Ramona Beam visits Moyo Family at Shauro

Recently I had the privilege of visiting for a weekend in the home of an Ndebele pastor’s family in a village in the area around Mberengwa, Zimbabwe.



This was such a wonderful time of learning for me, of both language and culture of the Ndebele people. The purpose of my visit was “language immersion”, in other words, to be in a place where the Ndebele language is spoken, and to learn about the culture of the Ndebele. Living in town as I do where most people speak English, it is sometimes a bit of a challenge to find language helpers willing to help me with practising my language skills.

My arrival coincided with the arrival of a volunteer team from the US, who were providing seed maize for the church members. The rains would begin soon signaling the start of the planting season, so this gift was greatly anticipated and appreciated. All the members of Shauro Baptist Church came to greet us, with singing, rejoicing, and prayers of thanksgiving.



After everyone had spoken to express their thanks, and had received their seeds, we all loaded up in our vehicles to go to the home of the Moyo family, where I would spend the weekend. After formal greetings and welcome, the volunteers left to go to their place of ministry, while I remained behind with the Moyo family. Baba Moyo is the lay leader of Shauro Baptist Church, and an elder in the church. He and his wife have three children, Ayanda, who is the oldest son, Busane (second son), Ntokozo (daughter), and Nkosi Khona, the baby and youngest son.



I was immediately shown to the room I was to be given for the weekend. I was amazed and very humbled to realize that I was being given Baba and Mama Moyo’s very own room, and I was to have the only bed the family owns. The entire family would sleep on the floor so that I could have their bed! When Mama Moyo tentatively asked if I would be willing to let their daughter sleep with me, of course I could do nothing but agree.

Our first task was to go and fetch water from the village borehole (well). Carrying enough water for the family (plus me as their guest) was no small task. Ayanda loaded up their water barrels onto the wheelbarrow, and Mama Moyo and I each carried additional buckets. The walk to the borehole was about a kilometer. Not too bad going there with our empty buckets, but quite another story on the return trip, carrying the water. I made an amazing discovery, however. It really is much easier to carry a bucket of water on one’s head than it is to carry it down by your side. I also learned why most African women I have met have such good posture and stand and walk so regally. It’s because, when you have a 20kg (44 lb.) bucket of water on your head, you must stand and walk very straight or risk an unexpected shower right then and there! I actually made it back to the kraal (homestead) without spilling. That is amazing in itself!

The next task was cooking supper. Since the weather was very, very hot, we decided to use the outdoor kitchen to cook the meal of isitshwala (or sadza, a paste made from mealie meal, or corn meal, about the consistency of mashed potatos—a staple in the diet here), chicken, and a vegetable sauce or gravy. When I say the outdoor kitchen, I’m not talking about a gas grill…first we had to build the fire, then kill the chicken and pluck the feathers before we could start cooking!

By the time we finished preparations and ate our meal, people from the village had begun to gather at the Moyo’s home. Before long, it seems the entire village was there, talking, visiting, and laughing together. Then, the singing started. There were songs and dances performed by the youth, children, and some of the adults. Rarely have I had the opportunity to be a part of such joyful celebration. It lasted well into the night, but eventually folks started drifting away to their homes, and everyone settled down to rest.

Early the next morning (the sun is up by 5am here during the summer months), everyone was up and dressed, and the day started. Work must be done early in the day during these months, because in the middle of the day it is too hot to do much outside in the sun. Mama Moyo seemed tireless in her energy, making sure all the children were bathed and dressed, making everyone’s breakfast (when I asked to help, she just directed me to sit; I could help after morning tea), and washing up the dishes from the night before. During the day, a seemingly endless stream of visitors came, mostly ladies coming to greet the white visitor. Some even brought gifts, some eggs, a bit of sugar or tea, and one lady even presented me with a staw mat she had made. Everyone helped me with language, teaching me new words and phrases, and how to use them properly.



After a day of visiting with these precious ladies and helping with household chores, once again the village gathered for singing and celebration. I asked Mama Moyo if they do this all the time, to which she replied, “No, it is because you are here.” This night, I was so humbled when there was a “Thanksgiving Ceremony”, during which many of the villagers made speeches and offered prayers, thanking God for my coming. What an honor and a blessing!

All too soon, Sunday morning came, time for my departure. I will always cherish the friendships I made during this special weekend, and hope to return for many more visits.

However, the weekend was not over. From Shauro, I rejoined the volunteers and we went on to Nyezi, another nearby village area, for a baptism service held by a new church that has been started in that area. Thirty were baptized in the river that morning. What an amazing time!

