Wow, what a great day! We were so sad that we had the cancel the VBS, but then we were instead able to really focus on the ladies the last several weeks. Andrew fetched the ladies to join us at the house several times each week so we could dip all the beads the required 3 times to make them shine beautifully and water-resistant. In the process, our relationships were deepened with one another. We split the group into 2 smaller groups, since not all the ladies needed to be present to do the dipping. We did this purely for practicality. Who knew it would result in some great conversations? I (Yolanda) feel like I've gotten to know the ladies on a whole new level. We got to speak more personally and hear about backgrounds, church involvement and attendance, family situations and how they actually came to be a part of the group. My heart broke to hear of stories like how one lady lost her adult son (only child) and just a few months later her husband (due to a car accident and illness). This all happened during 2008, the worst year in Zimbabwe, due to inflation, etc. After these deaths, she was technically left homeless, except for a small piece of land they left her. Since then she has made and sold items and from that money has been able to build herself one small room in which to live. This is one of the ladies that joined the group this year when we returned from the States, so she's still relatively new. At first, I made assumptions about her not needing to be in this group. She seemed well-off, well educated and in a better position than the rest of the ladies. But of course, you can never judge a book by its cover. Who knew this lady would be one of the poorest in this group of women? Still, she took great pride in the way that she carried herself. She was very quiet and it has taken her awhile to really become "a part of" the group. These stories not only helped me understand each lady better, but it strengthened the bond between the ladies themselves. So much compassion was shown when tough and heart-breaking stories were shared. The ladies would pray for each other, say their sorries (as is customary), then get back to bead-making.
Story after story, I heard of death, pain, suffering, hunger, abuse and even loneliness. Yet as the stories were shared, through them, came hope, faith, joy and love. It's hard to believe that these same women who had experienced such negative things would also experience such beautiful things. Several of the women have children in high school or college, and yet they have 1 or 2 younger children, just about to start elementary school. I would ask about the big age gap and they would explain how the children are, in fact, nieces and nephews or cousins' children or some other family member who has passed and so the rearing and caring for these kids have fallen upon their shoulders - feeding, clothing, schooling and loving. The generosity of these women blows my mind. They have so little and yet when they see a need, they meet it as best they can, with the little they have - this is something beautiful about the Shona culture. Of course, several of the older women were caring for multiple grandkids as well, and many of them widows, struggling to put food on the table each day.
As I heard from the ladies how they actually came about to join this group, they shared how they have become sisters with one another. One lady said of another lady, as she put her arm around the woman's shoulder, "This is my sister. I did not have a sister, but now I do. We share each other's struggles. We tell each other everything... I love my sister." I knew that these women had grown close, but I had no idea just how deep that bond really is, how essential to their emotional well-being as women. Who knew that once the women parted their ways after group each week, that in fact they gathered together, as couples or smaller groups to encourage one another, pray for each other and to be sisters? My heart made somersaults in my chest to hear such beauty born out of this small, little group where it "seems" as if all we do are some arts and crafts... but in fact, this group is life-changing, and for most, have become an umbilical cord, just in order to survive the severity of poverty and struggles in Zimbabwe. Who knew YOUR partnership with JM2Z would result in making sisters?
Story after story, I heard of death, pain, suffering, hunger, abuse and even loneliness. Yet as the stories were shared, through them, came hope, faith, joy and love. It's hard to believe that these same women who had experienced such negative things would also experience such beautiful things. Several of the women have children in high school or college, and yet they have 1 or 2 younger children, just about to start elementary school. I would ask about the big age gap and they would explain how the children are, in fact, nieces and nephews or cousins' children or some other family member who has passed and so the rearing and caring for these kids have fallen upon their shoulders - feeding, clothing, schooling and loving. The generosity of these women blows my mind. They have so little and yet when they see a need, they meet it as best they can, with the little they have - this is something beautiful about the Shona culture. Of course, several of the older women were caring for multiple grandkids as well, and many of them widows, struggling to put food on the table each day.
