Greetings
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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)

Injury Update
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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.

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.

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). 

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.

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.

Where to begin? If you follow our JM2Z Facebook page, then you will have found out by now that I (Yolanda) had a little bit of a tumble down a couple steps, which resulted in some painful injuries to both my feet. Thursday afternoon, I was helping Andrew bring some things into the house after he ran a few errands in town. When we were done, I made my way back into the house, where I had to step down two stairs from the driveway to the kitchen door. My foot slipped in my sandal and I tripped, whereby I immediately tumbled down the stairs and heard a clear snap with shooting pain up my foot to my knee. I immediately let out a cry and assumed I had broken my ankle. Andrew and I both assumed we would immediately go to a hospital for further care and he and Elizabeth helped me to the car. Unfortunately, I had terrible pain in my other foot (left) as well and even though my big toe and the one next to it were bloody, we assumed they were just a couple scrapes. Once in the car, Andrew made some calls to make sure we had the correct plan of action. We were able to contact a local nurse who said she would came to the house. Nevertheless, it was clear I would most likely not be going anywhere for the evening and so again needed help to get back into the house. So back down the set of stairs and into the closest room, which is our guest bedroom. I was in quite a bit of pain and struggling to reserve myself. I knew that going to the local hospital in town would be rather useless and frustrating. When the nurse arrived 45 minutes later, she did a quick assessment and assumed I had either broken my ankle or torn some ligaments. She was pretty certain, however, that I had broken my 2 toes on the other foot as well. She made a quick trip to a clinic and returned with a shot to help me sleep through the night and also brought a set of crutches. She wrote out a form for me to have x-rays in town the next day and assured me she would return in the morning with another shot so that I could handle the travel. We asked the nurse if we should have gone to the local hospital, which she immediately said no, it would not be worth it.

We finally made it to our own room that evening, but not without needing to go up two more stairs. Andrew came up with the great idea of using our office chair which has wheels to push me around, which basically meant only to the restroom and back. The next day, we made our way to the x-ray department, where even the hospital has to send their patients, since their own equipment does not work. I would have preferred to take our small Spacio, as it is easier to get in and out of, but due to how bad the road is where the x-ray department is, we had to resort to taking the Hilux. I had some x-rays taken (after several attempts because the machine seemed to have problems). The radiologist told us that my right ankle was dislocated. When he said my toes were sprained, I asked a second time if the x-rays didn't show anything else wrong with my toes, because I couldn't even stand on the foot. He took a second look and said, actually yes, I have a fracture in the joint of my big toe. Below you can see the x-ray department where we went.

Afterward, Andrew and I decided the best course of action was to head through to Harare and seek medical help in order to realign my ankle and splint my toe. We packed a quick overnight bag just in case and took care of things at the house. We had several people working at the house for different purposes and needed to give instructions and sort out payment for the week. We finally got to Harare late Friday afternoon and went to a private hospital that has a trauma center. The hospital was very nice and Andrew went inside before I got out to make sure it looked equipped before we actually stayed (we had considered going elsewhere if needed). The staff was very friendly, very helpful and assisted us straight away. While waiting to be seen by the doctor, Andrew commented that inside looked better than 90% of the buildings he had been inside in Zimbabwe. It was then that we were grateful for our American medical insurance, which covers us in any country in the world as missionaries; a monthly expense which has always been hard to swallow, but that we were grateful for right now. The doctor took a look at the x-rays and said he agreed with the fractured toe diagnosis, but not with the dislocated ankle. So he called an orthopedic doctor for a second opinion. Anybody who knows me, knows that I do not like doctors, hospitals or anything else in the medical arena... I'll be the first to admit that I have a phobia in this area, so much so that I always have elevated blood pressure, even for a routine check-up, or as one Nigerian doctor told me in Lincoln, IL, I am worse than his 5 year old ;-)

​The orthopedic surgeon assessed the x-rays and assured me that I do not have a dislocated ankle, but a very bad sprain, most likely both torn and stretched ligaments, but without an MRI he couldn't be sure about that. Since the course of treatments were the same, an MRI was not required. He did, however, make a nonchalant statement that due to the bad quality of the x-rays, at worst I may have a hair-line fracture. Nevertheless, he didn't seem too concerned with my ankle and insisted it was a tissue injury and not a bone injury. He gave me a compression sock to wear over the ankle. When he tried to put it on his hand slipped and he hit my fractured toe accidently. Needless to say, I let out a cry. Of course he was apologetic and insisted I finish putting on the sock. After dealing with the ankle, he seemed much more concerned with my left foot and my big toe. The second toe was merely sprained, but the large toe was certainly fractured. Because it was at the joint it would take longer to heal. He prescribed an ortho-boot, of which he gave us a number to call to purchase one, since the hospital did not have any available. After assessing the toes he realized I had several scrapes and open wounds. He was concerned that I could get an infection and prescribed a course of antibiotics in order to be proactive.

