Mission Tour in Zimbabwe

We just returned from a Mission Tour in Zimbabwe and we are even more grateful for our lovely home in Johannesburg and our abundance of food, water and all the necessities of life. We were gone for several days and this trip entailed much driving from city to city to meet with the various zones. We flew to Harare, drove to Mutare, Bulawayo, and Gueru which took many hours. We were in an eleven or twelve passenger van carrying the mission president and his wife, the two assistants and the two of us. We carried IN the van 5 huge plastic containers that carried gasoline. Every time we went over a bump or around a big curve we could hear the sloshing. The assistants would fill the tank when needed as there wasn't any gas in the service stations. They have coupons for gas that could be filled in Harare. We also carried about 8-10 empty gasoline containers to give to the missionaries with cars so they could have emergency gas. It was quite a sight to see more people walking on the streets than ever before. Gas is scarce, expensive and therefore the combis (taxis) were also scarce and expensive. There were many, many places on the highways where 50 to one hundred people were sitting on the ground waiting for transportation. They all had bags, and suitcases and children and many possessions hoping to go someplace....where, I don't know. The grocery shelves are almost completely empty. Many of the missionaries, president and wife and couples have not had chicken or beef for weeks. Bread and milk, eggs, cheese, etc is just not available. Their rice supplies are very low and they seem to be living on macaroni with some sauce they make and the missionaries are using LOTS ot ketchup. Some areas have peanut butter and those cute missionaries put it on pasta with honey if they can't get bread. They are NOT complaining. They are working hard doing missionary work and aren't bothered or worried about what they don't have. They make the most of what they do have. The mission president is watching his flock very carefully. As we speak a van full of rice, toilet paper, oil and many other things are being driven from Zambia (which is in their mission) to all the missionaries. All of them have a emergency supply of food that they are not allowed to touch unless given direction by the MP. They have plenty of water and they have charcoal to cook on because the electricity goes off all the time. I must say that we came away inspired by the way these missionaries are just rolling with life. They are, I think the happiest missionaries I have ever seen. They love what they are doing, they are working hard, and they are succeeding in all areas. Baptism rate is high. You should hear them sing. We had a special musical number in every zone that would bring tears to our eyes. We laughed with them also and just had an inspiring tour.
One zone had arranged for 2 women to cook and serve the lunch, but they left Zimbabwe on the spur of the moment, so the missionaries cooked the meal. It was soooo cute. One companionship cooked beets and sliced them very thin and pickled them. Another companionship made a "HUGE" sheet cake without some major ingredients. I can't remember what it was, but it was delicious. Another com. made a huge potato salad. I think they had enough to fill a half bushel basket. It was delicious.....and they said their arms about fell off from peeling the potatoes. Another companionship had a pasta dish with chicken in it. They had bought a live chicken....killed it....plucked it....cooked it.... shredded it and made a great pasta dish....mostly pasta, but it was good too. It was the sweetest meal we had because it was made with loving hands......inexperienced hands, but hands that were willing. It was very touching. You should have seen how the food was piled on the elder's plates. In every zone, they plates were 4-6 inches high. The LOVED the food and really appreciated it. Do we appreciate enough what we have? They were just full of smiles and laughter during lunch and it was a joy to see.
It was a blessing to be with all of the elders and the outstanding mission president and his wife and to bask in their joy of serving. We are blessed to be in this land. It is a privilege.