As I heard from the ladies how they actually came about to join this group, they shared how they have become sisters with one another. One lady said of another lady, as she put her arm around the woman's shoulder, "This is my sister. I did not have a sister, but now I do. We share each other's struggles. We tell each other everything... I love my sister." I knew that these women had grown close, but I had no idea just how deep that bond really is, how essential to their emotional well-being as women. Who knew that once the women parted their ways after group each week, that in fact they gathered together, as couples or smaller groups to encourage one another, pray for each other and to be sisters? My heart made somersaults in my chest to hear such beauty born out of this small, little group where it "seems" as if all we do are some arts and crafts... but in fact, this group is life-changing, and for most, have become an umbilical cord, just in order to survive the severity of poverty and struggles in Zimbabwe. Who knew YOUR partnership with JM2Z would result in making sisters?
Let me get back to the great day we had for our final meeting of the year. We told the ladies we would have a Christmas meal and celebrate the season together - clearly they were all excited. A standard Christmas lunch in Zimbabwe, for these women, would be rice and chicken - that would be a special treat. If they have a little extra, Christmas would be the one day that kids would get new clothes. So we decided to put our plan into action. When the ladies first arrived they dipped the beads one last time and then cleaned up for lunch. I invited them to come inside but they politely told me they wanted to spend some time in prayer and song to God. So outside under a tree in our garden, they sang with joyful voices and then prayed with fervent anticipation and thanksgiving. It was rather touching to see all these women in deep reverence and honor worshipping Jesus with passion, on their own accord.
Once the ladies came in and sat down, we discussed when we would reunite as a group after the new year. All the ladies took several more sheets of paper to make more beads over the next several weeks. As a group we went over each different bead design to ensure that everyone was on the same page and felt confident in their bead making skills for each unique design. We made one sample necklace and everyone was very excited. We discussed the ear-warmers and how we would split all the profits within the new year (our expectations is that they would all sell by then. If you haven't bought one yet then there is still time. Just click this link http://jm2z.org/shop.html for more details). In the meantime, the kids played outside with soccer balls.
Once the ladies came in and sat down, we discussed when we would reunite as a group after the new year. All the ladies took several more sheets of paper to make more beads over the next several weeks. As a group we went over each different bead design to ensure that everyone was on the same page and felt confident in their bead making skills for each unique design. We made one sample necklace and everyone was very excited. We discussed the ear-warmers and how we would split all the profits within the new year (our expectations is that they would all sell by then. If you haven't bought one yet then there is still time. Just click this link http://jm2z.org/shop.html for more details). In the meantime, the kids played outside with soccer balls.
Before lunch, I delivered a devotional on the Christmas story, addressing the details and the significance of the first Christmas. I stressed how the gift of Christmas, Jesus, was a gift for all - old and young (Simeon and Anna and Mary and Joseph), rich and poor (magi and Mary and Joseph), Jew and Gentile (Mary and Joseph and the magi) and involved the highest and lowest (angels and shepherds). I used the Shona culture as I explained the roles of each person, i.e. the shepherds are well understood in this culture as young boys with sticks, who herd their cattle or goats. The ladies asked questions and we discussed the story further. Then we had a time of prayer to close our devotional time.
Lunch was finally ready. A bowl and pitcher of water was offered to each woman to perform the customary hand-washing before a meal. Then everyone got a big plate of rice, gravy, chicken stew with carrots and potatoes, and some green beans on the side. The ladies couldn't believe how much chicken was on the plate and kept going on and on about this being the best meal ever. One lady exclaimed it was just too much, so I insisted she should leave what she didn't want; to which she quickly responded by showing me her perfectly clean plate. "Oh, I already finished it all. It was too good." Everyone burst out laughing. The ladies thanked us profusely and immediately offered to wash up and clean up, which we insisted the day has just begun and today, they get to merely enjoy.
