Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Family!!

Things have been busy for me over the last few weeks. I have had lots of ministry opportunities and have traveled to many of the surrounding rural areas in Harare.

A few blog entries back, I mentioned some Christmas parties we were putting on. The Christmas party at our house in Emerald Hill for our neighborhood kids was fun. We played lots of games with them, gave some special prizes, and fed them some delicious treats like popcorn, peanut butter crackers, and little jello cups. Then, of course, we gave them some candies. We laughed a lot, sang a lot, and played a lot. The week after, Christine and I traveled to Kambuzuma, where the team helps provide food for a feeding programme. The kids are AMAZING there. I have included a picture of them. They sang, and sang, and sang for us. One of the boys then pulled out a drum and started making beats as some of the older boys were break dancing. We gave them their food supply including mealie meal (their staple food), cooking oil, and vegetables and then we gave them some sweets. On Christmas Eve, we will be visiting an orphanage in Dumbyshire where we have gathered lots of giveaways for the kids including small stuffed animals, pens, pencils, paper, face cloths, games, candy, and toys. We are going to play games with them, sing with them, dance with them, and feed them. On December 27th, we are traveling to Madvuku for the Christmas party with the kids who are living with HIV. We have lots of the same stuff planned for them as we do for the kids in Dumbyshire. I am really looking forward to both. Not only are we providing them with physical food, we are providing them with spiritual food as well. Besides, Jesus is the only way we are able to provide them with physical food. Without Him, none of us would be able to afford the food to give them.

Jabulani is coming along nicely. I have included a picture so you can see the building. The workers doing the renovations are off for the holidays until January 12th, so work has stopped. The kitchen, bathrooms, and dining room are not finished yet, so please pray that the work will be finished quickly when they return from vacation. We are hoping to accept babies by the end of January and in order for that to happen, the building needs to be completed and all the furniture needs to be moved in. Also, continue to pray for Christine and I. We have a lot, a lot, a lot of work to do starting on January 2nd. Lots and lots of training sessions to complete with the house mothers. I’m not sure I mentioned this before, but Christine wants to make me a supervisor of Jabulani for the rest of the time I am here. What a dream come true for me!!! I will get to spend all of February and March loving on and taking care of babies! I couldn’t ask for anything more. I am going to love every second of it. SO EXCITING!!!

Ok family. I love you. I hope you all have an amazing Christmas and New Year’s. The internet cafes are closing down after today, so I will not be able to get you another update until after the new year, but I pray that you will be safe and have a peace-filled time for the holidays. I challenge you….do something unexpected this Christmas. Do something you don’t normally do. I know you are all having a hard time this year with the economy and everything, but remember, God is bigger than that. He is a miracle working God. Remember those who have less than you. Reach out to someone who doesn’t have family or is alone for the holidays. Do something unexpected.

I miss you. I am praying for you. Everyone here says Merry Christmas to you. They are so glad you have released me to reach the people of Zimbabwe for such a time as this. I have already been here for 3 months! Can you believe it? I am half way through. Keep praying. Keep me in your hearts. You are the best!

Much Love and Merry Christmas,
Gina :)