Holiday Away

Hey Guys,
So i now it seems silly that I needed a holiday away, mostly because some you think this is one giant holiday away..(you know who you are)  NOT TRUE!

Granted I don't have the normal workday pressures or stresses. Stresses now have come from relocating myself, learning and keeping up a 3 new cultures, new ways of thinking and new ways of doing these are not always easy an easy task.

My brain needed a few days to not think, and my feet to not walk so I went up to Nyanga for the weekend. It was a nice 4 hour car ride past balancing rocks and small towns. We also took a small car ride over to Mutare which is a stones throws from Mozambique...it took everything I had not to try to cross the border to add another country to my list.

 Where is It?? Its Zimababwes' eastern highlands boarding Mozambique,  it holds some beautiful waterfalls, wild animals, mountain peaks and the coldest weather. (no snow but super windy and
it was at 5 C ( 41 F) the other night...and its NOT winter yet.. Yikes!

I happen to bump into the family that helps deliver the literature to the Shona & English kingdom halls up there. So I grabbed the chance to explore a bit more of the area, knowing my days are numbered here.

There is a small area called Mutasa, it lies between Nyanga and Mutare, it has the most concentrated witnesses there, every 3 miles (5Ks) there is a kingdom Hall! I had the pleasure to visit one of the 2 English halls this last Sunday, I think we had about 20 or more there and only 2 cars in the "parking lot"--technically it was the yard-- and no microphones, you had to use your big boy voice there. (I had no problems in that department :D)

Zumbane Lodge

It was a nice few days away in the wilderness, hiking a trail or two and staying at the Zumbane lodge. Of which I highly suggest that if you come to Zim you MUST see this place and might as well stay in a fully furnished home for a fantastic price. We did lose power but whats a trip to Africa with the full amenities of the 1st world counties? Zasa these days..haha I also may or may have not gone to bed with my winter hat on, and a towel as extra bedding..I found out later my extra blanket was being held hostage in the the other room. or....maybe I just forgot to ask for it...oops.





Now I am back home, with only two weeks left to go. These four months...man I tell ya..flown by.  The emails may be coming a bit closer together now, I have so much I want to share before I leave. Bear with me folks.

See some of you sooner then later.
Katie

Count Down

The countdown has began over here, not in a "YAY" kind of way, but in a "sigh" kind of way.
The other day I had a hard time telling if this was my real life and the one in the States is my "Holiday" life.  The friends here make me feel like I have always known them, like this is my congregation.  I know that might cause a bit of pain for some, but there is room in my heart for many these days.
I sadly only have just over 3 weeks to go, so those in Michigan awaiting my arrival it is close.

These last few days i have been helping the maids with the food preparation.  1st it was the sugar beans, setting them in the sun to dry them out then sorting the good from the bad. Then the other day it was harvesting pecans. Eish Hard long work, no wonder the cost is high in the shops. Good thing i only like them covered in sugar and maple syrup. :)

Nothing has been happening this last few weeks. The studies have been going well, they are progressing slow but sure. I had to miss rurals this last week because i needed to go to an immigration appointment, due to my ever growing visa issues. No worries we are good for the last month!

Katelyn helping Nyarai with the intercoms

 Here are some photos for you all, mainly because my stories this week are BORING. :)
This week brings Harare International Festival of Arts is here so hopefully i can grab a few artsy shows before i come home.


much love you all soon,
if something happens, I'll make sure to write it.

Kate

Heart Warming

Today was an epic day for me gaining new bible studies. I now have 6 regular ones, three youngsters and three adults. The kids i am working with rang from 10 to 13 years old, and speak and read English beautifully. Today was gift day, all the kids got their book or booklets either in Shona or English.

 We passed a few houses that they made gardens for, not something you see everyday in an area that they are struggling to get food in, but making the earth beautiful is something they value here.

I started playing the Caleb videos to four kids, before i knew it, there were ten and by the end I had 15!

 For the most part this is an email full of photos not much of the stories. I couldn't post all of these on social media so thought a little slide show would be good enough. :)  The father of the four just below, said thank you a few times to me for taking the time to sit with them and teach .




I take so many photos because when i get stressed or overwork myself back in the States I see these little ones and know that whatever pain I am enduring is worth every moment.

