Things to see and do in Zimbabwe

Living in Zimbabwe has its ups and downs, but it is a beautiful country to explore. We would like to share with you some of the beauties and fun things we enjoy living here. Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. It is a mile wide and a football field deep!

Pix. After viewing the Falls we enjoy “High Tea” at the historical Victoria Falls Hotel.

In the evening we enjoy eating at the Boma where we eat a wide variety of game meat and enjoy the dancing and drumming of local entertainers.

We also enjoy camping in the bush.

And relaxing in game parks while watching for game.

The Chinhoy Cave is an unexpected treasure. The water in the cave is so deep that divers have not been able to ascertain its depths. The water is a stunning sapphire blue.

Great Zimbabwe is an ancient ruin whose purpose and origin is quite a mystery today. Zimbabwe is derived from “dzimba dza mabwe” which means “houses of stone”.

At the top of the hill is another enclosure where five mythical carved stone birds were found. One of them has become a symbol for the country of Zimbabwe.

Another beautiful sight is the Bridal Veil Falls in the Chimanimani mountains.

The Matopos rocky hills are fun to explore and one can find many different caves in which are found Bushman paintings.

One of my favorite views of Harare is from a hill overlooking the city, especially when the Jacaranda trees are in bloom.

In the Nyanga mountains one can see many beautiful waterfalls like these – the Inyangombe Falls.

Cruising on Lake Kariba in a houseboat is also a fun thing to do!

Because of the dust in the air during the dry season, our sunsets are incomparably beautiful and colourful.

Building God's Kingdom

In February, a team of six men from Oklahoma came to minister to folks in and around the Baptist Caring Center in Mberengwa. Paul, pastor of Bartlesville Southern Baptist Church, brought 4 other men with him from his church. Paul is a missionary kid from Zimbabwe. Pastor Jim, also a missionary kid from Zimbabwe, came representing his church, First Baptist Church of Watonga. Bartlesville Southern Baptist Church has been in partnership with the Orphan Caring Center for several years now. (See previous blogs for more information.) On this trip they had several purposes: oversee the construction of a storage building for the caring center, do some leadership training, and spend time fellowshipping and building relationships in the neighborhood around the caring center.

While there were three professional paid builders from Harare who were in charge of the construction, we enjoyed working alongside them to erect the storage building.

The building was about 12 yards X 5 yards and when completed had 4 rooms for different uses. One will be used for storing food, supplies, and cooking pots, etc. which are used by the caring center. The second room will store tools, garden implements, etc. which are used by the caring center. The third room will be used by the new male caretaker who will be overseeing the boys who are staying at the caring center. The final room will be a multi-purpose room (for studying, storing a small resource library, a gathering and eating place), especially when it is raining.

This was Robert’s first trip to Zimbabwe. He said, “I was amazed at the dedication of pastors (unpaid lay-leaders) to God’s Work. Even this week when they were invited to come for leadership training most of them had to walk several hours to get here. Just to hear what their life is like on a daily basis was almost unbelievable. It reminded me of Jesus. They don’t have much of anything but they are faithful to God.”

Matt, who has been to Zimbabwe several times said, “The thing really stood out for me this trip is how much God has blessed the Orphan Caring Center from when I first saw it in November of 2011. How everything has come together is truly God’s Hand at work. It was also exciting to see how much the kids have matured, both physically and spiritually. God has just allowed it all to happen in a way beyond even what we could have imagined when we first began.”

“The thing I enjoyed the most,” said Pastor Jim from Watonga, “was teaching the church leaders. They were like sponges. They asked really good questions and soaked up everything you could teach them. I also got to spend quite a bit of time getting to know the local folks and building relationships with them. Preaching on Sunday to the local church was also a highlight for me.”

Butch, a first time volunteer to Zimbabwe was touched by the orphans themselves. “I particularly enjoyed spending time with one young man who tried very hard to teach me how to speak Shona. There was also a girl that wanted to talk to me a lot and we became good friends. There were also several young Christian men who came to Mberengwa to translate for us while we were here."

This was Mark's second trip to Zimbabwe. He shared, “We and several local church members worked alongside the professional builders. We were mostly gophers just doing whatever needed to be done. It was really amazing how much we enjoyed getting to know the folks here and working with them to complete the building."

