Manna in the breadbasket.

As I write this, I realize it has been two weeks since our plane touched down in Zimbabwe. Fourteen days of wonder, stress, anxiety, adjustment, work, joy, and a humbling personal inventory of how much grit do we actually possess? This assignment sometimes feels overwhelming, and I marvel as I think about our experiences in so short a time.

Gary moved around the globe in his youth, but I have only lived in the western United States. Culture shock is real, and we are learning to stretch and welcome this new perspective. For the first time we are the minority, and guests in a land rich in tradition and culture and we have much to learn. 

Zimbabwe was once known as the breadbasket of Africa, because of its fertile soil yielding fields of wheat, sunflower and maize that were exported and supported countless communities. Though the country does not resemble that term now, we have personally experienced manna in the breadbasket.

We are being reminded daily that our covenants yoke us to Jesus Christ and those covenants are what enable us to serve as we are stretched in new ways. I have been studying about manna, and I thank Heavenly Father every night that he is giving us just enough for the day. Not enough for three years, but enough for today. Sometimes just enough for an hour. 

The same is true for every missionary who serves. 

Yes, there are some very hard parts, but when I hook into true confidence in Him and what he can do, and stop trying to be confident in what I can do, I am given priceless opportunities to grow and learn. Manna.

And then there are the missionaries.

We have never before witnessed so great a faith. Ever.

We are doing our best to meet every missionary as fast as we can. Covid is on the rise here, and there are restrictions and curfews. We travel to them in their areas and look into their eyes and hear their testimonies.

The majority of the stories of native missionaries are similar. Raised without one or both parents, the only member in their family after they find the missionaries, and within a year or two, receive a mission call. And they come. And they teach with power through their simple, honest example of complete trust and faith. 

Oh, how they shine!

 

We love God. We love Zimbabwe. We love our missionaries. 

And we love the sweet taste of manna.