Finally, after 7 weeks mosquito’s have decided to interact with me! How annoying. They are so itchy.
So, its been a week since I last wrote, time really goes so quick.
Last Wednesdays day in Sakubva went really well again. Jennifer shared about God guiding us with the adults, and Jenny taught about the Holy Spirit with the youth. It was a good day, long as usual, but really good. I paid my weekly visit to the old ducks at Strickland Lodge old peoples home on Thursday mornings. They really love it if you just sit and have a cup of tea with them. Get some really interesting stories about the war as well. Later on we had the bible study with a different group of oldies. That went well also. Thursday night is my home group night, I’m actually really enjoying that now, and have been leading worship for that for the last few weeks. This Thursday will be my last home group with those guys, as we all move round to new ones from now until we leave.
Friday was really hectic as usual. Animal Kingdom kids club went really well, it’s such a good opportunity to become child like with all the kids! I love it. They love it if you’re on their level as well. They’ve all been responding really well to the teaching which is cool. We didn’t have to lead bushwackers (10-13 yr olds) this week, as we met with our Oasis coordinator from Harare for dinner. They took us to this café/restaurant place in town called Stacks. We’ve been there once or twice for coffee. It’s a lovely place just to retreat and return to western style civilization. Shall be visiting again before the end of the month! They do a yummy iced coffee. Couldn’t really hack it at first because the milk tastes really different out here, like weird different, but im used to it now.
Afterwards we took youth group again. I’m really enjoying coordinating and leading the worship for those guys. It’s a good bunch of people, a lot of potential. I spoke on the importance of accountability with them, and that went down well, so all was successful. We’ve arranged for the youth group to run the Sunday morning service on the 5th December at St.Columbus. This is something they’ve never done before, so all are a bit scared, but im sure they’ll be great. Were taking some of the seniors to a game park called Gonerozo in December also. That should be a laugh- apparently we’re camping right in with the lions! mmmm yum yum.
Saturday was pretty chilled. Caught up on washing etc, and tidied my half of the room. It’s a good job me and jenny got put together, because we’re definitely the two messy ones! Mum – you would freak! Nah im not that bad. We were invited to a little party in Sakubva, one of the really rural villages. We were all not sure what to expect, but it turned out to be a right laugh. They were banging out some African music as loud as possible out of this little speaker that just couldn’t hack it. Most of the food was fine except for this dodgy fishy tomato toasted sandwich thing which definitely was a struggle to swallow. They appreciate it so much if you enjoy their food and company, so you just have to eat it really! I just imagined I was eating Chinese- it actually works! Yep definitely missing greasy take outs. All the food you eat is really healthy out here, which is a good thing. Loads and loads of fruit and veg. Definitely missing my usual chocolate intake though!
Sunday we spent the day with Shaun, the coordinator from Harare. We were all invited for a braai at someone’s house form the church. It was a really nice time – just chilling by the pool with a bar-b-q going. Still can’t get my head round us occasionally having that luxury, whilst 10 minutes down the road is absolute poverty. Kids playing on rubbish heaps and people living in little sheds. Its crazy. Definitely a weird way of life out here.
On Monday we had our first experience of the long awaited rains! We were doing 3rd coats on the swings that we’ve been painting at Fairfield Orphanage, when it suddenly bucketed beyond belief. The fatest rain ive ever seen. We ran for shelter, and this girl from the states called Janine came and rescued us and took us back to her little house thing she’s living in. She comes over for 6/7 month sessions at a time, working and living at the orphanage. Really nice girl, it was good to get to know her a bit.
So it has been another great week, its still flipping hot here. But gets cold in the evenings, really cold at night sometimes.
All the girls have been getting post this week which has really lifted spirits. I still haven’t got any of mine which got caught up in the strike, but haven’t lost hope yet. The guy in the post office reckoned it should all be sorted by the end of this week.
Everyone’s doing good as well. Jenny’s been pretty home sick this week, missing friends and family and stuff, so if you could spare a prayer for her that would be great. We’ve had a few issues to work through as a team during our accountability time, but all to be expected when living with three other people you don’t really know. Living and working so intensely with people really highlights bits of your character that may have been selfish or not that great, that you didn’t even know about. Spose that’s a good thing. Good practice for Uni!
So yeah, still loving it, missing all you guys. I occasionally stop and think about all the things you’d all be doing, on the busy run up to Christmas. I hope you’re all having a great time.
So, I shall write again soon. I’m trying to work out how to post some pictures up on here at the moment, so watch this space! I’m sure having some places and faces to put names to would help.
So take care, I’ll catch up again soon.
All my love
Rebecca x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Please pray for
1)Jennys home sickness
2)My Nanna, having a big operation at the end of this week.
3)That all mosquito’s within a 5 mile radius of my bed would suddenly flee to some far away land. Thanks.