The long way home

Leaving Casa Kadiki brought water works again. The local friends have been so accommodating.  They were at our lodge morning, noon, and night "just in case" we needed anything at all.  And they invited us to come again so next time we can stay in their home and we can really have fun.

Even the staff at Casa Kadiki didn't want us to leave. They were so appreciative of the Christian spirit we showed. The laughter filled the dining room every night. They were amazed to know that we only met one another the day we arrived. What a shout of praise to Jah. Can't wait to see Auntie Mel at one of our next conventions. 

Once we finally tore ourselves always from our Zbw home, we were whisked off to the airport by our dear Bro Gilbert.  This is the brother Kevin worked in service with last week.  The same brother who got a text message from the woman they invited that day who later attended the convention.  He had gifts for us as we departed and re-joined with friends we met in the first portion of our African Adventure.

We're going to Cape Town?

When we checked in for our flight, the itinerary was Harare Zimbabwe to Jo'berg South Africa to London England to New York.  To our surprise, we were checked in to Jo'berg with the instructions to retrieve our bags and re-check for Cape Town.  Having heard many good things about Cape Town, we were a bit excited to get a peek.  Until we got the rest of the story.  The extra stop in Cape Town required a different connection in London which meant we would not be in NY in time for our flight home.

So now what?  Well, since the revised itinerary now included a 7-hr layover in London, we started planning for a London day trip for interested ones in our group. Hop on one of those double decker tour buses from the airport and drive around to see a few of the highlights.  Trying to make lemonade out of lemons.

But, as became the running theme of the travel day(s), nothing goes as planned.  Once we arrived in Cape Town and learned that our next flight would not depart until 1:30am, we took our food voucher worth 130 Rand and joined the friends at the only restaurant that would accept the vouchers in the airport.  Since it was somewhere around midnight by this time, we decided to just get something to go. Four huge red velvet cupcakes later, we were off to the longest leg of the trip.  Most of us were upgraded on this flight.  Thanks to Maydelle, Stacy also enjoyed the extra legroom while she "enjoyed" the middle seat between two big burly guys.

Given many delays, by the time we arrived in London, we had less than an hour to get to our connecting flight.  So, no bonus "lemonade" trip for this group.  To add to the challenge, for some strange reason, we had to go through security again between flights. And for the first time of the trip, Maydelle's bag had to be searched.  While I attempted to stall the flight with my charm and wit, Kevin and Stanley lovingly waited with her and helped her hustle up to the gate. What a much needed adrenaline rush to keep us on our toes!

Next challenge: What to do with four huge cupcakes on an 11-hour flight?  Cut them in smaller pieces and share.  Seems like people are willing to take food from a perfect stranger after all.  I should have been passing out JW.org tracts with those sweets.  Now I think of it.

Finally back in NYC, we had more water works as we said our good byes to our travel buddies.  It seemed strange parting ways. We had done so much together over the past few weeks.  We had come to know each other's luggage, what ones could/could not eat, and of course, some of our favorite highlights from the trip. Whether it was a particular Scriptural point or powerful illustration made at the convention, lasting memories made with the local and traveling friends, or just spending time with Jehovah's magnificent creation, this was unanimously The Trip of a Lifetime. 

Hope you have enjoyed the journey!  Future posts to share more photos and experiences sure to follow.

Last day in Africa

Woke up sad today. Can't believe that we have reached the end of our journey so soon. What an amazing place - hope all will get to visit in person as I'm sure my words and pictures fall short of describing this incredible place.

Many of our lodge friends are leaving now to enjoy other parts of Africa. We did our fun stuff before the convention - so we got to tell them all about some of the things that they will now get to see. Sounded like natives.  Feels like we're supposed to stay here.

As I arrived at the dining area for breakfast, the hospitality sister advisd that someone was at the lodge to see me.  It was a sister I met at the Greendale congregation.  I had seen her wearing beautiful African garments on Friday and Saturday and had made the mistake of asking her where I could buy one before I went home. Well, as I mentioned in an earlier post, you can't say you like or want something because these friends will go out of their way to make it happen. And so, she came early am to be sure she did not miss me and brought me a dress!  When I saw her standing in the lobby I knew exactly why she had come.  So I ran to my room and got the dress I had carried to the convention for her on Sunday and we parted ways with pieces of our hearts in the garments we exchanged.