Lunch was finally ready. A bowl and pitcher of water was offered to each woman to perform the customary hand-washing before a meal. Then everyone got a big plate of rice, gravy, chicken stew with carrots and potatoes, and some green beans on the side. The ladies couldn't believe how much chicken was on the plate and kept going on and on about this being the best meal ever. One lady exclaimed it was just too much, so I insisted she should leave what she didn't want; to which she quickly responded by showing me her perfectly clean plate. "Oh, I already finished it all. It was too good." Everyone burst out laughing. The ladies thanked us profusely and immediately offered to wash up and clean up, which we insisted the day has just begun and today, they get to merely enjoy.
It was time to hand out gifts and do some fun things. The children stayed outside while Andrew gave them several pages of the nativity story to color, as Western read them the Christmas story from a Shona children's Bible (picture to the left). These are little kids, younger than 5, so each page was a simple picture of a star, an angel, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus in a manger, etc. When they were done, each page was stapled together and they would come running into the house one by one telling their mother/grandmother the story they now knew. Of course, all the adults oohed and aahed over each child's masterpiece and they went back to some more playing, while the adults had some fun themselves.
All the gifts were in little plastic bags, with a ribbon tied around it. The ladies are used to receiving any form of gift in a grocery bag, so we tried to make it a little more special, but not too extravagant. The gifts sat under a table where we had a little metal Christmas tree and a nativity scene on display. We started by handing out small snack packs to each lady. Each snack pack had leeches from our tree (a fruit), a packet of soup (to add to a traditional stew), a box of matches (to light a fire), and a few pieces of hard candy (as a treat). The ladies utilated (smacked their hands to their mouth to make a joyous noise) and clapped and then started singing and then stood and danced with joy. After they inspected their gifts, we moved on to more. Each lady received a hygiene pack. Each hygiene pack had a face cloth, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, bar of soap, mini viles of shampoo, conditoner, lotion, etc. They were so excited about these packs. Everything in them were donated items that we brought back with us from the States and we were so glad to put them to good use. I asked one of the ladies if she wanted a sissors to cut off the ribbon so she could open her gift. She said, "Absolutely not. I'm going to keep it just like this so my family can see. I have never received such a beautiful gift before in my life." Just a sandwich bag with a piece of ribbon on it meant the world to her. Even in poverty, women appreciate beauty. Once again, the utilating began. Then the singing and the dancing and the clapping. It was truly joyous to watch and experience. This can be seen in the video below.
I had written numbers on pieces of paper and folded then up and put them in a container. I told the ladies to each pick a piece of paper, then everyone opened it up to find a number. I told them by number (lowest to highest) they would each follow me into the dining room. I had laid out several piles of donated clothing items that were separted by size. I told each lady as they came up that they could pick one dress or one skirt and top. Their eyes sparkled with excitement. Many of the items were new or very gently used (again, these are items we brought back with us. We have been waiting for the right time to hand them out). Each lady tried on an outfit then came to the living room to show off her "prize," as they called it. Suddenly, an impromptu fashion show took place, with each lady strutting her stuff and posing in typical African style, with a hand on the hip or an arm above the head (don't ask). Everyone would clap and utilate, and then come pat the lady on the back, saying things like, "Good job, very nice, it is sharp." Of course, they would break out into song. I listened to the words as they sang, "Mwari wakanaka, Mwari wakanak, Mwari wakanaka...", God is good, God is good, Yes He is, God is good. My eyes stung with tears of appreciation in the knowledge that these ladies were thanking the real Giver of all things that are good. They weren't singing praises to us, but rather to Him, Jesus our Lord. Praise the Lord that we had multiple sizes, so that each lady was blessed with a new outfit.
We placed the numbers back into the container and everyone drew one again. Once again, they followed me to the dining room table. One-by-one they got to pick something from an array of items, some new and some second hand. Things like tote bags, towels, head coverings, shoes (we only had 2 pairs and they were small, but it was the first thing each lady looked at), pillows, sheets, lap blankets, etc. They could each pick one item (or set of items), as well as one item of underwear. Again, we are so grateful that each lady was able to find one item of underwear that fit them; PTL. And yes, you guessed it, as each woman walked back into the living room with her items, the singing and utilating would begin all over again.
