August 2025 Mission Report from Simbarshe

Grace mercy and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Winter has just ended we experience a lot of dust and wind. This month people lost their lives from the beginning until the end of the month. The first week l attended 3 funerals, and we also lost a young preacher. Together with my wife we went to town for the invitation to preach. My kids did well in their mid-year term. I preached at tombstone placement and unveiling the second week. I attended the national men's fellowship the third week. The final week l attended a memorial service and funeral on the last day of the month.

On the second term school break the 7th of August, Laura passed 10 subjects out of 11 she missed mathematics, l helped her every night. Leal and Lowell did well in their exams l encouraged them to work hard in all areas. My wife, Lowell and Leal had a school tour, they visited Great Zimbabwe, Matopo hills, Hwange national Park and Victoria Falls. I never visited these places, but we managed and saved for their learning. They slept in Bulawayo and stayed at Doctor Gwini's house for two nights. He is a medical doctor and a preacher as well. His late father was a preacher also. The teachers and pupils at Mwandiambira Primary were accommodated when the temperatures exceeded -4 degrees Celsius but the doctor and his mercies gave them a safe place to lay. Teachers’ comments praised the church and preachers; the last time they visited Kariba they came in the hands of a preacher there again. My wife received very good respect from her workmates.

Sister Mafusire is still doing God's work even though she lost her husband. She called me to attend the funeral at Derembwe area. She's staying at her house in town. Br Mushumbi a student preacher who is currently working there went to Checheche in Chipinge for evangelism. I went there the 1st day of the month and preached the night and slept there. Br Shepherd Masimba aged 23, had a short illness of a severe stomach pain he passed on and left a widow, two brothers and a sister. On the 2nd day sister Mafusire, brother Chimanga and Br Chikono arrived and Derembwe congregants buried him. Br Chikono preached l song led 1200 people attended the burial.

On the 3rd day together with my wife, Leal and Lester, we were invited to preach at Hill View C. O. C in Dangamvura Mutare Town. I preached on the subject Joy in the Lord; we were 38 and the giving was $12. Sister Mafusire stood up and ask prayer of comfort for the loss of her husband, she cried as l comforted and prayed for her. She invited us to her house, together with my wife we comforted her, and we ate lunch together we had a good time.

On the 4th l traveled to Manzinde Village 40km east of Bazel to pay the last respect and the burial of Mrs. Monica Chazuwa a close neighbour who passed on 1st day of the month. She died of cancer, l prayed for her uncounted times, the doctors send her home as she developed a growth in her stomach with her conditions they feared the surgery. She was a member of the denominational church AFM. l was assigned to pray to a multitude of 2500 people.

My mother called  and informed me of  the death of my sister Enzani aged 68 years old. She was married about a kilometer away from home. There were 1500 people who attended the burial. She died on the 5th after a long illness under a care of her daughter, Rejoice in Chipinge. During my wedding she played a very big role as she spoke before the multitude during confessions time. She survived with 7 children and grandchildren her husband passed away 10 years back.

Sister Mandianike informed me to attend their tombstone placement and unveiling. I went there and preached to a multitude of 200 people. Agripah was absent and still on the police run after he failed to pay for the damage he caused to my field and home. l worked before my enemies. Everyone accepted my word l preached.

Bro Takudzwa Gutukunuhwa and Zvikomborero Binzi went to a youth fellowship in Bindura. l pledged the money needed for the youth. They had a good time. My first experience in my preaching life l started in Bindura in 2006 with my classmate Br Richard Rungano now working in Mt Darwin. We covered Trojen mine, and Concession COC.

With the help of Elder Mungoni from Sakubva COC he paid all the payments needed  for me at a national fellowship in Gweru at Bear Valley Bible COC institute. Knowing very well that l support the fellowship he asked me whether or not I was attending the fellowship, l open my heart as he assisted my welfare. Br Muchingami is the principal during our college course we were together. The program was well taken and preachers who were selected to preach did a very good work l also lead the singing. This year none of the ladies moved to a national fellowship because of financial problems it was held in Bulawayo.

On the 30th together with my wife we were invited to attend a memorial service at Charamba home 30m from our house of the late Wellington their son who was involved in a fatal accident. I was asked to pray to a multitude of 150 people. On the 31st no church was attended in the church building since there was burial of a young man, Delan Manyanhaire aged 19. He died of lung infection that caused a pain on the leg for 8 months it marked the end of his life. 800 people attended, ZAOGA church did all the duties their pastor Mashava preached l offered prayers.

Our building project is going well so far we have  4 people who fulfilled  their pledges we have 13 bags of cement at hand we need 30 bags to complete the gable stage. Our challenge lies back to builder's wage. Our earliest target of pledges was end of September.

I want to thank you for your support brethren May the Almighty God be with you all.

 Yours in Christ 

 Simbarashe Gondo