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Five years ago, Jo Chesson traveled to Zimbabwe for the first time to oversee the details of a pastors’ school with the Baltimore-Washington Conference’s partners in that struggling nation. Since then, the partnership has flourished in countless ways, as the Hope Fund provided $500,000 toward life-giving projects there and BWC members devoted themselves to ending malaria in Africa by providing more than 17,000 insecticide-treated nets, caring for poor and orphaned children and helping the remarkable evangelism efforts of a church bursting with the potential of the Holy Spirit.

In June, Chesson, Bishop John Schol and other conference leaders visited Zimbabwe to lead a pastors’ school, dedicate a parsonage, girls hostel and resource center and participate in the life and faith of the people of Zimbabwe. They share some thoughts.

Learning is key in partnership

By Jo Chesson
Associate, Grow Spiritual Leaders Team

Traveling to Zimbabwe is like going back to visit an extended family. The joy that is shared because you have come back to see them is overwhelming. The Zimbabwean family extends hospitality beyond belief. This is a country that has so little when it comes to material things yet they give so much of themselves. 

Attending Africa University’s graduation brought great joy to me to see and hear the appreciation extended by and to the graduating class as the grandson of Gandhi began to speak.  Dr. Arun Gandhi addressed the graduating students by saying, "This is the first day of the rest of your life for learning. … "Your formal education has been completed, and now the real learning has begun as you enter into the journey of life." 

Some will become teachers, some accountants, some will work in agriculture and natural resources, some will go to work in the public health field while others have completed their theological studies and will now serve in a rural church.  It was a joy to witness and share in this special occasion and in the lives of the graduates.

The BWC Pastor School team’s days in Zimbabwe were filled with early mornings and long days filled with dedications: Chegutu parsonage, the girls’ hostel at Murewa Mission, a resource center in Bazely Bridge; we also  visited orphanages, schools, hospitals, worshipped and taught at Africa University’s Kwang Lim Chapel for the Pastor School and Laity Academy. 

We witnessed the struggles and we witnessed the joys.  What a joy it was to be at Old Mutare hospital on Wednesday afternoon as three new lives were brought into the world at the birthing center. Yet it was a challenge to see such undesirable conditions for a medical facility.  It was a joy to talk with the doctor in charge and know that the medical pack that was hand carried to the hospital will be used as this is the flu and cold season in Zimbabwe. 

The team taught and listened at the Pastor School to a multitude of subjects around Understanding Jesus and Preaching the Gospel of John, The Theology of Common Pool, Prophetic Evangelism in the 21st Century versus Pre-Canonical Prophets, Worship in the United Methodist Church, Interpreting the New Testament, United Methodist Church Polity, Priesthood of all Believers and Bible Techniques for Teaching Bible Study.  It was great to hear discussions around the Call to Action, in knowing that nearly 400 Zimbabweans attended The Call to Action webcast in April and now are taking the next steps the same as we are doing here in the United States. 

God is truly at work in Zimbabwe and in the hearts of the Baltimore-Washington Conference as our team emptied their suitcases and left shirts and ties, suits, clergy shirts and collars, dresses, skirts and tops, jackets and sweaters, shoes and socks, clergy robes and stoles for the Zimbabwean pastors to add to their limited wardrobes. 

We truly are blessed to have traveled halfway around to world to witness God’s everlasting love.

‘They live the Golden Rule’

By Delores Oden
Conference Lay Leader

My second journey to Zimbabwe proved to be as soul inspiring and mind cleansing as my previous journey in December, 2010. Over and over, there were so many wonderful and exciting things to see, hear, experience and absorb. Both times, my most wonderful experience is the genuineness of the people. 

The geography of the country is picture perfect; the poverty is overwhelming; but the hearts of the people shine through with indescribable radiance. One is in awe as to how people with so little physical substance can give so much, not only materially but of themselves. They live the Golden Rule.  You receive so much more than you give. The people give you hope and reaffirm the goodness in humanity.

The children are delightful, smart, and well disciplined. Many that we shared with and observed are orphans; but their smiles and greetings did not reflect their situation. There was hope in each face.

On each journey, I witnessed community, experienced radical hospitality and saw the fruits of being a connectional denomination. Zimbabwe believers in Jesus Christ are excited about what they believe and readily show it. As they sing and dance praises to our Lord and Savior without music, it comes through melodiously and captures one into sharing the praise.

With the many acquaintances made, experiences shared and opportunities presented, one cannot erase the need.

That need compels one to find ways and means to share resources with brothers and sisters on the continent of Africa; especially in the country of Zimbabwe.

The people inspired me and their needs cleansed me. I have wants; they truly have needs.

Amid difficulties, church matters

By Sally Vavrek
Asbury Arnold UMC

Zimbabwe is a difficult place to visit. Police stop you on the road, demanding to know who you are and where you are going—and also pocket speeding fines; electricity is unreliable; public toilets are scarce, and then are questionable, at best; being the only white person on the street leads to much staring and discomfort, for me, at least; poverty and poor health stare one in the face at every turn; and communication is a struggle.

