We've arrived!

We have been enjoying the our first few days in Harare with the Beautiful Bekars, its been a really sweet time connecting with old friends, making new ones for the kids, and great fellowship in the Lord.

The Lord knitted our hearts together with the then 4 Bekars on the very first trip our church took to Zimbabwe backing 2007,  since then they have added 3 more beautiful children to their home and become the first African Homes of Love.

We have had a wonderful time with them getting to know their family on a deeper level, and seeing how they do life here in Harare, we have been blessed with being able to go round Harare some, seeing giraffes, zebras and wildebeest in the middle of this now very green city (we usually come in the dry season), going to church with them, getting to meet some of their extended family and friends, and enjoying shopping at the now very stocked grocery stores, compared to a few years ago, when shelves were empty and people had to travel many miles to neighboring countries just to get basics like cooking oil and flour…

Although much now is still available in the stores, it does come at a price, which is still very unaffordable to the majority of the local people, so it has been fun cooking and allowing them to try different foods that they normally do not eat, simple things like salsa and chips which is a staple in our house back home – Millie and Jackie have been having many great conversations round their kitchen table preparing and cooking together.

David has been building some furniture and helping with car repairs and getting to spend time with Shadreck doing all this, which has been sweet to see them get some time together and to know each other better.  Which in turn led Jackie and Millie get a girls afternoon out today, to get some supplies and have a mini Mom’s retreat for the afternoon.

It’s also been to have family prayers and singing in the evenings before bed, and listening to Abby in her bed at night singing my favorite Shona song.  Its so sweet to watch the children form their own relationships – regardless of the language barrier with the younger girls, and watching the boys skating out in the road and playing with the neighborhood kids, and just carrying on like children and enjoying life where they are at regardless of the fact that we are 6,000 miles form home in a completely different and colorful land.

Tomorrow we head of to Lasting Impressions for the next two weeks to serve alongside the Croudaces.  Jackie will be visiting with the ladies from the Croudaces church for their monthly tea on Saturday afternoon – so please ask for the Lord to guide her in her talk, and tea parties are right in her comfort zone, so the Lord will be putting in her comfort and in her uncomfortable zone all in one afternoon!

David is excited about getting to work with Al on the many projects he has going.

We love you all and thank you all so much for your prayers and support to allow us to be here…

Much love in the Lord,

David, Jackie, Daniel, Timothy and Abby…

Psalm 52:8 – I trust in the loving kindness of God forever