Our first stop of the day was to a beautiful shopping area. Unlike the last shopping experience in Vic Falls, most of the goods were in actual shops, the prices were set and the quality was excellent. Thus, Kevin did not need to use his exceptional bartering tactics at this place.  Which reminds me of another story:

Kevin and the Big 5

A popular feature of the African Safari is to see the Big 5 in their natural habitat. During our trip, we have been blessed to see the Elephant, Lion, Rhinoceros, and Buffalo - the only one we didn't see was the Leopard.  Well Stacy met an artist who carved the Big 5 into a piece of ironwood. Absolutely beautiful artistry.

After Kevin took a picture of this masterpiece, Stacy asked how much it cost.  The artist gave Stacy a price of $50. Stacy began to explain that it cost too much and was too heavy to carry-on, but the man was eager to deal. As we continued to walk towards the bus, Kevin saw his opportunity. He made ad offer, got a counter-offer, and then he threw in a curve ball.  "You should really be paying me $5 because I took that picture earlier", Kevin says to the baffled man.  Soon after, Kevin walked on the bus and handed Stacy his trophy prize. Final price paid: $20!

Final Game Drive

Back to the afternoon of our final day, we journey to Thetford Private Game Reserve. Another beautiful setting with lunch already setup for our group by the lake.  After food, drinks and dessert, we were soon off for the game drive. This game drive was quite complementary to the other ones we had already enjoyed because there was no path or set route.  The driver went go off road to get as close to the animals as possible. So close we could take a few selfies with the Wild.  Too close for comfort especially when the 35 yr old Rhino started snorted at us.  Got some pretty good pix of Zebra, Buffalo, Giraffe, and the magnificent Rhino. 

What Had Happened Was. . .

Kevin added to our excitement with his own theatrics during the game drive.  For some reason, (which we are still trying to understand), Kevin decided to try out his acrobat skills off the back of the Land Rover vehicle.  I think someone dropped bottle of water on the floor of the jeep.  Given the seeming urgency of the situation, and being the helpful guy he is, Kevin flipped himself out of the moving car to retrieve it.  Never mind the fact that we were in motion.  It would have been hard to explain to his parents how we managed to get him safely past all these wild animals in the Safari but lost him to a 4-wheel drive vehicle. No one would believe it - except those who know him. 

At the end of our adventure, we were surprised to learn that our bus would not start.  And of course, no one in our group thought to pack their jumper cables. So what do they do when a tour bus won't start after an African Safari?  They tie a rope to the back of a Land Rover (normally used for the game drives) and pull the bus out to give it a jump start.  Amazingly, after a few broken cables and multiple attempts, we were on our way.

Back at the hotel, there was no update yet on our lost camera device. So pictures are limited again on this post but hopefully more will be coming shortly.  Many of the friends heard about our loss and have offered to send us their pictures. Not sure how we will be able to recreate our selfies, but we'll figure out that cut and paste project later.

Kevin, I know you're excited but please remain in the vehicle at all times

If they can't get the bus to start, does that mean we get to stay?

Jehovah our God, how well you have done

Have you ever had one of those days?  Well, today was like no other day I've ever had in recent history. It almost feels like it didn't even happen - like I imagined or dreamed it. But, the tired feet, sore back and permanent smile are proof that today was indeed a very good day.

For this final day of the convention, all of the foreign delegates were assigned to sit in a specific section of the stadium.  And since our bus was the first to arrive on the previous days, we were confident that we would get the choicest seats (in an open air stadium, on concrete seats with no backs under the African  sun).  Much to our surprise, when we arrived at 6:45 am, there were already two buses parked and another bus right behind us!  Nonetheless, we got seats quickly for our group and went about the business of meeting more friends.