"There was also a man who owned the truck that brought the building supplies from Harare. I learned that he doesn’t have a regular job so he hires out his vehicle to transport goods to earn money to support his family. He was an older gentleman, a believer. When I prayed with him about his family and financial situation you could tell he was deeply touched that I cared so much about him." Team leader Paul commented, “I always love to see what God does in and through the team when they come. It’s great to see and hear how God has been at work in their lives while in Zimbabwe. For me, just being with the people is what meant the most to me. I have a great love for kids at caring center. They are like family to me and it is always a pleasure to see how the kids are maturing and growing.

The teaching time we offered to the lay-leaders was well attended, and Sunday for worship time there was probably about 100 people crammed into a classroom. After worship, people walked about 2 miles to a baptismal hole where 38 were baptized. Five of them were orphans from the caring center!”

Matt summed up their trip like this: “Even though our main purpose in coming was to build a building, God used us to build His kingdom.”

Till We Meet Again

Several weeks ago Pastor Titus Sibanda was traveling in the back of an open truck and there was an accident and he was thrown out. He never really regained his health after that. Titus (pictured below) leaves behind his precious wife and ten children, some of whom are grown and married. He was an overseer of at least 5 churches in Tongaland and the many people from those churches who came to bid farewell were testimony to His love for God and His people.

I would like to share some of the images from the funeral and share briefly some of our experiences. Leaving Gweru, we took three pastors with us. As we began to descend the escarpment into Tongaland the road grew noticeably worse.

The shoulders had not been maintained to the degree that thorn trees were encroaching on both sides and at times it was like a one-lane road instead of two.

As we approached his village we saw smoke rising from the where the women were cooking and people huddled in groups.

We were invited under the tarp where the other pastors were sitting who had also come.

I believe there were about 12 pastors altogether who managed to come. Soon after we arrived we were served sadza and meat and we ate while the pastors organized who would do what for the funeral.

As the service began about 12:00 noon the sun was bright and hot. But the people joined in singing and dancing as they participated.

Many of the pastors there were given an opportunity to speak. Others helped carry the coffin to the nearby burial site.

I had never been to a Tonga funeral before and was disarmed by the amount of wailing. It was very hard emotionally to hear the desperation in their cries. Several of the pastors, including the final speaker at the graveside sought to encourage the family and church members by reminding them that this is a graduation which all Christians will experience one day and that God will be with us until we all meet again on the other side.

Training Lay Leaders to help carry out the Great Commission

Our Baptist Convention Evangelist knows the necessity of empowering lay-people in order for the gospel to spread more rapidly. He has been training a young man and that young man has been training other lay-leaders in Mberengwa. Five churches in the Mberengwa area recently came together for a fellowship weekend. Over 300 people participated as they met outside under trees for teaching and worship. That weekend 115 new believers were baptized by their church’s lay-leaders.

It is exciting to see how the believers in this area are sharing the gospel and continually introducing more people to Jesus. Pray that God will raise up more lay-leaders to help shepherd the new Christians. Pray also for those who are willing to train the new leaders and release them to work in God’s Kingdom. "And what you have heard from me (Paul) in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." 2 Timothy 2:2

Youth Retreat at Sasame

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.

Salvation Stories

When volunteer minister, Jared Thompson, approached the four rough looking men in a body shop to witness to them he wasn't sure what to expect. He timidly asked if he could talk to them about Jesus. They laughed and said, we don't plan to listen, but you can talk all you want. Then they resumed working on a vehicle. He began to share the gospel story and one by one the men quit working and began to give him their full attention. After he finished speaking, all four men prayed to receive Christ and then asked Jared questions about living the Christian life. Jared will never forget this moment when he participated in ushering four men into the kingdom of God! Jared Thompson, along with three other ministers from Georgia, Eddy Rushing, David Brown and Marshall Kellett came to Zimbabwe to participate in Simultaneous Revivals. Even though they preached in 4 different Baptist Churches in Bulawayo, each afternoon the four of them went together to one of the churches where they participated in evangelism in the neighborhood around the church with church members from that church. (The church members from each church went out every afternoon even when the pastors were not with them. Pictured here are the U.S. pastors and witnessing members from Bethel Baptist Church.)

