Hi, We got back from Mutare about noon today. We went there yesterday for the 'hand-over' ceremony at the Zororai Old People's Home. They were overjoyed to have their grinding mill working again. The nun who runs the place said she is so happy she can't even begin to express it to us. It was great to be able to help them out. It will be a source of income for the home and it also enables them to raise some chickens again. The chickens can eat the residue that is left after grinding the maize. We were pleased to hear that they had taken delivery of 100 baby chicks yesterday morning before we arrived so they are now also in the chicken business. They pay $1.50 for each chick and can sell it 'live' for about $6 - $7 when it is mature. They said people like buying them 'live' as they like to use "everything" (head, feet, intestines, etc.).
We took Mazoi juice and some sweet rolls (cinamon rolls) for refreshments and they liked that, of course. All went well. It was too late to drive home so we stayed over at the Inn on the Vumba. It is a nice enough place (but not as nice as the Inn on the Great Zimbabwe).
Tomorrow we head down to Masvingo for the weekend. Saturday Elder Bullock has several (maybe 10) baptism interviews to do there. There are no full time elders serving there so the branch missionaries do the teaching etc. Branch missionaries here do a great job. The branches the senior couples attend all only have branch missionaries - Kadoma, Bindura, Masvingo, & Marondera.
It is hard to believe it is almost Christmas. It doesn't get the commercialism here that it does at home. For the most part the native people look forward to being with family and having a big meal. Some might exchange small gifts.
The weather is great. We have had rain and the maize is starting to grow. People everywhere are working in their 'fields' and we always see people walking with their big hoe over their shoulder.
I know everyone is busy with the Christmas preparations and we hope it will be a good time for all! Wish we could be there but.... glad to be here with these wonderful people.
Here are some pictures from the last few days.
December 13, 2009
We took Mazoi juice and some sweet rolls (cinamon rolls) for refreshments and they liked that, of course. All went well. It was too late to drive home so we stayed over at the Inn on the Vumba. It is a nice enough place (but not as nice as the Inn on the Great Zimbabwe).
Tomorrow we head down to Masvingo for the weekend. Saturday Elder Bullock has several (maybe 10) baptism interviews to do there. There are no full time elders serving there so the branch missionaries do the teaching etc. Branch missionaries here do a great job. The branches the senior couples attend all only have branch missionaries - Kadoma, Bindura, Masvingo, & Marondera.
It is hard to believe it is almost Christmas. It doesn't get the commercialism here that it does at home. For the most part the native people look forward to being with family and having a big meal. Some might exchange small gifts.
The weather is great. We have had rain and the maize is starting to grow. People everywhere are working in their 'fields' and we always see people walking with their big hoe over their shoulder.
I know everyone is busy with the Christmas preparations and we hope it will be a good time for all! Wish we could be there but.... glad to be here with these wonderful people.
Here are some pictures from the last few days.
December 13, 2009
Our Christmas CornerDecember 14, 2009
Road to the Reimer Clinic - Do we or don't we drive through? - We did!
Two little girls at the clinic - we gave them a 'sweet'
Going out. We made it through!December 16, 2009
Yummy Sadza!
Cutting the ribbon for grinding mill @ Zororai Old People's Home December 16, 2009
Maize grinding mill
Looking down at Mutare from Vumba Mountain
Mutare
Butterfly OR moth on wall outside our roomLove, Elder/Sister Bullock
it would be so nice not to have the commercialism for Christmas, they have it right...
ReplyDeleteMERRY CHRISTMAS!!
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