July 2024 Mission Report from Simbarshe

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

 This year we received low rainfall and we thought our winter season could change but all the months were too cold. Many farmers lost their tomatoes plants from frost. July recorded no rain, and the sky was ever blue. Years back we received rain in July. This season the month was very cold and dry.

The first week we baptized Bro and sister Mutava. l was not feeling well from June until the end of  July. The second week my wife went to Honde Valley, to their homestead to witness the payment of Lobola to her aunt's daughter Dazy, a sad note was announced of the death of my wife's aunt. The church at Bazel recommended Bro and sister Mutava to be trained at a Bible college to fill the gap at Mushunje. The 4th week l footed the remaining 10 km to and from to see neighbor who's a victim of cancer. She was sent back home for home-based care by the doctor. I harvested my first fruits tomatoes. At the end of the month l accompanied 5 committee members of MGM to Nyazura and Rusape for 2025 surveys. 

Brother and sister Mutava were preachers to the false brethren. When they realized the evil deeds done by their former church mates they searched for the truth until they approached me. l advised them to be baptized again to fulfill all righteousness. On the 7th they were baptized and the water was dirty. l thought they would refuse but they sacrificed to do it. Odzi river is polluted much by the illegal gold miners. We gave him the  work to do, and he did a great job as he preached to us. The church saw a talent in him and we all agreed to send the couple to school. We raised $11 for transport to and from. They were successful as they were selected for January 2025 intake with full scholarship. The church at Bazel will assist them with money to solve their problems at school. In September we will be going to Mushunje with Br Mutava as l will introduce him to the church where he will work after his 3-year course at school. We might need more support to Mushunje both material and advise for the success of our mission. 

 My health problems threaten me day in and out. My worry is for the work and kids to take care of. The church, my wife and parents were worried about my sickness. l started the prickling in July 2018, and it continues until today. l visited several doctors, but nothing was seen as you know. This is the work of the devil. l want to thank God for his protection. I want to thank all who prayed for me now l felt the changes when l go for treatment the whole month. 

 My wife attended the Lobola payment of her cousin who was raised in the Chikuhwa family. In our culture part of the Lobola will be shared by the Father of the child and where the child is raised, the mother's relatives. Four live cattle and $2000 was given to my wife's brothers and family. A message again was announced of the death of my wife's aunt  grandma Matiashe  who was 100 years of age and stayed in Dewedzo Rusape, last year. I went there and paid my cow l gave some blankets to aunt who passed away as a gift since she stayed with my mother in law in her childhood. May her soul rest in the eternal peace. 

 I went 30 miles away from Bazel to Manzinde North East. l completed the journey after l was dropped at a bus stop. l moved 10km to and from to reach there. She's renting next house with us. The owner didn't allow them to stay because he didn't want the home to be defiled when death occurred. That's why she was sent home for home-based care but the Lord is good she's recovering. l gave her a Kigali bucks but now she's feeling better. I gave them $5 as my assistance they thanked me a lot .

 On the 26th l attended the funeral of Mr. Mutepfa who passed away without any sign of sickness. He was 86 years old. People who were gathered were 700.

My tomatoes are about to ripen. Thank God they were not affected by the frost. Many farmers lost them due to frost. l have vegetables again and the church members are enjoying the vegetables at the church site. I have challenges of baboons and the only option is to buy a pellet gun which is $350 as l once ask it. It is legal to have it in our country and it does not need a license. 

 On the 27th l accompanied  Manicaland Gospel meeting team to Nyazura as we visited Mavhudzi High school 2km from the main road. The place is good but we don't know how much it will cost us. We visited Tsindi primary which is 17 km from Rusape. The school committee agreed at a negotiable price of $100. If Mavhudzi gives an affordable price we will be holding our meeting there. Thank God we travelled safely as we used Bro. Chitendeni's car.

Together with the church we planned to ask for $2 for a family per year towards borehole maintenance and even outside church members the same. Churches and organizations they pay $10 per year l bought a receipt book for transparency and we need a bank account especially ecocash here it works better if our money reaches 200 dollars an extra is going for church projects. 

I want to thank you brethren for your support you gave us the family and the church  God bless you. I don't know the state now from Br Scott Mitchell he used to reply my letters but nowadays he can't. Is he OK with his health? l like him a lot he was such a good man of God may the Almighty God help him at all cost. Pass my greetings to him and his wife sister Mary. 

Yours in Christ 

Simbarashe Gondo