Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Zimbabwe! Cleopatra has found the 2 additional sponsors needed to go to boarding! The 7th grade results came out on Friday (the exams which determine what junior high and high school a child will be able to attend based on their grades) and Cleopatra, as expected, received very high marks. She was immediately accepted to Hartzell Secondary School which offers an excellent academic program.

Cleo was so excited to learn she was going to boarding school, and we even visited her grandmother (actually her great-grandmother!) to deliver the good news. We will be purchasing all her items for boarding this month and she will begin in January. Please pray that she does well in school.

We were also blessed with a special donation that helped us to buy Christmas dinner for all the HOPE families!

Below is a special Christmas message from all your friends in Zimbabwe. If you need a game to occupy your time during the holidays, you can locate the page number each of the following people are mentioned in the book “Dare to Love Completely”:)

Merry Christmas!
Love, Janine





















Nyarai (who lives with me at Fairfield), Peter Mufute (Fairfield Administrator), Jane and Larry Kies (Missionaries at Africa University), Juliet Chimuka (mother at Fairfield), Rutendo (child at Fairfield), Cecilia Thobani Mabvumbe (Assistant Administrator), Linda Manhiri Nyatwa (Fairfield Secretary), Angela Mari Jeni (mother at Fairfield), Jayne (child at Fairfield), Tendai Munashe (child at Fairfield), Benji Mariga (HOPE child), me, Sylvia (child at Fairfield)

Cleopatra's Dream

Years ago, I was traveling to do home visits at Meikle’s Farm with a visitor from the states named Jim. We were visiting all the children on the HOPE nutrition and education programs in that area. One little girl named Cleopatra caught Jim’s attention. She was an orphan and lived with her sickly grandmother. Cleopatra attended Hartzell Primary School where she was always number 1 in her class. That was about all we knew about her because Cleopatra was not on our program. She was being taken care of by another program that paid for her school fees each term.
Throughout the years, Jim would consistently ask for updates about Cleopatra. How is she doing in school? How is she managing to take care of her grandmother on her own? Does she need anything? We would always do follow-ups with Cleopatra, and the answers were always the same. She is still top of her class, she is doing well living with her grandmother and since she is part of a different sponsorship program, we aren’t really able to help her with anything else at this point.
Last month, Jim’s persistence paid off. The principal from Hartzell was discussing how upset he was that one of the programs assisting with school fees was now ending. It would not be able to cover children moving on to junior high and high school. The principal was most concerned about one student in particular, who was top of her entire class. He knew she would do well on her 7th grade tests and be given a place at Hartzell Secondary. She excelled at science and math. The only problem was her grandmother had become very ill, and the little girl would not possibly be able to afford the high fees. Of course, I knew right away who he was referring to…our Cleopatra. Cleopatra, who we may have never known about if Jim had not taken an interest in her years before and persisted in having us follow up with her regularly.
So Jim’s email came again asking about Cleopatra. How is she doing in school? How is she managing to take care of her grandmother on her own? Does she need anything? She is still top of her class, her auntie has come to help care for the grandmother, but if we don’t find a way to help her, Cleopatra won’t be able to continue in school.
And so, after years of patient waiting on Jim’s part, he was able to make Cleopatra’s dream come true without so much as one day’s worry for her. He has agreed to pay for day school fees, and if we are able to find two more sponsors, we will transfer her to boarding school where she can have time to study at night and have extra help from her teachers. Hartzell is not far from her home, so she will be able to visit her granny often. If you would like to join Jim in sponsoring Cleopatra, please email hopeofzim@gmail.com.
If you would like to read a continuation of Cleopatra’s story, please see the blog entry below entitled “Cleopatra’s Purse.”
Wenyu Munashe,
Janine

