Back in Town

My traveling buddy, John, and I, are finally back in Harare. Let's start at the beginning. John and I came down here to Zimbabwe two weeks ago, but it feels like so much longer. Since arriving we've been visiting what are called 'the Projects,' homes where orphans are kept and cared for by churches that partner with Hands of Hope. We spent four days last week out at a home called 'Fernroad A' where a group of adorable orphans lives with two aunties who take care of them and watch over them. The kids are great and warmed up to us right away even though only a handful of them speak english. We've been making friends and working on the homes- last week we painted Fernroad A over two days after working on the plumbing. One evening we led a devotion for the highschool and junior high girls who live across the yard in Fernroad B. John gave a little word and I played my guitar and sang. It's been such a huge blessing to be here and meet these people and work for them.
Time here is so up and down. There are very punctual people, and very not-so-much people. Some times we're sitting and waiting for things to happen, and other times we have to rush to get out the door five minutes ago.
Last thursday our friend Gary picked us up from Fernroad and and drove us back to the office we're sort of based in. We had ten minutes to unpack and re-pack for a four day road trip. The trip was across Zimbabwe to see Victoria Falls and then visit the different projects across the country on the way back, stopping four times at warehouses to bulk-buy food for the feeding projects: places organized by churches partnering with hands of hope to feed fifty or more orphans on a daily basis. There's so much more going on here than we ever imagined.
So far, John and I have slept on at least eight different surfaces in so many conditions. Our first night on the road we shared a bed that was two feet wide, with one blanket and an overhead flourecent light that couldn't be turned off.
Pastor Simon is a man who lives in Hwange and has a huge vision for Christs church, building schools, farms, and meeting houses for Christian in the country to come and use. He took us several miles into the country on a dirt road to a village where no white man had been in ten years. The kids were so shy and the best we got out of them is a little hand shake before they ran away giggling and trying to push their friends towards our open palms.
We stayed a night in Bluwayo with a man who cares for over a dozen kids with his own meager salary. All the kids are so beautiful and friendly here. The littlest children lead out as the whole group sings praise to the Lord after dinner.
Today was the last leg home from visiting the different projects that are going on. This morning we had to pull off to the side of the road to refill our car with a jug of diesel we had to buy off the black market the day before. We needed a funnel to put it in our tank, but had no knife to cut our juice bottle open to make one, and none of the glass bottles discarded their were sharp enough. Fortunately, there was the remnants of a fire burning their next to the highway and we melted the bottom of the bottle and tore it open with a rock. Then it was just the open road, roughly a dozen corrupt police barricades hoping for bribes, and one last visit two a feeding project before we made it back 'home.' God was great to us and has showed us so many blessings through these kids- we traversed trecherous trails of stone that were not meant to be traveled in our tiny toyota. Somehow we made it safely though, with a slew of new friends and brothers in Christ and love for these kids.
I hope this gives you a picture of what we've been up to, and what it's like down here. Post any and all questions- We'll be back soon.