What does it mean to live in Zimbabwe?

Just over a year on from moving here and my thoughts have been on ‘What does it mean to live in Zimbabwe?’ - A country crippled by aids, unemployment in the 70% region, hunger and starvation etc. It is an odd place to live – on one hand you live a very normal middle class life, safe in the haven of your own home and lives but you get bombarded by the reality of the lives of 80% of Zimbabweans on a daily basis and can either harden your heart and just get on with life or it totally cripples you at the reality of some peoples lives or you find the middle road. 

What I find weird is that to survive here emotionally you have to harden yourself to some degree and accept that God has called you to a specific need in Zim (what we are doing with our 15 students) and that through that we are doing our bit in Zim (a drop in the ocean) and leaning on His leading as to what other lives He wants us to touch too. But then some days that hard exterior is penetrated and I find myself crying – tears rolling down my cheeks as I drive along at the reality of a persons situation – generally to do with not being able to afford health care, starvation, abuse etc. Hearing my son say in the back seat – ‘Mummy it’s so sad that people die because they can’t afford a doctor.’ He has a soft, kind gentle heart that is very aware of the hardships faced by people here and a desire to see lives changed. I love it but also know as a parent he’s too little to have the weight of the world on his shoulders – so it’s teaching him that God has called us to something specific and that we can touch and change a few peoples lives but sadly not everyone and it’s learning as a family how to choose. We will continue to shed many, many tears for the lives we see, face and touch on a daily basis that we can’t change/help. The stories are endless and heartbreaking!

We are also learning that even when you do help sometimes the people receiving can have the wrong hearts and it can get a little messy, you feel used etc but God is teaching us that these are all people worth something – whether they appreciate what God has given them or not and that we are to keep going even when faced with disappointments and human let downs.

So what does it mean to live in Zimbabwe? – it is a daily reminder of the blessings God has given us and a reminder that we are to be good stewards of what He has intrusted to us – giving our time, finances, heart and love to people who have less and find themselves in terrible situations, etc. Living in Zim comes with a responsibility and some days it feels a little overwhelming but most days we can hold onto what we are doing and feel like we are making a difference, other days it feels so small and insignificant! This country is our passion, it’s people our people!! We want to see lives changed, hope and dignity restored and people able to dream again! I can see it happening in our 15 and we feel privileged to be part of that! It’s good to step back from the reality of the business of trying to keep our heads above water, making this project work and really see what is happening here!!!

Thank you to all of you who support us and make this all so possible! We feel incredibly humbled!! 

Talking about Zim I can’t help but mention our second home – England!!! So, do you want to know the things I miss about England – some are so fleshly, I find it a little embarrassing to admit!

Here goes!:

1. Our precious special friends – top of the list – my heart still aches for my special friends!! Times as families together! Not sure we’ll ever get over this one and the tears still flow some days!!
2. Our wonderful church – you taught us what true community was and we miss that community so much!!!

Now this is where the list deteriorates a little and becomes a little fleshly!!

1. The NHS – what an incredible blessing the medical system is in England – yes it has its flaws but oh my goodness for everyone from any walk of life, income background etc to be able to access free health care is incredible!!
2. Crisp Autumn mornings!!
3. Living in the countryside, walking etc!
4. Humous (sp)!! – and homemade just does not beat a good tub of lemon and coriander from the supermarket!!!
5. Good cheese!!!
6. Multi purpose Antibac wipes!!! Ha ha!!
7. Children’s books, Libraries etc
8. Shopping on line!
9. Customer service
10. Living a comfortable life!

Sorry no pictures in this post!!!

Here is a link to our UK Church magazine that has just done an article on us!  Thanks guys!!

http://www.newcommunitychurch.org.uk/images/novdecmag.pdf