Fri 31 July:Salvation, Elephants and Nyama

I have just got back from three days away in Gweru, and what a rich time it has been. Michael Eaton was working through a paper on the doctrine of salvation with us. Wow. Lots to think upon. The grace of God just boggles the mind!

A close second was the amount of Nyama – three meals a day! Normally too much but in the current home eating situation such a treat.

To top it off the elephants came out to play. They are such majestic creatures – so huge yet so gentle! It makes me marvel at our great God. To think that since being a wee one I loved these creatures from another world, and here I am living so close.

Monday 27 July:Power issues

For some reason we have been embracing 12 hour power cuts this week – must be a fault or something – here’s hoping. It is at that time of year when water and power cuts are at their worst so this might be my new power schedule. I am getting used to climbing the 8 flights of stairs to my flat in the dark. The phones are out as well, as they seem to be powered by ZESA – all good fun! At least tomorrow I head to Gweru – where someone else has to worry about cooking without power!

Note to self – get a headlamp for the stairs when in the UK! Three weeks now!

Tues 21 July: Car issues and proposals

It seems like all my hassles with the traffic cops have been laid side with the old TIP, full of its stamps. The new crisp clean paper indicates I have only been here two weeks, and a new visitor to Zimbabwe is treated so differently to the one being stopped two weeks ago. Maybe they thought I was overstaying my welcome or something! Today I was stopped and proposed to by the traffic cop – how lovely! Although I was glad I had my papers back and foot on the accelerator as I refused. You never know what is going to happen on the way to work.

Sat 25 July :New Creation

We are in the process of replanting River of Life with the new name New Creation. I have just got back from our first joining course (New Connection). What a great time. The new look programme was great, and it is so exciting to be part of this amazing church in this exciting season. I am so excited to be helping build the beautiful bride of Christ in this amazing city!

Sun 12 July: Broadway actor in Bulawayo

We have just had an excellent time with Broadway actor Bruce Kuhn, most well known for his roles in “The Three Musketeers”, actor Bruce Kuhn has memorised the books of Luke (KJV) and Acts (Message) and presents them as two separate monologues. We are launching a series in Acts at church and he kickstarted us with the rendition through Acts. It was so awesome to have the word brought so to life through, American, Scottish and Italian accents. There is so much value in taking a step back and looking at Scripture in it’s bigger context. We had lots of visitors as well, so here’s trusting God for growth in the Church.

Delayed upload from Thurs 9 July: Botswana

I have just got back from a day trip to Francistown, Botswana. I had to take my car out of Zim and get a new temporary import as I have been in Zim for about a year now. I was quite apprehensive as I set out at 6am in the morning – borders are never straightforward – especially with so much corruption flying around. We arrived at the Border about half an hour after it opened, flew straight through the Zim side and arrived at the Bots side to be welcomed by a massive queue of people. We parked the car and walked to the back, standing in the morning cold taking gradual steps forward at a very slow pace. After about 40 minutes I commented on how there were no white people in the queue, and that I was sure I had seen cars carrying white people pass us in the queue. I thought surely there can not be two queues? I saw another car drive past and followed them. It turned out those with cars were all going through to the front. You think they would have a sign – “if you can afford a car – you afford to go to the front”. I am not sure whether I was right or wrong but with freezing cold fingers and feet my car load and I moved to the front and sailed through the border (I was the only white chick!!) I was overjoyed to arrive in Francistown about 930am to find the fuel was only 5pula (about 1/2 the price in Zim), and filled the car with peoples shopping and fuel. It felt good to spend other peoples money in shops with shelves full of choice, and buy clothes for people I had never met (guessing their sizes and shapes!) The time went fast and by 3pm we were on the road again – with butterflies in my stomach we approached the border. After my BeitBridge experience moving to Zim I was not looking forward to this – but knowing there was much prayer covering this trip, I went through all the paper work – sailed through Botswana, and sailed through the Zim side with no car searches, or handing in of forms. The funniest part was probably at the ZIMRA desk as I tried to get the new Temporary Import Permit, the conversation went something like this:

ZIMRA: When will you be returning it?
SUE: Return what?
ZIMRA: The car?
SUE: Where?
ZIMRA: To South Africa?
SUE: To South Africa?
ZIMRA: Yes, when will you be returning with the car to South Africa?
SUE: Oh right, when will I be returning to South Africa? Right – this is a temporary permit……Um, well, UM – maybe just give me three months?
ZIMRA: Three months? No.
SUE: Okay – well um, I have insurance until mid August?
ZIMRA: Okay

So thanks for praying for a smooth crossing and my stupidity! I am happily home with a fresh clean TIP! Please pray I can get an extension from Bulawayo before leaving for the UK.