We placed the numbers back into the container and everyone drew one again. Once again, they followed me to the dining room table. One-by-one they got to pick something from an array of items, some new and some second hand. Things like tote bags, towels, head coverings, shoes (we only had 2 pairs and they were small, but it was the first thing each lady looked at), pillows, sheets, lap blankets, etc. They could each pick one item (or set of items), as well as one item of underwear. Again, we are so grateful that each lady was able to find one item of underwear that fit them; PTL. And yes, you guessed it, as each woman walked back into the living room with her items, the singing and utilating would begin all over again.
 Hygiene packs and children's gifts |  Back to school packs |
We were sure to give the kids a little goodie bag as well. Each child got a toothbrush, a simple toy, some candy and a new t-shirt for boys or a dress for girls. A mother put a dress on her daughter (over her clothes) and she twirled around in her new dress, making sure to stand at attention for me to take a photo of her. Then another mother put a shirt on a boy, but once he wanted to leave, she insisted he take it off because it's a "Sunday shirt" - in other words, the best one he owns, so he can't just go outside and play in it. The little 4 year old boy came to me, cupped and clapped his hand in appreciation and said, "Tatenda Tete," which mean, thank you Aunty. It melted my heart how even these kids adopted me as their family. No doubt the toy and candy was a favorite ;-)
Then I asked each of the ladies who had school going age children or children in their home who they care for who are in school. Then each woman got back-to-school packs for each school going aged child. These were the same packs that we handed out last year at VBS. The women were so incredibly grateful. The night before when we were arranging all the tote bags and handbags on the dining room table, I pulled out a handful of Smarties in one pouch. When I handed out the back-to-school packs, I realized there were exactly enough Smarties for each child - a God thing. Since Smarties (this particular kind you get in the States) is not something we get here, one of the ladies thought it was mini crayons. She asked one of the other ladies how the children were supposed to color in with them, to which she and everyone laughed and it became clear that this was in fact a little treat, NOT a school supply.
Lastly, I had each of the ladies who were married, pick a brand new white handkerchief for her husband. They were ecstatic to be going home with something for their husbands too. Again, we had exactly the right amount of handkerchiefs - God planned this whole event more than 3 years ago, when we first got all these donations. We love seeing how God has provided so specifically for a need.
Then I asked each of the ladies who had school going age children or children in their home who they care for who are in school. Then each woman got back-to-school packs for each school going aged child. These were the same packs that we handed out last year at VBS. The women were so incredibly grateful. The night before when we were arranging all the tote bags and handbags on the dining room table, I pulled out a handful of Smarties in one pouch. When I handed out the back-to-school packs, I realized there were exactly enough Smarties for each child - a God thing. Since Smarties (this particular kind you get in the States) is not something we get here, one of the ladies thought it was mini crayons. She asked one of the other ladies how the children were supposed to color in with them, to which she and everyone laughed and it became clear that this was in fact a little treat, NOT a school supply.
Lastly, I had each of the ladies who were married, pick a brand new white handkerchief for her husband. They were ecstatic to be going home with something for their husbands too. Again, we had exactly the right amount of handkerchiefs - God planned this whole event more than 3 years ago, when we first got all these donations. We love seeing how God has provided so specifically for a need.
 Numbers to draw and Smarties |  Clothing items to pick from |
As the ladies were packing up to leave, we brought out white cake with chocolate frosting and sprinkles. The ladies oohed and aahed and thanked us for the generous slice of cake they took home in a container (since it was dark by now and they had to be getting home). No doubt they shared it with others at home, if only a bite.
