February 2024 Mission Report From Simbarshe

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

Good rain usually comes in February and March. this month most of our crops suffered and wilt the sun was too intense, this year very few people will harvest but the rest no harvest. The first week the church members attended a tombstone placement at Kuwaza home. The second week l attended an MGM planning held in Chimanimani, my wife and kids went to Mupudzi church of Christ to attend a fellowship. We felt the same feeling together with my wife's sister Rujeko who was critically ill and admitted in the hospital. The fourth week l went to see sister Chinzvende and her old mother. Our dog for the first time bit a boy who was  abandoned by his parents. He is under the care of a poor widow. At the end of the month l received additional support from Jan, Feb, and March. l appreciate the increase you sent and the love you showed. 

Our normal rains usually come in February and March. January destroys our crops since little rain falls. This year January had good rains and our crops were active, come February our hope was in vain. The sun was too excessive, most crops wilted and dropped down. At the end of the month, we received rain, but nothing solved our problem. My garden managed to have good yield since l used the petrol pump to water it. The challenge was not yet solved because the baboons were coming to squander them, so l used high smell poison so that l harvest them this season. Baboons have a very good sense of smell, and they don't attempt anything with poison, they are very wise.

The third day of the month the church members attended a tombstone at Kuwaza home of Takudzwa who passed away in 2023. The church members supported the family with money, food and presents and sang good songs at the graveyard site. My wife accompanied me as l preached about good deeds that was appreciated most in  Ecclesiastes 9:10, 120 people attended and accepted the message. The family members appreciate greatly the sacrifices made by the church members. Sister Kuwaza extended her sincere gratitude the next Sunday during confessions. These events usually bring in new converts. 

Mupudzi church had a big Sunday fellowship on the fourth. My wife and kids attended,  and the church  members did not attend due to financial challenges. They had good times listening a sermon from brother Madondo and nice singing from brother Feso, in the morning the same day l went to Chimanimani together with brother Chitendeni, brother Kamutambo, and sister Mbofana at Machongwe church of Christ where brother Magadaire our chairperson preached and stayed. Bro Kamutambo taught the Bible study about Giving, brother Chitendeni was at the Lord's table, and l preached about Work before thy enemies. We were 68 and the giving was 30. Our major agenda was tent purchasing, subjects to be preached, selection of preachers, and the final venue. Our way back we passed at Nhedziwa to see  my wife's sister Rujeko who was not feeling well together with the team we saw her as we prayed together brother Kamutambo prayed . Sister Mbofana sympathies with her and gave her some instructions on what to do on the hand that was painful.

The second week on the 9^th, Rujeko was admitted in the hospital. Her hand was painful, and the doctor saw some blood clots and it moved right on the chest that caused her to have difficulties in breathing. Together with my wife we moved every day to town to see her until she was discharged on the 12th. We assisted her with 50 dollars. Thank God she's feeling better now. 

The third week l went to see sister Chinzvende  and her mom about 14km to and from. I used my bicycle to reach there, they were happy to see us even though complaining about the heat and the wilt of crops. l saw her old mother who's 94 years old and intelligent. She identified me through my voice. All her teeth are available, and she could read but the challenge is a hearing problem. We had a good time together as l prayed before l left.

On the 24th our dog Spot bit a poor young boy, Learnmore Mugwedere, aged 13. He came to our house without knocking at the gate. It was not his first time to come and ask for water. Our dog had little puppies and it came and bit him on the right leg. l quickly rushed him to a nearby clinic. Unfortunately, no injection was available. On our left side of the location there's no electricity because someone came and stole oil from the transformer and disappeared. We are three months now without electricity. Zesa company is failing to manage this challenge. The boy returned home without medication. l phoned his grandmother as we agreed to help each other. The woman is kind. The boy was treated and he's fine now.

On the 27th l collected the support sent by Elder John Jones and a total of 250 was received. l want to thank you brethren for the love you showed. 

I want to thank you, brethren, for the conversation you had towards the church building, the church was long overdue about 10 years ago. The church members were  happy to hear about your concern. I want to extend my gratitude on the well project you arranged on the side of brother Mumba this is exceptionally good God bless you for the love you showed. 

This year we recorded drought even though the season has not ended . Everyone is crying because of the crops that drops down .We don't know the plans on the government's side . We hope our Heavenly Father will intervene; the situation is bad .

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday l meet with the church at 17:00 -18:00. The attendances are 2-6. We were studying the books of James, Colossians, and Peter. 

I want to thank you brethren for the support you sent. God bless you all.

Yours in Christ 

Simbarashe Gondo