We had not seen Rugare, David, or Jacob for a few weeks, until this morning. We thought it odd that they came today, since the August school holidays are now over and the new school term began yesterday. We greeted them and asked why they weren't in school. Rugare said that his head, neck, and back were hurting and they were out trying to get money so that he could go to a clinic. I can't imagine having a sick kid who has to skip school so he can work to earn money to see a doctor. We know that a doctor will just write a prescription for those symptoms, so we gave him a dose of painkillers and a week's worth of Vitamin C. We also gave both boys drinks, a sandwich, and some fruit. Then we took this opportunity to trace their feet, so that we can look for proper shoes in their sizes.

The ladies in the crochet group have been very excited recently. Two weeks ago was when Yolanda told them that we auctioned their blanket while we were in the U.S. However, she didn't tell them the amount. She led a brainstorming session with them to see how they thought the money should be used. We knew that we wanted to set up something for them that could help bring in an income and also be self-sustainable. Our original idea had been a community garden, but since "everybody" seems to be selling vegetables, we wanted it to be something where there would be a better market. After doing our own research, chickens sounded like the best idea. There are three main types of chickens that are raised here; broilers (for meat), layers (for eggs), and roadrunners (for both meat and eggs). There are so many people selling eggs from layers, and broilers are both high maintenance and very readily available. Therefore, our research has shown that the roadrunners are the highest in demand. The high demand is not only the lack of people farming roadrunners, but also the assumption that roadrunners are healthier and tastier. After 125 chicks are purchased (10 per lady), there can be the option of laying eggs to sell (unfertilized eggs), eggs to hatch new chicks (we are also looking into an incubator hatcher), as well as selling chickens for meat, which will bring in the most money. Anyway, more about the details of what that would entail later, but this was our thought. When Yolanda spoke with the ladies, they brought up various suggestions. After several ideas had been discussed, one of them suggested roadrunners. As she was explaining what she was thinking, the other ladies began to get on board with her. At the end of the day, they all agreed that this would be the best idea. It's amazing how God works, that what we researched would be a good idea is the same thing that the ladies came up with to be their idea. After all, if we think roadrunners would be good for them, but they aren't interested in doing it, then it's pointless to go in that direction, since they are the ones who will be doing the work. Each of them had an assignment for the next week. One lady, who has some open space behind her house was going to ask her husband about keeping chickens there, one was going to research prices for eggs, one was going to find out how much it would be to lease a piece of land, and so on. Last week's meeting had to be canceled due to another advertised stay-away and protest day. So we will find out today what the ladies have learned. Yolanda and I also did more research on our own, asking many questions of people who are in the business. We plan to possibly have a 3 day seminar where a Shona speaker and someone educated in the area of roadrunner rearing would explain all the necessary information - much of what we have already learned. However, it is essential to us that the ladies know exactly what they are getting into, the level of commitment it would take on their part, as well as all that it would entail.

​Yolanda has been leading in devotions and prayer at the beginning of each week, but this week for the first time, she has passed that on to a volunteer, giving the ladies more and more ownership of the gatherings. Hopefully someone else will volunteer for the next one.

Please be in prayer for all of the above; the people, the nation, and our trip. We know that starting up with the roadrunners will cost more than the $500 raised for the blanket. Purchasing the chicks, feed, and supplies, as well as constructing a shelter will  be more than that, but very doable. Please prayerfully consider whether or not you may be able to be a part of helping to make up the difference. We will share more exact figures once we know them. Until then, we appreciate your prayers.

We were blessed to be the missionaries for the week of VBS at Albion Evangelical Free Church (Minneapolis) this summer. Judging by their pictures, it looks like they had a great time. The project they chose for JM2Z was to raise money for Shona Bibles. In only 4 days, the children gave nearly $1,400! This translates to 277 Bibles! These children were extremely generous, and what a gift, to give the Word of God to people in their own language (and to learn the importance of this at a young age). We say a big "tatenda" (thank you in Shona) to each one who gave! This gift was the last chunk needed to reach our $10,000 goal that we need to buy 2,000 Bibles. How wonderful is that? In typical African fashion, the printing of these Bibles has been delayed another few months until early to mid next year. Please pray with us that this will not be delayed any further, as we are very eager to get God's Word in the hands of people who don't have it in an understandable and accurate translation. Below are a few pictures from Albion's week of VBS.

