Mai Whisper
Mai Whisper, on the left, is taking time to read the crochet patterns to other ladies to help them, even though it took time away from her own crocheting. Mai Whisper, who is a part of our Wednesday group, recently had an opportunity to speak at a church conference for women. Church conferences, sometimes for a denomination, are common in Zimbabwe. Hundreds of people from around the country travel to a place, usually for a weekend. They have around the clock preaching, singing, and prayer.
The conference Mai Whisper attended was for 10 days and she was asked to speak on 2 of those days. She traveled several hours with her 7 year old and 4 year old in a kombi (15 passenger van, which is a taxi). Everyone would be camping, so along with clothes, toiletries, and bedding, Mai Whisper had to take food, a small propane tank for cooking, and a bucket for bathing.
Though nervous, Mai Whisper was excited for the opportunity to speak. She had chosen to spend one day talking about Hannah and the second day talking about Esther. She explained to us that she used her notes from our Wednesday group meetings in order to construct her talks. She said that it was because of the learning and knowledge gained through the group that she felt she was able to speak with boldness the truths of the Bible. She felt ready to be able to do this.
In the commotion of arriving at the destination, with all the people, supplies, keeping track of her children, etc., Mai Whisper didn’t get her propane tank and bucket out of the kombi before it left, leaving her with no way to cook her meals or carry water. Immediately her mood changed, becoming down and discouraged. She had just arrived with an opportunity to share God’s Word, but she was left without needed supplies. How could she be there for 10 days with no way to cook or hold water?
But she took a moment to pray. She regained the courage she needed and decided she would deal with the situation. Some ladies heard what had happened and came to encourage her. She was able to borrow a few things that first night. Then each day for the next 10 days, she chopped wood, in order to cook their meals on a fire. Bathing was a little trickier with no bucket and soap, etc., but she made a plan. All of this was of course more time and energy than cooking on gas and having access to a bucket, but Mai Whisper was determined to stay, be a part of the conference, and share about how God had worked in the lives of two women in the Bible. She was thankful she stayed and proud of the way she delivered her message. It was humbling for her as all those around her had propane tanks and buckets and were set up much better than she. Women watched her closely, as she did what was needed each day. Unknowingly, she was being a testimony through her actions, her attitude, her determination, and her humility. We know that God worked in her heart for her to be able to do this, but Mai Whisper also credits our group for giving her the tools and capabilities to be able to speak the Truth to so many people. Over 200 women were in attendance at this conference!
We are so proud of Mai Whisper and her spiritual growth! She has impressed us so much over the last couple years. Her willingness to serve, help others, share the Gospel with boldness, and teach her own children with so much patience and compassion has been a beautiful thing to witness.
The conference Mai Whisper attended was for 10 days and she was asked to speak on 2 of those days. She traveled several hours with her 7 year old and 4 year old in a kombi (15 passenger van, which is a taxi). Everyone would be camping, so along with clothes, toiletries, and bedding, Mai Whisper had to take food, a small propane tank for cooking, and a bucket for bathing.
Though nervous, Mai Whisper was excited for the opportunity to speak. She had chosen to spend one day talking about Hannah and the second day talking about Esther. She explained to us that she used her notes from our Wednesday group meetings in order to construct her talks. She said that it was because of the learning and knowledge gained through the group that she felt she was able to speak with boldness the truths of the Bible. She felt ready to be able to do this.
In the commotion of arriving at the destination, with all the people, supplies, keeping track of her children, etc., Mai Whisper didn’t get her propane tank and bucket out of the kombi before it left, leaving her with no way to cook her meals or carry water. Immediately her mood changed, becoming down and discouraged. She had just arrived with an opportunity to share God’s Word, but she was left without needed supplies. How could she be there for 10 days with no way to cook or hold water?
