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

Safe, sound and sleeping well

Hey everyone,

As you have may surmised I did finally make it out of Washington DC Monday night. We took off on time (with all my baggage I might add), and made our way to Ghana hit it early then back in the air on our way to Jo’burg. I don’t know why it is that I can’t seem to remember the whole flying process and customs but its starting to cramp my style that I can’t. I walk around the airport squinting at signs hoping that it will make me understand them.. The long and short of it is that I always panic when there is nothing to panic about, although I almost got stuck in South Africa over a receipt…

I’m here now and I have my zim phone is set up just fine I have contacted a few of you with the whatsapp app.. a life saver, now I just have to remember the hour difference. Working on the internet there are lots of steps to get it setup but its all in the working. I have been working on the room I’m renting from the brother, it is 1000 times better then when I got here. Cleaned , painted and added a few things and I’m sleeping in my own tiny pad. They even added a real toilet! There are a few kinks to work out, I’m wrestling with the mosquito net and the new door handle likes to lock me indoors…good thing I can fir in the window. ;)

Already been walking around the area to gain my bearings store is a nice distance and the kingdom hall is as well. I can get to most service groups within a half hour to 45 minutes.

Alright you all know I am here safe and sound. I should be able to gain access internet easier this trip so at least once a week you should have an update, if there is anything worth talking about. Service is almost always fruitful and in two days I have gotten over 5 return visits. The country is heading towards another crash so people are waiting to hear good news.

Here are the photos of the room all done, minus the stove a sister just lent me and a refrigerator is on its way possible as well. A great shout out to Tony and Tracy for the boxes of items the rug makes this place much more homey and the baskets for the daily commute to the bathroom are life savers. Haha And my washing center which is outside..And my guard dog named Tina.. her brothers and I don’t get along but shes sweet.

Alright friends I’ve been busy and wanted you to know all is well. Sorry for the delay.

Ta

Katie

Detour

Hey everyone,
I've hit a bit of a detour, I'm stuck the Washington DC area until Sunday, at least because of the massive storm coming in on my heels. Expecting at least three feet of snow..(or a meter of snow for my African friends reading this ;) for a place that's not equipped for it, makes for many accidents and days indoors.
I spent one night at the airport, made my own make shift tent and set up camp in case I could hop a flight out. That never happened so I rebooked, after hours and hours of switching from person to person conversations and phone tag, for Sunday night when the storm should be long passed and snow removed.. Hopefully. I am staying with lovely couple here in the dc\Virginia area so no need to worry I'm taken care of for the next few days.  Friends of friends of family. :) they attended the Chinese congregation in this area, they were in the Portuguese field in Boston before this .  I don't think I can thank everyone who has been helping me handle the crazy airlines. You know who you are, and it was so much help to know someone was working with me not against me ....*cough* cough*...UNITED AIRWAYS!

Anyways I'll keep you all posted on when it looks like I'll make it out of here. Looks like by monday night I should be there..