A word from Traci Cooper

I'm not really sure what to say, THERE IS SO MUCH! But this is what keeps coming to my mind.
Life is simple in Bulawayo, the people are so dedicated and humble. They walk for miles to hear the word of God that may last for hours and we complain when we have to drive fifteen minutes and think that an hour service is too long. They go out of their way to make relationships and many of us think don't have time and don't want to be bothered. I see genuine smiles and welcomeness on their faces and many times I see hardened expressions on the faces here, sometimes not wanting to be bothered. The Zimbabwean believers are so eager to love God, to learn about God and to keep His commandment to love one another. Proverbs 27:19 says, "As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the person." My desire is for my love for God to be so strong in my heart that is shows in my face, my words and my actions. I love these people!

Mwari waku naka=God is good!

"He Who began a good work in you..."

(From Robin)

This is the verse which has stuck with me since our return. Phil. 1:6 in it's fullness says this:

"For I am confident in this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

That is the promise I feel this group and our church has received regarding what He has done in Zimbabwe, Africa through us and Sherrie. We all felt that this was only the beginning. Praise God! He made Himself POWERFULLY known. None of us want that to end. We want His glory shown whether we are on mission in Africa or whether we are here in our daily routines. The trip itself was the restarting of a fire that needs to continue. It will be hard, it will require perseverance, it will take lots of prayer, and accountability must take place. But above all, dependance on the Lord, our mighty God, the Creator of all things. And seeking and showing His GLORY in ALL things.

On one of the return flights that first day, I read in my devotional for that day this verse in Genesis 32:9,11:

"Then Jacob prayed, 'O, Lord Who said to me, 'Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper...'"

God is so good. You drawn near to Him and He draws near to you. And we must be willing to hear HIM, not what we want to hear. We must be open. Many times in our culture, people try and distort the word "prosper" in scripture. In America we immediately think money or material wealth. Other versions say "treat you kindly" and "do you good." What a promise! But we must continue to glorify Him and depend on Him for all things. All things.

On the Sunday of the trip we were there, the Lord brought to me in morning devotion time the reminders of these 2 verses:

Psalm 51:14 - "Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving..."

and

2 Cor. 6:10 - "Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing."

So I asked the Lord to show me, that day, what it truly looked like to give a sacrifice of thanksgiving and to rejoice in suffering. And as I sat worshiping with the people at Praise and Worship Center in the village, He clearly said, "Here is it." See video below:

Check back often. This blog will continue as a place of sharing more stories and a place of showing what God is planning for His Kingdom's work in Zimbabwe.

Travel Day from Vic Falls

Today is Go-go Lucy's birthday! We stopped for some souvenirs and there was an African group singing, so Lucy got a birthday song and dance before we left Victoria Falls!

The return trip to Bulawayo was most of our day. It took about 6 hours...dodging cattle, baboons, children and people, donkey-drawn carts, going through tolls and police blockades. And this is a highway...going our normal 70 mph. We stopped once for a Coke (most sodas are in bottles and are MUCH better than in the states) as well as a toilet break, which is a hole in the concrete behind a brick-walled building. But, alas. We made it...but not without also picking up and dropping off a police woman to her village. You just never know WHAT will happen. And we were SO GLAD to get back "home" to Sherrie's place. The last hour or so was just more unnerving than anything I've ever done. Three days of driving in those conditions had come to a head and we were done with the excitement of it. Thank you Lord for Your hand of protection.

Tomorrow we head back. Please pray for safety and rest. We are also praying that hearts would be open as we come and try and describe the Lord's work here and how we can continue to be a part.

We are all in agreement that our trip can best be described and summarized with the words Paul spoke to the Corinthians in 1 Cor 2:1-5...as us speaking to those we ministered to:

"And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God."

Supplies were given, relationships were built, needs were assessed and most importantly the Gospel of Jesus Christ was proclaimed in all areas of ministries. We feel strongly that the Lord used this trip to set us up for future ministry in Zimbabwe through Bethany Ministries and Sherrie.

