Our first few days in Zimbabwe!!

From the land where 'just now' means later, 'now now' means now, BBQ's are Braai's and traffic lights are called robots! We have arrived safe and sound! A stressful flight but it’s behind us now. We were at times quite sad and found it hard leaving but even during the flight Mark and I had planned what we would watch on our return flight – forgetting there would not be a return flight! Our last few days in England were hectic but we had some good times with friends too. We loved arriving at the airport to family – Mark’s brother Stephen, our nephew Jordan and my folks, Dave and Alison! Matt was so excited to see all the trucks, buses etc on the journey to their home. It doesn’t feel like we are here for good yet – just a holiday – so the reality of it will take a few weeks to sink in!

The Albertyn side of the family reunited:



Matt has come out with a few classic comments that have had us chuckling!! The first was ‘Daddy, where are all the pink people’ and ‘Daddy, poor Granpa’s car keeps tripping’ (driving through potholes and on roads that are falling apart). He has also been carrying a dead rhino beetle around with him.



I think this whole bug collecting will become a huge part of our lives! The kids even had their first swim yesterday! We are considered mad people for even contemplating swimming in winter here – the water was freezing but a bit like our beach holiday in North Devon last year!! The weather is amazing – just feels like a chilly summer in England with cold nights.



Zimbabwe has changed so much in the 1½ years since we were last here!! Things are on the up. The country seems to be functioning more normally and every day life for people who have jobs is much simpler. But for people who earn very little or are unemployed life in Zimbabwe is still a daily battle for survival. Unemployment is still in the 90%. We have been shocked at the cost of food – on the same par as England but salaries so much less. We took a wander around the shops figuring out what kind of things we’ll be able to live off. The shops are very well stocked now but with mostly imported goods. Sadly if you do find local produce it is often more expensive than the imported goods. Milk is around but mostly UHT – which is great as we thought we would be living on powdered milk!! It is wonderful to be in a country where everyone is so friendly. Matthew is a real ice breaker – chats to everyone and breaks down barriers straight away. Makes friends when we are queing for things etc. Driving around and meeting people has been a joy and exits us for what lies ahead.

Have to share with you - this morning a man came round to my folks house to cut branches off a very, very high tree - no harness or anything - left me feeling stone cold watching him. He was incredible but reminds me I've been in England for a couple of years and health and safety was playing on my mind!



The reality of moving here has not really sunk in and it feels like we are on holiday. We are enjoying not having too much to think about and will take a few days out to chill. We look forward to catching up with family and friends, settling into church etc. One urgent thing we are working on is getting the kids residency here – they were given a 30 day holiday visa on entry into the country. We also need to open a bank account, find a home etc. Trusting God for His favour in all these things. Mark is away on his first business trip on Monday – just away for one night. He will be travelling with Scott Marques to Gweru for an education conference. He is looking forward to it and connecting with people and education in Zimbabwe. We will also travel out to Turf on Wednesday, to visit the school before it breaks up for a 4 week holiday and hopefully try and find somewhere to live!! We can’t wait for this visit!!

Sadly my gran passed away today but I was able to visit her last night and am so glad she held out till I got to see her. Sad that she did not get to see her great granchildren but know she is home and in a much better place. Nice to be here with my mum and dad during this time. What an incredible lady she was!! Her coconut cakes were ledgendary!! We love you Gran!

Currently experiencing our first power cut! Since 6am this morning - not a lot planned for this evening - candle light dinner though!

To those we have left:

It’s a journey we must travel
Where He leads us
He’ll help us to be strong
He has taught us and now He’s brought us
To a place He wants us.

Here we stand at the beginning and not the end
Here we stand and with your blessing we have gone
And though it’s hard we will extend to you a smile
We will cherish all our memories
And we’ll always hold a place for you inside.

The Lord has planned it, we understand it
Still we find it hard to say the word, ‘goodbye’
Our time here is over, another day is done
But we know that we’ve just begun
It’s a journey we must travel.

We know we’ll miss you
And we hope it won’t be too long before we see you again!

Good bye England - Hello Zimbabwe!

We can't believe that we are leaving the UK. In some senses we have talked about this day for many years but the reality of it has always seemed a long way off! So with sad hearts we leave England. This new chapter that is about to start is before us - we face it with excitement but also a lot of nerves - what are we getting ourselves into? Will our family cope with such a big move? etc. But God - we keep reminding ourselves!!

We have had to say so many good byes and they have been hard! We are so privileged to have so many good friends, who have all some how touched our lives!! We so hope to share Zimbabwe with at least a few of you one day! Thank you to all of you!! We love you!! You have made England our home!

We've been gearing the kids (well Matthew really) for the move, the excitment of seeing his granparents (my folks), he can't wait to go on an aeroplane and do his Postman Pat magazine, which he has been saving for the flight! He has been a little insecure with all our furniture being given away, a temporary home and toys disappearing but we know that once he knows where his new home will be, he will be fine!! Zoe is nearly walking and totally oblivious to it all!! Mark and Matthew camped on the lawn of the house we are staying at last night - a great way to end a fantastic summer in England! We pack the next two nights and leave on Tuesday!!

So the next time I write we will be on the other side of the world!!! Do keep visiting to check what we are up to!

Here is an up to date photo of us four!

Time is ticking!!!! Tick Tock, Tick Tock!!