I can see that I am making a mark on them, they wont easily forget the murungu (white person) that sat down and read English and Shona to them. Thats what we want, to make sure people don't forget us and the deeds we do.




They start early being little mommies, strapping little ones on their backs. I offered to carry her but I think she was a bit nervous.
The one that is doing the work cant be over the age of 6, they build them strong over here.

Alright family and friends, I am bushed,a few miles walking was done and much talking (never new for me). Yesterday was independence day over here so we came a day late.

Cheers to all you readers. Keep traveling and I'll keep up the stories.

What to Bring

I find it funny that one of my friends asked me tonight, "Who actually reads your blog?!" Only to find out I am just shy of 2800 readers.. So thank you all, in his words I appreciate.  And if he ever stumbles on this one post I hope it makes him smile, mostly out of annoyance.

To the matter at hand:

If you are ever planning an trip as an international servant some things you should know. Its a "Leave the gun, take the cannoli" type of situation. There are certain things one can afford to leave behind, and for the few countries i have lived in, four.. I can at least share some of my pent up knowledge.

As a rule I take these five things, no matter where I am headed. It  just has worked out that they are always useful.

1)     Wet wipes (baby or antibacterial)  -Wonderful for when you have no water and need a quick clean or wonder if the person ahead of you had e coli-

2)     Pain killers, ibuprofen  -you never know what kind of meds you can get so have at least a bottle-

3)     Re-hydration tablets  - LIFE SAVER anyplace hot, have these on hand and get into the habit of drinking them-

4)     Power bars or breakfast bars (at least 15)  -eating habits differ from place to place always have a snack  in case they give you dinner at 10 pm and you had lunch at 11-

5)     Flashlight with one extra set of batteries (or solar one) –self expiatory-

 

Puerto Rico

So technically this is part of the US, but when you get there or if you have already been there, it’s more like an 2nd world country.

They have Walmart, Walgreens and Applebees. So in short there is not much you really need to bring that you can’t get in the states. The only things that can run a bit expansive are paper products, notebooks, calendars and so forth. I do suggest in inventing in a small handheld blender, perfect for fresh smoothies. The fruit you can get fresh makes the best breakfasts..

Bahamas

I had the great pleasure of staying the Bahamas a few different times, exploring three of the islands out of 700 of course. Everything there is way more expansive. They have very little that is produced there so importing ta is sky high. Even most of the meat, besides fish, is brought in so is priced ridiculously high. Consider becoming a vegetarian while there if you are on a tight budget.

Also if you have white girl hair, like myself, bring your shampoo.. to get it there is not cheap and sometimes impossible to find.

Sunscreen, hand held fan, a hat or umbrella is a must for the intense heat.

Fruit and fish are cheap as well as rice and chick peas, a local favorite. Basically anything you think you need bring to this place otherwise you could have to live without unless you are on Paradise Island. 

Ecuador

Besides the 5 things I always bring.. For here I would suggest no small amount of Pepto-Bismol (stomach relief). The weather ranges here so be ready for anything in one day.

If you have clothing you don’t feel like you need to keep take it along and sell it at the end of the trip.

I love bringing the roll up water bottles everywhere once I have finished the drink it’s an easy carry.

I found things I needed were easy to get here, most people have wifi and in some areas you can wait for a delivery truck to come by and you can grab your groceries from him instead of walking to the store down the street. Dvds are cheap and they let you watch part of it to make sure the quality is good. 

Zimbabwe

Medicine is cheap so is the alcohol here.

White girl shampoo again is hard to come by and is way overpriced. (Normally because

the ones buying it can afford it to be a bit more.) Make sure to have a first aid kit with you, just because meds are cheap doesn’t mean Band-Aids or roll gaze is.

They have great coffee, tea and such here if you decide to splurge on anything I’d bring a coffee syrup.. It can make a difference after five months to have a cup that is just like home.

Make sure that you have a power bank with you, lately the power has been fine but it hasn’t been all that great over the years. Thinking in terms of solar is best, no lack of sun there. If you are there for a while serving in the field you may want to bring one or two Tupperware bins to hold food. They cost a ton here and having a few has been a great investment. I even bought a small non-stick skillet and it was such a great thing to bring. They are mucho $$ here. (I also bought in packets of my favorite seasonings like taco mix for dinners.)

