UPDATE!!!!

I am so sorry for the lack of updates. We arrived safely last Monday evening and had no problems getting through customs and have been running non-stop ever since! I will try to update frequently in this last week of our trip.

As I write this, the power has gone out. This happens most evenings around dinner time and generally lasts about 2 hours. Jonnah tells us that this is actually an improvment, as a few months ago they would be lucky to have power for a few hours a day in the morning. It is amazing to see what happens when a government truly ignores its people and its needs. As we drive through Kuwadzana we see that there is currently no sanitation department, so the trash gets heaped in large piles in front of houses and the sewage system has broken down to the point that the sewage flows freely through the streets. Thieves have stolen the telephone wires for the copper, so there is currently no telephone system here either. Most people here have cell phones, though they are getting more expensive to pay for.

Nothing can be bought in town without foreign money, everyone must use American dollars or South African Rands, though the bank refuses to give it out. Everyone is forced to go to the black market to get forex (foreign exchange) where they can charge you whatever exchange rate they desire for that day.

The schools are scheduled to go back in Session one week from today, though it is doubtful any of them will return. Teachers are currently on strike because although they have a salary equivilant to $1200 us dollars/month, when they cash their check the bank will only allow them to take out the equivilant of $10. Currently that is not enough to catch a bus to work and home and eat lunch for one day.

Even through these seemingly unthinkable troubles the people here are so welcoming and joyful and generous. We have spoken to so many people here and are both saddened and encouraged every time we hear their stories.

Each morning we wake up and go to church to lead a praise service, after that Abigail and I work with the children (who are the most well behaved and intelligent children I have ever worked with). We go home and rest and have lunch and then have been working with the elders after we eat. Today was our final meeting with the leaders, and for the next two days we will be meeting with the youth (high school - marriage). On Thursday we will be working with the women's association, and on Friday it seems we are headed to see Great Zimbabwe, a national park.

Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We will have so much to share with you when we get home. I will hope to post more (and hope to post this when the power comes back!)

kaitlyn