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The Boys

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

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.

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Day old chicks can be bought for $1.20 each

The Hope for Peace

Several weeks ago, we wrote about a pastor who was leading a movement for peaceful change within the country. He had been jailed, but was miraculously released and charges dropped. He and his family have since fled to South Africa, but due to continued threats against their family, they sought and were granted asylum in the U.S. He has still been trying to promote change from afar, and held meetings in Washington, D.C. not long ago. However, not much can be done by someone when one is so far away. Even so, there continue to be protests and demonstrations from week to week. Some have been peaceful, while others turned violent. The most violent to date recorded one person dead and over 300 injured. Thankfully, we receive alerts as to when and where things will take place, so we have been able to stay clear of these activities. We know that God is in control, whether things are going well or not. We continue to pray for stability.

Yolanda holding a new baby of one of the ladies in the group, who we bless with sunscreen for her other daughter who is albino.

As we cross through the South African border, we will remind ourselves about how different African time is from the way we wish it were

The Drive

Yolanda and I will be driving to South Africa at the end of the week. We will be there for 5 days. We will take advantage of our final free service for the Hilux. Yolanda has also been doing lots of planning for December's VBS and we will get supplies for that, as well as other ministry related items. We will also stock up on some personal items and non-perishables for us. The exchange rate is about $1 USD to R14 Rands, so it continues to be very advantageous for us to get supplies in South Africa. We can get many things for half the price of the same products in Zim, while other things just aren't available here. Of course we are limited to the amount of stuff that we can bring through tax free and certain items have recently been banned from coming into the country, in an effort to increase local produce. However, local items are still twice as much in price and often times not of a similar quality. 

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.