Overall if you are a picky eater or someone who has lots of allergies you may have a bit more to overcome for those who don’t. Being an international servant or need greater is all about leaving the comfort zone in every way. Be prepared to get dirty, get hungry (at least once), get tried, get sick and get annoyed or aggravated. Sometimes you sit down and go over the pros and cons of this path you’ve chosen and in the side of Pros, you have: Reaching Out to Serve My God…its all worth that pain, annoyance and extra cost. I suggest taking a few articles with you so that if everything goes wrong you have something to bring you back to the focus.

 This is where my memory stops, if you have any questions about something I may have forgotten about please ask, it might help jog my brain. I have been other places but these are the major spots I have spent more than a few weeks at, so focused on those.

Just Over Half Way

Can you believe its already the half way mark of my trip?! I can’t. Although it has taken this long to get into a routine and get to know all the people I pass in the streets and the market again. So I know it hasn’t been a small amount of time. 

The weather pattern, as I have mentioned has been changing, summer is supposed to be winding down and winter on its way but we still are having high temperatures as early as 9 am and rains in the evenings. Thank goodness the pool has been ready cause after walking a few miles in the sun the best way to beat the heat is pool instead of tea time, I have pool time. J  

We have a new couple in our hall. Tim & Natasha (haven't got the spelling of the last name..) They

have been married for 19 years, he is from Germany and she was born here. They have worked as special pioneers in Germany then were assigned as international servants and we assigned to Zimbabwe. After a few years here they were put in Maui, Fiji and then back here again! They are a cute couple and i'm excited to get to know them and their experiences.

We had a going away party for two of our dear friends. One couple Jim & Wendy Davis helped Chandi and i a ton last year. Sadly they are on their way to England here soon where they can find work and survive a little easier. They shall be missed greatly. 

(Wendy is next to me.) 

The other are moving to an area where a new congregation was formed in the rural areas. (sadly i didn't get a photo of them..)

This last week we had a great time in service last Monday.  We fit 5 of us ladies in the back of a truck, full grown adult ladies i might add. :) I was able to show videos up to 20 times to about 15 kids all day. The overall bonus was that i started two studies with young people in the Bible Story book in English! I was pumped after even being up at 5 am for cart and 10 hours in rain and slight cold. 

A sister from South Africa was visiting us so we put on our good hats and preached until 6 PM! Its so nice to have a large group to help us with the homes, they are desperate for a Kingdom Hall in their area.  Maybe sometime soon it will happen. 

Alight i am off Tuesdays are my "day off" and by that i do all my laundry, dishes, study for meetings and an English course. Some day off. 

Talk later my friends. 

Katie

Weeks gone by

Goodness,
I'm so sorry this has been a long time coming this month.
It has been a busy month mostly in the ministry. I've been trying to get special pioneer hours. So far it's going well, I'm almost there!
It has been a busy month with the tract work I think our congregation covered all of our territory or pretty close to it. We had 206 people at our memorial last night! More then a few people came because of the work we did it's so exciting to see the people respond.

I have been reading, mostly Psalms, in Shona at the studies on Mondays! The sister asked me to say a closing prayer I froze and then said the ten words I knew.. Hahah The study really thought it was nice that I tried. I'm working on learning a few key points from the prayers said in the scriptures. We shall see. 🙃

I am half way through my trip oddly enough, I had a bit of an issue with my visa this time but at the last minute was able to  get it renewed for another month... By the skin of my teeth. The time is flying which means I am having a good time despite living in this system. It's turning cold now, winter is coming early this year. The rains were late causing the maze to be late and many of the rural villages are without sadza. We are asked to donate if we are able to help the friends out in that area, and they were asked to sell their livestock if they had any left. Livestock are the way many areas show their place in society, so many are hesitant to sell them off.

But over all nothing really to report. I'm doing well staying busy with, early witnessing, letter writing,  evening witnessing and starting not at homes. (New idea to take not at homes). I'm thinking of taking a holiday here soon, I'll keep you updated. 👙😍

Bethel Second Round

We took another trip to Bethel this year again, it always nice to see what changes have been made in the last year. 

