Written Mar 7, 2020:
Welcome back everyone!
It’s been almost two weeks since I posted and I’m sorry for that. Let me tell you about the time we’ve had here in Harare, Zimbabwe!
The first week of ministry was packed and we loved it. Our first day of ministry was last Wednesday and we had the opportunity to go to a the local church and school and talk to some of the older kids about having relationship with God and what it’s like to live in God’s calling. They were so involved and asked a lot of questions which were fun to answer.
After that we did some manual labor and helped to cut the grass at the school with manual blades. We looked hysterical but we did it! Sadly, Sharon got pretty sick while we were doing that so we decided to end the day a little bit early and go back home so she could rest.
Thursday, instead of Sharon who was feeling sick, it was me lol. I did not feel well that day, but I didn’t want to miss out on ministry so we all went to a school with more middle school/ high school and older aged kids. We did a program with them where we performed the gospel skit and explained it, told testimonies, had biblical teachings, and shared what it was like to be a missionary. We opened up for questions which was a first for us and there were surprisingly many who were curious. I think about 65 students signed up for learning more information about YWAM and just the call to be a missionary in general which was a pleasant surprise.
We went to another church and school after that to wash windows of a couple of houses on the property and then got to meet and hold some adorable little kids and babies! They were so precious and easy and just made our day by existing.
Friday, we went to a primary school with some younger kids. We had two programs we did for the kids, one for each grade group, and let me tell you. I still don’t really know how to handle that day and what happened. They were so sweet and excited and really into the program, so at the end we wanted to take a selfie with all of the kids together. As soon as we pulled our cameras out they all rushed to us to get as close as they could, even coming up on the stage thing we were on and hugging us which was so cute and sweet. But then because there were so many kids, we were having trouble standing up straight and as soon as we gave one kid a high five, almost fifty more crowded over for a high five too. I have never experienced that before, and it wasn’t a negative, just very new. With the stage and the sea of kids that all wanted our attention, it was like we had become celebrities or something, but we were just people, you know? I think that was a moment when I realized how much impact we have on people, and especially kids with what we teach and speak. I wanted to give everyone of them a hug but I knew I’d get trampled if I did.
But while we were about to leave, one girl called out my name and I turn to see two of the older girls at the far side of the stage. They told me to come over so I did and one of them, Princess, told me to hold out my arm, and the other, Monique, put a slap on bracelet on my wrist. I was so touched by their sweet gesture, and still have it with me now.
Saturday we had the opportunity to go door-to-door doing house visits. We met with the people in each house and got to know them a bit, hear their prayer requests, and pray for them and give words of encouragement as well.
Sunday was church, but sadly I didn’t go. I was still not feeling well and I felt like God told me to rest so I took Sunday to stay gone and rest the whole day. I slept and did my journal and quiet time with God, and a couple other productive things, but mostly just laid down. The guys said church was great though, and I wish I was able to hear Daph’s message because everyone said it was really good. Either way it was a pretty good day even though we had to split into two teams.
Monday was the rest day for the team and I was feeling a lot better so after a late morning We went into the city to look around in the flea markets and get some lunch and ice cream. Then after we ate we went back to rest for the rest of the day because after that day, we wouldn’t get another off day until after our last day of ministry was over, next Monday.
Tuesday was the start of the second week of ministry here in Harare and we were able to do something unexpected and really fun.
We made bricks.
Actual cement bricks. We mixed the cement and water together and shoveled it into the heavy molds and carried them over to the side where we flipped them over and pulled the mold up and brought it back again. For some reason, maybe it was the group of people, though Daph was sick from our team and stayed home that day, maybe it was the work, maybe it was both, but we had such a blast and we even got to pray with them over Zimbabwe and clarity about what it’s really like to follow Jesus. We had that short intercession time on a rocky hill called God’s rock which is used by many different people to pray to God. It was such a beautiful spot but it made us sad to see that there was so much confusion. But praying over it made us feel like the area was protected.
We went home after that with light hearts and rested that night.
Wednesday was more door to door except we did bible studies at the houses that day. Myself and Sharon shared about different things that God spoke to us to prepare and chose based on what we thought God was telling us about each place and whose words they needed to hear. The people were so open and kind to us and that never fails to blow me away, just how kind everyone is to visitors. After walking a ways for a few hours to visit houses, we called it a day and took the long trek and public transport back to the church, and then home.
Thursday was interesting. Our guide who had been taking care of us on ministry took us to his theological college he is attending to introduce us to the campus and do a sort of prayer walk around campus. He was really wanting us to pray for revival in the school and that it would be about relationship with God and not just theology. So we went, but the atmosphere was not at all as I expected. I felt like they saw everything as transactions and as they kept talking about it, I realized that they only cared about denominations and status. It was very rigid so we prayed under our breaths as we walked around. I had never been to such a closed off place, other schools we visited had been so welcoming and loving but there was a real lack of Christly love in this place. We met some of the teachers and were given the opportunity to speak briefly to the first years about how important it is to hear God’s voice and spend time with him.
After we toured the college we went on more house visits and I was able to bring a little encouragement to this woman who was so depressed. She reminded me of myself from a year and a half ago. So I told her my testimony and how I feel better than I ever have since I cane back to God.
After door to door we went home and had team time with tea and cookies and rested for the night.
Saturday we went on more house visits which was a pleasure as always. We met a few older women and men and prayed for them and encouraged them, but what stuck out to me about the day is that at the end of the day, there was this woman who was so sick. She could barely move she was in so much pain and she could barely talk too. We prayed for her sickness to get better and she told us that her son got run over by a car that morning and she didn’t have anyone to watch over her. We were shocked and one of the women we were with went over to a neighbors house and asked them to look after her. Turns out she was hallucinating and she didn’t want us there either. She thought we were there to try to get her out of the house but we just wanted to pray for her.
We left the house knowing her son would come visit her and we did what was possible for us and the rest is in God’s hands.
Sunday we had church and I’m so glad I went even though I was catching a cold haha. We did a little program for the church and got the whole congregation to dance to a kids ministry song with us, I told the kids the story of Joseph who became a ruler over Egypt, Sijin shared a testimony about himself, Sharon talked about ministry life, Josiah explained the gospel skit we did and daphne finished with a fire message about hearing God’s voice and making the decision to go all in and get excited to talk to God.
Now we’re going into the eleventh and last week of outreach where we will be finishing ministry tomorrow and flying out for Perth on Thursday. It’s surreal that our time here has come to an end. It feels like we haven’t been here any time at all yet it feels like we’ve been here in Africa for the longest time in the best way.
I will never forget my time here in Africa in Malawi and Zimbabwe, or my time in Perth, Australia.
These have been a roller coaster ride of six months but it’s been more than worth every moment and though I know it’s not quite over yet, I find myself reflecting on the DTS as a whole.
I’m sorry it’s been so long, but I will post again in a few days before we fly out for Perth.
Until then thank you guys so much for your patience and prayers of protection. It means so much. Until next time!
Hugs from Harare, Zim!
Journey With Kaylee 