Greetings
First, a very big thank you to so many of you who have sent messages via FB, e-mail or even via our website. Thank you for your concern, your prayers and your words of encouragement. I just got done telling Andrew that we need to write a new blog ASAP, because it's been several weeks since our last update; to which he quickly reminded me it's only been 2.5 weeks. I suppose when most of what you do is sit or lie down, with minimal mobility/movement that 2.5 weeks feels like forever ;-) Nevertheless, there are some exciting updates to share with all that the is happening with JM2Z.
First, a very big thank you to so many of you who have sent messages via FB, e-mail or even via our website. Thank you for your concern, your prayers and your words of encouragement. I just got done telling Andrew that we need to write a new blog ASAP, because it's been several weeks since our last update; to which he quickly reminded me it's only been 2.5 weeks. I suppose when most of what you do is sit or lie down, with minimal mobility/movement that 2.5 weeks feels like forever ;-) Nevertheless, there are some exciting updates to share with all that the is happening with JM2Z.
New Church
We are excited to announce that JM2Z will have a new supporting church, beginning in January! Willows Christian Church, in California, has chosen to partner with us on a monthly basis. This was the final church we visited in May, while we were in the U.S. We are extremely thankful for their enthusiasm and generosity. We recall the obvious warmth and friendliness of those we met that Sunday and are looking forward to getting to know everyone there better as time goes on.
This means that since our most recent U.S. trip, JM2Z has seen its number of supporting churches double from 3 to 6! We will obviously have more resources for additional projects, programs, and overall ministry, but it also means more people being in prayer and emotional support for us and the women and children here. JM2Z is so blessed to have all of you who partner with us to allow us to be here and spread Jesus' love.
Our supporting churches (which span the entire U.S.) are:
- Santa Clara Church (Eugene, OR)
- Westview Christian Church (Shreveport, LA)
- Albion Evangelical Free Church (Cokato, MN)
- Refuge Church (Shreveport, LA)
- Barrington Community Church (Dundee, NY)
- Willows Christian Church (Willows, CA)
We are excited to announce that JM2Z will have a new supporting church, beginning in January! Willows Christian Church, in California, has chosen to partner with us on a monthly basis. This was the final church we visited in May, while we were in the U.S. We are extremely thankful for their enthusiasm and generosity. We recall the obvious warmth and friendliness of those we met that Sunday and are looking forward to getting to know everyone there better as time goes on.
This means that since our most recent U.S. trip, JM2Z has seen its number of supporting churches double from 3 to 6! We will obviously have more resources for additional projects, programs, and overall ministry, but it also means more people being in prayer and emotional support for us and the women and children here. JM2Z is so blessed to have all of you who partner with us to allow us to be here and spread Jesus' love.
Our supporting churches (which span the entire U.S.) are:
- Santa Clara Church (Eugene, OR)
- Westview Christian Church (Shreveport, LA)
- Albion Evangelical Free Church (Cokato, MN)
- Refuge Church (Shreveport, LA)
- Barrington Community Church (Dundee, NY)
- Willows Christian Church (Willows, CA)
Injury Update
To briefly update you on myself (Yolanda), I am doing well. I have a little more mobility with crutches, but am still quite limited. My pain is a little higher than I had anticipated, and I can tell when I've done too much during the day (which truly only means that I walked a few too many steps in a day). Since our last post, we have seen the orthopedic surgeon and had a new set of x-rays done. The bone in my toe has not displaced (which would have happened within the first week), so there has been no need for surgery and pins, etc. PTL. This is excellent news and was such a relief to hear. We were so impressed with the service we received both at the x-ray department (in the capital) as well by the doctor. When we first arrived at the doctor's office we were both concerned. His office seemed like a hole in the wall sort-of location, alongside a busy downtown street. But of course, once again it was a reminder that you can't judge a book by its cover. Inside, the waiting room was the size of a shoebox with a dozen people squashed in like sardines. I waited in the car until he was able to see me. Then a man came out with a wheelchair to help me in. Sitting inside his office, it seemed rather empty; a simple desk, a locked cabinet, several degrees and educational forms displayed on the wall and then a doctor's chair/bed. There was no window, which made it feel more basement like, with poor yellow lighting. And yet once we sat down, the doctor's knowledge and obvious eloquence both in speech and education were displayed as he communicated with us. We briefly spoke about the States and his recent visits, etc. We were okayed and sent on our way with advice to likely seek some physical therapy. Again, he stressed that ultimately it will take time in order to heal.
