August Mission Report: Mushunje and Bazeley Bridge Church of Christ

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

We didn't experience a lot of wind this month; the weather was very cold with less wind. The first week, I studied with a lady who was convinced by her husband, whom we baptized last year. The second week, we visited the sick together with my wife. The third week, one soul was added to the Lord's church. The final week, together with Brother Manyanhaire, we moved for personal evangelism.

My kids were on school break. All of them performed well in their second term. Lowell, my son, improved greatly. Our worry was how to manage the third term's school fees. Without fees on the first opening day, students will be chased away to collect fees. We wanted to attend the national fellowship this month, but it was not favorable. The youths and men went to Bulawayo the second and fourth weeks, and the ladies went to Murewa at Nhowe Mission the third week. No one at our church attended due to the financial crisis. For next year, we hope to attend the national fellowship when we plan well for our finances.

Brother Chambara lived in Chakohwa near Hot Springs. He's working in Bazel to keep someone's house safe near Sister Matanda's home. His wife visited him, and he introduced her to the church, as she first attended on the fellowship day when we hosted the surrounding congregations. I followed them to their respective workplace where they stayed. I taught them about the church and what we must do to be saved. She accepted and wanted to be baptized, but I want her to be fully equipped with lessons before she receives baptism. God willing, we will do the baptism in the third week of September. I am very impressed with the Kwezeya family, who are active in attending and participating in the church services. They even invited their relatives and neighbors to church. The last time I visited them at their homestead, they were busy constructing their three-roomed house. I gave them a good comment on the good work they were doing. It pleased them, and they are coming to church without stopping. All this is caused when you move and meet people in their homes. I have a very big task to teach and preach to the relatives and neighbors about the Lord's church.

The second week, together with my wife, we visited Sister Mandianike, who was not feeling well. My wife went the extra mile, as she cooked food for her when she was not fit to cook. She was attacked by a strong flu that was similar to COVID-19. She's staying with her granddaughter, Talent, aged 4 years. When she was stranded, the only people who were close were us. We were kind to her despite her son's behavior of destroying our maize. The same maize that was destroyed is the maize that satisfied his mother when she was stranded and hungry. Thank God she stood up before the multitude and thanked us for such love. She recovered fully. I was also a victim of this strong flu, but I quickly recovered.

The third week, one soul was added to the Lord's church: Sister Makuyana from the Mupudzi area, who is now resident in Bazel. Together with my wife, we visited her twice. Since we know each other, she didn't abstain from attending church services.

Brother Manyanhaire and his wife visited us again the fourth week. We spent the week together doing personal evangelism. We visited the Saungweme home, where we saw the father, who was not feeling well. It was a mild stroke. We prayed together. We visited Mrs. Wale's house and prayed for her condition. She's lame because of a critical accident she survived. We prayed together. We visited Grandma Saungweme and the Rashamba and Ngadze homes. Our target is to find the lost souls. I visited Brother Tawanda and Takunda Mhukayatadza, trying to convince them to come to church, but they're not interested. Maybe it is this hard time we are living in, when the unemployment rate is high. I prayed with them. Maybe they'll come back, but it will be too late to decide.

Sister Gwizo, a poor widow aged 78, came to church on the 30th and pledged $40 toward the roofing construction. This is a sacrifice, since the only money in her bag was saved to buy basic food, but instead she gave all she had to God. The same love I showed her after we gave her 20 kg of maize is the same love she showed to complete the church. I am humbled to see this again. Sister Kanyimo, of the same age, did the same, but able people are taking it lightly. This year, we are participating even though we are doing the best we can. We shall rejoice when our project is complete. The journey might be long, but we're not tired. The small pace at which we are moving is great. One day, we will complete this building.

I want to thank you, brethren, for your concern and support. May the Almighty God bless you.

Yours in Christ 

Simbarashe Gondo