Welcoming Home My Family


Dad, Amy, and Grandpa
On Wednesday, July 8th, Major & I picked my dad, my aunt, and my Grandpa up from the airport in Harare. As I waited for them in the airport, I was filled with anticipation. I could not wait to experience everything with them. They hadn't been to Zimbabwe since 1978. That's 37 years! And yet, in those 37 years of being away, each one of them spoke often of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe forever changed each of their lives and would always be treasured by each of them.  I was beyond excited to see them. We headed back on the long, five hour journey to Chidamoyo.

Major introducing the family at the hospital
The next morning, we woke early to eat breakfast and have devotions at the hospital. Dad, Aunt Amy, and Grandpa were introduced to the patients and the hospital staff. After that, we headed to Dandawa Primary School (which my Grandpa built, Chidamoyo's local primary school). We toured the school and then they put on a wonderful program for us. There was poetry, singing, and dancing. They even created their own song with the words "the generous Mr. Ammerman" in it. That evening, we explored Chidamoyo with my family.

Grandpa and Dad at Dandawa Primary School


The next day, we visited another primary school that my grandpa built, Bushungwe Primary School. At that school, there were several people that my family remembered. It was awesome watching them reminisce and remember. We toured the primary and secondary school there. The road there was extremely bad, but we had a great time. On Friday afternoon, dad, John, and I set out looking for some tools and supplies to fix the basketball goal on the mission. The basketball court and goal had been being used by Dandawa High School's new basketball team. John had been helping to coach the team and teach them about basketball a couple of afternoons a week. The goal was in bad condition and I knew that my dad would be able to fix it for them. He also brought a brand new basketball for them. Aunt Amy decided to help, too! We found some wood to make the new backboard, a new rim, and a new net. We measured the backboard to regulation size and each took turns sawing the board to the correct size. Then, we set about putting the new board and goal up. Some local boys showed up to help, too!

Me sawing the board
Peace, Dad, John, and Skumbuzo putting up the board
Saturday was the BIG day. Kathy and Major had sent word to the surrounding area that my family was returning for a visit. Everyone who knew the Ammermans was invited for lunch at Kathy's house at noon. Kathy told us she expected 100-200 people to show up. We were nervous about that many people coming. The actual number turned out to be 175. It was a bit overwhelming, but truly exciting to see all of the people who wanted to see my Grandpa, dad, and aunt again. Thank you to Kathy and the large team who served sadza, beef, and cabbage to all of those people! It was a truly amazing day.


Part of the group on Saturday
Grandpa talking to some ladies on Saturday




On Sunday, Grandpa, Kathy, and Major headed to Harare to visit a church Grandpa started when they lived in Harare. The rest of us decided to stay at Chidamoyo to go to church there and relax. We went to church, had lunch, relaxed, explored, and played cards. This day was extra special! It was John and I's one year anniversary. We had a picnic, candlelight dinner under the stars on the mission. We exchanged gifts while looking at shooting stars. I would not have wanted to spend our anniversary any other way.

Our anniversary candles-Thanks, Susie!
Monday was our last full day on the mission. In the morning, we went to the hospital for devotions and said our goodbyes. I was very emotional. This day was filled with many tears. I cannot explain how meaningful this summer has been for me. I grew up being able to drive by the house my mom grew up in often. I loved being able to see where she lived. However, I was never able to see the house my dad grew up in. This summer, I was not only able to see his house, I was able to spend the majority of my time there. I was able to experience the place I had only heard about. It lived up to and exceeded every expectation that I had. Chidamoyo will forever be a large part of my heart. It truly is "where the heart is satisfied." After devotions at the hospital, we headed to Dandawa High School to show my family where we had been working.  We had tea with the teachers, showed them around the school, and said our final goodbyes. In the afternoon, we headed to basketball practice. It was incredible seeing the students play with the newly fixed goal. Dad, Amy, John, Rachel, and Bailey all played basketball with the kids. Dad played barefoot and ended up with several blisters, but he and the others all played wonderfully!
The basketball group

The group playing
The next day, we (Dad, Amy, Grandpa, John, Bailey and I) headed out. We were headed for Lake Kariba for a two-night safari. Dad drove (and of course, got pulled over for speeding, haha). It was about a four hour drive, and one of us had to ride in the trunk the whole journey (Oh, Africa). Thankfully, the trunk of the Jeep is actually very comfortable. We finally arrived in Kariba. From Kariba, we took a one hour speed boat ride to the island where we stayed. We stayed at an amazing place called Rhino Camp. I think it is the coolest place that we have ever stayed. Our rooms were thatched huts (with no walls) built on platforms. This way, we could literally look out of our rooms and see Lake Kariba, elephants, and other animals. We also got to shower under the stars this way. Rhino Camp is in Matusadona National Park (Matusadona means "falling dung" in Shona, named for the amount of elephants and elephant poo in the area). Our camp was literally in the bush. Elephants and other animals walk right through the camp, regularly. A guard has to walk you to your rooms at night in case of animal danger. The first day when we arrived, there were elephants right outside our rooms. Then, two of them walked through camp so we were not able to make it to tea on time. We had to wait for the elephants to pass before we could safely walk through. Seeing an elephant on foot is unforgettable. While at Rhino Camp, we went on several game drives and a sunset cruise on the lake. We had an awesome guide named Valentine and saw tons of elephants, birds, impala, kudu, crocodile, hippo, two monitor lizards, one hyena, and one duiker. We did not see any big cats, but we did see leopard, lion, and serval tracks everywhere-some even in our camp! We left Rhino Camp on Thursday and headed to Harare. We met Kathy on the way.

John in our "room" at Rhino Camp

Our room at Rhino Camp
An elephant on one of our game drives

The sunset cruise
On Friday, we went shopping in Harare and toured the city a bit. Dad got to meet up with an old friend from school and went to a cricket match with him. Grandpa also got to visit with several old friends. On Saturday, Bailey flew out early. It was sad to see her go. She became a wonderful friend to all of us on this trip. I, unfortunately, woke up with a bit of food poisoning Saturday morning. We were supposed to go visit Dad's old house in Harare before taking them to the airport. John and I were not able to go because I was so sick. I was really disappointed. I had to say goodbye to them at Kathy's Harare house. Seeing them (especially my dad) go was really difficult for me. I have never regretted our decision to teach at Rosslyn, but it is very difficult at times. I really do miss family and friends very much. It was great to spend time with my dad, aunt, and grandpa. It was also unforgettable to experience their old home with them. I know none of us will ever forget this trip or this time together. I also know that, though things have changed in Zimbabwe, it still feels like home to them. I hope that all of us get a chance to come back some day. Hopefully, one day, I will be able to experience Zimbabwe with my Grandma Carolyn as well. I hope that will happen one day in the future.

Kathy and I at the party on Saturday
Tomorrow (Monday, July 20th), John and I fly out early to Kenya, to our new lives. I am beyond excited, but sad to leave Zimbabwe. I want to take a minute to write a shout-out to Kathy McCarty. She has been the most gracious host. She has been our Sista McKathy, Tete, friend, and caregiver. This trip and the continuance of Chidamoyo Mission would not have been possible without her hard work and dedication to God's work and to the people of Zimbabwe. I admire her and will always look up to her. She is a wonderful example of God's love. Thank you, Kathy, for feeding us, giving us a wonderful place to stay, for being our travel agent, for buying me crackers, Gingerale, Sprite and medicine when I was sick, for keeping John in a continuous supply of Pringles and Stoney, and for so much more! I am sure we will visit and bug you again! We are going to miss you very much! Thank you for everything that you do!-R

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