Cleopatra's Purse

Last week, I was sorting through my clothing and other items to see what I needed to give away. I came across an empty purse and smiled. This had been my favorite purse: the perfect size to hold everything I needed and a style and color that went with any outfit. Unfortunately, a few weeks before, I had emptied the purse for the last time. It had become torn on both ends and no longer looked nice for me to carry around. The outside was dirty from lots of use and I hadn’t bothered to clean it since I was not using it anymore.
I considered throwing the purse away, but it seems that in Zimbabwe, everything can be recycled into something useful. I asked Nyarai if she thought anyone would be able to use the purse, pointing out the rips and tears on the sides. Nyarai’s immediate response was, “Give it to Cleopatra.” I found the suggestion odd because Nyarai had met Cleopatra only a handful of times. But, as often happens, Nyarai seems to have an uncanny way of knowing exactly who might benefit from a particular item. I trusted her instincts and sent the purse to school with her to give to Cleopatra without giving it a second thought.
A few days later, Nyarai placed a piece of paper in my hand. It was folded many times and taped on all sides. After managing to unravel it into its full form, I found it was a letter from Cleopatra. The opening line was, “Dear Janine, I am very glad to write this letter thanking you about the bag you sent me.” At first I looked at the letter slightly confused. What bag was she talking about? I had forgotten all about it already.
As I read on, shame covered me. She wrote of my tattered, dirty purse, “it is the best present I have ever received. I love it very much. Even my grandmother will love it. I promise to take extra care of it. I am going to put my books and carry it to school always. I will try my best to keep it clean. May God bless you a million. Yours with gratitude, Cleopatra.” Tears flowed down my cheeks as I thanked God for this beautiful little girl who reminded me of something very precious.
At times in our life, we might also consider ourselves tattered and dirty as sinful human beings. Our shame covers us. But then God speaks over us, “You are the best present I have ever received. I love you very much. I will place others in your life who will also love you. I promise to take extra care of you. I will give you a special purpose always. I will keep you clean; you will be whiter than snow. I will bless you a million…”
May God bless you a million this week:)
Janine

Container Blessings

Hello from Zimbabwe! We were excited this month to receive a container that was sent from South Carolina. Many of the boxes that came for HOPE were full of preschool supplies donated by my mom and her friends at First Presbyterian Preschool in West Virginia. All the supplies were divided up and are being distributed to 8 rural preschools in the area, as well as our preschool at Fairfield.
The children have been so happy to be able to play with the blocks, books, puzzles and other games that came especially for them. Also on the container were boxes of children’s clothing, mainly for the babies and younger children on the nutrition program. Every child received a bag of clothes and stuffed animal from their HOPE friends.

We have a new addition to the nutrition program this week. An aunt came with her small nephew, Tinashe in search of assistance. She received counseling on how to best care for the tiny baby, who is nearly 5 months old, but is the size of a newborn. Tinashe’s mother was not able to care for him or feed him, so the aunt had been feeding him only porridge since he was born (mixture of corn meal and water).
Thanks to donations that have been coming in, we added Tinashe and others in need to the nutrition program. He will be receiving milk every day, as well as peanut butter, eggs and bananas as he grows up.


The container carried a wheelchair that we gave to one of the children who has been on our program since she was still a baby. Chipo, who is now almost 6, has a disability and is unable to walk. Her grandmother works very hard to take care of her and provide for her. We are hoping that she will be able to find a place at a boarding school this coming January that can provide for her special needs.


It is an extremely hot October in Zimbabwe, but I have been enjoying the bright purple Jacaranda trees that have come out everywhere. I am looking forward to the rain that will hopefully be coming soon bringing even more flowers and flowering trees!
If you are in a place where the leaves are changing colors for fall, find a bright yellow one and enjoy it for me:)
Wenyu Munashe,
Janine

Are you the 1 or the 9?

The last two weeks have been busy. The staff of Fairfield and HOPE has been buying supplies, delivering children to boarding school, and going to pay school fees for all the children who began school on September 7. I was happy to be able to visit all the schools where our HOPE children are attending and see most of them when we were paying the fees.

God worked another miracle this term. I was worried our money was not going to be enough to cover the fees and supplies because some of the rural schools had increased their prices. Each time I would think we were not going to have enough, we would find that a few of the children had transferred or been picked up by another program, so we did not owe for their fees. The last day, I ended up with exactly $120 left after paying out over $5,000 in expenses. We had three children left to pay for. For one we owed $80 and the other two were $20 each…exactly $120. God provided for us down to the exact dollar!