To briefly update you on myself (Yolanda), I am doing well. I have a little more mobility with crutches, but am still quite limited. My pain is a little higher than I had anticipated, and I can tell when I've done too much during the day (which truly only means that I walked a few too many steps in a day). Since our last post, we have seen the orthopedic surgeon and had a new set of x-rays done. The bone in my toe has not displaced (which would have happened within the first week), so there has been no need for surgery and pins, etc. PTL. This is excellent news and was such a relief to hear. We were so impressed with the service we received both at the x-ray department (in the capital) as well by the doctor. When we first arrived at the doctor's office we were both concerned. His office seemed like a hole in the wall sort-of location, alongside a busy downtown street. But of course, once again it was a reminder that you can't judge a book by its cover. Inside, the waiting room was the size of a shoebox with a dozen people squashed in like sardines. I waited in the car until he was able to see me. Then a man came out with a wheelchair to help me in. Sitting inside his office, it seemed rather empty; a simple desk, a locked cabinet, several degrees and educational forms displayed on the wall and then a doctor's chair/bed. There was no window, which made it feel more basement like, with poor yellow lighting. And yet once we sat down, the doctor's knowledge and obvious eloquence both in speech and education were displayed as he communicated with us. We briefly spoke about the States and his recent visits, etc. We were okayed and sent on our way with advice to likely seek some physical therapy. Again, he stressed that ultimately it will take time in order to heal.
| Jacob and Joseph Jacob (Rugare's youngest brother) stopped by a couple weeks ago with his cousin Joseph, who is 8. We would later find out that they are in fact brothers. Andrew played soccer outside with them while Elizabeth made them some lunch. Their excitement to play ball and just be children were obvious. Below is a short video of them. | A few days later Jacob showed up again, but this time with 2 older girls in their later teens. Jacob said they were his sisters, all the same parents. We immediately knew something was not right because we already knew that Jacob did not have the same mother as Rugare and David. We gave them some drinks and fruit and sent them on their way. Jacob speaks the least amount of English between the boys, partially because he's the youngest, so communication is a struggle. |
Rugare and David
A few days ago Rugare and David showed up at the gate. They had stopped by when we weren't here before and Elizabeth had mentioned that I had injured my feet. When they saw Andrew the first thing they asked was how his amai was doing (Andrew was a little confused because amai means mother in Shona, but they were meaning wife). Andrew asked them if they meant mukadzi wangu, which means my wife. They laughed and said yes. Rugare told Andrew they were in need of new school shoes, black ones. All school children are required to wear black laced shoes with their uniforms. Many schools will send you home if you do not have the proper uniform. The shoes Rugare was wearing had holes straight through the soles and David's sandal straps were ripped and tied underneath the soles. Clearly, they both needed new shoes, not just new school shoes.
While we were in S.A., we had purchased each of the 3 boys a new pair of shoes and socks. And even though they had each come to visit since we've been back, they were always accompanied with someone else, which meant we didn't want to give the gift to them then.
Andrew rolled me to the front door (on our African wheelchair, which is our office chair on wheels), so I could greet the boys. Immediately the boys came running to the door to greet me. They shook my hand with their cracked, calloused, grubby, little hands, greeting me, all the while shaking my hand. They started repeatedly saying "sorry" as they poked and pointed at my feet. In the Shona culture people often say sorry, over and over again when something bad has happened to a person, like a death, an injury, lack of finances, poor health, etc. As I explained the best I could what had happened to me, they continued to say "sorry." I said "thank you" and off they went to play some ball with Andrew.