The family has been shaved down so much so that they now only use the dinner room for family worship Monday evenings. The family makes their own breakfast, dinner and cleans their own rooms. Such a change. I asked the brother who gave us the tour if he had lost any weight just yet cause of his cooking, lol. A friend of ours happened to be our guide, Mike Dube, he is in the Ndebele congregation in the city here. His assignment here is on the tech team for the JW.org and Bethelites computers. The team help set up new accounts for newly formed congregations he said they handle about 4 a month! They still need many halls to be built and updated but they work hard and quickly the number hasn’t changed from the last time so I am not sure how many more they need.

The translation teams have been very busy at work this last year. Around this time last year they only had a few books recorded in Shona now if you look all most every watchtower and awake is released along with the English versions. It helps to learn to say the sounds when I can listen a million times to the same page in order to read on the rurals. I tend to read very slowly so at times the meaning is lost.. oops.. haha  I bring up that we need the Shona added to the lang app every time I go to visit Bethel on Saturdays to hang out with a couple. 

Ending new numbers as such from exactly one year ago: 4 New circuits , 87 new congregations or groups, 833 new regular pioneers and 2295 new publishers. 

Helensvale Rurals

Starting this last September Avondale received a new territory out in the country that needs help with the harvesting of men. Its roughly a 45 minute drive, and includes most farms and little villages where there are still chiefs that have the main say. The language here is dominantly Shona, very little English. I am putting the new MP3’s to good use almost every night so I can catch the way the words are said so that I can be clearly understood. I guess we’re not allowed to take photos, but I only learned that after I snuck a few.. so shhh. J  The chief doesn’t want them used unless he gets paid for them.

The children in this area don’t see white people very often so when they do there is a lot of laughing, yelling and poking. They love to hold your hand, just to see if it’s the same as their or their parents. I will have to have a scrapbook of just the little faces I see here, which are almost smiling. We did a 9 ½ hour day yesterday in the extreme heat, eish it took everything out of us but towards the end of the day it rained a bit so it cooled it down. All of Africa is going through a drought and has been hotter than normal.   We still had a great group our normal which is about 6 plus two Canadian brothers who have been here a month and sister visiting her boyfriend from California.

 One older women we showed the, “why study the bible” video wanted us to show her where it tells us in the bible that the wicked one rules the world, after we read 1 john 5:19  she asked where the kingdom hall was because she wants to start going. She told the brother, “You don’t come enough

during the week, so we need to go there to get the deeper things of God.” And that was after just one scripture and short presentation!

Over the weekend we had our assembly here where we welcomed 8 new ones to our ever growing family! They also spoke about how there is a need for preachers in the whole of Zimbabwe, in English, shona, Ndebele and Chinese especially. The English circuit is growing so fast that they are making a new one this year, some shifting will be done a few taken out of each one to make up the new one about 6 new congregations will be in it, sad to say goodbye to friends I know but nice to widen out and see more people.

Photos:I was able to go out with both the youngest ones in our congregation and one of the oldest on the same day.  Bunny Miles is 83 and goes out faithful every Friday with us. She still drives and walks with us in the house to house work. One day I hope I have time to tell her life story, she has been so active in Jehovah’s service it’s so encouraging all the things she and he husband went through during the hard times here in Zimbabwe dealing with the truth. 

I was able to get another 30 days!! So stay turned for more stories. :) 

Week of Walking

Start the week four! I already have to go get an extension of my visa, I can’t believe its moving so fast, I not enjoying that aspect.. it needs to slow down a bit.

This past week I have figured out I’m good with walking towards my destination, it’s the all the way home that is getting old. I am averaging about 50 miles (80 kilometers) each week which when you split it up within the 7 days that’s considered a bit low.  There is something to be said about waking around the town with your favorite music in your ears. When its not blistering hot its quite nice. I did happened to over walk the other day when heading to a friends house for lunch, but now I know where everything is.. lol oops. For the most part I only walk the main roads so that people can see me and no one gets any ideas.

 A couple invited myself and other single sister for lunch, they are very sweet, they are still studying and are in their late 60’s. If you had heard them at the meetings and in the field service you’d think they were already baptized! Zimbabweans are so hospitable they loving having guests over for tea, lunch or dinners. If you ever get over here word to the wise if they serve you be ready to EAT! They don’t believe in 2^nd rounds or left overs.. haha I am not going hungry here. It always delicious as well lots of curry and spicy food (father you would be in your element here and I may be bringing you some very hot pickled mango chutney).

