May 2026 Mission Report from Simbarshe and Memory Gondo

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

The beginning of the winter season started in May. We experienced much cold, and flu was a challenge to many. Our temperatures fell from 15 to 10°C, and the sky was ever blue. The first week, we lost a father. The second week, I attended and preached at my son-in-law’s birthday. The third and final week, I was doing personal evangelism. I spoke to a family woman who was added to the Lord’s church. I was touched when I visited my church member’s home, which pushed me to extend my helping hands. We remembered two old widows in the church.

My biological father lost an elder brother, Samuel, who was born in 1942 in a family of nine: Norah, Samuel, Dennis, Anah, Ane Grace, Senzia, Irene, Luke, and Agnes. Only four are left, including my dad Dennis, Anah, Irene, and Agnes. The late father Samuel, aged 84, died on the 3rd after a short illness. His death was a shock to many relatives. We were told that he was affected by flu. He is survived by five children, two boys and three girls, and eleven grandchildren. Together with Zachariah Nyadundu, my cousin and a son to the late Senzia, our role was to buy food for him. Together with my wife, we helped with $100 to cover food expenses. We buried our dear father on the 5th day, and on the 6th we distributed his clothing. About 300 people attended the burial. It is so hard to part unknowingly, and it left us with a deep wound. May his soul rest in peace.

On the 9th, I was invited to attend and preach in Kadoma at my son-in-law Tapiwa Hwingwiri’s birthday. This is his 40th year, still enjoying God’s protection. The distance from Mutare is 400 km. In 2025, the couple gave us a credit amount of $800 to top up fees for Laura when it was needed urgently. It was a surprise birthday organized by his wife, and about thirty people attended. I was given an opportunity to preach before the relatives. My message mainly focused on the gifts we have in our hands, from Ecclesiastes 9:10. People appreciated the message very much. We had a great time together, and I was highly honored.

On the 3rd and 17th, we did not attend church service. The Chin’ono and Sithole families lost their loved ones in Bazel, and both were buried on Sunday. The Village Head expected everyone to be present at the burial. The Chin’ono family lost a dear father, and about 250 people attended. Moreblessing Sithole passed on. She was a nurse by profession, aged 44, and about 300 people gathered.

I had an opportunity to teach Sister Sanyanga about three lessons. Finally, she accepted and was added to the Lord’s church. She is not a resident in Bazel, but she is lodging in someone’s house near our house, about 100 m away. She is happily married with two little kids, a boy and a girl. Her occupation is selling vegetables and fruits. We attended church service together on the last day of the month. The church members rejoiced to be with her in church.

I extended my help to Sister Mapindu and Sister Gwizo with another 20 kg of maize each. These are the two old widows we have in church who are in need of food, as they are in difficulties to make ends meet. I want to thank God for the harvest we had this season and my wife, who can understand others’ challenges. If we managed to get a walking tractor, this could help my field and church members’ fields as well. At the same time, we will ease hunger and starvation, since our crops will be growing in time.

I was moving to some church members’ homes with my bicycle, including Mapindu, Kuwaza, Chimonyo, Chadzingwa, Kanyimo, Matanda, Chambara, Muradzikwa, Chiwedere, Mashayamombe, Chinzvende, Kwezeya, and Mutsoni. At Sister Kanyimo’s, I received $30 to purchase one asbestos sheet. I received $20 from Sister Chitakatira to purchase another sheet of asbestos, and she will top up a fee to complete it. I am encouraging church members to give. Together with my wife, we gave three asbestos sheets to the church. The church at Bazel organized a Big Sunday fellowship on the 26th of July. Our goal is to invite others to come and give a helping hand toward our roofing construction.

I want to thank you for your concern and support, my dear brethren. May the Lord bless you for your care.

Yours in Christ,

Simbarshe Gondo