Since we had the 2 boys alone, we thought this was the best time to give them their shoes. Elizabeth started lunch for them and they already had a drink. Andrew brought a bucket of water with soap and a towel. I told the boy to wash their feet. Of course they didn't know why and kept giggling to each other. Their feet were terribly cracked and calloused, dirty and covered in dust. The second they put a foot in the bucket, the water changed color. They scrubbed their feet and dried them off. We gave them each a set of socks to which they immediately started smiling. They may never have owned a pair of socks before and their excitement was obvious in their faces. Then, we brought out a pair of shoes for each of them. They squealed with delight, but frantically put on the shoes. You couldn't wipe that smile off their faces even if you tried. Rugare's fit perfectly, but David's were clearly too big. He insisted they were fine. Of course the thought of losing these new shoes showed on his forehead. We brought out the other pair of shoes, originally purchased for Jacob. They fit David perfectly. Now he smiled so big that his grin stretched form ear to ear and his eyes glistened with joy. The boys stood for pictures, holding up their old shoes and giggling with happiness. Their eyes were the size of saucers as they tied their laces, as if in disbelief. We gave them each a couple more pairs of socks and a plastic bag in which to carry their old shoes. However, they put the old ones back on and placed all the new items in the bag. It was clear that the new ones were special and they were not ready to get them dirty, just yet. We experienced this same thing when we gave the workers their new work suits (blue overhauls) last year. They would wear them to the house, but change into something else when they actually did work.
These boys were so incredibly grateful. They cupped and clapped their hands in gratitude when they received these gifts (in the Shona culture cupping and clapping hands is a sign of respect, gratitude and greeting). Usually when we give them a plate of food they go down to their knees, while cupping and clapping their hands. This is an extreme sign of gratitude (usually portrayed by children and women, due to the respect factor). We are humbled by how much we have and how little the people have around us. The positive demeanor and level of gratitude shown by these boys on a regular basis is humbling to us. Below you can see the whole encounter unfold.
A few days ago Rugare and David showed up at the gate. They had stopped by when we weren't here before and Elizabeth had mentioned that I had injured my feet. When they saw Andrew the first thing they asked was how his amai was doing (Andrew was a little confused because amai means mother in Shona, but they were meaning wife). Andrew asked them if they meant mukadzi wangu, which means my wife. They laughed and said yes. Rugare told Andrew they were in need of new school shoes, black ones. All school children are required to wear black laced shoes with their uniforms. Many schools will send you home if you do not have the proper uniform. The shoes Rugare was wearing had holes straight through the soles and David's sandal straps were ripped and tied underneath the soles. Clearly, they both needed new shoes, not just new school shoes.
While we were in S.A., we had purchased each of the 3 boys a new pair of shoes and socks. And even though they had each come to visit since we've been back, they were always accompanied with someone else, which meant we didn't want to give the gift to them then.
Andrew rolled me to the front door (on our African wheelchair, which is our office chair on wheels), so I could greet the boys. Immediately the boys came running to the door to greet me. They shook my hand with their cracked, calloused, grubby, little hands, greeting me, all the while shaking my hand. They started repeatedly saying "sorry" as they poked and pointed at my feet. In the Shona culture people often say sorry, over and over again when something bad has happened to a person, like a death, an injury, lack of finances, poor health, etc. As I explained the best I could what had happened to me, they continued to say "sorry." I said "thank you" and off they went to play some ball with Andrew.