Dr. Stan May visits Zimbabwe

Recently Dr. Stan May from Mid-America Seminary came for a visit in Zimbabwe. We asked him to write a blog about his time here:

“What a joy to return to Zimbabwe! We had lived here from 1989-95 and worked among the AmaNdebele people. I was privileged to return several times, but I had not returned for several years. I came at the invitation of the IMB to consult with the Seminary as they seek to move forward to train pastors and church leaders. During my time I preached at the Seminary and presented them with a computer and some new commentaries for their library.



I also preached at the Theological College of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo and spent a day there renewing acquaintances.



Two highlights of my time were preaching with my friend and former student Mehluli Dube in Kwekwe (he started this church with 4 families 16 months ago and now has 22 families worshiping) and preaching to a church started by Gregg Fort among the AmaNdebele in Mberengwa.



It was a joy to preach again in iSiNdebele. We also gave out exercise books to the students after I had the honor of sharing my testimony in iSiNdebele to them.”



Of course it would not seem like a trip to Africa without spending some time in the bush and viewing an African sunset!



Submitted by Dr. Stan May

Mberengwa Youth Camp August 2011

The Mberengwa Insiza Baptist Association was formed Easter Sunday of this year in the Mberengwa area of Zimbabwe, with eight churches making up the association. In June, another church was planted in the area. August 12-14, 2011 marked the first ever youth camp for the Mberengwa Insiza Baptist Association. There were 54 youth who attended the camp, held at Sharuo Primary School. The youth arrived all during the afternoon on Friday, some walking from as far away as 10-12 kilometers to attend the camp.



After an evening meal, and an initial welcome session and praise service, the youth found places to sleep in the classrooms at the school, girls in one classroom, boys in another. Early the next morning, some of the local ladies provided breakfast for the youth.



A goat had been slaughtered the day before as the youth were arriving, so for breakfast there was an ample supply of sadza, as well as a relish made from cooked cabbage, tomatoes, and onions, and, of course, the goat. Sadza is a staple in the Zimbabwean diet, consisting of mealie meal (similar to corn meal) cooked into a thick paste about the consistency of mashed potatoes. The camp sessions began after breakfast with Bible study times during the morning.



I(Ramona Beam)was privileged to be one of the speakers, and had the opportunity to share the True Love Waits abstinence program for youth with this group. Of those hearing TLW for the first time, 25 youth signed commitment cards to remain sexually pure until marriage. It was so heartening to watch as they came to me all during the afternoon, saying they wanted to sign the cards. Fifty youth had previously signed commitment cards, when TLW was presented during the Easter Conference earlier this year. Some of those youth were also in attendance at the youth camp. Please pray that all of these young people will be strong in the face of the many pressures that life brings here. There is so much temptation for youth to become sexually active, both from peer pressure, and sometimes even from older family members. Pray for protection from these things for these youth.



After lunch, also provided by the local ladies, the afternoon was a time for fun and games during the recreation time. The youth enjoyed games of soccer, netball, and others. For youth in the rural areas of Zimbabwe, times of carefree recreation such as this are rare, so they were enjoyed by all. Supper was served after a time of relaxation and personal time, then everyone gathered together for the evening service, which began around 7:00pm.



The service included an extended time of worship and praise, and oh, how these kids love to sing. And dance! To hear them singing praises to God at the top of their voices, and to see their energetic dancing as part of that praise, was just awesome. I must admit, I even gave it a try myself. They just kept singing; it just went on and on, and it seemed they never got tired. A message was brought by Pastor Willie Green, who is the youth coordinator for the association, and afterwards we went into an extended time of prayer, followed by more worship. Before we knew it, it was almost 11:00pm, and they were still singing!

Zimbabwe Volunteer Testimonies

Recently, a volunteer team from Lifepoint Baptist Church in Senatobia, Mississippi returned to Zimbabwe. This church has been sending out teams annually to Zimbabwe for more than 10 years. Team leader Jay Adkins always does an excellent job of preparing his team members to witness, to lead people to a personal faith in Christ, and to help the new Christians understand how to be disciples of Jesus Christ. This group, under the power and leadership of the Holy Spirit has helped start at least 6 churches in Zimbabwe.



Just before the team left Zimbabwe we had a chance to sit down and talk with a few of them about their experience here in Zimbabwe. Jay told us, “Every time I get ready to come to Zimbabwe, I just don’t think it can get better – But it does! This time was very special because the last night we were at Mberengwa the people we came to minister to prepared a special meal to thank us for coming.”