Church,

Be prayerful.

Be expectant.

Be ready to be challenged. God is at work in a mighty way!

Victoria Falls

This is a journal Lucy (and parts added by Robin) took on Tuesday as we traveled to and experienced Victoria Falls. It just gives you an idea of how things are different and alike in dailly living:

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

248 miles to Victoria Falls. Sherrie says it will take us 6 hours. Stopped half way for a Coke but had to get Sprite because that was all she had. We gave a woman selling bananas there a gospel tract, which we were able to do all along the day with various people we came into contact with.

Next stop was to take pictures of a baobab tree on the side of the road, about one hour from the falls. It was a good place to stretch our legs. Had to stop for goats in the road and have seen lots of cows on the side of the highway. There’s a donkey on the side now. Lots of people walking - women carrying babies on their backs wrapped around with a blanket or towel, and most also with a bucket, box or bag balanced on top of their head as well. Children run around here alongside the road and crossing like no where we’ve seen. An old man with a cane s walking across with a large bundle of wood... The roads are scattered consistently with pot holes, some filled with dirt...extremely bumpy.

A sign for elephant crossing..among several other animal signs we would never see at home. Went through a toll “gate”, which are people just sitting in the middle of the road...no booth. We can tell it is the beginning of fall here because some leaves are turning yellow and orange.

Today is cloudy and warm. Rainy season is from November through March 31. It has been unseasonably dry and some fear for no crop...which those in rural areas live off of and sell. Vic Falls has a small airport. We just saw some baboons sitting along the roadside eating bananas among some nationals. Nationals set up booths along the roads selling their crop or art pieces. We stopped earlier for Sherrie to get some yams. We have also seen some small carts filled with people and crop being pulled by a team of 4 donkey. Trucks and cars of nationals are usually stuffed full of people as they pick up walkers who they pass on the highway and roads.

As we pull into our first hotel to negotiate a price, there are roaming warthogs all over the beautifully green manicured lawn rooting and eating it. We land at a lodging that is filled with thatched-roofed condos which have an opening at the top and are covered on one side by a canvas wall that can be pulled back during the day. All must be enclosed before dusk as mosquitos swarm and baboons go scavaging for food among the cottages and vehicles.

The rest of the day unfolds first with a lunch in a open-air restaurant on the side of the hill over-looking the plains and watering hole for the animals. We then head to the Falls which is through the look of a national park back home. Breath-taking only begins to describe the majestic landscape our awesome God has displayed. We walk alongside the mountain facing them and every now and then walk toward the paths that lead to the cliffs that show differnt views of the magnificent falls. Mist, spray and water droplets fall on us so fully that by the end we look as if we’ve jumped in a river fully clothed!

We then head to change clothes and on to our sunset cruise on the Zambezi River..upstream from where these very waters crash down into the falls. We see an elephant and a hippo as well as the sun sets beautifully on the horizon of the river with the spray of the falls in the background. What a way to end our time in Africa!

School, Hospital Visit & Safari!

What an amazing, unbelievable day! Marrawakanaka! (God is good!)

Here is our day in pictures:

We visited another town today where Sherrie ministers to the school and hospital. The school takes all children despite whether they can pay or not. Many are the poorest of the poor, orphans and the terminally ill. They serve over 600 children! Today we presented the keyboard you all prayed for to get through traveling. This was the keyboard Lucy bought Glen for his therapy. Words cannot describe the reaction of the children and how it affected Lucy to see it being utilized in this manner.... having no idea where it would eventually end up when she first got it. Marrawakanaka!

Then onto the hospital. There are a few hospitals in the area we are staying, and the one we visited today was considered the best and services about 300 patients a day. Sherrie has such a heart for it. This is where we were able to hand out diapers ("napies") and blankets to the new mothers. There were 2 new sets of twins born today!

Marrawakanaka!

And lastly our treat... a real African safari!! It was such a blessing especially since it was Pastor Steve's birthday! How many people can say they went on a safari on their birthday?!!

