Out of Africa (Zimbabwe)
Some journal entries from our incredible trip. . . Tuesday, July 19, 2005: "When the earth is lacking color, the people of Zimbabwe bring it to life, with their colorful clothing, smiling faces and warm ways. Today we worked even harder than yesterday. We helped mix cement and carry cement blocks for the church addition. I can't believe how hard these people work everyday (without complaining!), men and women alike. Some of the women carried babies on their backs while working. People came from all around to help with the addition. Even the smallest children helped collect rocks for fill. It was a true church FELLOWSHIP event in every sense of the word." Wednesday, July 20, 2005: "Happy Birthday Andrea!" Even though I can't be with you on your birthday, I wanted to let you know that you were in my thoughts. I asked Gertrude, the creche teacher (she teaches 3 and 4 year old children) if she would be able to put 'Happy Birthday Andrea' on her chalkboard and then place her students under it for a photo. She was so accommodating, as were all the people we met. Gertrude had another surprise for me, though. She had taught the children to sing 'Happy Birthday'. I took the photo and Donna Ackerman taped the students singing. What a treasure!Jo Szirbik