So much love to bring back to the congregation from the friends in other lands. Met friends from all over Zimbabwe, Kenya, Zambia, Germany, Switzerland, Cambodia, Malawi, England, Brazil. . .  In fact, the reason I'm looking forward to getting home is so that I can pass on all the love the friends here entrusted me to take to the home congregation. Besides, no one was willing to adopt me :-(

If you are on Instagram, you have probably already heard the latest stats on this amazing convention. Final attendance: 82,409 (did I mention that there are only 42,000 Witnesses in Zimbabwe).  Over 1,500 were baptized!  That's almost 20 new congregations formed in one day!  What an enormous shout of praise to Jehovah - I think they heard it all the way in Arkansas.

After the program ended, we hugged, laughed, sang songs, took pictures and reluctantly left the stadium. With hearts full of appreciation, we will prepare for our last day in Zimbabwe.  But one thing I know for sure.  I am changed forever.

By the way, we lost our camera media drive which has all of our pictures saved on it. Hoping it will be retrieved soon but meanwhile our pictures may be a little limited.  Glad we sent some of our favs along to you throughout the trip :-).

Taste and see that Jehovah is good

Today was another day that words can barely describe.  As with every Saturday convention program, the baptism was the highlight of the day. Of course we do not have the figures yet, but the fact that there were 10 baptismal pools set up was an indication that this was going to be a momentous occasion.  There were sections designated for baptismal candidates in each main language group.  The pictures can't possibly capture the spirit of the moment as they all walked out on the main grounds from various places in the stadium.  It was absolutely breathtaking to see what looked like thousands streaming to symbolize their dedication to Jehovah.  

Wow! Tickets used to get accurate count of the baptismal candidates

What a joy to be among the 74,694 in attendance for this thrilling event!

Bonus: Added joy to learn that someone Kevin invited to the convention came on Friday!

Ask us later about these lessons learned during the convention program so far:

- Water into wine vs beer into furniture

- How are Bible laws like an umbrella?

- What does Matt 5:3 have to do with temperature?

- The Africa Safari has it's Big 5.  So does Satan - know what it is?

And this one was too good to hold back:  Since the start of the Aug special tract campaign, every day 300 people on average have requested home bible studies via the JW.org website!

Maydelle sharing technology

Here are some of the funny and touching experiences I've enjoyed and heard over the past few weeks:

Bible, anyone?

During the Vic Falls portion of our tour, a sister was witnessing to a lady and offered her the JW.org tract.  The lady asked her "Do you have a Bible?"  The sister went to her room to get her personal bible but when she returned the lady was not there. 

A nearby man had overheard the conversation. Told her that the lady was on the bus and it had not left yet. The man then went to flag down the bus.

The sister went on the bus, found the lady and when she handed the lady the Bible the whole bus broke out in applause. Of course, she then went on to witness to the helpful man.

The lost tooth

One sister has a loose tooth. Unfortunately, she lost her tooth down the drain at one of the hotels the day before we were due to leave. The morning of our departure, she told the hotel of her dilemma.

When the maintenance man arrived, her tried in vain to open the pipe with his makeshift tools. When he learned that she was departing soon, he found a hand saw, cut the pipe and retrieved the tooth.  Have tooth, will travel. 

One royal brother 

We met a brother who was so excited about his baptism at this convention.  His name was Zulu - and he is part of a famous royal family in Africa. But he regrets that he did not dedicate his life when he first learned the truth. But now that he joins his son who was baptized a week prior and now has the privilege of being part of Jehovah's family - he will soon enjoy life with no regrets.

What not to say in Zimbabwe

What do your parents do for work?

There is a 90% unemployment rate in Zimbabwe

What are some other third world countries?

Remember, this is Satan's wild kingdom.  

We are citizens of God's kingdom which has no divisive boundaries

What time will the bus be here for our pickup?  

Whatever time is published, plan for a departure 1/2 hour earlier than scheduled.  And if you need tips on how to eat a full breakfast in 5 minutes or less, call Kevin.

Where can I get an African dress made?  

One sister visiting from the US told a local sister that she liked the dress she was wearing. The local sister went home, took off the dress, washed it, and brought it to the sister as a gift later the same day.  They have so little but they are literally giving us the clothes off their backs. 