Marrawakanaka!

Sunday Services

The team split up today as we worshiped with other churches. Steve ministered at one church while Traci helped with the children's church, also taking half of the remaining supplies and baggie gifts our children made for them. After this service 30 people came down front to pray for rededication.

Greg ministered at the church we've been at all week serving and having the pastor's conference. There was one who came down to ask for salvation! Robin had the privilege of being able to hear him while Lucy helped with children's church outside (where they have children's church services each week aside from rainy days). We also were able to give the children's teachers the remainder of our supplies and gifts.

We learned that the children's teachers have no supplies mainly because of financial reasons...no money for copies or crafts and no curriculum. The children do have notebooks that they bring back and forth each week in order to summarize the Bible story they have learned and memorize the scripture throughout the week. Some of the teachers personally provide for the orphans in their classes. An orphan is any child that not only has no family but also has only 1 parent or lives with a family member. Even with family they can be described as such and even live in an orphanage.

The teachers have requested children's Bibles and story books especially. We are praying about a way to get our Sunday school materials we are done with to them quarterly because they literally have no resources. But the Lord gives all wisdom and you learn quickly out here that relying completely on Him and His Spirit for necessities (and otherwise) is an absolute in all areas. On a level like none other.

Words that the team would describe their church's worship service...

...dynamic

...animated

...demonstrative

...spirit-filled

...uninhibited

And honestly it's difficult to put it into words. You heard a taste of it in the video on yesterday's blog.

Another neat experience was that Greg had the opportunity to give the boots he brought to someone. This is something he planned and was on the look-out for throughout the time. It was obvious the choice - the property care-taker, once we saw his tattered and falling-apart shoes of 2 kinds. As we looked out the church window during service he was wearing them.

Work Day 3

Get you kleenex boxes ready....

Steve was demonstrating servant-leadership with a foot washing on his last day. He started with 3 pastors as example. By the end he had done all 45 pastors and their wives. He said they were shaking as he washed their rough blistered feet after walking miles on rocky roads to get there.

Singing during the Bible Club. Nothing sweeter.

This is just a taste of our worship here...I came in just at the end of this. Right after this they asked us to join them more fully and we all moved up and sang and danced - I mean DANCED in worship (well, most of us...the ones with rhythm!). Their voices are angelic and echo loud off the concrete walls beautifully. I hope to post a full song after tomorrow's worship service. Can't wait to join in completely then! And I can't even begin to explain their praying - Oo-Ay!

Day 2 - Work Day

A taste of what each one of us has been doing these past 2 days...

Steve preaching to about 60-70 pastors from all over the rural areas,

walking miles to get there everyday:

(He's been preaching for 4 hours each day with little break. His voice doesn't show it at all!)

Greg making home medical visits in the bush with Sherrie:

(They've seen about 35-40 patients so far)

Traci ministering to children in the orphanages:

(She's been able to see a smile-less child smile and teach them Bible stories.)

Lucy was able to observe and even teach a couple of lessons at the village school:

(She even taught the teachers a thing or two! And the P.E. teacher about fell over with joy when he was given the soccer ball pump and needles. Yes, the pump & needles, not the ball.)

Robin with the group of children's teachers she taught for a "Teacher Seminar":

(They all walk 30-40 minutes each day to get there. The girl in the orange skirt, Nukuthula, took 2 days off work and she and her 1 year old daughter are staying with her pastor for these 4 days so she would not have to travel as far. Talk about humbling.)

Continue praying, especially as we are exhausted, but encouraged by KNOWING without a doubt God is in control by the obvious ways He has shown Himself so far. Pray as we continue to depend on Him, to allow the Holy Spirit to work through us, to give us safety in traveling on extremely rough (I'm talking, feeling-like-you-just-did-P90X workout rough) roads, having open eyes for opportunities to share His gospel, and whatever the Lord lays on your heart. HE is a miraculous-working God and what you are praying He is answering. Thank you and praise to Him!

Work Day 1

We have truly experienced Africa and God's mighty working power!

