We just got back from SA this past weekend. It was a great week in the sense that we accomplished all that we needed to and were able to find everything on our list. We ended up saving so much money both for the ministry as well as personally. This was also the first trip that going through the border and coming back through it was pretty much hassle free and relatively quick. We also quickly realized what a huge difference it was travelling to SA in September, as compared to end of November, which is what we've done it the past. The weather was much more bearable and actually enjoyable compared to previous times. However, the day we arrived back home was our first day to reach 100 in Chinhoyi, so summer is officially here :-(
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The ladies met last week even though I (Yolanda) wasn't present and continued with their teddies. Several ladies were unable to attend the previous week when I was actually teaching them the first steps. So I left extra supplies for them in case they showed up last week. The ladies who now knew what to do taught the other ladies. I am constantly impressed with the level of unity among these women. Not only do they have a desire to learn but they are eager to teach one another as well. While in SA, I received Whatsapp messages (an app that allows you to send messages free with wifi or limited data) from the ladies letting me know they are out of wool (yarn) and are needing more. I told them I would bring some this week.
As promised I showed up with more yarn today, as well as yarn needles and stuffing that we bought in SA. Extra ladies showed up that have not been able to attend the last few weeks and they were eager to get plugged in. Lately we have been meeting inside the house, which may very well be warmer than outside. Of course the smoke from the fire outside still comes pouring in through the open door, so each day when I return I still stink of smoke. As is customary, I always leave my shoes outside the door and walk barefoot in the house. The house is tiled, although it is still rather rustic in form. The floor always seems to be so dirty. The flies were especially bad this week because there were a few chicks sitting in a box on the floor. As I walk, I can feel the dirt, dust and grime stick to the soles of my feet. Every now and again I feel a fly squish below my feet as I walk among the ladies. I try my best not to react. The heat is starting to become unbearable and the room has little to no air-flow. We jam pack all 13 of us inside, most of whom sit on the floors and some fill up the available chairs and couches. I can see beads of sweat running down the temples and foreheads of most of the ladies as they knit. The backs of my knees fall victim to the same result of heat. As I've mentioned before, I bring a big cooler of water each time. I carry my water bottle with me anyway, but make sure to provide all the ladies with some cold water/juice and cookies, as well as the kids. As is the norm, I get the kids set up first with their snacks, coloring pages and crayons. They huddle outside in anticipation of their treats and craft as I bring them each something. By the time I arrive, the ladies are all sitting chatting and knitting. Soon after I set all my supplies down I go around the room shaking hands with each lady and greeting her, as is customary and expected. This week they had not seen me in 2 weeks so the greeting was different, when I responded correctly in Shona they all clapped and laughed in appreciation.
As promised I showed up with more yarn today, as well as yarn needles and stuffing that we bought in SA. Extra ladies showed up that have not been able to attend the last few weeks and they were eager to get plugged in. Lately we have been meeting inside the house, which may very well be warmer than outside. Of course the smoke from the fire outside still comes pouring in through the open door, so each day when I return I still stink of smoke. As is customary, I always leave my shoes outside the door and walk barefoot in the house. The house is tiled, although it is still rather rustic in form. The floor always seems to be so dirty. The flies were especially bad this week because there were a few chicks sitting in a box on the floor. As I walk, I can feel the dirt, dust and grime stick to the soles of my feet. Every now and again I feel a fly squish below my feet as I walk among the ladies. I try my best not to react. The heat is starting to become unbearable and the room has little to no air-flow. We jam pack all 13 of us inside, most of whom sit on the floors and some fill up the available chairs and couches. I can see beads of sweat running down the temples and foreheads of most of the ladies as they knit. The backs of my knees fall victim to the same result of heat. As I've mentioned before, I bring a big cooler of water each time. I carry my water bottle with me anyway, but make sure to provide all the ladies with some cold water/juice and cookies, as well as the kids. As is the norm, I get the kids set up first with their snacks, coloring pages and crayons. They huddle outside in anticipation of their treats and craft as I bring them each something. By the time I arrive, the ladies are all sitting chatting and knitting. Soon after I set all my supplies down I go around the room shaking hands with each lady and greeting her, as is customary and expected. This week they had not seen me in 2 weeks so the greeting was different, when I responded correctly in Shona they all clapped and laughed in appreciation.
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After handing out more yarn and explaining the next steps, I take the little 2 month baby from her mamma and hold her for the remainder of the afternoon. This frees up her mom's hands so she can work. Of course I give her back once for a feeding.
Every session, I open with a devotional (or ask another lady to). This week we spoke about being ready when Christ returns. We discussed how He would return on an ordinary day and the when and how was irrelevant, but rather that the question of being ready for His return was of vital relevance. As I handed each of the ladies their drink, questions started flooding in of all sorts of biblical topics and matters. I tried my best to answer them, especially in a way that is understandable, but often so difficult to do in simple English. As the ladies knitted, the chatter increased, with much spiritual interest.
