Greetings one last time for this trip! Our hearts do feel full, and we are blessed to have been able to serve during this trip, but we are also so excited for the future!

As we wrap up our current stay in Zimbabwe we want to share with you a little more of what God is doing here in this special place. While our final week was filled with another busy schedule, we were continually reminded that our plans are not His plans and “that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.” [Romans 8:28]

Last Sunday, we went with our wonderful friend, Warren, to the Nkulumane community, a very poor part of town. We visited a lady’s home where she feeds and cares for the elderly women in her surrounding area. When describing the local community, Warren shared that there were about 30 widows. Upon our arrival we witnessed both ladies and children everywhere, inside and outside her very small home. Steve’s office was created in a small bedroom and I used her tiny kitchen as the optical shop! It was a wonderful time of ministry but we finally had to close the gate at dusk. Tears came to my eyes as I watched one elderly widow crawl from the living room to the bedroom to have her eyes examined. We were able to see 70 folks that afternoon.

One of our local friends, Peter, shared that he gave someone a lift into town on Monday and had told him some great news. Peter lives out of town and two years ago we did an eye camp out in his rural area.  He told us this man explained that two years ago he saw the eye doctor and was given some medication; now he can see clearly and shared he is still rejoicing to God for sending him the eye doctor! We had another friend, Di, share that a lady came up to her at their church last Sunday and was talking about seeing the eye doctor at the hospital the previous week; how compassionate and kind he was to her. She was so thankful that he took the time to explain the eye issues regarding her child and made her feel very special. This was such a blessing to see how the Lord is using this work for needs seen and unseen!

Steve had scheduled surgeries and patients for both Tuesday and Wednesday but things did not go as we had planned. We had to take a 24-hour trip out of the country due to the visa timing. We were granted a thirty-day (30) business visa and it was not approved for another six (6) days. Being here for five (5) weeks meant we had to leave and re-enter the country as tourists (thus no surgeries or patients our last week) While our plans changed, God continued to bless our time and we gained an opportunity to slow down and catch up with many friends here in Bulawayo.

Again, as we travel back to Columbus today, our hearts are so full. It has been such a privilege to join other believers here in serving and ministering to many in need. God is at work in Zimbabwe and we will now begin to plan our next trip in July of this year. Jane will bring a tennis group to work with the tennis coaches in Bulawayo the first part of July. Then, we will partner with St. Francis Hospital, in Columbus, GA and bring over two groups of doctors to work alongside the doctors in Bulawayo. Thanks to each of you for your support during these last few weeks of ministry to the needy in Zimbabwe.

Be on the lookout as we continue to build our website with new and exciting ways to share what is happening in Zimbabwe. Spread the word! We are so excited for what the future holds! God bless you!

-The ECN Team