We were running late and as we arrived they were singing praises - beautiful! He was told to plan for 30. 60 showed up. And tomorrow - they said to expect 100. Word has gotten out! Many of the pastors shared with him that they are HIV positive. This is what they referred to as their "B.C. Days" - "before Christ."
Praise be to God!

Go-go Lucy went to the school. She observed several classrooms grades 0-3. She was told the teachers walk 1 hour to get to school in the morning. And all the kids walk to - at least that long or longer. And many barefoot on rocky roads. Just about everyone walks here everywhere they go. The kids were not fed today - many of their only meals. Lucy could observe that result in the classroom. Tomorrow she gets to teach a lesson!
Praise be to God!

Greg got to experience "true Africa" today in the bush with Sherrie by making home medical visits. The local village pastor's wife sets up the appointments for Sherrie and she spends a couple of days a week doing this. These are on compounds with several adobe-type dwellings with thatched roofs. Lucy and I got to go on the last visit - we sat under a jackelberry tree on a homemade straw mat by a hut watching Greg take the blood pressure of this 70 year old woman and her friend. God used Sherrie to basically save her life a couple of weeks ago and now she is stable!
Praise be to God!

Traci went to both orphanages we had visited the first day - one in the morning with the toddlers, the other in the afternoon with school-age. The Lord used her to simply share His love and sweet touch with these that have little attention. There are about 8-10 at each home. Holding, playing, teaching Bible stories and reading to were her activities. She was drawn to a little girl the first day who no one had seen smile. Traci prayed and the Lord answered. She smiled for Traci. And hugged her and played soccer with her. The Lord is using her to heal this little one.
Praise be to God!

And I (Robin) was humbled by the 6 children's teachers who came eagerly to hear what "the American" had to share. Talk about pressure and meeting expectations! But God! I leatrned so much as well. That the Lord has called each of them through different circumstances to care for and teach children. They have the same issues as we. A blessing and reassurance the at the cross of calvary the ground is level. May God grow us closer in fellowship and may I learn them by name (their names are so hard to pronounce!) and pray by HIS Spirit what their needs are. They share tea daily around 10 a.m. wherever they are. I was able to join them today. A custom I would love for us Americans to duplicate. It would cause us to slow down and nurture relationships.
Praise be to God!

Tour Day

Sherrie Bumstead, the missionary here, decided that our first full day in Zimbabwe would be touring the places where we will be serving - teaching & preaching.

We stopped first in Hope Fountain at Pastor Gideon and Jennifer's home to meet them and visit about the pastor's conference. What an amazing work they are doing in rural Zim! Pastor Gideon's goal is to be able to have a pastor's conference at least annually with mainly the rural pastors. He feels they are just left out of many resources that those in the city have easy access to.

We headed from there to their church there in the village. There were men and women there that were obviously preparing it for the 3 day pastor's conference starting tomorrow (Thursday). Women sweeping the 3 year old building (for years before that it was basically a lean-to tent), men working in the yard and others delivering plants for decoration. The people are so gracious and friendly. Our brothers and sisters in Christ!

From there we went to the school in the village where the children greeted us with giggles and hugs running in and out of their classrooms. It was in full work mode as we saw them having recess and reciting lessons out loud from the teachers. We also met the headmaster and toured the kitchen area and "God's Garden" they have started - a biblical way of gardening. Sherrie has arranged for Go-go (Lucy) to go into the school classes to observe and help Thursday and Friday!

We then journeyed on to see our first orphanage that is also located in the village. There were no children there, as they were all in school, but we were able to get a good idea of how they live and where they are taught about their Savior. In the middle of the 4-5 housing buildings was a large thatched-roof amphitheater overlooking the valley below and mountains across. This is where we will be teaching VBS and having the children's teacher training. It's difficult to imagine living day to day here as these children do considering all the conveniences we have in America, but the Lord knows this is the best place for His little ones. It's a blessing for them to have a place where His ways are taught..and He provides.

