Yolanda, studying Shona Even though all of our big projects for the house are finished for now, we are still continuing to do small ones. For example, Yolanda just got some curtain rods and material for curtains. This will replace the blankets and towels we have draped over the burglar bars in some of the rooms. We are also hoping to have our cabinet put in our bathroom soon, so that we can finally move into our bedroom and unpack our suitcases.
Our Shona lessons also continue to go well. We are making sentences and working on different tenses. Yolanda is doing a great job. A lot is coming back to her, but she is also a fast learner. I am working on memorizing my vocabulary words and doing my best with pronunciation.
Our Shona lessons also continue to go well. We are making sentences and working on different tenses. Yolanda is doing a great job. A lot is coming back to her, but she is also a fast learner. I am working on memorizing my vocabulary words and doing my best with pronunciation.
Janeece and her husband took Yolanda to Victoria Falls for the first time Last week, we received some great news. One thing we have been trying to do since we arrived here is find someone who could stay in the house while we are back in the U.S. for a few months this winter/spring. It is very important to find someone honest and trustworthy, especially with all of the work that we have been doing on the house. It would also be unsafe to keep the house empty, and would almost guarantee break-ins. Plus, it would be extremely dirty, dusty, and full of bugs if left alone. The leads on people who we had hoped to do it didn't pan out, and we were getting a bit worried, as we only have a few weeks left. However, we were excited when we found out that a woman, who is from Indiana, will stay here. She is a missionary relief worker, meaning that she fills in for missionaries when they return to the U.S. on furlough. She fills in for them in whatever capacity they need, Bible studies, Sunday schools, paying bills, looking after the house. We were glad to hear that even though we are just starting out, her agency approved her to come. She and her husband (who has since gone to be with the Lord) filled in for the minister and his wife in Masvingo (Yolanda's hometown) when Yolanda was growing up, and has been one of Yolanda's biggest supporters and encouragers ever since. Even though she has had assignments all over the world, she has always thought of her previous assignment in Zimbabwe as one of her favorites (or Yolanda likes to think so). So, we are excited that she will be here on the 26th of November. This allows us a few days to show her around, explain anything important, give her necessary directions and instructions for while we are gone and leave keys or whatever else with her. It will be good to spend Thanksgiving with another American as well (Yolanda has promised something good to eat :-) although this hot weather doesn't call for turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie). Praise be to God for this answered prayer.
We received another piece of exciting news as well. Each December, the students at Wheaton Christian Grammar School (K-8, in Illinois) raise money to complete some type of project for an organization. Each class does something different, and this year, the seventh graders picked JM2Z! A project has not been decided on yet, but we are looking forward to working with the teachers and students to see how they might bless women and children in Zimbabwe through blessing JM2Z. We are very thankful for their willing generosity.
After getting quotes from multiple security companies, we are going to go ahead with updating our alarm system. Our existing system will be used, and all that needs to happen is to add 3 sensors (in one room and on two outside doors). We will also have a new battery, which will be used in the case of no electricity. The battery can last for a day and a half, which is good because of our electricity situation, or lack thereof :-) The good news about this company is that if the alarm goes off, they say that they will be at your house in 4 minutes, which they are 90% of the time. Their office is just down the road from us, so that shouldn't be a problem.
We received another piece of exciting news as well. Each December, the students at Wheaton Christian Grammar School (K-8, in Illinois) raise money to complete some type of project for an organization. Each class does something different, and this year, the seventh graders picked JM2Z! A project has not been decided on yet, but we are looking forward to working with the teachers and students to see how they might bless women and children in Zimbabwe through blessing JM2Z. We are very thankful for their willing generosity.
After getting quotes from multiple security companies, we are going to go ahead with updating our alarm system. Our existing system will be used, and all that needs to happen is to add 3 sensors (in one room and on two outside doors). We will also have a new battery, which will be used in the case of no electricity. The battery can last for a day and a half, which is good because of our electricity situation, or lack thereof :-) The good news about this company is that if the alarm goes off, they say that they will be at your house in 4 minutes, which they are 90% of the time. Their office is just down the road from us, so that shouldn't be a problem.
 A solar powered battery, given to us by supporters. When electricity is out, we use it to charge our phone, which can be a lifeline in emergency. |  We saw no less than 30 baboons on or by this stretch of the highway between Chinhoyi and Harare. |  This spider appeared on the wall and even though Yolanda told me that this type kills bugs, I decided to take my chances with the bugs and send this guy to spider heaven :-) |
We hope your week is off to a great start, and we continue to thank God for you and remember you in prayer, as we are trusting that we are in your prayers too.
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