This last Saturday I was able to help with the Metro cart witnessing. It was the early shift but so worth it. From 6 to 10 in the down town area. The sister and I walked for 2 hours with the cart and then sat at the table for the last two. Over all we placed 29 magazines and 9 books and were able to show how the Bible Teach book is used in a bible study setting to a few couples. I was able to show the videos a few times, mostly to the kids who were begging for change but still they enjoyed it even if it wasn’t what they wanted..

After service there was a group of us who went on hike with some brothers who are here helping with the dining room at Bethel, Michael and Thomas from Belgium. They leave soon so we wanted to get together and funny enough a lot of

locals have not been this national park called Dumbo…I’ve been there but most of our congregation hasn’t.. We didn’t really plan very much just some chips and drinks and yet it was a great time. It’s a great picnic spot and had we thought it though we could have done that.. it was cloudy so we didn’t get to see the sun actually set but it was still a great view in the end.  If you have good eyes you can see a kingdom hall on the other side of the mound…or mountain.   With the blue JW.org sign on the building it makes it easier to find.

So its been busy here I can hardly keep up. This weekend we have our circuit assembly & assembly hall cleaning which is always fun no matter where I am doing it. Update  on the bite, all is well the bruising is almost gone, it is less of a conversation starter now.. haha And I am browning up nicely at this rate you won’t recognize me when I get back.

Also news they had a new MS announced the other night, they are up to 12 elders, 5 m servants and 112 publishers here! 

Blessing & I

 

Couldn't fit everyone but most of Avondale

Co's Visit

I am well into my 2^nd week here in Zim already..wow how time flies when you’re having fun in the sun. Avondale has grown while I have been away, as we expect in these times we can see the growth in leaps and bounds.  They have 13 regular pioneers & 18 auxiliary for this month alone. There is such a zealous spirit here, there almost always someone going out in the ministry, which is super encouraging for me being companion-less. J  The average is about 13 hours a month for the congregation as a whole.  There are also two international construction servants from Belgium visiting for two months working on the dining room at the Bethel home as well.

The couple we have is Ernest and Lois Makowa, they liked to be called Uncle Ernest and Auntie Lois (its an African thing to call those older then you Unk & Auntie). They have been in the circuit work from 2009, before that spent one year or more in the special pioneering work and Bethel life before that. I should warn you ones in my home area they are trying to steal me away for a longer time then I have allotted….

We have had wonderful support for service while the co is here, during the week always over 20 and for the Saturday group we had over 60 and they were ready to try their hand at business territory. Funny enough it is at the Avondale flea market which is where most of our old studies are and where I aim to start back up this next week. They have been waiting for us to come back.

On a serious note I should inform you, I have had a …… moment of idiocy. You’ve all seen Tina, well we have become great friends, I share my PB&Js with her as we tan in the sun and she sleeps at my door at night. Well I was walking the owner’s son out of the cottage and her brother Bully got ahold of me for a quick moment. It’s not bad, well not as bad as it could have been that’s for sure. Just some bruises and a few punctures in my left leg.  No stitches needed and everyone has had their shots so it’s just fine. Tina didn’t stand for the biting of her friend and that started a dog fight which made it so I could get back in the house. Anyways lesson learned all is well. Its healing well and soon you’ll never be able to tell. If any animal in Africa is going to attack it most likely gonna be a dog. I’m watching it putting oil, healing creams and have a doctor on standby in case something is needed. Friends it’s all covered but I thought you should know all the same.

On a whole not much report just loads of service. I went on evening witnessing in the city center last week. You go in a group from 6 to 8 and stand or sit in the park holding the publications, so many witnesses where there, it was hard to find ones not already in the truth.. ha  I have a list of return visits that I will wander around the city trying to find this next week. The magazines on Honesty & Attitude place themselves here, times are hard but the people keep pressing on with smiles on their faces. This week the goal is using the videos, especially for the back on it dealing with death of loved one, such a powerful one to show. Rural service is set for Monday 8:30 to 6 pm.. This is a new area that we have been assigned I can’t wait! My Shona is sorely lacking I have two days to shape it up… maybe I can absorb it while I sleep…here’s to hoping.

Alright sorry its so long, if I do this a week at a time it may be a bit long at times.

Ta

Katie