When the assistant administrator and I went to visit the children at Tsvingwe Primary, we called the whole group to the car to pass out supplies and some socks that had been donated. All the children were very polite and did the tradition clapping of hands and curtsey to say thank you before receiving their items.

A group of girls left together talking and laughing on their way back to the classrooms. As they were going, Belinda, one of our 7th graders, shouted back, “Sister Janine.” I looked up and saw that she had stopped halfway back to the school. “Thank you,” she said with a sincere smile, before turning back around and running to catch up with her friends. I was truly touched by this simple gesture of gratitude.

I am reminded of Luke 17:11-19 where ten men with leprosy ask Jesus to have pity on them. Jesus tells them to go and show themselves to the priest, and as they are walking away, they are healed. Only one of the ten, a Samaritan, came back and gave praise to God. Jesus wanted to know, “Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”

Am I the 1 or the 9? God has provided in so many ways for each of us. Will I remember to stop, turn back and give praise for what God did? Maybe God is also touched by our simple gestures of gratitude for what He does for us. Today, I thank God for the sponsors who provided all the funding for this third term of school so that we did not have to turn anyone away…down to the very last dollar. I praise God for giving me, a foreigner, a home and a family in a far away land, and for taking care of my family and friends back home while I am away. Are you the 1 or the 9? No matter what your circumstance today, what can you return and give praise to God for in your life?

Now, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:19

Weddings vs. Funerals

Growing up in West Virginia, I have seen some beautiful mountain views. But anyone who has been to Mutare, Zimbabwe will tell you that nothing can compare to the view as you pop up over the top of Christmas Pass Mountain and wind your way down into the city with thousands of homes dotting the valley far below. This view is second only to coming back over the Pass on the way home from town. Layers of mountaintops are spread out in light and dark purples as the sun sets behind them in brilliant oranges and pinks. I know when I see those mountains, I am almost home.
I arrived safely two weeks ago to this home among the mountains, with Francie, Casey and Aaron. They are here visiting the children’s homes until this coming Sunday. It has been great to have company in the house, and all three have brought their own special talents and skills. We also share the household chores, such as who will kill the giant spider in the closet (sorry to all my spider lovers who don’t approve:) and who will chase the neighbor’s barking dog away with a broom handle so the others can sneak out the door without being attacked (we are hoping his bark is worse than his bite).
Within the first week, we had attended both a wedding and a funeral. (this picture is of the some of the children at Fairfield who made up the mini-bridal party:)
Out of all my time in Zimbabwe, this was only my third wedding, while I have lost count of the funerals. But it appears that the atmosphere in Zimbabwe is changing for the better for many. There have been countless invitations to birthday, graduation and kitchen (bridal) parties in the last 2 weeks. In the years before, many people could not afford to have any special parties, and I am happy that they are able to now enjoy after so many years of true hardship and suffering. There seems to be a spirit of hope and joy in more lives, although many in the rural areas are still struggling to survive.
I was happy to find out when I arrived that my visa was extended until the end of October 2012! It is nice to know I will be settled in one place for some time and can begin to make a home. Nyarai will be moving back to House 11A with me soon, and Benji and Chipo will visit for a week at the end of the August holiday before going back to boarding school. The beginning of life in Zimbabwe is good and I appreciate all of your prayers and support for the children and staff of Fairfield and the HOPE programs!
Wenyu Munashe,
Janine

How Do You Kill a Spider?

Two more weeks of electricity! I am still on schedule to leave on July 27th to head back to Zimbabwe.

Last week I attended the CornerStone Summit, which is held every 5 years in Kentucky. Missionaries from all over the world including Honduras, Ecuador, Myanmar, Costa Rica, Sudan, and Israel came together for fellowship and fun. It was great to hear how God has been at work in so many different parts of the world.

I next traveled to the FOSA (Fairfield Outreach and Sponsor Association) board meeting. Everyone on the current FOSA board has visited Fairfield Children’s Home before, so it was wonderful to remember funny stories about the children we all know and love.