Jeff Underwood, who came for the fourth time to Zimbabwe told us, “Each time the ministry opportunities are greater and greater. Ministry is really different here too. It is amazing that 6-7 foreigners can just show up in a village and they are welcomed with amazing hospitality. I’m not sure that if 6-7 strangers showed up at my house that I would be so open, so welcoming and so excited to see them.”
Jeff is a teacher in the U.S. and his passion for ministering to children extends to the kids in Zimbabwe. He had great fun playing with them and spending time getting to know some of the school children while at Mberengwa.



Josh Webb is on his first trip to Zimbabwe. He shared with us that when he was saved a year ago God gave him a global view of Christianity. “God put on my heart to be involved in missions. Even though I don’t know exactly what that will mean for my life, this trip has really confirmed God’s calling in my life. I have a heart to serve God and would appreciate your prayers for an open door for the future.” Josh mentioned that one of the highlights of the trip was working alongside Willie Green. (Willie is pictured here with Team Leader Jay Adkins.)



On his second mission trip to Zimbabwe, Jordan Jones, a quiet young man says that both trips have helped him open up to people. On the first trip he was not talkative at all, but felt convicted of his fear of sharing the gospel with people. This time he was able to share the gospel to a number of people. “God has really convicted me,” says Jordan, about what I do with the time God gives me. I have to ask myself if I am I just giving some and not all to God.” Jordan said sharing the gospel with school children was one of the highlights of his trip. “The kids I’ve met here expressed so much joy in having us here. I learned that about 50% of the kids are orphans. While sharing the gospel with them, they were really listening to what Jesus wants to do for them. It really bothers me that so many children have no one to show them the right way.”



John Loftiss a recent high school graduate commented that while here he realized that
“living in U.S. I don’t have to live out my faith. Everything is given to me. Life comes easy. But here in Zimbabwe I’m learning to trust God more.” At Mberengwa John developed a friendship with a young man named Clement . John tells that, “Clement’s father died last year and he was struggling with that. During the hut to hut ministry I got to meet him and his family and witness to them. He promised to come to the showing of the Jesus film that night. He wanted to know more. At the end of the film he promised to come to the discipleship time the next day. He came hungry to know more. Vance and I sat with him after the discipleship class and shared some more Bible stories with him. We talked about the story of Job, how he lost everything, but still refused to curse God. We tried to help him understand that life doesn’t always make sense but God is using our circumstances for our benefit. It was so exciting when he accepted Christ.”

This was Stephanie Ward’s third opportunity to come to Zimbabwe. She says she was amazed that this rural area seemed more affluent in comparison to the other rural areas we’ve been too in the past. Stephanie shared, “We went to one hut on the second day and shared the gospel with the family then they walked with us as we left. One of the girls spoke English and she asked me if I would give her something. I told her I didn’t bring you a thing – I just want to give you Jesus. She walked with me to her grand-parents hut as well she listened again as we shared the gospel with them. I pray that this girl will one day receive Christ.”



Ruby Coston came for the first time on this trip to Zimbabwe. She told us, “God has really showed me on this trip how ungrateful I am. I saw schools where there weren’t enough desks or books to go around. I saw the great percentage of orphans in these schools. It made me realize how I should be grateful that God has given me a family and stable home. It broke my heart. I always want to buy the next new thing. These kids have nothing. It has really opened my eyes.”

When asked what she will do differently as a result of this realization she said, “I want to act out my gratitude at home and in my community. I hope it will change the way I think about spending money on things.”

Paul McGeehee told us this is his fourth trip to Zimbabwe. He says, “God keeps bringing me here. The ministry opportunities here are incredible. I feel very fortunate and blessed to have been able to help plant a churches each time I have been here. It is great to have so many opportunities to share the gospel. As much as we have been blessed it grieved my heart when people claimed to know Jesus, but from listening to their testimonies it was obvious they knew about Christ but had no relationship to him. During this trip we have planted the true seed of God’s Word and we have seen a little bit of fruit. We trust and pray that He will provide the increase in His time and in His way.

Jennifer Adkins, wife of team leader Jay shared her excitement of being able to share the gospel at one hut and having four of the six adults there pray to receive Christ. She tells, “One of the young women we witnessed to, Lucy, was very embarrassed to have visitors in her home when she was dressed in her work clothes and was all dirty from working. She did not feel this was an acceptable way to receive us as honored guests. One evening Lucy walked all the way from her village to where we were camped. She had washed and dressed in her best clothes to come spend time with us and hear more about Jesus.”