Sherrie then took us back into Bulawayo to visit 2 orphanges operated by the same Christian woman, Jenny. (Sorry - having trouble with first names so last names are out of the question!) These are what she calls “Forever Homes.” These children won’t be adopted or moved; they will stay there together for the rest of their lives. There are 8-10 in each home and each home has a “Mommy” and a couple of “Aunties” who are named so as to create a family atmosphere. And between the homes they call each other cousins for the same reason. These children come here mainly because of abandonment - left and found on the side of the road or in the bush, given to them, left in the care of a hospital or because their parents’ death. Unthinkable to us. But now they have a home. And God-fearing, Bible teaching ones at that, so praise be to God! Precious children, precious care-takers.

Jenny’s response when asked what the biggest needs were was large diapers for the older children who needed them (one is paralyzed and one mentally disabled at one home), backpacks for all the children for school (which we will get to do while we are here!), and the most needed - people. Help. House parents. So much need. God is opening doors of possibility. Please pray!

There will be more to write as we debrief tonight and share what the Lord put on our hearts personally after our day.

We made it!

WE MADE IT! :) We arrived in Bulawayo about 1:30 p.m./6:30 a.m. TX. A huge blessing that the Lord worked out was that we thought we would have to pick up our ALL checked 17 pieces of luggage in Johannesburg before we loaded for Bulawayo; lugging it around for several hours. BUT GOD! In His wisdom, made it to where all the pieces went straight through-at first we weren't sure if this was a good thing or not. BUT since we didn't know that, we waited for our luggage anyway and intercepted one of Traci's pieces that they accidentally let go to claim! It most certainly wouldn't have made it otherwise, at least not on time. AND Sherrie was able to help us through customs when we picked up all the luggage in Bulawayo, in which they went through EACH of 27 pieces of luggage (including the 8 tubs of supplies). She would not have been there to help if we had had to go through it in Johannesburg. A reassurance of "keeping His eye on the sparrow."

Here we are with Sherrie at the house after baths, a change of clothes and a snack. Ahhh....(soon to come)

Day 2 - Johannesburg

The team made it to Johannesburg - about 7:oo a.m./12 a.m. TX time. We'll be leaving for Bulawayo soon and should arrive afternoon our time/ morning TX time. Continue to pray for our luggage - protection, arrival and everything as it was. We can feel your prayers of protection and the Lord's favor - keep lifting them up! We were all able to get some rest on the Johannesburg flight after about 36 hours of hardly any sleep.

Praying this today...

"For He will give His angels charge concerning you,

to guard you in all your ways." Psalm 91:11

Travel Day 1 -London

Well, the team made it to London! We arrived about 2 a.m. TX time...7 a.m. here. Full plane and now waiting for our overnight flight to Johannesburg to leave at 5:30 London/12:30 p.m. TX time. Please be praying over our luggage, especially for a keyboard we thought we could carry on but had to pay to check. It also contains some VBS materials.

Some snapshots... Breakfast...

Trying to rest...

Preparations

The team has had many meeting, prayer times and planning sessions. This past week has been the most full. Below are some of our preparations.

Carroll Church women met for a sewing day last Saturday to make reusable diapers for the mothers and orphanages. The ladies were able to make a total of 48 diapers in one morning!

The children at CBC assembled gift baggies full of treats for the children where we will be doing our VBS. They each have a toothbrush, toothpaste, gum and depending on if they are a girl, boy or teenager, they will get hair accessories, a toy, or a cross necklace. We made a total of 90 bags! A huge thanks goes out to Connie Anderson and Dr. Andrew Randall at Randall & Randall Dentistry for the donation of 50 toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes!!

We are taking 8 tubs filled with supplies given not only by our generous church family, but also by our friends and family. They are filled to the brim with the diapers, baby pain relievers, diaper rash cream, children's vitamins, adult pain relievers, anti-itch and anti-biotic creams, gauze and bandages, books, Bibles, devotionals and lots more! Thank you to all our donators for your interest and generosity!