Since we had the 2 boys alone, we thought this was the best time to give them their shoes. Elizabeth started lunch for them and they already had a drink. Andrew brought a bucket of water with soap and a towel. I told the boy to wash their feet. Of course they didn't know why and kept giggling to each other. Their feet were terribly cracked and calloused, dirty and covered in dust. The second they put a foot in the bucket, the water changed color. They scrubbed their feet and dried them off. We gave them each a set of socks to which they immediately started smiling. They may never have owned a pair of socks before and their excitement was obvious in their faces. Then, we brought out a pair of shoes for each of them. They squealed with delight, but frantically put on the shoes. You couldn't wipe that smile off their faces even if you tried. Rugare's fit perfectly, but David's were clearly too big. He insisted they were fine. Of course the thought of losing these new shoes showed on his forehead. We brought out the other pair of shoes, originally purchased for Jacob. They fit David perfectly. Now he smiled so big that his grin stretched form ear to ear and his eyes glistened with joy. The boys stood for pictures, holding up their old shoes and giggling with happiness. Their eyes were the size of saucers as they tied their laces, as if in disbelief. We gave them each a couple more pairs of socks and a plastic bag in which to carry their old shoes. However, they put the old ones back on and placed all the new items in the bag. It was clear that the new ones were special and they were not ready to get them dirty, just yet. We experienced this same thing when we gave the workers their new work suits (blue overhauls) last year. They would wear them to the house, but change into something else when they actually did work.
These boys were so incredibly grateful. They cupped and clapped their hands in gratitude when they received these gifts (in the Shona culture cupping and clapping hands is a sign of respect, gratitude and greeting). Usually when we give them a plate of food they go down to their knees, while cupping and clapping their hands. This is an extreme sign of gratitude (usually portrayed by children and women, due to the respect factor). We are humbled by how much we have and how little the people have around us. The positive demeanor and level of gratitude shown by these boys on a regular basis is humbling to us. Below you can see the whole encounter unfold.
Ladies' Accomplishments
The ladies are doing an amazing job! They finished up with the teddies and we have close to 60 teddies in total. This project was merely to get them started on knitting and yet they far exceeded my expectations. They wasted no yarn and added bits of scrap yarn to make shoes or a different color head for the teddy (the pattern is all one knitted piece).
The ladies are doing an amazing job! They finished up with the teddies and we have close to 60 teddies in total. This project was merely to get them started on knitting and yet they far exceeded my expectations. They wasted no yarn and added bits of scrap yarn to make shoes or a different color head for the teddy (the pattern is all one knitted piece).
Once we were done with teddies, we moved on to knitting sweaters for kids, which was our goal all along. I used a simple pattern, made specifically for orphans in Zimbabwe. Again, this pattern would be knitted all in one piece and then sewn together. The pattern was for 3-7 year olds. We have to work with what we have, so we had lots of different needle sizes and yarn sizes which meant the sweaters were all a little different in size. Halfway through the pattern, I got stuck in knowing how to explain the next stage of it. I decided to go to the local retirement center (just around the corner from where we live) to ask one of the elderly ladies to help me figure it out. I knew that someone would be more than eager to show me and teach me. I spent a whole afternoon with a couple ladies as we figured out this pattern. We visited and shared stories and I listened to all they had to say. They are eager to have me back and have invited me to attend their craft group on a Monday (since then I fell and have not been able to go). God has truly humbled me in expecting me to teach skills that I myself have needed to learn along the way. In Bible College or Seminary, they never taught me these skills.... who knew God would expect me to do things outside my line of expertise? Andrew and I have learned that when God opens a door, we walk through it. When He asks or expects us to do something, even when we don't feel qualified, we do it anyway, learning along the way. Mission work is such an extremely humbling process, stretching us to our limits and yet constantly reminding us to lean on Him.
The ladies have taken off on knitting sweaters. Their excitement is evident and their skill set gets better and better with each new sweater they knit. For every 2 sweaters they knit, they get to knit one for their own child/grandchild. In the meantime, I will keep these sweaters until next winter, when we will then hand them out to less fortunate children in the community. The ladies will advise on which children have the greatest need - they know their communities best. Their whole demeanor has changed since knowing that they get to make a difference in their communities, that they get to be the givers, not just the receivers. A sense of pride and empowerment is obvious in their talk, interactions and self-confidence within the group. Ladies who were once sheepish, quiet and reserved, suddenly have found their voice. Those who never made eye contact and struggled to relate to others are often the heard laughing the loudest and talking. To see this change in the women is so encouraging to the work we are doing.
