Day 20 - how many people can fit in a van?

Pretty self explanatory

We started the morning with 'Toffee Syrup' on toast. Best spread invention ever.

We then headed off to church at Bulawayo Baptist to get our weekly spiritual feed from Pastor Jeff. Unlike last week, the music was in tune and we could sing along without smirking. Actually, we were all transfixed by the bassist who was left handed using a flipped right-handed guitar, playing some insane riffs. We caught up with the drummer, Oya, after the service and he invited Andy to drum at the 6pm service, which Andy was only too keen to do.

Helping build the tree

We had lunch with the hospitable Pete and Des Addison and then headed home to erect the Christmas tree. The Christmas tree is an important item for Debbie and the kids as there is an annual competition between the Brennocks and the Addisons for best decorated tree. I found this out after coils upon coils of christmas lights and a basket full of ornaments and tinsel were given to us by Debbie. 9 out of the 10 sockets on the power board have been used for lights. It's a serious competition......and we're going to win!

Everyone admiring the completed tree

4pm rolled over and we were back at Bulawayo Baptist watching Andy practice drums with the music team for the 6pm service. Besides the hi hat stand constantly slipping away and having one drumstick shorter than the other he did a good job. Alex also had a go of Amy 's (Lead guitarist) Taylor electric/acoustic guitar after practice. He's now in love with it.

L-R: Amy, Shakes, T.K, Andy

The night service was amazing because it was a little different. There wasn't really a sermon per se, but missionaries who had come back from missions spoke to the congregation about their experiences and life changing perspectives they had encountered from their trips. Three different missionaries in three different mission fields (Mozambique, Zimbabwe, USA) all with the goal of spreading the message of Christ through testimonies, playing games with kids, buying children gifts eg. lollies, organising books for a newly built library, or just being a listening ear and a helping hand. The group that missioned in Zimbabwe actually went and visited the Sandra Jones Centre. Two fifteen year old boys stated how they were deeply moved, affected and changed by the girls at SJC when they handed out lollies to them. They said the girls would generously share the sweets with them even though it is a rare occurrence for them to receive lollies. Upon hearing this, I could totally understand the boys because they are so right, the girls at SJC really do change you. I've only known them for 2 and a half weeks yet I feel I've known them forever and want to continue to keep in contact with them when I leave Africa. These girls make you change your perspective from materialistic things to appreciate relationships and the love of Christ, to be able to smile and laugh when you have so little.

11 people in the car

During the service, the heavens opened and rain was pouring in Bulawayo. Alex, Andy, Lisa and I were ready to head home after the service had finished, but we were asked to take 5 kids home. The car we drive fits seven people. Andy did a head count and we had eleven. It was so packed that I had to sit on the floor. Quite fun actually, until we drove over the invisible pot holes that were disguised as puddles due to the heavy rain. After some poor directions from the kids and some excellent driving by Alex in the terrible weather, we finally dropped the 7 kids home at the S.O.S. To our amazement, the S.O.S is a large housing estate for orphans. I would love to look at the place in more detail when the weather fines up as it is massive and intriguing.

Being in Africa also makes you appreciate things back at home for example drains. After dropping the kids off to their homes we grabbed some pizza for dinner. I noticed that the water on the side of the road was slowly creeping up towards the pavement where we were dining. Every driver who's car was parked on the road would have to leap across a mass body of water to get back in their car. All along the sides of the roads were flooded when driving back home. It wouldn't happen if there were drains.

Thanks for reading and commenting.

Jon