May 2023 Report from Simbarshe Gondo

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

Thanks be to our father in heaven for the love we enjoyed each day of our lives. The first week, l attended the burial of Br. Mumba's wife Ester. l was invited to preach at a graduation ceremony in Bazel. The second week, we were concerned about my wife's sister who was critically ill. The third week l was teaching six people who were baptized including one newly converted sister Gamunorwa. The fourth week l attended the funeral of an old woman who lived long suffering illness for 33years. I was selected to speak at Mutasa DC for a district fellowship. 

I attended the burial of two preacher's wives who were laid to rest. Br. Chimhungwe and Br. Mumba lost their loved ones. We lost sister Ester Mumba on Sunday the 30th of April when we were at Ngangu for Manicaland gospel meeting, Br. Mumba was among the speakers as l selected him to preach but the Lord did not allow him due to the health of his wife. I went to Rusape on the 2nd day of the month to have sympathy with him. We spent the night singing hymns. Preachers came in their numbers to comfort him, about 30. I helped him with $10 as my support. I felt sorry to their last-born son 8 years old who needs a mother’s care but nothing we do when God called us home. Thank God Br. Mumba's first-born son is married, and they are taking care of the boy. He was happy to see my presence as l comforted him with suitable words which helped him. 

As a church we are making all the efforts to make sure our garden project is successful. We are using our buckets to water the plants, fetching water near the stream and our borehole. At the stream it is faster as we use less energy. I brought a solar pump to use as we need six hours to finish the task. At first people were coming in numbers but now people are not more than six, which is hard to bear. When people are 10, we spend 30 mins to complete the work. A petrol pump might be good to use to solve the problem as it saves time to do more work. The water in our country is controlled by ZINWA, a private limited company. Their target is for 5 hectares and above to use the water but less than that there's no problem. A solar system is good. There's no other expenses and it is of value in summer season but in winter it is a long time to finish work l never experienced that.   

On the 6th, l was invited to preach at a graduation ceremony at Mr. and Mrs. Sauka residence in Bazel. Their first-born son Kudzai Sauka, aged 34, acquired his two Masters in Global Enterprise and Artificial intelligence. I was highly honored that day as l encouraged people who were present to emulate the best achievements. I gave them my $5 gift. People who attended were 80. The man is still single.   

The second week, together with my wife, we were worried about the health of her sister Rujeko, aged 40. She's happily married to Mr. Gilbert Mupita who works in Zimbabwe Parks and wildlife. They are blessed with three kids, one girl; Michael 17, two boys; Lesley 13, and Kieth 8. She's a nurse at Nhedziwa clinic. The problem is her back, as she can't sleep or sit properly. It was hard to bear. We visited her on the 13th. We prayed  and spent the night until we left her still in much pain. We gave her $20 to cover some expenses. Thank God she recovered but we were all in wonder.   

The third week l was teaching six people who were baptized on the 14th and the 21st:

• Br. Zvikomborero Gutukunuhwa 18
• Nomalanga Musindo 15
• Vanessa Kanyimo 15
• Nokutenda Moyana 12
• our maid, Ruvimbo Nekete 17
• sister Gamunorwa 25

I want to thank God for the addition.   

The church members are using all the resources to make sure that the garden church project will be a success. On the 21st Br. Chadzingwa donated cow manure to the church for the tomatoes. Sister Mukahanana gave some sticks to support the tomatoes. Our tomatoes are doing well as far as the growth is concerned, we are planning to grow some tomatoes near the borehole. We all agreed to have 500 plants. I observed that when the project is starting the people will be very supportive but as the time laps people will be fewer. During harvesting people are more but l learned to be patient.   

On the 25th grandma Zhakama was buried. She had a stroke 33 years ago in 1990. The rest of the time she was on the wheelchair, and she died at 86 years. Our house is 300m west of their home. Most of the time, together with my wife, we used to visit her constantly with fresh food. They appreciate greatly all the effort we made for the family. When the sickness was severe l encouraged young women to fetch water and to help the family. People who came to the burial were 500. In all the gathering, we were told to be greatly aware of cholera as our country is facing it.   

On the 26-28th l was chosen to preach at Mutasa DC for a district fellowship l preached on the subject, "Press on Towards your Goal” (Philippians 3:14). The theme was Do not Loose heart. Thank God l did a great job when looking at the audience and comments after preaching, l was singing too.

The preachers who attended were 16 and the people who attended were 400. Two were baptized and the giving was $35. The same Sunday Maruru church of Christ hosted a big fellowship with the surrounding congregations.

In June we will be at Derembwe church of Christ and in July we will be at Bazel.    I am thinking about Mushunje church of Christ as my movement there is limited due to transport barriers, I need to be there every week but sometimes I visit other places. l know one day I will be there when time allows. I am communicating with a few members who are still faithful: Mushunje family, Kambarami, Pundo and Muchiwanga. My desire was to have a full-time preacher there who can always be on work, the church will grow. 

Attendance and giving: 

I want to thank you brethren for the support you sent to me and my family as well as the church at large we really appreciate it.

May God bless you and your everyday needs. I thank you.   

Yours ln Christ   
Simbarashe Gondo 
Gondo