-:- Andria surrounded by beautiful girls -:-

-:- Stacy and the "beautiful??" boys -:-

We're Jehovah's Witnesses

Early morning start with a 6:15am bus departure.  "Auntie Mel" has breakfast on the table, cases of water for the bus, and even plastic baggies for us to take along a snack for later. Checking to make sure we didn't forget anything and/or we were not taking too much - felt like our first day of school.

Ready or not - here we come!

Due to the excellent planning of our bus captain, we were the first of the innumerable number of buses to arrive at the convention site at 7am. But the masses were right behind us - people crammed in cars, city buses, and many, many walking alongside the road. All waving, smiling, excited for the day.

Can't get a smile out of every one this early in the morning

Maydelle and her girl bows are a hit!

The National Sports Stadium was divided into major language groups represented: Shona, English, Ndebele, and Sign Language.  But there we delegates from 28 different countries in attendance. And speaking of attendance, here are the amazing figures:

What we learned is that the officials estimated that we would probably get about 55,000 max attendance. But with almost 67,000 on the first day - we have already exceeded expectations. And we know that more local people who received invitations will not be working tomorrow.

Once the news coverage hits after this first session, we may have standing room only (since we are already sitting on the field).  One brother expressed it well.  He said that our presence is making their ministry much easier. They always talk about the love and unity we enjoy as part of this worldwide brotherhood; but now Zimbabwe is seeing it and it's worth a thousand words. Or 66,791!

Took over 2 hours to get back to the lodge given the traffic but we sang all the way so the time went by quickly.  Feeling overwhelmed after day one - I might just be a basket case by the end of Sunday's program!

This is the way. . .

Today's bus group was led by Learn and Linda from the Kuwandzana congregation.  Their congregation has 85 publishers, 5 elders, 15 ministerial servants and 23 pioneers.  Unlike the Greendale  congregation territory we enjoyed yesterday where we knocked on gated fences to get people to come out to talk to us, they are often invited into the home to discuss the Bible with the family.  Biggest challenge is that many think Bible is a charm - like idea of paradise, but they want it now!

Learn was born to parents who instilled love for Jehovah in his heart at a young age. He was baptized at 15 yrs of age and has been serving as elder for past 20 yrs. Linda came from a family where her mom was the 2nd of 4 wives.  Her father had 21 children.  She really appreciated what she learned as a teenager and was baptized at age of 17. Although polygamy is still legal in Zimbabwe, JW have upheld the Bible's standard of marriage since 1952.  

But I'm unsure if a dowry is still required - Good thing Dorca had all her contact information on the card she shared with the brother she met on the tour today :-).

Zimbabwe Branch Tour highlights

Welcome, welcome to Bethel

Over 400 delegates!  Imagine the bus parade as we arrived!

Did someone say they wanted to take a picture of me?

Did I mention they do our laundry at the Lodge?

Everywhere we go, the friends are playing music and singing to us. And today was no exception.  Some of the 126 members of the Bethel family welcomed us with song as we arrived.  And after lunch, we enjoyed a wonderful medley of some of my favorite Kingdom songs.  

The Bethel family is made up of 12 nationalities and speak 21 different languages.  Twelve languages groups served by the translation work done from this branch office. In fact, we met many friends from the Harare Chinese congregation - and they are expecting two new ones to be baptized at the convention.  

In 1999, there were only 40 K Halls in Zbw. Since the start of the new arrangement, 433 new K Halls have been built. Currently, there is a need for 96 new K Halls.

So what's life really like in Zimbabwe?

Unemployment is extremely high: 85-90%.  To get by, many people sell goods along the roadside (missed picture of man selling an inflated kiddie pool in middle of busy street).  Also, many homes can have 15-20 people living inside. As one can imagine, Isaiah's prophecy of building houses and having occupancy is very appealing.

Interestingly, despite these unfavorable conditions, the crime rate is very low. Common people do not have access to guns and the police are very hard on criminals. They walk around in plain clothes to keep the streets safe.  Kind of like Clark Kent.