But she took a moment to pray. She regained the courage she needed and decided she would deal with the situation. Some ladies heard what had happened and came to encourage her. She was able to borrow a few things that first night. Then each day for the next 10 days, she chopped wood, in order to cook their meals on a fire. Bathing was a little trickier with no bucket and soap, etc., but she made a plan. All of this was of course more time and energy than cooking on gas and having access to a bucket, but Mai Whisper was determined to stay, be a part of the conference, and share about how God had worked in the lives of two women in the Bible. She was thankful she stayed and proud of the way she delivered her message. It was humbling for her as all those around her had propane tanks and buckets and were set up much better than she. Women watched her closely, as she did what was needed each day. Unknowingly, she was being a testimony through her actions, her attitude, her determination, and her humility. We know that God worked in her heart for her to be able to do this, but Mai Whisper also credits our group for giving her the tools and capabilities to be able to speak the Truth to so many people. Over 200 women were in attendance at this conference!
We are so proud of Mai Whisper and her spiritual growth! She has impressed us so much over the last couple years. Her willingness to serve, help others, share the Gospel with boldness, and teach her own children with so much patience and compassion has been a beautiful thing to witness.
Crocheted Items
A couple weeks ago, we gave the women the money they earned from items they made, which we sold in the US earlier this year. For a couple weeks prior to that, we spoke about trying to dream. We wanted them to dream about what they could do if they had X amount of money. What type of small business could they start (for those who haven’t started a micro-enterprise) or how could they expand their current small business?
Each woman was given money she earned, based on the number of items she made and that were sold. They were immediately overwhelmed with joy and gratitude that they burst out in praise to God. This was different than most other times though, because this was not a chipo (Shona word for gift) or a loan. They earned this through many hours of work.
We strongly encouraged those who had some loans, to fully pay them back first, which they did. We know they felt a burden lifted from that. Even after paying back loans, no one left without $100 to take home.
Some dreams/ideas/plans they are considering and researching - One woman has a peanut grinder, which she currently rents out for others to use for making peanut butter. Now, she said she can afford to buy her own lot of peanuts, so that she can make peanut butter herself and sell it, while still renting out her grinder. Another woman who has a chicken business, currently has 75 chickens. She has been wanting to increase the number, but hasn’t been able to yet. Now she is able to purchase an extra 25, so she can have 100 birds for each cycle. Another lady plans to increase her fish business, being able to buy and sell more at a time. Another one is researching starting a chicken business. We questioned that, only because with so many others in the area selling chickens, will she be able to have enough customers. They explained that since day-old chicks are purchased, raised, and sold 5 weeks later, that those in their community who sell chickens, have coordinated their cycles so that their chickens are ready to sell at different times. This way, there is a steady supply of chickens available to purchase and also the sellers will have plenty of customers. We are so incredibly proud of all the women. All of them have dreamed big and thought out carefully planned ideas.
Below are a few of the ideas/plans they have written down.
Each woman was given money she earned, based on the number of items she made and that were sold. They were immediately overwhelmed with joy and gratitude that they burst out in praise to God. This was different than most other times though, because this was not a chipo (Shona word for gift) or a loan. They earned this through many hours of work.
We strongly encouraged those who had some loans, to fully pay them back first, which they did. We know they felt a burden lifted from that. Even after paying back loans, no one left without $100 to take home.
Some dreams/ideas/plans they are considering and researching - One woman has a peanut grinder, which she currently rents out for others to use for making peanut butter. Now, she said she can afford to buy her own lot of peanuts, so that she can make peanut butter herself and sell it, while still renting out her grinder. Another woman who has a chicken business, currently has 75 chickens. She has been wanting to increase the number, but hasn’t been able to yet. Now she is able to purchase an extra 25, so she can have 100 birds for each cycle. Another lady plans to increase her fish business, being able to buy and sell more at a time. Another one is researching starting a chicken business. We questioned that, only because with so many others in the area selling chickens, will she be able to have enough customers. They explained that since day-old chicks are purchased, raised, and sold 5 weeks later, that those in their community who sell chickens, have coordinated their cycles so that their chickens are ready to sell at different times. This way, there is a steady supply of chickens available to purchase and also the sellers will have plenty of customers. We are so incredibly proud of all the women. All of them have dreamed big and thought out carefully planned ideas.
Below are a few of the ideas/plans they have written down.
