June 14, 2022

June 14, 2022

It’s been another full week in the church in Zimbabwe!  Sunday brought the opportunity for more worship with churches in the  Northern Conference.  Two districts came together to worship with UCCZ President, the Rev. John Matiza, who preached and shared a message about the state of the church: the ongoing ministry, including some new projects underway, as well as current challenges and future hopes.  The church was filled to overflowing and the Holy Spirit’s presence was palpable! Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 12:12-30, the president reminded worshipers that every member has a role in helping the church to function well.  Church members were encouraged to build strong relationships, to strive for unity and to engage in giving and serving sacrificially. 

My work with Global Ministries’ Child Sponsorship Program in Zimbabwe continues. It is a pleasure to work with folks here who care so deeply about the welfare of the children in Zimbabwe.  It is heartening to know that the program benefits not only children related to the church, but also from the wider community. Our aim is to increase the number of sponsorships in Zimbabwe so that more vulnerable children may be assisted with such basics as food, clothing, blankets and school fees. There is tremendous need here. In order to gain more sponsors, the UCCZ wants to promote awareness of the program throughout the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church Disciples of Christ, the two denominations that make up Global Ministries. Here is the link to the program… https://www.globalministries.org/child_sponsorship/

So, together we are working on telling the story!  We will do that over the next weeks as we travel throughout Zimbabwe, meeting currently sponsored children as well as some who are hoping to be part of the program in the near future.

My traveling companions will be Mrs. Monica Zinduko, the full-time secretary and part-time Child Sponsorship Coordinator at the UCCZ Head Office in Harare and Mr. Phillimon Hlatywayo, the church’s driver, who pitches in wherever he is needed. Today he was helping Monica organize the program files. We will travel first to the Western Conference, then back to the Northern Conference and finally to the Eastern Conference, where most of the sponsored children stay.  There are currently no sponsored children in the Western Conference, and only a few in the Northern Conference. Expanding the program will make a huge difference in those two parts of the country.

To improve communication, the UCCZ has appointed a Communications Coordinator for each of the three Conferences.  In the last week we have shaped that position, including creating a job description. We will meet with the new Coordinators and the Conference Superintendents over the next three weeks to work on putting the new plan (and people!) into action.  The Coordinators will assist Mrs. Zinduko, by checking in with the children (through the local church pastor or center directors) on a regular basis and by providing timely updates on sponsored children. Sponsors will be receiving updates twice a year.  

Finally, here’s a look at typical morning in this home: a 15 year old on her way to school loaded down with laptop bag, lunch bag , backpack filled to capacity (and then some), extra books in her arms and breakfast -to-go balanced carefully on top.  Whew! Missing is the sports bag she usually carries!  With the exception of the uniform, this could be a snapshot in many of our homes, yes…?!  

I will post a video of worship from last Sunday’s worship later in the week. No blog post until I return to “home base” next week!

Mwari ave neme.  (God bless you.)