I closed in prayer and then the ladies said they wanted to say something. So we went around the circle and they each thanked me, Andrew, and even Elizabeth, who made food. All said they had never been in a white person's home before. One said, "I feel like God chose me. He chose me to be a part of this group. A group where I don't feel alone anymore. I don't know why God picked me, but He did. Now I have friends. I have sisters. When I'm struggling, I can share my problems and you will all pray for me." Another lady said, "I have never felt so blessed before. I have experienced so much pain and suffering in my life, but now, here, I feel so happy," she says looking around the room to each woman. Each lady thanked me profusely, not only for the items, but for my friendship. Then another woman said in closing, "I have learned so much about God's Word, I never knew... (she went on to list multiple things from Scripture that we had covered over the months). I feel I have grown. I know I can always rely on someone in this group to pray for me... (then she added) and challenge me."
Then they laid hands on me and prayed for the healing of my feet and a full recovery before we meet again in January. One lady assured me that she would pray for me daily until we meet again. I thanked them for their gifts of friendship, prayer, encouragement and relationship. I thanked them for welcoming me into their lives and making me feel a part of their families. Then we cried together, laughed together and shook hands (an African woman will draw her hand high above her head then smack it down on yours, sometimes with the other hand on your shoulder. This is almost always done with a huge smile and she won't let go for quite awhile as she speaks. This is a sign of true friendship). Each lady hugged me and wished me a Merry Christmas. We took some group photos outside and then just about every lady wanted individual photos with me taken on their cellphone or their friend's phone. It made for a good laugh.
I closed in prayer and then the ladies said they wanted to say something. So we went around the circle and they each thanked me, Andrew, and even Elizabeth, who made food. All said they had never been in a white person's home before. One said, "I feel like God chose me. He chose me to be a part of this group. A group where I don't feel alone anymore. I don't know why God picked me, but He did. Now I have friends. I have sisters. When I'm struggling, I can share my problems and you will all pray for me." Another lady said, "I have never felt so blessed before. I have experienced so much pain and suffering in my life, but now, here, I feel so happy," she says looking around the room to each woman. Each lady thanked me profusely, not only for the items, but for my friendship. Then another woman said in closing, "I have learned so much about God's Word, I never knew... (she went on to list multiple things from Scripture that we had covered over the months). I feel I have grown. I know I can always rely on someone in this group to pray for me... (then she added) and challenge me."
Then they laid hands on me and prayed for the healing of my feet and a full recovery before we meet again in January. One lady assured me that she would pray for me daily until we meet again. I thanked them for their gifts of friendship, prayer, encouragement and relationship. I thanked them for welcoming me into their lives and making me feel a part of their families. Then we cried together, laughed together and shook hands (an African woman will draw her hand high above her head then smack it down on yours, sometimes with the other hand on your shoulder. This is almost always done with a huge smile and she won't let go for quite awhile as she speaks. This is a sign of true friendship). Each lady hugged me and wished me a Merry Christmas. We took some group photos outside and then just about every lady wanted individual photos with me taken on their cellphone or their friend's phone. It made for a good laugh.
 Admiring his new toy |  A new dress |
They all piled into the Hilux with all their stuff. A dozen hands were waving out the windows as they left our yard. I went and sat down with swollen feet and was rather tired, but never more happy, contented and appreciative for the goodness of God and the generosity of YOU. Thank you for helping make this day possible and helping these ladies see Jesus in a very tangible way in their lives.
We hope you have a very Merry Christmas, remembering the reason for the season!
If you would like to make an end of year gift to JM2Z, maybe to cover the chicken program, or supplies for the ladies and their crafts or just the continued on-going expenses of this ministry, then please click on this link http://jm2z.org/donate.html We are so incredibly grateful for your generosity, your selflessness and sacrifices to make this ministry possible. We are grateful to YOU. May you have a blessed season, celebrating the greatest Christmas gift of all time - JESUS!
We hope you have a very Merry Christmas, remembering the reason for the season!
If you would like to make an end of year gift to JM2Z, maybe to cover the chicken program, or supplies for the ladies and their crafts or just the continued on-going expenses of this ministry, then please click on this link http://jm2z.org/donate.html We are so incredibly grateful for your generosity, your selflessness and sacrifices to make this ministry possible. We are grateful to YOU. May you have a blessed season, celebrating the greatest Christmas gift of all time - JESUS!
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