Because Yolanda hadn't been able to meet with the ladies since her injury, we decided to invite them to our house and have the group here. However, it took some thought and prayer before we decided to do this, because with their extreme poverty, we didn't want to embarrass them or make them feel uncomfortable. We wanted to present a warm, welcoming environment. We think we were able to accomplish that. This took place last week for the first time. I picked everybody up at the usual location and drove them back to our house. All 13 women and 6 children piled into the Hilux. They asked me if we could stop by a store on the way, so that they could buy a get well card for Yolanda. How sweet was that? They pooled their few dollars together and it was very special. They all signed it and presented it to Yolanda when they arrived. I played with the children outside, including snacks, coloring, soccer, etc. Yolanda introduced the ladies to paper beads. She showed them an already made paper bead necklace and they couldn't believe it was just paper. She started at the very beginning and they were having trouble with the basic skills of measuring and cutting. She reminded them that sewing, crocheting, knitting, etc. were all difficult when they first began, but they were able to master those skills. They left encouraged and eager to continue. Since it seemed to work well, we will have them back to our house next week as well. The ladies wanted to cancel this week's meeting, because there is someone campaigning in the area. Anyone who attends the rally was promised an amount of seeds and maize. The ladies wanted to take this opportunity to get some extra food for their families. Of course, the food is usually aid from overseas, but the people are told that it comes from the leaders here.
Picture from Bulawayo 24 News At the moment, there is much uncertainty within the country. Most of the cash has been exhausted. The new bond notes (Zim's new bills, which are supposed to carry the "same value as U.S. dollars") are to be introduced into the market any week now. People are worried that this will turn into 2008 again, with inflation running rampant. It is also unknown how this will affect stores' abilities to import goods, with a currency that will not be accepted in any other country. The pictures to the left and below are people waiting in lines at ATMs to withdraw the maximum allowed amount of $20 or in rare cases $50. The line forms anytime between 10 pm and midnight to have a chance of getting to the front of the line before the ATMs run dry the following day, which obviously means sleeping there overnight. "We are forced to sleep here, because if you don't, you won't get any money. I have tried coming at 4 am, but it's a waste of time," a woman was quoted in a BBC Africa article. In order to keep it "fair," security guards hand out pieces of paper with a number on them, which indicate a person's place in line. Most people hang on to it like gold while waiting, but others sell their paper tickets to those who don't want to sleep outside the bank.
 Picture from BBC Africa |  Picture from BBC Africa |
Please pray for the continued electricity situation throughout the country. While we have enjoyed shockingly reliable electricity this year in our area, there's a chance that could be changing. Zim is tens of millions of dollars behind in paying the South African company that has supplied us with a significant amount of electricity in 2016. It has given Zim until the end of the year to pay it back or else it has threatened to pull the plug. Also, the water again is so low at the dam near here where the power plant is that provides 70% of power for the country. If it gets too much lower, the plant will need to shut down until the water is at a functional level. Another reason for the need for rain. How thankful we are for the gift we received last Spring which will cover the cost of solar power for us if it comes to that.
Please pray for people here who are in need of access to food and water. This is very general, but we don't have many details, other than knowing that there are 80,000+ children in danger of starvation at this point. It is very dry and it can be difficult to find water. This, combined with a lack of rain for the last 7 months in the dry season has made it nearly impossible to grow any food, which is a problem for those who are nowhere near a store.
Please also be in prayer for Western and Elizabeth, our gardener and housekeeper. They are continuing to grow in their work and doing very well in their duties. However, in recent months, they have been having several marriage problems. While we have made it clear to them that we care about them and are more than willing to help them reconcile and have done as much as we can do to that end, we are still their employers. Because of that, and combined with the Shona culture, we know that they will do things or agree with us just to please us, even if it's not want they want. We hired a counselor, who came to our house to meet with them for several weeks in a row. For confidentiality purposes, most things were kept between them and the counselor, but we do know that there are a wide range of issues. Plus, after the initial sessions, they stopped taking it seriously. Families play a major role in Shona culture and, in this case, are not helping the situation. Western and Elizabeth have come to the conclusion that they do not want to be married anymore, which of course saddens us. While we have done as much as we can, and even as young as they are, they are still adults who must make their own decisions. They told us that they and their families have taken part in the customs/traditions to signify that the marriage is over. We have clearly communicated that they still have jobs here, we are pleased with the work they are doing, but that they must work it out to be able to function as they are choosing to live in separate rooms in the domestic quarters, yet still close in proximity.
We do covet your prayers when you think of us or the women and children to whom JM2Z ministers. There are items we didn't mention, such as VBS next month that we are gearing up for, Yolanda's physical therapy appointment on Monday, and that we would be able to receive our order of Shona Bibles sooner rather than later. Additionally, there are praises; positive relationships and respect being built with the women, them growing in the Lord, their realized feelings of empowerment and contribution to their community, being able to bless children with proper footwear and meals when needed, and the list goes on. Thank you, thank you, thank you for those of you who pray regularly for JM2Z and those we work with. We believe prayer to be powerful and we don't take yours for granted. We would love to pray for you also. Please do not hesitate to contact us on here or via e-mail. We truly believe in the partnership of our relationship and would consider it an honor to pray for you more specifically.
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