Being connected to The United Methodist Church was truly a source of comfort and security while there. A small contingent of church officers met us at the airport to welcome us and ensure our safety going through customs and en route to our hotel. They remained at the hotel until we were settled and then greeted us upon our arising to see us on our way with a trusted driver. A lovely church officer put us up in his home, treating us as honored guests, with many more UMs helping with cooking, cleaning and making us feel welcome. We were accompanied to all our events, school and clinic visits by another church officer who smoothed our way and helped immensely with communication efforts.

The culminating event,  the dedication of the Bazeley Bridge Resource Center, was one of true connectionalism—three bishops , two district superintendents and many, many church officers from two different continents, sharing in praise, prayer and celebration in the joint effort of the completion of a center for church officers and community education. It was a joyful morning, and one in which I felt I totally belonged — I was at home with my United Methodist church family.

Shared grace unites us as one

By Rev. Jennifer Smith
Mt. Carmel UMC, Frederick

At the pastor school in Zimbabwe, Bishop John Schol taught that in the Gospel of John forgiveness is more assumed than stated. Grace, forgiveness and love in that Gospel are not talked about, but rather experienced, through human and divine encounters, he said.

During my three weeks in Zimbabwe, I experienced the grace, love and forgiveness of our Gospel through my encounters with God's people.

I realized through many tears that while I had always assumed that African Americans forgave white people for our atrocities that it is deeply valuable to confront in our soul the evil of our history and hear the words from a sister spoken,  "I forgive you."

I saw the realization of what we pray for when we recite these words in our Communion liturgy: "Make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes."

In Zimbabwe, as it should be in every place, the church is the body of Christ. Jesus’ followers are largely the source of education, health-care, orphan care, grinding mills, and hope. I return home reminded that anything is possible with God and hopeful that great things are possible for our churches if we surrender ourselves to the will of the Father.  

Like visiting a first-century church

By Rev. Jim Farmer
Severna Park UMC

Upon arrival in Zimbabwe I found a Church with vitality and Spirit. I was embraced by a church showing Radical Hospitality and demonstrating Extravagant Generosity. I found a church that embodied these principles showing them at every turn.

I was in the midst of a people of deep humility and a gracious manner, my faith has been enriched by this experience. I was touched by the plight of the children while they demonstrated such joy and hope. My life has been made better and my ministry enhanced by this journey with what I could only say was like being among the first century church.

During a sharing with the children of small pieces of candy, plastic toys and paper stickers I was moved to remark that, I have never seen such joy to so many by so little in my life.

Rediscovering Gratitude

By Rev. Tony Love
Covenant Point-Lakeside Cooperative Parish, Waldorf

When I reflect upon my travel to Zimbabwe, beyond the majestic beauty of her sky and land or the familiarity of the Spirit's move in her wind, I am most impressed by her people ... my sisters and brothers. Why? Because I believe that our Zimbabwean family has managed to embody the words of the Henry Smith song, "Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart."Just that one line, "Give thanks with a grateful heart," struck a chord within my spirit.

 In a country that is slowly rebounding from economic crisis, I witnessed over and over again that the true posture of thanksgiving is formed in our soul's gratitude to God. It's about understanding that we are grateful, not because God does for us, but because we know God can. Thank you for the reminder Zimbabwe! Amen.    

Zimbabwe hangs on

By Rev. Cynthia Moore
Guide, Washington Region

I will never forget how the big, bold, dark brown eyes of a two- or three-year-old, nameless girl penetrated my heart.  She was an orphan at the Fairfield Children’s Home.  As I walked by her, she grabbed my hand and stared intently into my eyes.   No words came out of her mouth, but her eyes seemed to say, "I need you to survive."  When I attempted to say goodbye, she would not let go of my hand.  That is when I realized that Zimbabwe had hold of my hand and my heart; and I will never let go.  

Katelyn Riegger
Pasadena UMC, Pasadena

A young adult medical student from St. Mary’s College traveled with the Pastor School team and the Annapolis District Zimbabwe team as part of an immersion experience into the culture of Zimbabwe and the affects of malaria.  And yes it was a cultural experience.  Katelyn had the unexpected pleasure of living in the home of one of the Zimbabwean District Superintendents for 2 weeks.  She spent her time eating, sleeping, walking and fully immersed in a true Zimbabwean home.  The family had a daughter her age and they shared clothing, stories and experiences as sisters in Christ. 

During her time in Zimbabwe, Katelyn visited Old Mature Hospital as she delivered a medical pack with much needed antibiotics and medical supplies.  She spent time talking with the doctor and health care workers about preventable diseases such as malaria and observing the conditions of the hospital.  Then on to visit several schools where thousands of children came to learn to read and write.  Katelyn spent time playing with the children and handing out thousands of stickers and bottles of bubbles.  Katelyn said she was impressed at the level of knowledge these children had with living in such a primitive environment.  No computers, no white boards or overheads, just old chalk boards, books, pencils and paper. 

Now it as time to move on as she also learned that politics plays an important role in the delivery and distribution or lack thereof of nets being delivered as planned.  She learned how vital the role of the United Methodist Church is in the distribution of nets.  So she adjusted on to new adventures and projects with visits to small village clinics and then on to the Old Mature Mission site and Africa University where she was able to witness the graduation of students from the University.  Katelyn said that history books came to life for her and now she can’t wait to go back to do more work more research in a 3rd world country.  God does provide and he will provide aid to those in need.  We all need to have the faith of a mustard seed.