After some time, the discussion diverted to the chicken program. The lady whose house we meet at, as well as the neighbor next door (who is also among the ladies) both offered their backyards as a possible location for the chicken shelters. We discussed the pros and cons of this option and I insisted their husbands be fully aware of all that this would entail. Soon after each of their husbands came to see me and I explained how it would result in no vegetable garden and even removal of some small trees. They both agreed and said they fully understood, but that they wanted to help and felt like this would be useful to all the ladies, not just them. At the end of the day when Andrew came to pick me up, he brought a tape measure and we measured the backyards. We think this is a great option, but we still need to explore all that it would entail and affect.
Every session, I open with a devotional (or ask another lady to). This week we spoke about being ready when Christ returns. We discussed how He would return on an ordinary day and the when and how was irrelevant, but rather that the question of being ready for His return was of vital relevance. As I handed each of the ladies their drink, questions started flooding in of all sorts of biblical topics and matters. I tried my best to answer them, especially in a way that is understandable, but often so difficult to do in simple English. As the ladies knitted, the chatter increased, with much spiritual interest.
After some time, the discussion diverted to the chicken program. The lady whose house we meet at, as well as the neighbor next door (who is also among the ladies) both offered their backyards as a possible location for the chicken shelters. We discussed the pros and cons of this option and I insisted their husbands be fully aware of all that this would entail. Soon after each of their husbands came to see me and I explained how it would result in no vegetable garden and even removal of some small trees. They both agreed and said they fully understood, but that they wanted to help and felt like this would be useful to all the ladies, not just them. At the end of the day when Andrew came to pick me up, he brought a tape measure and we measured the backyards. We think this is a great option, but we still need to explore all that it would entail and affect.
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Every Wednesday, after our gathering I return home feeling not only exhausted, but very dirty. The surroundings are very rural, with dirt roads, smoky fires and swarms of flies. Sticky, grubby little hands from little kids generally welcome me. My feet take the brunt of it, but my hands seem to be sticky and dusty too. When I'm first teaching the ladies how to perform each stitch, I sometimes have to take the lady's hand in mine to physically show her how to twist and turn her hands and fingers. I'm always surprised when an adult has wet hands or sticky fingers. I try not to think why that might be. Often, I see a mother take the hem of her skirt to blow her child's nose.
My hands get sticky from handing out freeze pops to the kids, so often, I need to wash them, but water is not available in the taps as the city switches it off. There are some bottles of water, but of course in order to open a bottle, I get it all sticky in an effort to wash my own hands. In the high density area, most homes only have water between 4-6 am. The ladies can buy water if they can afford it, but most get a bucket from friends who have access to a well or in extreme cases, they get water from the river. The river is so low due to bad rains last season, all the rubbish and sludge can clearly be seen floating in it. I dread to think what lurks in every cup of water from that river, even when boiled.
When I get home the first thing I do is take a cold shower. I feel almost guilty, standing in a shower that just pours buckets of water over my hot body. I'm a mere 15 minute drive from these ladies and yet my lifestyle seems vastly different. Again and again we are reminded of how incredibly blessed we are. Our hope is that within the future, we can even better assist these ladies, so that they too can have a better lifestyle.
Please pray with us as we minister to these ladies. We are excited about the many spiritual conversations we are having, as well as the continued desire to learn more skills.
Thank you for your continued support and for helping make it possible for us to minister to the needs of these ladies on a weekly basis.
My hands get sticky from handing out freeze pops to the kids, so often, I need to wash them, but water is not available in the taps as the city switches it off. There are some bottles of water, but of course in order to open a bottle, I get it all sticky in an effort to wash my own hands. In the high density area, most homes only have water between 4-6 am. The ladies can buy water if they can afford it, but most get a bucket from friends who have access to a well or in extreme cases, they get water from the river. The river is so low due to bad rains last season, all the rubbish and sludge can clearly be seen floating in it. I dread to think what lurks in every cup of water from that river, even when boiled.
When I get home the first thing I do is take a cold shower. I feel almost guilty, standing in a shower that just pours buckets of water over my hot body. I'm a mere 15 minute drive from these ladies and yet my lifestyle seems vastly different. Again and again we are reminded of how incredibly blessed we are. Our hope is that within the future, we can even better assist these ladies, so that they too can have a better lifestyle.
Please pray with us as we minister to these ladies. We are excited about the many spiritual conversations we are having, as well as the continued desire to learn more skills.
Thank you for your continued support and for helping make it possible for us to minister to the needs of these ladies on a weekly basis.
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