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Challenge
We recently extended a challenge to each of the women in our 2 groups. A number of them have been involved in other groups for the last couple years (unprompted by us). But we wanted to challenge the ones who aren’t. We would like to see them starting their own small groups. It would look different than ours, but would be the same idea, teaching and spreading God’s Word. Our groups have been going for more than 7 years now, and so they have tools they need to have their own groups. Our current groups will continue, but they are able to share with others the same things they have learned. Please be in prayer for God to lead in each woman’s heart, if they will decide to start a group, and the women who may decide to join those groups. It would be very exciting if this were to happen
Medical Assistance
 Mai Tamoline with her ear bandaged while she is getting treatment for her infection. | As part of our Medical Assistance Program, we regularly hand out medications, bandages, ointments, etc. (we only administer medicine as you would feel comfortable giving to your own child, we are no medical professionals and are very cautious about giving any medical advice beyond our expertise). In addition to handing out supplies we also cover the cost for clinic, hospital, and doctor visits. Most recently one lady’s eyes has deteriorated substantially to the point where she can no longer read her Bible. We had handed out glasses several years ago, but she needed a much stronger lens. JM2Z covered the cost for her to see an optometrist and for her to get new lenses. Another lady had a severe ear infection, so we covered the cost for her to go to the local clinic, receive medications and have daily dressing done. This past week we also made an evening visit to the local hospital for one lady’s sister who had terminal cancer - we paid for some last minute medications to help her be comfortable towards the end. We prayed with family, read some Scripture and mourned with those present. The lady with cancer passed away an hour and a half after we left. All the women in both groups have been to visit Nyasha (the sister in our group) to give their condolences and all will attend this funeral this week in support |
Upcoming Conference
Cape Town, South Africa Whenever we are in the US in the month of November, we attend ICOM (International Conference on Missions). Outside of that, we haven’t really been able to attend other missions conferences. However, Yolanda is able to attend one next week! Thrive Ministry is an organization, based in Colorado, that serves to replenish women who minister overseas. They hold 4 conferences for female missionaries each year, usually one in Colorado and three in other countries around the world. The one next week is taking place in Cape Town, South Africa. Yolanda is very excited for this opportunity for 4 days to get together with other women who are ministering in different countries to recharge their batteries, discuss and debrief their experiences, have praise and worship time together, be a part of workshops, listen to speakers, and basically just get poured into in a variety of ways, which is obviously needed when your job is to pour into others.
As you know, our board previously gave us an amount of money to take a retreat together, which we did. However, there was money left over, so Yolanda is able to do this conference (where she will be at a hotel with a roommate) and I am also able to make the trip. I will stay elsewhere. We are thankful for this time and our board’s willingness to pour into us, so we can pour into others, specifically with our December VBS coming up very quickly. Please pray for this time of refreshment and growth.
As you know, our board previously gave us an amount of money to take a retreat together, which we did. However, there was money left over, so Yolanda is able to do this conference (where she will be at a hotel with a roommate) and I am also able to make the trip. I will stay elsewhere. We are thankful for this time and our board’s willingness to pour into us, so we can pour into others, specifically with our December VBS coming up very quickly. Please pray for this time of refreshment and growth.
Pictures
The two pictures below show the women reading 1 Corinthians 13. Instead of reading love is patient, love is kind, etc., they were to insert their name for the word love. So it was Gladys is patient, Gladys is kind, etc. The challenge given was to read it every day that week as inspiration to live out what Paul describes love to be.
Below they are watching a tutorial on crocheting animals, as these were the widows who crocheted other items last year (mug cozies, etc.). They want to do the animals this time around.
Below is a picture of Moleen's house. She is in the Wednesday group and has an egg business. Originally she started selling chickens for meat. But several years ago, decided to change to layers for eggs because of the economy at the time. Last year she took a small loan from us to increase her number of chickens. With the extra money she made, she was able to fix up her house. The walls were previously bare bricks and there were no windows. She was able to plaster the walls, add the red air vents, and install windows. This has made her home much better in terms of weatherproofing and insulation. She has fully paid back her loan and continues to sell more eggs than ever before!
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