What you're all Thinking...

Insane.. That is what more then a few people have said this trip is, leaving a nice comfy place where there is also a need for publishers to go 8,376 miles [exact mileage, your welcome] to Africa. Africa the place where flies seem to never die, the power cuts out often, milk is $6 a gallon and lions roam freely. Yes to all of these and much more they are the items i am beyond excited to encounter on this adventure. Crazy this may be but not foolish or insane, it's never foolish to give acts of kindness. 

I'm not sure how much any one know about this country but here is a synopsis, the national language is English but over 8 million speak Shona,and that's not a super easy one to learn. YouTube has been a god send.. The country broke free from Great Britain in the 1980s and subsequently still speak in British terms and eat British food. So if you know me well, you know I'll be in heaven!! Zim use to be a huge tourist spot but the Popie collapsed in 2000 making the economy nonexistent and creating the trillion dollar bill which you can still buy off eBay. Now they are stable {as any really can be in this system} using the U.S. Dollar and slowly rebuilding the tourist attractions hoping that they once again become a place for families to visit and enjoy. We will be living in the capital city of Harare where there is public transportation but Bethel doesn't let the missionaries take it so we have opted to walk during the daylight and grabbing a ride after sundown.  Health concerns😷... They do not have any cases of Ebola nor have they in the last 14 years according to the CDC. Malaria is the biggest and only concern but we are bringing the items to combat that issue. 

We will be moving around a wee bit so at any giving time we could be at one of these congregations while we are there. ⭕️Sunridge times: Thursday @ 6:30 & Sunday @ 1.   ⭕️Belvedere times: Thursday @ 6:30 & Sunday @ 8:30 am.  ⭕️We may possibly be going to try out the Shona field as well, but I'm not really sure which hall.  Most likely Belvederes with the missionaries we are in contact with. 

Little smiles ready for us.

Packing Fiasco

Packing had always seemed fun to me for some strange reason. It's all the anticipation of a trip and so I start way too soon and normally end up forgetting important items. I've been collecting things since I decide to leave again..so April and there have been bins on top of bins sitting in my tiny 9 x 9 room. I saw I needed to condense a wee bit.. So packed for the first round this last weekend and as I went over my 'in bag list' I saw, not only did I completely miss a bathing suit but also socks..cold medicine,Clorox wipes..and so on.. Really?! So that is why I pack a few times..hopefully by the time it's really time to go everything has a spot. 

Earlier this year I had stopped at a local store to see what sale items they had, I was on a mission so kept asking if they had certain items instead of just looking around. The owner asked why those certain items were on my list, I was able to give a fine witness and she even offered to send some clothes with me for the brothers and sisters. I was shocked because she had just met me and normally things like this don't  just happen. (Someone's hand may be involved.) I was beyond excited, I had the idea to leave a chunk of my own clothing there to save on space and to help out the sisters there but never imagined that a total stranger would like to help as well. As it stands she may also help pay for a bag to fill full of needed items! Jah does make sure that all his people are provided for no matter how or what it may be that's needed. I have started gathering little toys, jewelry, coloring books, men's ties, women's clothing and household items for the congregation making them little care packages. The missionary couple have been sending me photos of the little ones I can't wait to see theirs little faces light up.

Over all I think I have most items, although I was just told to bring a tea kettle and solar powered lights, which does anyone know do they make mini tea kettles? It wouldn't kill me to pack more granola bars either,  Amazon.com here I come for the millionth time. 

Details

We have 34 days until we step foot onto a plane that could end up changing our entire lives... I doubt it will but sometimes these trips cans have an profound effect on ones heart at least.

Now who's "we"? This glorious trip will be taken with a girl in my area named Chandler,she's 19 and this is her first time off American soil. {that bit is a little scary..lol} She's pretty stoked, your first need greater trips are exciting, overwhelming and amazing. Your eyes are opened to so many things especially a place like Africa where water is scarce and food consists of bugs or mashed maze.  Sometimes we need a little kick to get us out of our comfort zone..us and maybe even our parents. :) 

Why Zimbabwe? Because  according to a few articles I read its a safe (relatively of course) place for single travelers. At the time of planning my ideas were designed for one but Chandler's trip to Central America fell through and I had the other option for her. Zimbabwe was at one time a huge tourists spot having Victoria Falls and a few animal preserves, but 15 years ago the economy fell through and chaos ensued. Now they use the U.S. Dollar and present president in power loves the witnesses so everything should work out fine if there is not a coup against him. 

The official language is English but 8 million speak Shona as well,which in not an easy one to master...or find. Slowly I'm making a list of words I can speak...slowly..very small list. Haha 

Living conditions

If you've met me you know I am currently living with my 93 going on 400 year old grandmother. Now don't take that sentence and turn it mean...she's just NOT a spring chicken anymore. I live here, what seems to be part time because it helps not only her, myself but the other family members she would be cruising to see if she were left alone with car keys. It's part time mainly because full time would put anyone on Prozac..even a saint. 😇

This upcoming trip will be my fourth need greater trip for my lifetime..which just turned another year just this week...{to my dismay}. My goal, before I go insane is to reach all inhabited continents before I am 35, I have two left after this. 

Where am I going? Harare Zimbabwe from February 16 til May 13. I'm beyond excited,nervous and thrilled.

Why? As one of Jehovah's witnesses I see an opportunity where I can have my eyes opened more and help where they need more people to help with Bible education. I have a single chicks life and the means to keep helping others so it's a no brainier to travel and do something productive. And if you are a non-witness reading this, please don't equate me to those early missionaries who forced religion one people, I'm there asking if they would like a home Bible education and if not I pass on to the next homeowners. If you don't know much out us I suggest visiting www.jw.org and looking around. 

Stay turned to the stories I hope I can relate with colorful, inspiring and wonderful words.