VIM to ZIM

The VIM to ZIM team arrived in Detroit yesterday about 1 PM, exhausted, but with joy, unity, and a feeling of satisfaction in our accomplishments, new friends that we had made, and all that we had learned in Zimbabwe. Morris and I (and probably a lot of others members of the team) fell into bed about 7PM (2AM Zimbabwe time) and woke up very, very early this morning. As the sun rose, we sat at our breakfast of toast and coffee, reflecting on the journey—what really worked and what we might have done differently–we mused that it would have been a lot easier for the leadership team to organize, provide transportation, money exchange, coordinate assignments etc. etc. if we had had fewer people with us. Then we started talking about the gifts, talents, experience, and passions all our team members brought to our group, and all the good that was done at Africa University, and Old Mutare Mission during our stay.

When we began thinking about what each brought to the team, we quickly reached the obvious conclusion–cutting the group to a “manageable” number, would have left out far too many obvious graces and gifts. Too many diverse accomplishments/events would have been lost. Too many new relationships among the team and with Zimbabweans would have been missed. Maybe it would have been easier, but it would not have been better

Who could we have left out? – Alicia, with her sunny smile, acting as a magnet for all the children? Marie, with her frank and gentle discussions of AIDS prevention in a country so torn by this terrible disease? Francie and her great passion for helping the children at Hartzell High School (including toilet seats in the girls restrooms)? Shirley, with her patience for detailed library work, entering accession numbers to get high school books into use and culling others to send to Clare? Jane Ellen, who kept things lively (do you remember the Superman grace?) and was willing to take on any task (or more kids in the craft room) as an act of Christian love? Brenda, organizing the books in the workroom of the primary library, and helping with games, always willing to lend a hand and a smile with whatever was needed? Fran, with her organized planning of Bible School (some of which fell by the wayside because of so many children wanting to be included), and her commitment and reliability? Megan, and her interest in mission and helping others, charming all those around her, especially her 3 “mothers”, the students at the High School (and one young man at the wild life park)? Marsha, from whom we learned a lot about farming, dairies, and piggeries and who did a tremendous amount in the short two weeks to improve the important area of knowledge of agriculture at AU and Old Mutare?

Or could we have eliminated Dave, our competent and flexible fix-it man, who was fascinated by the children and teachers’ responses to the installation of very common (we thought) pencil sharpeners in the classrooms? Dorothy, who brought a sewing machine with her and taught children and teachers how to use it as well as altering a wedding dress for Josephine, whose wedding in December will be enhanced by the dress and veil which she couldn’t have afforded otherwise? Norma, who brought a suitcase of materials and many months of careful planning for teaching children how to crochet, and ended up teaching the home economics teacher as well? Karen, with her upbeat disposition, loving everything and everybody? Barb, with her ready laugh, constant good nature, and her “we can do it” attitude, even when it came to organizing games for 500 children? Judy, and her calm approach to crises and willingness to help and facilitate in any way possible?

Or could we have done without Mark, who set up our blog site and kept it up-to-date, facilitating our connection with folks at home, and, in addition, communicated his deep interest in history and politics by asking insightful questions of our guests and leading discussions with his Intensive English students? Chris, who brought an adolescent’s viewpoint, enthusiasms and sometime irreverence to the group, with his main interest being computers, teaching children and teachers (the “hardest thing I have ever done”) in the computer labs? Bertamae, always in the midst of children, reading stories, singing songs and happily skipping around with them in a circle game? Pete, enthusiastic, loving, and gregarious? Susie, with her constant smiles, bursting into song on appropriate occasions? Susan and her deep love of the Zimbabwean people, sharing her knowledge and insights with us (and also her cell phone), and working with the tech people at the library at AU? Anna, nurturing and positive, helping in the library at the high school, and being supportive and loving to the Hartzell High School daughter of a Zimbabwean friend who is studying in Minnesota? Katie, dependable and faithful, accompanying and supporting her mother, helping with games, and teaching math in a 6th grade classroom?

And so we thank God for every member of this team, what they had to offer, and their willingness to give up school, work, home, and loved ones to spend 2 weeks using their many and varied talents and gifts to further the education of students at Old Mutare and Africa University. We feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to co-lead this very special group and we thank you all for your dedication to bringing God’s love and hope to the people of Zimbabwe.

Unfortunately, we will be unable to attend the team reunion on December 16 as we have made a previous commitment to take a trip to Central America with some friends, leaving on December 10. But we will be thinking of you all and hoping you have a wonderful reunion.

Let’s keep the team spirit going! Please feel free to express any comments, experiences, reactions, on this website and please add your pictures to the picture gallery, as we all want to see them. Write Mark at : mark@taber.net if you have problems with posting or uploading pictures.

Our love and a thankful and blessed Thanksgiving to all, Ann and Morris