one big family in Christ and fellowship helps us to stay close.
Fildar’s Testimony:
My mission trip to Gokwe was a mind awakening moment of who God really is. I felt that even my presence made a difference. I was up lifted spiritually by the commitment that was presented by the fellow youths of Gokwe. Their love and passion for Christ is amazing. They worshiped God with all their hearts wide open. They helped me to know that they are so many ways to worship God and while doing it, you should feel good and free. I enjoyed myself so much that I don’t ever want to miss such an opportunity. Not to mention the good experience we had at Sasame Clinic. It felt so good to help people. I learned that to make a difference one does not always require money. You can help others by the works of your hands.