--- A striking example of the haves and have-nots ----

Assembly Hall Tour highlights

Open air assembly hall constructed in 2006.  First (and only) assembly hall in Zbw.  Property sits on 10 acres and was originally projected to take 24 months to complete. Was done in only 15 months despite sharp economic declines at the time.  Difficult to obtain building materials locally - even food needed to feed the volunteer workers was scarce. Witnessed the meaning of Ps 127:1 - Unless Jehovah builds, in vain builders work hard.

One fun fact I enjoyed was about the mound separating the auditorium (which seats 3,000) and the parking lot. This came about by just as they were preparing to haul away excess dirt when a brother recommended this use. Turned out to be an excellent idea as it serves as a sound barrier for the busy nearby highway and minimizes distractions from late arrivals.  Unfortunately, this proved to be much to the dismay of one invited guest who purposely came late so that everyone could see his fancy car!  Oops!

Braai (BBQ) at Casa Kadiki

Enjoyed a fantastic African BBQ at the lodge thanks to our gracious hosts. Such wonderful accommodations that Keving couldn't keep it to himself. He invited a few of his "cousins" over for dinner. Mind you, we are guests ourselves. After he extended the invite, he thought he should at least ask "Auntie Mel" if it would be ok. "Sure, as long as I can put the charge to your Uncle Stacy's room", she said.  

Well, since the friends were already on their way, what were we to do?  Nothing but have a great time. "Auntie Mel" was thrilled to be able to have a full house for dinner.  She was all over us - "Can I get you anything at all," "You need some more," "Have you tried this yet?"  Topped off dinner of salads, pap (which we've had several times - like very thick grits), and all kinds of normal meat options, with apple pie a la mode. And not only did Kevin's friends come, but they invited others to come along as well. And then they didn't want to leave!  And quite frankly, we don't either.

Look what I got to do!

Ministry day with Greendale & Msasa congregations in Zimbabwe

When we arrived at the Kingdom Hall to prepare for the ministry, the friends were already signing before our bus could park. What a wonderful sight and beautiful sound. We learned that the friends practiced 4-5 hours each Sunday for the past year!  What love they showed - especially as one sister cried as she sang "He Will Call."  

Got to work with Elizabeth in service. She is part of the Shona congregation so I had a mini language course while we went from door to door.  Her oldest daughter says that this is "her" month because not only will she turn 15, but she will also be getting baptized at the convention this weekend.  Notice the gift she had for me - African cloth. What's special is she had a skirt made for herself with the same fabric so that we can be sure to see each other again at the convention. So sweet!!!!

The ministry here is very fruitful. One older sister said she recently placed 700 magazines in a single month. Her husband has difficulty walking.  So he will sit in the boot (trunk) of his car and has been known to place 40 mags an hour - right out of the back of his car.

Anyone remember that WT study article about the difference between secular and divine education. It showed in a series of pictures how we can choose to live our lives. I remember that it seemed to layout my life over time. I had experienced almost everyone of this pictures in my professional and personal life.  Except this one - until now!  Goosebumps

To make sure we made it back to the hall for the afternoon lunch and program, the brother brought his jeep around for us.  Problem was there were 9 of us and only one jeep.  Or at least I thought it was a problem until Violet hopped into the boot.  Not wanting to miss out in having the fullest African experience, I hopped in after her. Picture proof soon to come thanks to Byron!

Evening with friends

Over 400 friends gathered at the Cresta Lodge for a special dinner and entertainment. At our table, we had the privilege of getting to know some friends a little better. Next to Stacy was Brother Teacher Chewera. He has 22 bible studies. He begged Stacy to come visit his family in their home. Promised to catch fish for us.

Next to me were Eric and Jane Hitz. They were interviewed during the program. They served as special pioneers in Zimbabwe during the war years. Later, they were sent to Gilead. Then off to Nigeria, back to Zimbabwe and now have been serving in Switzerland in the German, English, and soon Arabic language groups. Best advice: Never ask for a change of assignment. Wait in Jehovah.  Suggested that we read life story of Bro Lester Davey - a dear missionary brother who encouraged them often (see excerpt of one of his letters to them from 25 yrs ago).