Since we last wrote, we have seen Rugare, Jacob, and David several times. Actually, the day after we published our last blog, Rugare came to the gate. This time, he brought his mother and 10 month old sister. His mother told us that she wanted to thank us for helping out her boys. We sat and talked and gave each of them snacks and drinks. While we were talking and they were eating, it was very sweet to see Rugare give more than half of his to his sister. Even though she is little, he must know how few calories she gets at home. The need was quite evident in being able to see the mother's rib cage through the opening of her shirt, quality of clothes, and holes in her shoes. Before they left, we gave her cloth diapers for the baby, and a dress and sandals for her. We will also invite her to our next women's gathering.

​As school is beginning to get underway in the U.S., kids are on break here for the month. Last week, Monday and Tuesday were holidays, which meant Western and Elizabeth weren't working. On Monday, Rugare came and asked for money so that he could get his report card. Even though the term is over, the school won't give a child his or her report card until the school fees are fully paid. The family obviously hadn't finished paying, and so he was asking for help with that. Since we don't hand out cash and Western wasn't working, we let him do a couple chores to earn some money. He raked leaves and added them to our pile. Then, he watered our garden, vegetables, herbs, and flower pots. After a couple hours, we gave him lunch and said he could come back the next day at 2:00 to do more.

The following day, Rugare must have been eager, because there was a knock on the gate at noon. It was Rugare, but this time, he brought Jacob. I was about to tell them that I didn't have enough work for two, but just then, Jacob extended his hand to me, holding a packet of muputi (a popcorn snack). He told me that he wanted to give it to me. Well, what could I say to that?  After telling him thank you very much, I said that they could both do some work.  Rugare did the watering again and both boys raked and sorted leaves. We gave them lunch, paid them, and they went on their way. We asked Rugare to bring his report card when he gets it, so that we could see it.

David (below) also came by on a separate occasion. He just needed some lunch, so we sat and talked with him while he ate. Notice his shoes. At first glance, it appears that his shoes are old and worn, as you can see holes by his big toes. However, the shoes he has are probably too small for him and his toes were hurting as they rubbed against them. So he cut the material, enabling his toes to poke out and have extra room. We didn't have any shoes his size that we could give him, but we will make a plan.

Yolanda and I have been excited for the Olympics. We don't subscribe to TV, but we made an exception for this month. I enjoy all the sports, but one of the sports we followed closest was women's soccer. Zimbabwe's team qualified this year for the first time ever. It was a pretty big deal here. Germany, Canada, and Australia were the 3 teams Zimbabwe had to play. These teams were 3 of the top 5 teams in the world, and needless to say, Zimbabwe lost each game. However they fought as hard as they could, scoring once against each team. To say that resources and finances for professional soccer in Zim are scarce would be an understatement. A few weeks ago, we learned that one of the ministries our church supports is a sports ministry. A lady gave a brief update and shared how they were asked by the minister of sports (a senator equivalent) in Zimbabwe to oversee the spiritual and other​ (resource support) help for the ladies' soccer team. This was especially a big deal since they had just qualified for the Olympics. The lady presenting told us how the soccer camps where the ladies were training had NO food and if it were not for this ministry, they would not eat. One story she shared was about one of the soccer players whose young child was ill and then died. The mother had her dead child on an old blanket at the side of the field as she mourned. She had no funds to have the child moved and buried. This ministry then stepped in at this crucial moment of great need. Needless to say, they have been able to assist in the area of chaplaincy and spiritual support for these ladies. This personal story shared during a church service we attended resulted in great interest from Yolanda and me when they finally played their first game.

​Our church has a Harvest service each year, where congregants are encouraged to bring food offerings. For some this would be real crops from their fields, and for others it would be bought items. All these items are then distributed among the supporting ministries in the church, along with any individual/family who is in need within the church. Needless to say, when we gave of our harvest, we kept the "Mighty Warriors" (Zim women's soccer team) in mind.

​Please continue to keep us in your prayers, especially concerning how to best minister to Rugare and his family. We have also been working on some plans for our women's group. More about that in our next blog.