Well time is certainly flying and we feel a little panicy about all that needs to be done and all the good byes that need to be said! We are both quite tearful at times at the reality of our lives here coming to an end!!! We are also embrassing the warmer weather and getting out as much as possible and carving into our memories the beauty of English countryside! The kids are loving being outside more!

We are continuing to fundraise and do work for the charity and feel very blessed to have such a great team of Trustees to keep things running once we are back in Zim. We still don't have a home to live in - so the tent we have just purchased for all our holidays in Zim might just be our first home for a little while!!! We have had a few speaking engagements, sharing our vision and what we will be doing - we have another one tomorrow evening! The 2011 Calendar is at the printers as we speak and will be ready for sale as of the end of June. If anyone could lend a hand with setting up an online shop for us attached to our website - give me a shout!! My limited knowledge on these things is proving a little tricky!!

We are also being watched! Paul a fello blogger has recently made contact and written a little article on us!! Very humbling reading about yourselves through someone elses eyes!

http://magicdartsblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/following-dream-makomberero-zimbabwe.html

Hope to post once more before we leave!!!

England vs Zimbabwe - Top 10!!

As it is a time to reflect on our time in England I thought it would be good to put on paper the things we will miss when we leave and the things we have appreciated!!

Here is my top 10!!!! (Laura that is!)

1. Spring time!!! This seems quite appropriate now - but Spring has to be my favourite time of the year here! It is such a symbol of new life. This year spring has come late due to such a long tough winter but it has meant that it has wowed us even more than normal! Spring time in England is soooooo beautiful, so life giving and so refreshing to ones soul! The days are drawing out, the need for a winter coat begins to disappear, the heating is switched off, flowers are everywhere, buds on the trees, being able to hang washing on the line, picnics etc!! Who can't but marvel at creation at this time.

2. Picnics and sunshine - there is a glorious thing about picnics and sunshine in England - the sun is never too hot to sit out in and enjoy and picnics are just such a highlight of Spring and Summer!! Some of our favorite memories are of picnics - greenwich park before children, various play grounds since having children, bodium castle, leeds castle and our garden!

3. The NHS - there are often so many differing opinions about the NHS but we think it is an incredible service - to offer UK residents free health care - wow! Yes it has it's limitations and mistakes happen but it is a great service with huge pressure put on it. We've had both good and bad experiences but over all am blow away by it - I think the stark contrast of growing up with nothing in Africa has made us appreciate it - warts and all!! A lot of the doctors, nurses and midwives that we have dealt with have been an inspiration and support at some difficult times and some joyful times - thank you!

4. Polite drivers - some people might disagree with me but generally English drivers are very polite!! Took us by surprise how little you hear people hoot/blow their horn at each other!! I had to adjust to that!!!! Flashing someone onto the road infront of you - how polite is that!!!

5. Lady Grey Tea!! - I've never been a huge fan of tea but this winter moving into a house with very little heating and having a very cold winter I have started to love tea - but it's Lady Grey that has won me over!!!!

6. Walking - we walk everywhere in England!! Such a culture of it - so good for us!!!

7. Public Transport - to have transport that is so readly available - a little pricey but a system that works! Wow!!!

8. Airing cupboards - what a great invention!!! Don't know how I'm going to live without one!!!

9. Chocolate - the best in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10. Friends! - it took us a while to settle into life in the UK - it felt a very lonely place for the first year but over time we have made some incredible friends and learnt what true community is. We shall be very sad to be saying good bye but it will be a 'till next time'!!

And here are the Top 10 things we are looking forward to - Life in Zimbabwe!!!

1. To see the stars at night - a dome over our heads

2. To smell rain!!!! A true african drenching of rain, with thunder and lightening.

3. Mind blowing sunrises and sunsets

4. Winter days - blue skies, crisp mornings with the sun coming up

5. Being bare foot 90% of the time!

6. Our children to be able to play outside - all the time!

7. A slower pace of life

8. Living closer to family

9. To be able to serve our fellow Zimbabweans again!!

10. To know we are home!

Progress to date: packers are booked, notice has been given in on our flat and we are finalising all the bits we need to get for the school before the packers come!! Fundraising going well too!!

A glimpse into our future lives!!

We thought it might be helpful for you to be able to picture where we will be living - we have put together this very short presentation! (takes a little while to load) Turf Life

Here is a link to our latest Charity newsletter:
February 2010

It feels like time is going so quickly now and we really have to begin to think of the practicalities of relocating countries - shipping our stuff, things we need to buy for the school before the container is shipped etc. At times it feels overwhelming with having normal life to deal with too but we know that it is just a matter of small steps and not looking too far ahead!! We rest in you Lord!

The kids are growing up so quick and we are thoroughly enjoying them. Being able to spend a little more time outside as the weather begins to warm up is brilliant!!! As our time in the UK comes to a close, Mark and I have become quite reflective about our 6 years here! We have come to truly love this country and all that it has given us!!! We have been incredibly blessed with some amazing friends - who we will miss dearly!! So as we step out for another adventure as a family of four - we leave an adventure - one that has been filled with trials and joy - one that we can say we are better people for!!

5 months to go!!!

Well it is 5 months to go before we move back to Zimbabwe to help run an A-level Centre in a rural town/village called Turf! Eeek!! This blog is aimed at keeping you up todate with our lives!! Save us in your favourites and touch in from time to time!!