Engagement, Fellowship and Work - To the Glory of God

Sheri Graham

Fri 8/15 -  I spent evening at Steph’s watching movie on her computer & eating popcorn. Boys said they had awesome evening at boys’ worship, said it was very Spirit filled.

Sat 8/16 -  It rained all day, so trip to town was cancelled. Had Nanna & her daughter, Allyson, over for lunch. We heard wonderful stories of them living in South Africa 40-50 yrs ago when the rivers were full of alligators and had to be crossed by pontoon.  Much travel was done by walking since there weren’t many roads, and the tse-tse flies were thick & made everyone sick.  Steph & I are slowly extracting knowledge from Nanna on how the old clinic was established & ran, and the many local remedies she used to treat common ailments.  

Engagement Party at Roy & Trish’s house.
Bride & Groom to be, w/Carlos as God-father

Saturday night was an engagement party at Roy & Trish’s for one of the orphan girls that is now living in Chimoio, but Maforga is paying for her to finish pharmacy school. The night fulfilled the practice of the soon-to-be groom meeting the bride-to-be’s family, which in this case is the Maforga family. The young man looked scared to death, but Steph and Jacquelyn explained that in this culture, marriage is serious so no matter how excited or joyous they are, the boy and girl are to have a serious look during the entire celebration. The night was full of food, prayer, music and dancing. Roy told me they make a big deal of celebrating when the engagement is “done right,” as opposed to when the engagement is resulting from unplanned pregnancy; they hope to show the girls the joy & celebration stemming from godly living in contrast to the non-frill arrangement as a consequence of un-godly living.

The “right” weddings, I’m told, are also a big deal, as Trish will sew the girls’ beautiful wedding dresses. Jacquelyn’s 16yr old daughter is close with the girls, and I learned that just a few months ago she was told in confidence that 1 of the girls was pregnant and was seeking an abortion. She fasted & prayed 3 days for the fetus, and asked all the other ministry leaders to fast & pray as well even though she couldn’t tell them why. The girl soon after decided against the abortion! I’m awed by the spiritual maturity of this 16yr old, and the ministry leaders quite clearly don’t just talk the talk but they indeed walk the walk...they trust that God knows and they count on each other as one accord to seek the Lord and intercede for all. The unity here is amazing despite all the different ministries and of course all the different human-ness. Kees & Sarah’s daughter, Farai, is also uniquely perceptive in spiritual matters, and she’s only in 11^th grade.

Spider in rainstorm. His belly is stingray-shaped w/bright 

orange & yellow stripes.

Sun 8/17  - Church was once again awesome with worship, two testimonies, and Chico’s lesson on letting the Holy Spirit lead, not to be discouraged, and to help one another. Trish & Roy had a cool testimony of their trip to Manica yesterday to visit another missionary, Erica. The road was horribly rough, and when they reached their remote destination, they had a flat tire. They discovered their spare was missing & were perplexed as to what to do, since they were very remote and had to return in time for the engagement party. Two hours later, Erica arrived with their tire! She told them she saw a man she knew on a bicycle, carrying the tire. Erica somehow knew the tire was Roy’s and took it. They were all amazed that an expensive item like a new tire & rim lay on the road for 2 hours & was only picked up by this man & that Erica happened to pass him before the turnoff – 5 minutes later & she would’ve missed him. Isn’t it awesome that we are always in God’s thoughts and He’s always looking out for us?!  

It’s sunny today, but cold. Our picnic lunch to the waterfall is cancelled due to the mud from the rains. It rained again Sunday night, which is probably making the already weak signal worse so that skyping into service was impossible. We very much enjoyed hearing the worship team, and seeing & saying Hi to everyone. When Terry asked if there were any visitors, we tried to announce Daniel was with us (he & his wife Sarah manage the young orphan children), but our connection was too poor. Sorry we missed Rick’s message – I was sure looking forward to it.  I’ll try to see it on website after I purchase more aircard minutes/data. The 4 of us then spent the evening discussing how our arrival goals and perceptions have changed, now that we’re half way through the month here. Funny how we can have bias and certain perceptions about something/someone and not even realize it (or do but get stuck on it) until the Lord reveals truth. I pray that we all continually seek to the Lord in seeing everything the way He sees it. I want to walk consistently in the spirit, not the flesh.

2 months for Martinio & local crew to erect 4 columns.  3 days for Enrique to

 help them cut trees for supports, lay rebar, set forms & pour Tank Platform!

Mon 8/18  - Enrique is working on the water tower again, now that Lovemore’s ankle is healed. Cecil is installing the water system in Steph’s house. I’m sewing more mosquito screens after repairing Steph’s sewing machine. Roy & Trish have taken the older girls to camp at Gorongosa Park for two nights. Steph and I discussed the importance of the 5 love languages. [from The 5 Love Languages book by Gary Chapman]  I never really paid it much mind despite Rick & Marie both teaching it at different times. But I’ve found that some people really need to be loved in their language – Cecil is ‘words of affirmation’, Steph is ‘physical touch’ – she loves that you all sent hugs her way so I hope she’s getting her fill each day as I pass them on (although I must admit sometimes I forget since I’m not much of a hugger). Steph discovered a trusted worker has been stealing many chickens & supplies. She is grieved and we’re praying for her. I sent text to Marie, Terry Eoff & Kellie to pray.

Clinic Floor Painted!

Water system for Stephanie, which Cecil is working on

 Tues 8/19  - Prayer group 6am – many needs, many trials. I’m praying for boldness amidst the storms and persecutions, that discouragement will be turned in to determination and resolve to not grow weary of being a good soldier for Christ Jesus. Enrique is working on the clinic & water tower today. Cecil is working on Steph’s water system. Everything here takes 5x longer than we’re used to due to no adequate tools/materials and much time spent looking for tools/materials we should have (everyone here shares, so the hammer, for example, could be with one of 10 people,  so you walk around Maforga looking for them). But that’s okay because on the way you converse w/everyone, forging relationships.

Sheri w/orphans after Child Assessments. Jona is in orange -

 "I wanted to bring him home last year; He’s now too big for 

my suitcase so I’ll have to move here!"

I did child assessments for Sarah Bell’s medical records, and then create spreadsheets for each child & email them to her to print. She tells me the Vovo’s (child caretakers/nannies) will feed their favorite children more than others, so she must be present at most meals to assure adequate portions. You can tell the faves since they’re chubby compared to the thinner ones.  Two have signs of development problems stemming from malnourished state &/or abuse/trauma when they arrived at Maforga – 2yr old Ruth just started standing 1 month ago, but still needs assist to balance. Jona (Jonathan), the boy I spent time w/last year & have many pictures of, helped me by leading each child in, holding my equip, and then returning the child to the playground & leading another in. He has grown quite a bit since last year!