The ladies have taken off on knitting sweaters. Their excitement is evident and their skill set gets better and better with each new sweater they knit. For every 2 sweaters they knit, they get to knit one for their own child/grandchild. In the meantime, I will keep these sweaters until next winter, when we will then hand them out to less fortunate children in the community. The ladies will advise on which children have the greatest need - they know their communities best. Their whole demeanor has changed since knowing that they get to make a difference in their communities, that they get to be the givers, not just the receivers. A sense of pride and empowerment is obvious in their talk, interactions and self-confidence within the group. Ladies who were once sheepish, quiet and reserved, suddenly have found their voice. Those who never made eye contact and struggled to relate to others are often the heard laughing the loudest and talking. To see this change in the women is so encouraging to the work we are doing.
Chicken Program
The ladies can't wait to get the chicken program started. They are eager to start this project that will ultimately influence their lifestyles long-term. We are waiting to hear back from someone who will come deliver a 3-day seminar to the ladies, explaining all that this project will entail and expect of them. We want them to be fully equipped with knowledge in knowing what to do and how much work they will need to put in. They are eager and we are excited. Please pray with us as we move forward and please prayerfully consider how YOU may make a difference in helping with funds to get this project off the ground. We are needing $1,000 to get all the supplies needed for the structure and labor assistance. This will be phase 3, after the seminar (phase 1). We would like this project at least ending phase 3, before the end of the year. Phase 2 (not in order) is already complete - our location. We have land!!! The lady's house where we meet each week has some land in the back. At present, she has some small fruit trees that are not producing and a small vegetable patch. She has offered up the land for this project - she knows this will give a better return. Her husband has okayed this and is happy to help. He said he wanted to help the group as a whole. That land was still not enough, so another lady in the group, who is the next door neighbor, has offered her land. Her husband also okayed it. This offer of land from ladies within the group has brought all the ladies even closer. To see sacrifice from 2 has meant an even greater appreciation from all. Since the high density area does not have walls and fences between the homes (it's considered culturally rude) this makes for one larger piece of land, big enough to build 2 structures for the chicken rotation. After phase 1, we will start the removal of small trees and plants to make way for phase 3. Please pray for this project and all that it will mean for the ladies and their future.
The ladies can't wait to get the chicken program started. They are eager to start this project that will ultimately influence their lifestyles long-term. We are waiting to hear back from someone who will come deliver a 3-day seminar to the ladies, explaining all that this project will entail and expect of them. We want them to be fully equipped with knowledge in knowing what to do and how much work they will need to put in. They are eager and we are excited. Please pray with us as we move forward and please prayerfully consider how YOU may make a difference in helping with funds to get this project off the ground. We are needing $1,000 to get all the supplies needed for the structure and labor assistance. This will be phase 3, after the seminar (phase 1). We would like this project at least ending phase 3, before the end of the year. Phase 2 (not in order) is already complete - our location. We have land!!! The lady's house where we meet each week has some land in the back. At present, she has some small fruit trees that are not producing and a small vegetable patch. She has offered up the land for this project - she knows this will give a better return. Her husband has okayed this and is happy to help. He said he wanted to help the group as a whole. That land was still not enough, so another lady in the group, who is the next door neighbor, has offered her land. Her husband also okayed it. This offer of land from ladies within the group has brought all the ladies even closer. To see sacrifice from 2 has meant an even greater appreciation from all. Since the high density area does not have walls and fences between the homes (it's considered culturally rude) this makes for one larger piece of land, big enough to build 2 structures for the chicken rotation. After phase 1, we will start the removal of small trees and plants to make way for phase 3. Please pray for this project and all that it will mean for the ladies and their future.
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