Day 5 - Amazon School (1st day teaching)

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Today was the day that I had worked and planned passionately for during the past year. Today was the day so many people and organizations blessed me with monetary donations (I am truly truly thankful for them) as they passionately gave as they, too, wanted to be a part of helping these high school students have the computers needed to learn computer skills and have the opportunity to obtain better jobs in their future.

Today was the day that my heart for education and children was personally shown to me through the smiles and excitement of over 100 students as the first class I had for the day got to actually open the computers right out of the box. This was a vision that was actually unveiling right before my eyes. I could not ever have imagined that moment as it actually really was. To witness personally as they had a laptop computer in front of them in the new computer lab room that was build because I had committed to raising the funds and I was right there teaching them the basics of a computer.

My feelings is hard to put into words other than God is so good as he tells us to put our talents to good use - unimaginable and certainly a gift given with many prayers behind it.

With this lab and the computers they can continue to learn and receive the computer skills needed to better themselves. These children are very smart and very well behaved in this high school and the focus and discipline was evident from them as I stood before them directing them to log in and teaching them the basics of computer. Out of over 100 students the principal said over 95% of them had not ever touched a computer and some never seen one. You cannot imagine the excitement in that room. I could never have either if I hadn't experienced it with my own eyes. They were so thankful and would tell me over and over they were grateful and the hugs and high fives I got when they left class and another class came in was exhilarating.

When i gave the students the notebooks that the girls training class had written a note in to them they were reading the notes and smiling and loved having the notebooks.

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I taught at least 20-23 students a day in each of the four - one hour classes. Each class was full of smiles and so thankful. Today was the personal project I had taken on by myself to fulfill a wish as a teacher and as a person who loves and wants to see children succeed and have the resources needed to do so.

A baboon outside my class as I taught :)

A year ago, not sure of myself in being able to do this, I took my heart that wanted it for those students so badly and through prayer and so many wonderful people in my community and beyond witnessed students having hope and seeing potential in themselves. This day will always be etched in my heart as my emotions for this school and these children overflowed with excitement and joy. Anyone who gave and was any part of this project, just look what you have done. God bless each of you!

Day 4 - Sunday services

On this day, Sunday, we went to church with around 350-400 Zimbabwe people at Nkulamane. Once a month over 20 congregations that have been started here in Zimbabwe come together at Nkukamane to be together and encourage and support each other. The unity of these friendly and God loving people was clearly witnessed as they all worshipped together for the Lord. The classes were taught by our group and the preaching as well. The singing of these wonderful people, some walked a long way to be there, was just heavenly. I sat back in awe thinking how we all needed to be like them, uniting in support of each other and uniting to do the work needed to help people know God. There were songs that I knew the tune so I sang in English while they sang in their language, but I also just listened as the voices singing were beautiful and uplifting. Two people were baptized so we witnessed that happy moment for them. The youth were just like ours, excited, laughing, and afterwards full of laughter and fun. After services we received a treat by going to a place in Bulawayo and having lunch. We actually had their version of mac n cheese….

Day 3 - Divide and Conquer by the group

Anyone knows the more people you have and the more you divide up the tasks things will get accomplished. Day 3 was divide and conquer day and our team was divided into 3 work groups.

Will Myhan and several others, including Lyndsay, were sent to a youth day in the city of Bulawayo, which is the city where we are staying. There were over 65 young people who attended and it was a blessing to have them come and be a part of a youth gathering. A Bible devotional was held, games of all kinds were played, the beautiful singing of the youth group was a highlight, and lunch was provided. It was a successful, engaging day for them.

Several of the men of the group conducted a men’s lectureship at the City Center there in Bulawayo and it was such a beneficial and encouraging day fir the men that came from several different areas of Zimbabwe.

I had the privilege of teaching at a ladies day we had at the house. The ladies from different churches in the area came and me and three other ladies in my group taught classes and had several fun craft projects ready for them. We served them lunch and also listened to them sing their beautiful songs in their language. It was so uplifting to listen to the singing. Some of the young mothers had their babies with them and it was such a good day. Just talking with them and finding out about their lives and exchanging information about their families was relaxing and good for all of us, both our group and the African ladies. One mother said she was so happy to get out of the house and bring her small child with her and enjoy the day fellowshipping with other Christian women. It was truly so much fun to meet them, teach them, and let them know we love them.

The day was spent uplifting and encouraging others in 3 different ways by dividing our group up and conquering and it proved to be uplifting to us all.