8/7/22 – It is Sunday, and we are ready for our introduction to the Children’s Home and to experience a Zimbabwean church service….
The road to Domboshava is an experience in itself. People walking everywhere, handmade huts from sticks and thatching all along the road to sell goods, holes and gullies like you would not believe (due to the rainy season washing out the roads), another world that we are about to dive into headfirst.
Yes, another world but I have to say the Zimbabwean people are by far the kindest, most gracious people we have ever met. Genuinely interested in what you have to say.
Church service at the Children’s Home was amazing. Pastor Peter oversees 8 churches, and they were represented here at the service on the property of Domboshava Children’s Home. We got out of the van and were greeted like long lost relatives, so happy to see us and front row seats were in order for the “friends from the United States”. Children, oh so many children, were present and smiling ear to ear in anticipation of the visitors and the week to come. Many people walked from the village, walked miles along the roads and some drove 80km to be here. Prayers, songs and presentations by the youth were among the treats we were about to receive.
Every moment was moving me to tears just trying to absorb it all. Then they asked the American visitors to take the stage and learn some Zimbabwean dance moves! OK, we’ll go for it. I never saw so many cell phones appear to record our ridiculous attempts to dance… Zimbabwean style! (Sorry no videos, thankfully)
After 4 hours (which by the way didn’t seem like it) the service concluded, and we got to meet all the people that traveled so far to be with us and the Lord.
A tour of the homes were in order so we could see what our building tasks would be for the week. We were there to be with the kids and provide Vacation Bible School for 3 days but also to improve the homes where we could, in the short time we were there. Paul led the construction projects for the week.
There are 2 buildings where the 13 children live with a caregiver and one building for Lovemore, Everjoy and their 2 children along with Farai, a 19-year-old boy that lives with them until Peter can finish the building on his property for age-out boys to live.
A very full first day with the kids and staff of the home. Oh, so many blessings already!