A lot of our conversations in both groups revolved around favorite methods of killing giant spiders and who had gone the most consecutive days without electricity! (I personally find smacking spiders from afar with a long-handled broom most effective, and I am one of the finalists as far as the “no electricity” competition…I am expecting my certificate in the mail soon:)

I have had a great few months with family and friends, as well as being able to speak with many different churches and groups. Now it is time to delve back in to the lives of my children in Zimbabwe. With your continued support and prayers, as well as faithful love and care from those in Zimbabwe, the children’s lives are being forever changed. I can’t wait to find out what God has in store for them in the future!

Wenyu Munashe,
Janine

NEW Automatic Draft Opportunity!
For those of you who have been or would like to begin giving a regular amount on a monthly basis, CornerStone now has a new Automatic Draft option. If you would like to consider using this option, click the link below for details.
Automatic Draft Information
Thank you for all you are doing!

Approved!

Well, the title says it all...my work visa has been officially approved! Thanks to the efforts of Peter Mufute and the Fairfield staff, my visa was picked up at the immigration office today. Because I have two board meetings to attend in July, I will return to Zimbabwe on July 27th. I am excited that three friends from South Carolina will be flying to Zimbabwe at the same time and spending three weeks with the children. It will be nice to have someone to travel with this time!
The children all start back to school for the second term tomorrow. I am very grateful that we have 4 new sponsors to assist children with school fees and supplies each month! Thank you for your willingness to support your HOPE child.
I enjoyed meeting with Christ UMC in Wheeling and First UMC in Parkersburg this last month, as well as participating in the COME event to represent Volunteers in Mission. It continues to be a true blessing to be able to spend time with my family and friends.
Thank you for your prayers for the work visa to be accepted!
Hope you all enjoy the May weather-
Janine

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

Spring has Arrived!

Happy Easter! Hope you have been enjoying time with family and/or friends. I just returned from a trip to South Carolina and Texas last week. I first drove a minivan to SC filled with items for a container that will be shipped to Zimbabwe soon. (I seem to remember promising myself that I would never drive a minivan, but these were extreme circumstances:)
My friend Francie raises funds each year to send a container the size of a truck bed over to different organizations and schools in Zimbabwe. This time, I was able to take a large supply of preschool games, books, and puzzles from my mom's classroom now that she has retired from teaching. Many of the rural preschools and elementary schools have no supplies, so I am very excited for these items to be distributed. Francie also found two donated wheelchairs that will be delivered to our HOPE
children with disabilities. One boy is 8 and his mother has to carry him on her back everywhere they go, so I know this will really help their family. Knitters from my home church sent a large box of sweaters for the children as well.
I had the opportunity to speak to Francie's Sunday School class before flying down to Houston, Texas. There I was able to visit with my friend Melissa, who lived at Fairfield with me for two different summers, and speak with her Bible Study group.
The Fairfield and HOPE children have finished their first term of school and will be on holiday break for the month of April. Thank you to each of our education sponsors who are making it possible for their HOPE child to remain in school. We still have 26 children waiting for a sponsor of their own, and 2 in boarding school who need an additional sponsor. If you or a group are interested in becoming a sponsor, please email me.
Still no news on the visa, but hopefully I will hear something soon!
Wenyu Munashe,
Janine

No News is Good News?

Hello all! It has been two months since I was asked to return to America to wait for my Zimbabwean work visa to be processed. Unfortunately, I have still not received any news on whether my work visa will be approved. I am happy that the bishop in Zimbabwe has given me a contact person to check on the progress of my paperwork. Please keep praying that the immigration officers will accept my application and I will be able to return to Zimbabwe soon.
It has been great to spend time with family here, but I am really starting to feel the absence of the children from Fairfield and the HOPE program. Their smiling faces give so much happiness to everyone around them. I thought I would post a few pictures taken by my friends when they visited us at Fairfield in November, so we can remember that some things are worth the wait...you can find a small slideshow on the right side of the page. Hope you enjoy!
Thanks to you all for your continued love, prayers and support.
Wenyu Munashe,
Janine