Musicians Bless Bulawayo Youth

In early December, the John Ivins Band from Powhatan, VA came to Bulawayo for 10 days to minister to the youth of Bulawayo Baptist Church, by leading their annual youth camp, plus a number of other ministries. After flight delays, the team arrived in Bulawayo on a Sunday afternoon, and immediately dove into ministry, leading the Sunday night youth service at the church. Even though the team was tired, it was an awesome experience for everyone.

Early the next morning, we left for a whirlwind visit to Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park. During two short days, we were able to visit the Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and a World Heritage Site, spend a night at a lodge by a watering hole in the game park, game drive (where we saw lions!), and still be back in Bulawayo in time for the group to participate in The Crave, which is weekly service held on Wednesday nights at Bulawayo Baptist for the young adult group (ages 19-30).

On this week, the band members led out in a panel discussion, answering questions relevant to these young adults. The topics covered centered around healthy relationships and marriage, and included what do families look like in the states, how did you choose music for your ministry, how does your ministry impact your family, and for Billy and Amy (the one married couple in the band), how did you meet and fall in love, plus lots more.

On Thursday morning, the band had the opportunity to visit Mazwi, a relocation area for people who had formerly lived in a squatter camp. They were able to lead a short worship service for members of Mazwi Baptist Church and others in the community. It was certainly a lively time, with lots of singing, dancing, and celebration. And all with a couple of acoustic guitars and a djembe! That was quite a different experience for the band, who are used to playing with electric guitars, a full drum set, and all the electronics! But God was glorified in all they did.


 Friday was the first day of the youth camp. After spending the morning setting up, sound checks, etc., the opening service was held on Friday evening. What an awesome time! There was great music, and the youth really did worship the Father during the evening.

Since the band's bass player could not make the trip, Mthabisi, one of the young men in the church joined the band for the weekend.  A gifted musician, he really did an awesome job. 
                                     

 John (Ivins) was also the keynote speaker for the camp, and all during the weekend he brought powerful messages based around the theme for this year’s camp, Making a Difference.”

 John led them first through understanding that if they want to make a difference in the world around them, they must first determine what they believe. From there they can impact those around them. He showed them how their choices affect those they come into contact with. And he helped them to understand some of the ways God speaks to us to guide us in our lives to make a difference. During the final service, each of the small groups shared the Lord's Supper.  What a meaningful way to close out our camp weekend. 

This was a very special time for me (Ramona Beam), since these are old and dear friends, who came to ministry alongside me here in Bulawayo. I often had opportunities to play with them before coming to the field, and it was a very special blessing for me to have the chance to sit in with the band once again on keyboard.
                                    


Thanks, guys, for this very wonderful time. I’m hoping this will be the first of many visits to Bulawayo for the band. Of this trip, John said, “We have visited in many different countries doing this type of ministry, but it was mostly just a one-time thing, and we were content to leave it at that. Never before have we all felt that we really need to come back and continue to develop the relationships we have started to form here.”

Submitted by Ramona Beam, Member of Zimbabwe Evangelism Team