We did call the number after 6:00 pm on a Friday, not hopeful we would get anyone. However, someone answered and said they would bring the boot to the hospital. I sat in the lobby, drinking a cup of coffee (I was very hungry at this point) while Andrew ran around from the front desk, the trauma center and the pharmacy in order to sort out prescriptions, paperwork and payments. A nurse showed up from a different hospital with a brand new boot. She fitted me with it and promptly took our $120 for it (yes, we got a receipt). The ortho doctor made an appointment to see me again on Wednesday. He requested new x-rays to be taken (at the hospital, with better equipment for better quality). He also wants to make sure the toe bone does not move. His concern is that if it does move, surgery will be necessary and he'll have to place my toe with needles and pins. Needless to say, I am rather concerned about that and am praying earnestly that there will be no bone movement whatsoever.

We returned home late Friday night. We generally do not drive after dark on the road between the capital and Chinhoyi, but we felt it better to be in our own surroundings, than in someone else's home in the state that I was. At present, I am yet to walk with crutches by myself for very far. I lack both balance and the ability of a full foot in order to actually make use of the crutches (being a gymnast would come in helpful at such a time.... if only I had worked on my upper body strength. Unfortunately, it was never a requirement at Bible college). Andrew has been amazing, serving me, bringing me liquids, my medicines and anything else I need. I'm not quite sure how I would be doing this alone.

The last few days I've stayed in bed, except for when I need the restroom. I've been doing a lot of elevating and icing to help with the swelling. This has been an extremely difficult time for me, not because of the pain (even though it's worse than I could imagine), not because of lack of medical assistance right here in Chinhoyi (we had to drive an hour and 45 minutes to get to the trauma center), not because the costs all add up (we're in the wrong line of work in order to be rich), not because of my silly fear of doctors and still uncertainties, no, the real reason is because of my own independence. I'm used to being the carer, not the other way around. My fierce independence has always been a strength of mine, especially when I was single. However, God continues to teach me how we were never created to be hermits, but rather interdependent on one another. He continues to shine through my weakness and my vulnerability, something I continue to deal with in my life. The beauty of marriage, thankfully, is the sacrificial love and service of one spouse to another. Not being able to stand up by myself or even just go to the restroom by myself has been very difficult. Again, God shows His love for me, through my husband. I will admit that the emotional aspect of all of this has been the hardest on me. The frustration of not being able to do things myself, the lack of mobility and the need to have someone else get and do most things for me has been the most humbling lesson of all.

I believe God brings necessary times of rest into our lives. No, I don't think God caused my fall, but He certainly allowed it and although I can't say at this point that I'm at all grateful for it, I can admit that my weakness has allowed my husband to shine and my Lord to teach me continued lessons on patience. Yes, I am strong, but He is even stronger within my weakness. Although my injuries are rather minor overall, the recovery is long - no driving, no heels, no walking and guaranteed pain. Therefore, I choose to spend the next week (most likely longer) resting, recovering and spending time with the Lover of my soul, truly plugged into His Word, not for a lesson plan or a devotional, but merely to bask in His glory and fill my heart and mind with His truth.

Yes, we have lots to tell about the ladies, their knitting and spiritual growth, Rugare and his brothers, Western and Elizabeth, projects we are planning and much more, but for today I decided to remind you that we missionaries are flawed, fragile and even fearful at times. Thank you for partnering with us, because you don't just partner with JM2Z, you partner with Yolanda and Andrew; real people, with real stories and real struggles. May my transparency encourage you in whatever situation you find yourself in today - be it big or small. Know that today His "grace is sufficient for you (and me), for His​ power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses..... For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Cor. 12:9-11