The First 2 Weeks

The gate in front of Kathy's house
It is difficult to sum up the first two weeks in just one post, but I will do my best. We are loving our time here. Chidamoyo Mission is located in the bush. The closest town is about 2 hours away. There is a small township, Chidamoyo Township, which is very close. There are only small shops and stands in the township. The paved roads end WAY before you reach the mission. The mission is centered around the hospital. The hospital serves close to 50,000 Zimbabweans. People come from as far as Harare (a BUMPY five hour drive) to get care at this hospital. They come to this hospital because they get better care here than at other hospitals. The hospital is kept running by many capable Zimbabwean nurses, two doctors, Kathy McCarty, Major Mereki and other staff. Kathy McCarty has been in Zimbabwe and working at the hospital for 34 years. The hospital amazes me every time I set foot there. Kathy and Major have been amazing hosts to us. They are also both hilarious.

Most of the mission was built by my grandparents and Ziden and Helen Nutt. It just so happens that Ziden's granddaughter, Rachel Nutt, is also here with us. John and I did not know that she would be here. It has been amazing to experience the mission with her. Ziden and Helen Nutt built the hospital. My grandparents built many schools in the area, including the local primary school. During our stay here, John and I are volunteering at the local secondary school, Dandawa High School. We are working with small groups of students to improve their English. The local people speak primarily  Shona, but most speak some (or are fluent in) English. The high school students need extra help in English because all of their exams are in English.

The hospital

The house we are staying in

Michael Mereki, Rachel Nutt and John overlooking the mission

Me at Dandawa High School

Students at Dandawa during a devotional


Here is a little bit I wrote in my journal on our first day here: "Well, I have finally accomplished it. I am here in Zimbabwe, at Chidamoyo Mission. I sit looking at the house my dad grew up in as I write. I was worried when we arrived. The first night was rough after driving five hours straight from getting off the plane. I thought, 'am I really meant to be in Africa? Was I just in love with Kenya because I was in love with John?' But after sleeping, I woke to the glorious sounds of an African morning: doves cooing, bugs chirping, roosters crowing. I knew we (John and I) had made the right decision. I have felt at home ever since. Kathy has been an amazing host. We are wonderfully at home here. I do miss family and worry, but I know we've made the right choice. I love experiencing this place. I feel my dad everywhere that I look. I see him playing in the dust, chasing birds and monkeys. It is truly amazing. Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, home."

This week, we will be volunteering at the school Monday-Wednesday. On Thursday, we will be traveling to Mashoko to see the hospital where my dad was born. We will also travel to Masvingo to visit some missionaries and see the Great Zimbabwe Ruins.

-R

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