Baptism at Shauro

Seventy-four new believers were baptized on March 20, 2011 at Shauro in the Mberengwa Resettlement Area. Because there was no surface water, children helped pump water from the well to fill the tarp-lined animal watering trough. Then the baptismal candidates, as well as observers stood around and watched, singing choruses as one person left the water and another entered.



Soon to graduate seminary student, Willie Green, was given the opportunity to baptize for the first time and baptized men, women, and children of all ages.



During the baptism, this beautiful butterfly symbolically flew in and out among all those observing or waiting their turn to be baptized.



After the baptism, we all met under the shade of three shade trees to worship together.



Continue to pray for these new believers that they will grow in their knowledge and relationship with the Lord.

Sharing the Good News: Creation to Christ

For the 2nd time this year, First Baptist Church of Bryan Texas has sent a volunteer group to work in the Mberengwa area in Southern Zimbabwe. They worked along side national pastors and lay-leaders sharing the Good News.



Mr. S. has experienced God's mighty and miraculous hand at work in the lives of his son-in-law (bringing him back to life) and his son (ridding him of a strange type of paralysis in his body). Mr. S. received Christ when the team came to his village in March of this year. (His picture is the 4th on April 27 blog - Baptism in Mberengwa.) When he heard that the volunteers were coming back to start a church in a neighboring area about 8 kilometers from his own, he walked over and spent the week with them sharing his own testimonies of God's power and grace!



The volunteers came equipped to use the Creation to Christ witnessing presentation and the people in the villages were deeply touched. In some areas people who had heard the story went with the volunteers to the next village so they could hear the story again! One lady who was a Christian testified that she had never witnessed to anyone else and she was thankful that these volunteers showed her that she should also be out telling people the Good News. She joined the group and went with them to witness to her neighbors.

One team met a young lady who was trying to sell tomatoes to a neighbor. The neighbor lady was out trying to find her cows so the tomato seller was waiting for her to come home. In the meantime the team shared Creation to Christ with the tomato seller and she came to know the LORD! Praise God for working it all out in his perfect timing!



During 4 short days many people came to know Christ and discipleship classes were offered to new Christians in the afternoon. There was a class for men, another for women, and a third for young people. Youth pastor Randy Biddlecombe shared with the young people how to follow Christ and included a lesson on sexual purity as well.



There are others however, who continue to cling to the old ways and beliefs. Pray that God’s power and light will become very real to them and they also will come to a personal relationship with God, through Jesus Christ.

Baptism in Mberengwa Resettlement Area

Excited shouts and laughter could be heard as people from 4 villages in South Central Zimbabwe walked swiftly toward the baptismal site.


The drizzling rain and temperatures in the upper 60's could not dampen the enthusiasm of the 97 new Christians awaiting baptism in a ditch filled with runoff rain water.


Two pastors entered the water then led the new believers in a hymn, a scripture reading, and prayer. As the names of the new believers were called, they lined up and waited for their turn as they watched the baptism of others before them.


Among those who were baptized were young children, teenagers, as well as young, middle-aged and seemingly ancient adults.


One elderly gentleman could barely walk from shaking so badly with Parkinsons, but he was determined to publicly demonstrate his new life in Christ.



The head men of two of the 4 villages were baptized as well as the headmaster of the local school.


The joy on the faces of the new believers was evident as they came up out of the water.





In African culture, baptism is very significant. It publicly demonstrates a person's willingness to break with his traditional religious beliefs and practices.


"Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature, the old things passed away, behold new things have come." (II Corinthians 5:17 NAS) Pray that these new creatures would truly leave their old ways and ancestral spirits behind and learn to walk in the Spirit of the Living God!

Mberengwa with Volunteers from FBC Bryan TX

WOW- look at that sunrise. The welcome in this village is unlike anything I have ever experienced. Did you hear that donkey braying last night? We came out at 3 am and just had to turn off our flashlights as the Milky-way was mesmerizing. We started to wake everybody up - it was that incredible.




Seeing and experiencing Africa again through first time eyes reminds us of what a special place Africa can be. After 22 years, as missionaries in Africa, many of these experiences are taken for granted. It is renewing and humbling to be able to see it all again for the first time.



Sometimes our faith can become common place. The holy can become profane, the presence of God taken for granted, the gift of salvation can lose its awesomeness.
Being in Mberengwa this past week reminded us again of how unique Africa is and seeing the Gospel impact lives for the very first time humbled us and made us so grateful to the Father for his amazing offer of salvation at the sacrifice of His Son. Do not lose sight of the preciousness of the gift and the privilege of walking in His grace daily.

Posted by Gregg Fort