January 2023 Report from Simbarshe and Memory

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

January 2023 was a year we expected hope as far as the rain is concerned but we received little rainfall the first week. When a new year begins you never know how it ends. The crops were looking good the first week but when the intense heat came many crops suffered. The first week the church lost a young man. Together with my family and sister Chin'ono we attended church services at Chitakatira church of Christ. The second week l was doing personal evangelism. The third week l went to town to open a foreign account. The fourth week l was watering the maize in my garden near the river Odzi. The fifth week l prayed together with a man who had a broken heart who lost a lot of money.

I saw Takudzwa Kuwaza aged 27 years old on the 31st of December at night when I was going to church, on the 3rd of the month l received a shocking call in the middle of the night from his father informing me about his death. He was baptized in the Lord's church before l worked at Bazel, l recognized him twice when he attended church services. He was mischievous all the days of his life. He was a bus conductor, and a victim of HIV/AIDS. The mother saw some ARVS tablets (AIDS medication) when he was critically ill.

He died at Mutare General hospital in town. l followed his family to town. I pleaded for mercy to Dr Mugweni who helped them with $200 to be released from the mortuary as the money was fluctuating. The family was honest as they quickly paid the money back.  If they had failed to pay, I would be responsible. I accompanied the mourners in the same bus with the dead body. I preached the same night.

On the 5th was the burial. l invited surrounding preachers to attend including Br Gushure, Chimanga, Tiani, Makunike and Br Siwedi preached. People appreciated greatly the service we carried out. Together with my wife we helped the family with $20 and the church gave $10 to cover some expenses at the funeral.

On the 8th sister Chin'ono, my wife and family attended church services at Chitakatira church of Christ where Br Gushure preached. It is 60km north east of Bazel. There was an official opening for the borehole and fencing project funded by Healing Hands lnternational. We had a good service. Br Dube taught the Bible study about tent making, Br Gushakusha preached in the book of Ephesians 6 about the Christian soldier. Ten preachers attended. Br Gwazaza officially opened the projects. We were 250 and the giving was $60.

The 2nd week l did personal evangelism. I visited sister Chidzikwe aged 40 years who was critically ill. Her problem was sores in the mouth and headache. We prayed together and we visited her with the whole church after church services and the family members were happy to see us showing sympathy to them. I visited grandma Chigiya aged 85 years old as well as sister Chadzingwa who had a painful leg. She was happy to see me we prayed together. I footed 10 km to and from. I visited sister Kuwaza four times after we buried her son she was uplifted. I mobilized the church to visit them after church services and we fulfilled the mission of brotherhood.

I traveled to town and opened a foreign account for the first time. I collected my identity card, proof of residency and my ordination certificate. It was done shortly at Banc ABC. I appreciate your help towards the Lord's work.

I was carrying my solar pump to the river watering my maize corn because the sun was burning like fire, mine was not destroyed all. My solar pump is helping me a lot l will always thank you for the love you showed.

On the 29th l had an opportunity to see Mr Matarauswa who stayed 200m away from our house. He came early in the morning with a broken heart after he lost $20000 usd. He was sent to the bank by the head Master of Marange high school a boarding school. He is an accountant, his confession was that he was about to retire and nothing bad happened to his work but Satan came ravishing his work. The robbers came and took off a satchel full of money and disappeared. He wanted to kill himself as l advised him not to take away his life because of money as is not a guarantee of a beautiful nature. I prayed with him and he appreciated greatly.

I am proud of my daughter Laura, she's an athlete as l was. I used to run 100m and I was the first. She's doing her best with the force she put and definitely her success brings joy to my soul.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday we are going to church to pray and Bible reading from 5:00-6:00pm. At first I was alone but now we are 8-10 attended. 

I want to thank you for your support you sent me may God bless you all.

Yours ln Christ 
Simbarashe Gondo