David said, "It was good that we partnered with local Christians because sometimes we encountered people who were dealing with issues we didn't have much knowledge of so they were able to handle those situations." David had an opportunity to witness to a teenage girl who seemed to have a lot of Bible knowledge and had many questions about the Bible, but she did not pray to receive Christ. Please pray for this young lady that the seeds which are planted within her will bear fruit. While Marshal was witnessing to three young ladies, he realized pretty quick that two of the ladies were not very interested, but the third young lady paid close attention to him. Soon she began to weep and prayed to receive Christ. "It was amazing to see the Holy Spirit at work in the lives of the people with whom we witnessed," said Marshall. Pastor Eddy came across a fifty year old man and shared the gospel and the plan of salvation with the man. He was so excited and immediately prayed to receive Christ. He told Eddy he had been searching for God's Truth for many years. He had attended many different kinds of churches, but no one had ever shared the gospel with him.

Even their driver, a Zimbabwe Baptist pastor's son, got in on the action! M. found seven boys playing soccer with a tennis ball in the street. At first the boys were reluctant to listen to him - they wanted to play ball. Eventually they began to listen to him as he shared his own personal testimony. All seven of the boys prayed to receive Christ. (Pictured are David, M., the driver, and Jared)

At times they came across people who weren't sure if they were saved or not, but after sharing the steps for salvation a person might say, "Yes, I have done that." So the team was able to assure them of their salvation and pray for them to continue to grow in their relationship with God. Other Christians were facing difficult situations and the team was able to pray for them. Passing out lollipops is not your usual modus operandi for evangelism, but giving a lollipop to one little boy led to an invitation by his Grandmother to come for a visit in her home. When this orphaned boy got home to his sick Grandmother she asked him where he got the lollipop. He told her that some Americans had given it to him. She told him to go get those Americans and invite them to their house. When Marshall and his witnessing team arrived at the house they found a very sick old woman. They shared the gospel with her and wanted to pray for her, but she refused. She was wearing some traditional beads and told them she could not turn her back on her ancestors. That very night the Grandmother became so ill she was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital and a church member took the little boy into their home for the meantime. Pray that this Grandmother will not die in a lost condition. Pray that God will provide for the needs of the orphaned boy, especially if his Grandmother passes away soon. A total of 149 decisions for Christ were recorded during the week of the Simultaneous Revivals. One team member said the hardest thing about the experience was after someone prayed to receive Christ not being able to really spend time discipling them. The realizing that there was so much they needed to know. One boy in particular who had received Christ late in the afternoon as the team was about to head for their respective churches came running to them shouting, "Wait! I have some questions." Pray that there would be good follow-up from each church and discipleship as well for these new believers. Pastor Eddy wanted his team to also get some insight into rural Zimbabwe so on the last day they decided to take a drive about 15 miles outside of Bulawayo to see a more remote village."We passed by several huts until we decided to stop at one for no particular reason. We pulled up and the woman was digging a 10 foot deep toilet and was in her late 50’s early 60’s! She had 4 grandchildren with her there alone. She took us into her hut and we shared with her. It was a miracle because she spoke Shona in an Ndebele speaking area. M. and L., our translators, only spoke Shona! What a blessing from God. She accepted Christ and said that she had prayed for God to send her someone to tell her how to go to heaven because she didn’t know. She also said that she would sleep better from now on. The whole encounter was truly God-orchestrated."

Eddy and his volunteer team had such a great experience, they are already praying about coming a gain next year to do Simultaneous Revivals again in another city in Zimbabwe.

Dedication of Newly Completed Pastor's Home

Under a blazing African sun umbrellas shaded participants in the dedication of the newly built pastor’s home at Mkoba Baptist Church.

It has taken a number of years for the house to be completed. The people of the church have sacrificed and given little by little as they were able to buy building supplies and pay the local builder to complete it.

Taking part in the dedication were the Executive Director of the Baptist Convention of Zimbabwe, Missionary Gregg Fort, and the deacons of the church.

The women ululated as the ribbon was cut and the house unlocked.

After everyone walked through the house the women and youth gathered around the pastor’s wife (light brown suit at back left of picture) and danced and sang in celebration.

Pastor Jeffrey Ncube and his wife are pictured here outside their new home with one of their granddaughters.