Over the border to Zimbabwe and Bulawayo

• Zimbabwe, Bulawayo
  
  Just crossing Zimbabwe border after 3 hours because of a delay with Jennifer visa. Not sure if we will have signal over weekend.
  
  
  Pressed on to Bulawayo where we met Rev Sibanda who led us to our accommodation. This was in a former white area and my impression was that they might still own but have left their staff to run it.
  
  
  31-10-07
  
  Here are some prayer thoughts for Sunday.
  
  Thanks for improving relations in South Africa. But concern that this is not always reflected in UCCSA’s synod where churches are still either black or coloured.
  · Botswana is now one of the strongest countries in Africa but as NGO’s pull out to work in other countries it must continue to progress. Pray that new law on domestic violence will be passed this month.
  · Pray that women in the church will find the courage to support those women who stand for office and not vote for men because of their cultural tradition.
  · Give thanks for the home for blind and partially sighted children run by UCCSA and for primary school where they attend and for their inclusion in main stream education.
  · Zimbabwe. Give thanks for the faith and hope of the people we met who did not complain but told us frankly of their need for water, food and power.
  · Give thanks for the welcome and generosity.
  · Give thanks for the preschool for orphans run by the church in Bulawayo. Older girls leave their siblings there while they go to school.
  · Remember the high school at Inyati the first school in Africa. Now with 500 pupils and such a sad library. At the start of term the parents had to donate food and fuel so the school could open.
  · One minister we met said that when a home never has visitors the neighbours think there is something odd there … but we had visited Zimbabwe.
  
  Sure you will add in other prayers as appropriate. We have over seven hours on road tomorrow. Quick visit to Apartheid Museum. I have a bit of tiredness, strange diet and reaction I expect.
  
  1-11-07
  
  Our journey start has been delayed so goodness knows what time we will arrive. Hope you have a good meeting tonight. I will try to get up to date with my story.
  
  On Sunday we had cooked breakfast but there was no cereal or fruit because it was not available We were two in two churches. Pamela was preaching on Luke 4 at the big church and we all started there. Jennifer and I left to go to a smaller church where she preached on the demon possessed man. When we arrived study groups and Sunday school was in progress outside. I went to the children who were singing carols. I sang Jesus love which some of them knew. Later they sang it in church slightly differently from us. We joined the choir before the service. Service in Ndebele but recognised some tunes. Sermon was translated. Lots of reports and notices and collections. Communion at end. Several left before and men sat on one side and women the other except young people. There were some glasses of water on each tray. At end of service did High Leigh handshake which apparently happens after every black church service.
  
  After church we went to Synod office where we had lunch with other ministers and spouses followed by a fascinating discussion on our agenda which I chaired. My opening question was to the elderly male chair of synod was, are you the first male chair? Some tension but much awareness raising.
  
  Drove back through town.
  
  Empty shops but small stalls on street or outside homes selling a few things. Long queues at closed petrol stations. Drivers leave cars and come back when they hear there is fuel. Then allowed 30 litres. Say much being brought across border in all sorts of containers for black market. That night after supper took time to reflect as a group.
  
  Monday we visited the orphan centre and then drove out to Inyati to the school and church. Met group of pupils and then group of teachers. People from two churches came to meet us and this is the only time we were asked for money but some see CWM as source of money which is opposite to those in UK who see it as only about giving money. Then had lunch at school. Usual fare of rice meat cole slaw and gravy.