Well, here it is, wd have arrived at an end. The final day of work and closing ceremonies at Chimoza school before beginning the trek home tomorrow. I awake today with a full heart and a sad heart. Full for all the new friends and acquaintances I have met, sad because we part ways. The old saying is too true, “parting is such sweet sorrow”.
Our day began with another 7 am breakfast and devotional centred on Revelation 22:18. We discussed how we need to be careful to ensure when we say “God led me to do x” that it is actually through the Spirit and is supported biblically as we ponder a direction or activity before us. What a relevant message as we consider missions work. Is this the direction God has called me? As a team and as individuals or couples, we all shared our stories of how the invitation came, how it was weighed in prayer and consideration for each of us before we agreed to come on this mission.
We headed out to Chimoza school ready for a morning’s work again. It was going to be a hot day. We discovered on arrival that were at a point in the construction where we were no longer able to lay bricks as the scaffolding was unable to support our weight, nor was there room. We spent the morning helping with the remaining concrete for the ring beam, mixing mortar and cleaning up the site of broken bricks and making final visits with the workers we had come to love over the course of the last week. Some of the women joined the community women for a last trip to the well to draw water for the construction. We also spent a lot of time playing with the children. We broke out the parachute we had brought and a soccer ball, the kids had a blast running around under the parachute and sending the ball flying. We challeged the kids to tug of war competitions and introduced the kids to jump rope today and they picked it up pretty quick!
Closing ceremonies came all too quickly after lunch. We had a wonderful time listening to the various heads (village, PTA, DEB, CCAP, school) close out our mission to Chimoza with many thank you’s and tawonga chomene’s. We were provided with fantastic parting gifts from the community, consisting of watermelons, pumpkins, maize and a few chickens – a thoughtful and sacrificial gift for this community that had so little to give, but gave with joyfull hearts. We posed for many pictures said our farewells and headed back to the CCAP with a few tears shed.
Where the 1x2 (1 building with 2 classrooms) construction progressed to during our trip.
This evening, we were treated to an amazing feast by the CCAP team who joined us for the food and cake afterwards. The CCAP leadership thanked us for our generosity and for bringing hope for a better future for the kids of the chimoza community. We gave our farewells and headed to bed for an early morning start.
As the day draws to a close, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible journey we have nearly completed. We give thanks to God for guiding us to Chimoza, for the friendships formed, and for the opportunity to serve this community. It is with full hearts that we reflect on the blessings received and the impact made. Though our mission here ends, we trust that the seeds planted will continue to grow, nurtured by His grace and love. May God continue to watch over Chimoza and all of us as we carry these precious memories and lessons back home.
We want to thank Jerry for putting this trip together. We live your heart for these people who have so little, and these people love you dearly.
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Comments
What a journey it has been, I've truly enjoyed following along reading your blogs and looking at each picture! All the time and effort put in has been wonderful. You each have truly been a blessing! Amazing to see the massive change on the 1x2 classroom block! The friendships made, and the pure joy you have brought to children's faces! As you begin the homeward journey, we'll be praying for safe travels!
Claudia Peters
1 year ago