In Harare

We are nearing the end of our second day in Zimbabwe. We arrived in Harare Sunday evening via Air Zimbabwe from Jo'burg, but without our luggage. Of course, we had no idea where it might be--somewhere in the U.S. or anywhere between. When I arrived back at the Harare Airport Monday afternoon, I was delighted to spot one of our bags on a pile of unclaimed luggage and soon located the other two in the same pile. It was a major relief, as we had not been out of the clothes we were wearing since early Friday morning. Perhaps due to the inconvenience of having to retrieve lost luggage, the customs agent passed me quickly with few questions.

Our hosts are Samson and Mai Mungure, and their children, Musa and Sam, Jr. Samson is district superintendent of 20 United Methodist churches in this area of Harare. The Mungares are making us feel entirely welcome, and we are enjoying all the comforts of their comfortable home, including abundant food. Yesterday, we joined our group (who had arrived on time Sunday morning via British Airways with all 36 pieces of their luggage arriving with them)for meetings with several pastors and visits to churches. Last night's worship service was with hundreds of lively worshipers in a shelter open on all sides to the mild Zim winter, beside the shell of a large church building awaiting its roof.

Today, we first visited for an hour with the Methodist Bishop of this area, then went to a nearby private game park to view African animals in a confined natural area. The giraffe and elephant were missing, though, rented out to a movie production company in South Africa. As enjoyable as viewing animals was seeing up close the excitement of hundreds of young school children on a field trip.

Tomorrow, we leave for Mutare to spend the night. We will visit two orphanages and schools where there are children supported by BIG Ministry, and we will also visit Africa University.

This afternoon, Annette is off on what will surely be one of her happiest adventures. She and Tsitsi Moyo are shopping for fabric. On Saturday, Annette will conduct a quilting workshop with a small group, including Tsitsi, which may be the prelude to a larger quilting program for church women at some later, yet-undetermined future date.

So far, we are enjoying ourselves immensely, as we expected, and bask in the unbridled welcome of the people wherever we go. Also as expected, we are sad to see up close the deprivation so many people live with constantly and are gripped by the desire somehow to make a difference for them in whatever small way.

Blessings and thanks! Jim